379 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
injury. Whenever you are around gasoline,
avoid inhaling fumes and skin contact, extin-
guish all smoking materials. Never allow
sparks, flame or smoking materials near
gasoline!
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:
have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible
avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration
do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage
do not exceed
2/3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain
380 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
pu m p) m us t b e 91 mi n. It is an a vera ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M)/2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.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 loss
In 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 other 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.
381 Technical data
Fuels, 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 Maintenance Booklet
for replacement interval.Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration 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.
382 Technical dataFuels, 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)
383 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield and headlamp washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer
systems are supplied from the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
The windshield and headlamp washer fluid
reservoir has a capacity of approximately
7.4 US qt (7 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above “freezing point”,
use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“S” and water:
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(1.34 floz [40 ml] “S” to 1 gallon [4.0 l] wa-
ter).
For temperatures below “freezing point”
use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“S” and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze:
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(1.34 floz [40 ml “S” to 1 gallon [4.0 l] sol-
vent).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
388 Technical termsOverspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axlesProduction options weight
(
page 282)
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between sport operation (S), com-
fort operation (C) and manual
operation (MAN).
PSI
(Pounds per s
quare i
nch)
(
page 283)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(page 283)
REST
(Residual Engine Heat Utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Rim
(page 283)RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Electrohydraulic brake system
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of posi-
tion P without SmartKey turned and
brake pedal depressed.
395 Index
Driving 46, 51
Abroad 238
Hints, Electrohydraulic brake
system 86
Hydroplaning 236
In winter 237
Instructions 46, 231
Problems 56
Safety systems 79
Systems 197
Through standing water 238
Tips, Automatic transmission 173
Driving safety systems 79
ABS 79
BAS 81
Electrohydraulic brake system 84
ESP
®
81
Driving systems
Cruise control 197
Dust cover 224E
Electric air pump 342
Electrical fuses 363
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electrical system, Technical data 374
Electrohydraulic brake system 79, 84,
388
Activation 85
Deactivation 86
Driving hints 86
Emergency operating mode 84
Messages in the multifunction
display 319
Self-check 85, 318
Warning lamp 84
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 164
Tele Aid 209
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp Home
Mode) 178
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 215
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 102
Unlocking the vehicle 344
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETDEmergency, In case of
First aid kit 342
Flat tire 351
Hazard warning flasher 110
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 298
Roadside Assistance 16, 211
Towing the vehicle 360
Emission control 240
Information label 368
System warranties 14
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 368
Engine
Break-in recommendations 230
Cleaning 293
Compartment 244
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 301
Number 368, 386
Poly-V-belt layout 369
Starting 49
Tachometer 29
Technical data 370
Turning off 58
Engine coolant see Coolant
396 IndexEngine oil 247, 378
Adding 249, 377
Additives 247, 378
Checking level 248
Consumption 247
Filler neck 248
Message in the multifunction
display 328
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter 378
Temperature 29
Oil temperature indicator 303
Viscosity 386
ESP
®
79, 81, 386
Resetting 311
Warning lamp 81, 298
Messages in the multifunction
display 310
ETD 72, 386
Safety guidelines 67
Exterior lamp switch 52, 105
Exterior rear view mirrors 44F
Filler neck, Engine oil 248
First aid kit 342
Flat tire 351
Preparing the vehicle 351
TIREFIT kit 351
Floormats 223
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 249,
377
Brake fluid 242, 377, 379
Capacities 377
Engine coolant 250, 377, 381
Engine oil 247, 377, 378
Power steering fluid 377
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 252, 377
Fog lamps 108, 349
Message in the multifunction
display 330
Front airbags 68
Front lamps see HeadlampsFuel 241
Additives 380
Capacity, Fuel tank 377
Consumption statistics 138
Filler flap 241
Filling the tank 241
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 303
Gauge 29
Premium unleaded gasoline 241,
379
Requirements, Octane rating 377,
380
Fuel cap
Messages in the multifunction
display 301, 329
Fuel filler flap
Locking/unlocking 241
Fuel reserve
Message in the multifunction
display 329
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29
Fuel system
Message in the multifunction
display 329