Page 375 of 418

374 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, use
only engine oils approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on approved
brands is available in the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow FSS recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so
could result in engine damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil is used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
!Always check the oil filler cap
(page 265) for important information
pertaining to the engine oil needing to
meet a specific Mercedes-Benz specifi-
cation (e.g. MB 229.5). If such informa-
tion is printed on the oil filler cap, only
use an engine oil from the list of ap-
proved engine oils in the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet that
meets the specification indicated on
the oil filler cap.
Using engine oils of other specification
may cause the FSS to incorrectly deter-
mine the next service interval and will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 377 of 418

376 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking / pinging
Misfire
Power lossDo not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
costs and may be harmful to the engine op-
eration.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending specific
fuel additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze, which pro-
vides:
Corrosion protection
Freeze protection
Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately –22°F (–30°C) and cor-
rosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
–22°F (–30°C), the boiling point of the
coolant in the pressurized cooling system
is reached at approximately 266°F
(130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase in the boil-over
protection. Refer to Service Booklet for re-
placement interval.
Page 378 of 418

377 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The re-
placement interval published in the Ser-
vice Booklet is only applicable if MB 325.0
anticorrosion / antifreeze solution or other
Mercedes-Benz approved products of
equal specification (see Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet) are used to re-
new the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45%
anticorrosion / antifreeze [equivalent to
freeze protection to approx. –22°F
(–30°C)]. If you use a solution that is more
than 55% anticorrosion / antifreeze [freeze
protection to approx. –49°F (–45°C)], the
engine temperature will increase due to
the lower heat transfer capability of the so-
lution. Therefore, do not use more than
this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion / antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label instruc-
tions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / anti-
freeze coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the alu-
minum
parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion /
antifreeze coolant will result in a signifi-
cantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 Anticorrosion / An-
tifreeze Agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Page 396 of 418

395 Index
Limiting opening height of
trunk lid 153
Rear window defroster 182
Residual heat 184
Seat heater 113, 114
Seat ventilation* 115
Tow-away alarm 84
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 166
Deceleration
With Distronic* 201
Deep water see Standing water 253
Defrosting 179
Delayed switch-off
Interior illumination 152
Dialing
A number (telephone) 140
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 52
Digital clock 23
Digital speedometer 134
Direction of rotation (tires) 271
Discharged battery
Jump starting 351Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 349
Displays
Digital speedometer 134
Distronic* 200
Messages 263, 299
Service indicator 282
Showing malfunctions 145
Distance
Decreasing in Distronic* 206
Increasing in Distronic* 206
Setting in Distronic* 205
Warning function 206
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 143
Distance warning function* 206
Activating 207
Deactivating 207
Distronic* warning lamp 206
Intermittent warning sound 206
Symbol in multifunction display 142
Distronic* 198, 384
Activated 202
Activating 203
Calling up settings 142, 201Cleaning system sensor 287
Cruise control lever 202
Deactivated 202
Deactivating 205
Deceleration 201
Decreasing distance 206
Decreasing time interval 205
Displays in the speedometer dial 200
Distance warning function 206
Driving hints 207
Fine adjustment 204
Increasing distance 206
Increasing time interval 205
Intermittent signal tone 200
Menu 201
Messages in display 302
Resetting stored speed 204
Sensor cover 287
Setting a higher speed 203
Setting a lower speed 204
Setting following distance 205
Setting the current speed 203
Warning and indicator lamps 200
Door control panel 19, 28