Mercedes-Benz V-Class Operating Instructions Manual page 343

contact with hot gases or other leaking ser-
vice products. There is a danger of injury.
Allow an overheating engine to cool down
before opening the bonnet. If there is a fire in
the engine compartment, leave the bonnet
closed and notify the fire brigade.
G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri-
bed in the following.
Coolant contains glycol and is therefore poison-
ous. Also observe the safety notes in the "Ser-
vice products and capacities" section
Y
( page 386).
G
WARNING
The cooling system is pressurised, particu-
larly when the engine is warm. If you open the
cap, you could be scalded if hot coolant
sprays out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before you open the
cap. Wear gloves and eye protection. Open
the cap slowly to release the pressure.
Only check the coolant level and/or fill the cool-
ant if the vehicle is on a level surface and the
engine has cooled down. The coolant tempera-
ture must be below 50 †.
! Check the engine cooling and heating sys-
tem regularly for leaks.
If a large quantity of coolant is lost, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
G
WARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot com-
ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you top up
the antifreeze. Make sure that antifreeze is
not spilled next to the filler neck. Thoroughly
Engine compartment
clean the antifreeze from components before
starting the engine.
! Take care not to spill any coolant on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
Example: cap and coolant expansion tank
Checking the coolant level
X
Stop your vehicle on level ground, as far away
from traffic as possible.
X
Switch off the engine.
X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away.
X
Y
Open the bonnet (
X
Allow the engine to cool down.
X
Unscrew cap : slowly about half a turn anti-
clockwise and allow excess pressure to
escape.
X
Turn cap : further and remove it from cool-
ant expansion tank ;.
X
Check the coolant level.
If the coolant is up to marker bar = in the
filler neck when cold, there is a sufficient
amount of coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
If the coolant is approximately 1.5 cm above
marker bar = in the filler neck when warm,
there is a sufficient amount of coolant in cool-
ant expansion tank ;.
Topping up the coolant
X
If the coolant drops under marker bar = in
the filler neck, top up the coolant.
Observe the information on the correct cool-
ant mixture ratio and the required water qual-
ity under "Service products and capacities"
Y
( page 392). To prevent damage to the
engine cooling system, use only approved
corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze that complies
page 337).
Z
341