The owner's manual for the 99E300 states that there is no maintenance required on the battery. There is also a warning that any relplacement battery must be able to be held upside down for a minimum of fifteen minutes without leaking so, to be sure that you get the correct battery, call Mercedes-Benz.
I looked at the battery located under the rear seat and noticed that it looked exactly like the battery in my 87300tdt, screw caps and all. The 99 has an additional feature--a clear plastic drain hose near the neagative terminal that leads under the car.
I also noticed that my electrolyte level was about 60% full.
A call to the dealer ensued. The reply to my question about refilling the battery was that if I was worried about my battery, just buy a new one. HUH! I could get no answer as to whether filling the battery was ok or not, or whether I had a truly Maintenance free battery or not, or whether the drain tube would leak. A call to MBUSA had the same result. No one had an answer.
but everyone suggested that I buy a new battery.
Does anybody know 1. What is a manintenance free battery? and
2. what is the right battery for the 99E300? and 3. Will it hurt to top up my battery?.
Also have any 99E300 owners looked under the seat to see what is in there?