Antifreeze/Coolant
 

I have been searching for ZEREX G05 to no avail, however, I can find all the DEXCOOL I want. Is DEXCOOL suitable to use in my 300SEL (103) with a copper or brass radiator? It shows that it is OK to use where Daimler/Chrysler specs MS-7170 and MS-9769 are used.

Your best bet is to stick with original mercedes coolant. It's not that expensive. When it comes to your car the most vulnerable part is the aluminum cylinder head. Ive seen them corroded internally to the point of leaking coolant externally, as well as leaking coolant into the combustion chamber. Both are huge fixes compared to the cost of regularly changing your coolant with the proper stuff.

I recently purchased some MB antifreeze and the dealer told me that the price went DOWN (to only about 2x the cost of "ordinary" AF), probably due to the lower cost of oil. I don't think that there is any good reason NOT to use it on a car that you care about.

It seems that most places do not stock the Zerez G-05. We have NAPA auto parts stores in our area and they can get it. Ordered some a couple of months ago and bought 2 gallons for about $12.50 each. I suspect that any place that sells Zerex could order the G-05. This antifreeze is also approved by Mercedes - in fact I believe Zerex has made the MB brand for them since the '80s - just a different dye color in the Zerex labeled package. Zerex lists this as good for 150K miles or 5 years but I personally think it is still best to change it every 2-3 years for maxumum protection (freshness of additive package). Don't use the DEXCOOL! It has caused enough problems for GM and your car is not designed for this formulation.

Pep Boys stocks G-05 around here and NAPA can get it.

Absolutely DO NOT use Dexcool with your type of radiator! I made that mistake a few years back in my older Toyota Pickup with a brass radiator and it quickly ate through the solder joints and ruined the radiator.

The best advice is to stick with the dealer supplied MB antifreeze, if you can't find any G-05. However, as long as you thoroughly flush your cooling system, just about any other type of antifreeze (except Dexcool) will be just fine. Just make sure you follow the change interval that is prescribed for that particular antifreeze.

Go to Phil at Fastlane on the above banner. Get the correct antifreeze. Not too much more expensive, and peace of mind.
regards.
Mark

I, too, have purchased it at Pep Boys. But that was probably a year ago. Seemed like it was 9.99 a gallon

$9.00 / gallon at Pep Boys about 3 weeks ago for me...

"However, as long as you thoroughly flush your cooling system, just about any other type of antifreeze (except Dexcool) will be just fine. Just make sure you follow the change interval that is prescribed for that particular antifreeze."

Before someone follows the above advice, they should think for just a small second about this logic. In essence, the poster is saying it's ok to ignore the MB approved fluids list. This is absolutely not true. MB approved coolant are the MB brand and the Zerex G-05. They are the same product.

How in the world did the author figure out that any anti-freeze with the exception of "DEXCOOL" is OK for MB engines? Based on what facts or statistics?

Steve (based on literally hundreds of posts on this subject)

If you really want help...
 

...perhaps including your approximate geographic location on your profile might help you get some help?

If you are living in Bali (vs. SoCal or Atlanta) it might explain the perceived unavailability?

Franks auto in Uniontown PA had the Zeres G-05 on sale after Thanksgiving fro under $7 a gallon...and damned if I didn't forget to pick up a few gallons.

I just picked up MB antifreeze at the dealer today $20.00 a gallon. Thats a lot cheaper than a heater core. Remember when shopping for a used MB ALLWAYS look a the antifreeze color. Cheap repaires make cheap cars.

I just did dexcool and deionized water combo. Will my car explode?
One thing I noticed is that my leak which I suspect is coming from my waterpump has stopped. Go figure.
I really missed all the reading materials about dexcool before my changeover. Why is dexcool so bad? Read the label and it says it is compatible to Zerex!

Flush it. Dexcool is intended for GM's, and even many GMs have severe problems with dex cool. Lots of cases where it eats away at the head gaskets, etc.