Zerex G-05 vs. real Mercedes coolant
 

I had an e-mail exchange with the tech folks at Valvoline that I thought some of you might be interested in reading. The Zerex G-05 and the Mercedes coolant apparently are not identical, but probably close enough for government work.

ME: Is Zerex G-05 identical to the Mercedes branded coolant that I would buy at a dealership? Also, since it seems like AutoZone no longer carries Zerex G-05, where can I find it in my area?

ZEREX: Yes, the Zerex G-05 is the approved coolant for the Mercedez Benz application. Our biggest supplier for the product is Carquest Auto Parts. Other options include Napa, Auto Zone, Advance, O'Reilly's, & Pep Boys. If these places don't carry the product, please just ask them to order it for you.

ME: Thank you for your reply. Is the Zerex G-05 identical to the Mercedes branded coolant? Earlier this year there was a rebate on the purchase of the Zerex G-05. Are there any plans for a repeat of that promotion in the works?

ZEREX: It is not IDENTICAL, but the Mercedez formulation and Zerex G-05 are 100% compatible. I am not sure about promotions. Please give our hotline a call at 1-800 TEAM VAL and ask for promotions for this information.

Did you ask them if they make it for MBUSA? Other than the color of the jugs, they are identical.

Along the same lines, Febi makes the hydraulic fluid for Mercedes.

MTI - how can you say they are identical when Zerex says they are not? Am I missing something?

Thanks.

I was referring to the jugs and the product coding that is stamped on the jug. It's fairly obvious that the containers and the serial coding are from the same manufacturing plant. The person you quote, did he specify the difference? It could be as subtle as a different amount of coloring agent added.

Some time ago I did some internet research on the product data of both the MB coolant and Zerex G-05. There were some subtle differences, but the additive packages seemed to be from the same "family" of chemicals. Kind of like the difference between Coke and Pepsi. I was convinced MB coolant and Zerex G-05 can be treated equally.

I included our complete "conversation." He never offered what exactly the differences were and I didn't ask. I suppose my point in posting this info was to let folks know that the two products are not identical as some have said, but that they are both probably okay to use. In my mind, IF they were both priced about the same, I'd still tend to lean toward the Mercedes badged product.