Basic question about coolant

Cyber Sleep Walker

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I know I'm going to sound like a numbskull asking this but..

Is it bad or okay to mix different brands of coolant ?, or is it the rule something to do with don't mix green with blue ?

CSW
 
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SQ_W211

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I thought they are like our engine oil and all have different grades so not good idea to mix them up

But then again I may be wrong
 

Dazzler

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I know I'm going to sound like a numbskull asking this but..

Is it bad or okay to mix different brands of coolant ?, or is it the rule something to do with don't mix green with blue ?

CSW

Thats about right.
Best these days to drain off and run with Red Longlife at 50/50 mix, IMHO
 

Miffy

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I think we are supposed to use genuine MB coolent/antifreeze as it has anti corrosion inhibiter's.
 

Blakey

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I use genuine MB at about 50/50, and unlike other cars I've had, when replacing the thermostat earlier this year, inside the head looked so clean and shiny, you could've seen your face in it!!!
 

124coupe

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There are several incompatible types of coolant so, if topping up, its best to use what was used the last time it was changed.....

Re using Merc coolant (which also comes in versions that may be incompatible with what's in the car NOW), as with all service fluids you can get a sheet from the service desk, based on your VIN, listing the MBxx.x requirements for your car - engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, gearbox oil etc etc.

You can then buy the stuff re-branded by Merc or the equivalent MBxxx.x rated stuff from a Motor Factor, Halfords or Costco etc.

Merc don't manufacture any of the fluids - they just specify them, have them delivered with their brand on and then mark them up - often by 100% or more!
 

kth286

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There are several incompatible types of coolant so, if topping up, its best to use what was used the last time it was changed.....

Re using Merc coolant (which also comes in versions that may be incompatible with what's in the car NOW), as with all service fluids you can get a sheet from the service desk, based on your VIN, listing the MBxx.x requirements for your car - engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, gearbox oil etc etc.

You can then buy the stuff re-branded by Merc or the equivalent MBxxx.x rated stuff from a Motor Factor, Halfords or Costco etc.

Merc don't manufacture any of the fluids - they just specify them, have them delivered with their brand on and then mark them up - often by 100% or more!

Merc do not actually make many of the car's parts, they are all bought in, BUT to Merc's own design, just like the Merc coolant.
 

kth286

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Thats about right.
Best these days to drain off and run with Red Longlife at 50/50 mix, IMHO

Not advised to run long life coolant in a car not designed for it.

Get the coolant from your Merc dealer giving the parts person your car VIN - they wiil supply the correct product and you will not regret it, as it will keep your cooling system inards like new.
 

television

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Not advised to run long life coolant in a car not designed for it.

Get the coolant from your Merc dealer giving the parts person your car VIN - they wiil supply the correct product and you will not regret it, as it will keep your cooling system inards like new.

With many other post on this subject it has been said that the MB anti freeze is better than most other,,and not made to a price, so I agree 100%
 

rf065

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With many other post on this subject it has been said that the MB anti freeze is better than most other,,and not made to a price, so I agree 100%

And good for 15 years too on new models, according to MB.

Russ
 

Number_Cruncher

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When the cooling system not only has the two expensive heat exchangers fitted to most cars, but also has expensive duo valves and perhaps an auxiliary pump and perhaps an oil to water cooler too, using anything other than MB anti-freeze must be a false economy - it's not as though you need to buy gallons of the stuff!
 

124coupe

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Not advised to run long life coolant in a car not designed for it.

Get the coolant from your Merc dealer giving the parts person your car VIN - they wiil supply the correct product and you will not regret it, as it will keep your cooling system inards like new.

Actually you will now find they stock just one antifreeze at the parts desk - the latest MBxx.x spec - and tell you to thoroughly flush the old stuff to avoid problems with mixing....(at least Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester do).

If you pay them to change, for example, a W124's coolant, it will be flushed and get the latest MB long-life NOT what it was filled with from the factory or when first changed after its 5th birthday. Why? Presumably because the newer stuff is better AND they don't want to stock lots of options.

If you ask for the service products sheet for the car, it will list the make and model of the MBxxx.x approved fluids, ONE or more of which is re-branded by Merc and the rest will be the major brands. They are all those submitted to Merc for test and given approval to wear the required MBxxx.x approval on the packaging.

The sheets change over time for existing models - the recent one I have for my E320 Coupe (from Merc Worcester based on the VIN) is very different from the one that was tucked in the service folder when I bought the car.
 

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