Donald,

That's probably true, but I was only curious if the rules were different elsewhere in the US.

Sorry for the broadband post. I wanted to clear the air but couldn't email Donald directly.

Regards,
Sixto
78 450SEL
91 300SE

I don't know if it's the same, but I heard so much about MB differential oil for limited slip and went to a local Chicago MB dealer. They don't even have it and said to use 90 weight, that's what they do.

I just called a Honda dealer for my wife's power steering fluid. The cap says "...only Honda..." but the dealer parts guy said it doesn't matter. He told me Honda recommends their fluid and it has special friction modifiers. I expressed concern about difference in feel if I use different fluids and he said it won't make a difference.

I admit to over-analyzing these things but have a hard time believing there is any significant differences between the products.

Steve
'85 SL500 (Euro)

Well I caused such a ruckus by offerring M/B spec for anti-freeze and then a turn-coat telling of my 13 years good luck using Zerex. I thought I would stir the Battery Pot. After the original White Buffalo FAILED it was burried and replaced with an Interstate MDL.M888-60. It is stronger than any spark ignition engines battery. And the price? Check it out in your area. Happy Trails Beep Beep from lots of cca Houston.

Donald
ets sum strongatheee batree

Donald, I have used Interstate batteries for at least twenty years with no problems. I used to use Sears Die Hard batteries but discovered I could get the same battery from Interstate and save over $50. I have never used "MB Antifreeze" and have never had trouble with cooling systems.
Bill Lewallen Lexington,Ky.

There are reasons why a manufacturer of a class and reputation of a Mercedes recomends certain products. They are made for their vehicles and ensure long life.
Here's a link that everyone should read.

http://www.mbca.org/pages/tech/MBCA_Antifreeze.htm

You can use plain water in you car also, and that will work. Over time however this will do harm to your engine. Same with wrong antifreeze. You might not even know that you are harming your engine. The car might run fine for 200,000 miles and you will think that's great. What you will never know is whether the car would have run for another 50K or 100K or whatever miles.

Same goes for oil. I use Amsoil - European Car specifications, even though regular Mobil 1 is most likely just fine. It's only $20 bucks more per change, and that is not cheap enough for a piece of mind.
I have nothing against doing the work yourself, but if you're going to cheap out on parts then you might as well buy a Kia.

Just as a note"I don't know if it's the same, but I heard so much about MB differential oil for limited slip and went to a local Chicago MB dealer. They don't even have it and said to use 90 weight, that's what they do.".


It's not a different fluid- it's an additive for the oil.

The chemist told me measure the PH of the green coolant and the MB stuff, new, 6months, 12 months etc.. The difference is it's a buffered solution. The MB stuff will stay neutral which is a GOOD thing. I believe you can get the MB approved stuff via Carquest. $15 for me every 2 years is noise in the cost of these cars.

Definately, don't mix types- seen Dexcool plus a bit of green stuff.


Michael

__________________
Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Is Antifreeze, like Aspirin, "Hype"?
Is Antifreeze, like Aspirin, "Hype"?

Safety & health
Health & Safety




Have a great day.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

I have tested almost most of the knowed good brands for Anti-freez and coolant inclusing MB. I discovered that the best one is Mitsubishi original Anti-freez (Although I hate Mitsubishi to death). So I use arround 3~5 liters of the Mitsubishi original Anti-freez and the rest I add distilled water (battery water) for my 560SEL 1989 that have the ASR nightmare .

__________________
Master Computer Engineer, A+, Network+, MCP/MCSA/MCSE 4/2k/2k3 - Messaging, MCTS, MCITP, MCT, Brainbench, ICDL and starting Ph.D

380SE 1984 <------- Totaled by flipping accident
300SE 1988 <------- Sold
Volvo S70 2000 <---- 4 family
Opel Omega 2002 <-- 4 family
560SEC 1989 <------ Sold
560SEL 1990 <------ Sold
560SEL 1991 <------ 4 my mother
560SEL 1989 <------ Sold
600SEL 1992 <------ Current

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZkhazenzcc

Strangely enough a good number of DSMers (Mitsu-Chrysler Diamond Star Motors joint venture) run blue Honda coolant.

Sixto
93 300SD

I think using distilled water in the mix is way more advantages than this rediculous banter over what antifreeze to use. Wm L stated it best....its about the dollar and the fear factor. Sometimes common sense has to prevail.

guys, quick q.. where is the coolant drain plug located in 97 E420?????

__________________
Current cars:
2001 MB E55 AMG
2003 Honda S2000
2000 Honda CRV

Gone but not forgotten:
2004 BMW 325i 5sp sport
1999 BMW 540i sport
1997 MB E420
1995 BMW M3 coupe

A few years ago I was changing the oil in the transmission in my '82 300d. It's a German-spec Getrag 5-spd. In the owner's manual it made a big hoo-hah about how I shouldn't never ever use anything but the original and absolutely genuine (accept no other! Beware substitutes!) gearbox oil. Well.
So I went to my Mercedes dealer, and they spent a lot of time looking at their computer screen, then the micro fiche, then the dog-eared old paper. Nothing. Muttered conferences, nasty sideways looks. What is this hayseed trying to pull over on us, anyway?
So finally they get on the phone to Mercedes US, and after exchanging secret passwords and fraternity handclasps over the phone, the Head Parts Woman comes out with a piece of paper with a parts number on it. "Mercedes US doesn't have this product," he said "Take this to a Chevrolet dealer, and they can help you." with that he pointedly turned away and tended to his next customer.
At the GM dealer, they wondered where I got the number from, and then promptly came up with the oil. Out of curiousity I asked if that was the oil for the 6-speed manual box in a corvette. He checked the number and said it was. "How'd you know that?" he asked. I said that I'd read somewhere that it was a Gertrag box, and sort of put two and two together.
I don't know what this story indicates.