The MB coolant is not the same as anything you will find in the auto parts stores. As is the case with all fluids, Mercedes-Benz has worked with their suppliers to come up with formulations that are compatible with the other materials used in their cars. According to rwthomas1, there's no documented case of damage from incorrect coolant. What about all those broken plastic radiator necks? Personally, I believe that the coolant contributed to the plastic deterioration.

Remember the Mercedes-Benz advertising slogan from the 1970s? "Engineered like no other car in the world." The MB engineers didn't just go down the street to Jurgen's Auto Parts, buy some coolant, and say "OK, we'll use that." No, there's a science behind this stuff and Mercedes-Benz does it better than any other car company. That's why we're using 20+ year old cars as daily drivers. They're also still supporting our old cars like no other car company, so you can be confident that today's fluids from MB are backward compatible.

Yes, the fluids from Mercedes are more expensive. But they're pennies compared to the systems they work in. If you want to blow water pumps, power steering seals, self leveling pumps and every other such system, then go to Pep Boys and load up. But if you want lots of happy trouble-free miles, go the the dealer and buy the good stuff.

End of diatribe #323.

Eric - sorry you live in BFE. You could stock up on everything with one dealer trip, or contact a dealer like Fletcher Jones or Capitol West and have them ship you stuff.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
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