Page 378 of 417

377 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System. For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or
changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by
the Maintenance System will result in en-
gine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System recom-
mendations for scheduled oil changes.
Failure to do so will result in engine dam-
age 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 conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
er system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Page 380 of 417

379 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of
carbon deposits.
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
engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to engine
operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending
additional fuel additives other than those
tested and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 381 of 417

380 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.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 corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant 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.Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Service Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see Facto-
ry Approved Service Products pamphlet)
are used to renew the coolant concentra-
tion or bring it back up to the proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately
- 22°F [-30°C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approximately
- 49°F [-45°C]), the engine temperature
will increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorro-
sion/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 instructions.
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.
Page 382 of 417

381 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a sig-
nificantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 anticorrosion/anti-
freeze 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.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
Approximately freeze protection– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
Main cooling system
5.2 US qt (5.0 l)
5.8 US qt (5.5 l)
Low temperature cooling system
2.6 US qt (2.5 l)
2.9 US qt (2.75 l)
Page 386 of 417

385 Technical terms
ABS
(A
nti-lock B
raking S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 278)
ACL
(Airbrake/C
entral L
ocking)
Controls the locking mechanism of the
Airbrake and the central locking sys-
tem.
Air pressure
(
page 278)
Aspect ratio
(page 278)BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF warning lamp on the lower
centre console lights up).
BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Bar
(
page 278)BAS
(B
rake As
sist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 278)
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
Page 395 of 417

394 IndexCenter air vents 31
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Center storage compartment 201
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 129
Central locking
Automatic 103
Central locking switch 31, 103
Switching on/off (control
system) 135
Unlocking from inside 103
Changing
Bulbs 346
CDs 156
Charging the batteries (vehicle) 355
Battery charger 356Checking
Brake fluid 241
Coolant level 241, 249
Engine oil level 241
Tire inflation pressure 242
Vehicle lighting 242
Washer reservoir level 242
Child safety
Airbags 64
Automatic child seat recognition 75
Infant and child restraint systems 62
Cigarette lighter 202
Cleaning
Headlamps 178, 293
Vehicle 290
Windows 292
Windshield 53
Wiper blades 291Cleaning tires 255
Clearing
Service display 286
Clock 128
Closing
Hood 246
Trunk lid 102
Windows 193, 194
Windows with SmartKey 195
Cockpit 26, 386
Cold tire inflation pressure 278
Combination switch 27, 51, 109
High beam flasher 51
Windshield wipers 52
Comfort
Shift program mode 173
Compact guide 341
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 237
Page 397 of 417

396 IndexDeep water see Standing water
Defroster
Rear window 181
Defrosting the windshield 188
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 132
Interior lighting 134
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 134
Delayed switch-off time
Cellular phone 205
Department of Transportation see DOT
Differential
Message in the multifunction
display 322
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while driv-
ing
With starting 49
Digital speedometer 122
Direction of rotation (tires) 256
Display elements
Audio system 144Displays
Digital speedometer 122
Maintenance service indicator 286
Showing vehicle status
messages 124
Vehicle status messages 304
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 138
Door
Handle 34
Message in the multifunction
display 318
Opening 100
Opening from the inside 100
Opening from the outside 100
Opening in an emergency 343
Unlocking from the outside 98
DOT 279
Downhill driving
Cruise control 198
Downshifting 168
Drinking and driving 229Driving 45, 50
Driving abroad 236
Hydroplaning 234
In winter 235
Problems 54
Safety systems 79
Through standing water 236
Driving abroad 236
Driving hints
SBC brake system 86
Driving instructions 229
Driving off 232
Driving safety systems 79
ABS 79
BAS 81
ESP 81
SBC brake system 84
Driving systems 197
Cruise control 197
Driving tips 173
Dust cover 222
Slipping on/off 223
Page 402 of 417

401 Index
L
Lamps
Exterior 346
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 297
ABS/ESP 29, 296
Airbrake 29, 301
BAS/ESP 296
Battery (SmartKey) 98
Brake warning lamp 29, 298
CHECK ENGINE 29
Coolant 300
Coolant level 29
Engine oil 29
ESP 81
Fuel reserve 29, 301
Gearshift 29
High beam 29
Maintenance service indicator 286
Manual gearshift 301
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF 303
SBC 84
Seat belt 29, 302
SRS 29, 63, 302
Turn signal 29Language
Multifunction display 130
License plate illumination 347
Light
Sensor 328
Lighting
Automatic headlamp mode 106
Combination switch 109
Daytime running lamp mode 107
Exterior lamp switch 105
Front fog lamps 108
High beams 109
Instruments 113
Interior 111
Locator lighting 108
Low beam 105
Manual headlamp mode 106
Night security illumination 108
Parking lamps 105
Rear fog lamp 109
Settings (control system) 130
Standing lamps 105Limiting the gear range 170
Limp Home Mode 177
Loading terminology 278
Loading the vehicle 256
Location
Audio system 143
Compact guide (Canada only) 341
Telephone 201
Locator lighting 108, 132
Locking 56
Automatic while driving 103
Centrally from inside 103
Fuel filler flap 240
Global, SmartKey 98
Loss of
Keys 100
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 365
Low and high beam lamp 347