I see referances all over the place for not using the "green Stuff" and MB coolant. I am pretty new to the world of MB, So forgive me, but I don't understand what is differant with MB coolant. Is it like the new Orange coolant that all the chevy's and dodges use? I have noticed at the stores that coolant is no longer green, it is yellow and labled WORKS WITH ALL COLOR COOLANTS, so is this what needs to be used? is MB coolant formulated with special lubricants or conditioners? I mean it is an Iron block with aluminum radiator and a water pump or two what is special about MB coolant? and why is it really needed over the "green stuff"?
John

It's the general consensus that the green stuff will cause premature cracking of the plastic parts in the system. True? Who knows............

M/B has a recommended coolant for the engine.

The Zerex G-05 coolant is identical to this M/B recommended coolant as best as we can determine.

You, of course, can use what you wish.

http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?pg=vcc20051101ac&cccid=2&scccid=1

If your doctor prescribed a certain medicine to cure a condition, would you question it, and search for cheaper alternatives? Probably not.

This has been discussed to death. Just follow the approved list of fluids.
Why you would want to go against what the car manufacturer specifies is beyond me. After all, they designed, built, and tested your particular car.

Zerex G05 was $10.99 a gallon one month ago. You should change coolant every 2 years. So trying to save a couple of bucks a year by deviating from the approved list is just silly.

Just my opinion, but I have experienced the cracked radiator neck out of town on the interstate. Not fun. That particular 300E apparently had the green stuff before I bought it.

My 2 cents ,

Steve

The offical OE coolant and Zerex G05 are the only coolants recomended for these cars. Although I hear the new MB's are coming down the line with a blue coolant, not quite sure whats up with that.

Anyway their was an artical posted awhile back, MB coolant is different then other coolants on the market. I guess it protects the plastic parts better and does something for our water pumps.

Also come re sale time, it shows the owner went the extra mile to take care of the car.

I just rather use the proper stuff and not mess around with it.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The Mercedes coolant is ethylene glycol with added lubricants and anti-corrosion agents to protect the parts of the cooling system. One reputable independent Saab mechanic (Tom Townsend) said that ever since he started putting the Mercedes coolant into the Saabs he was servicing, the number of cooling system repairs went down drastically and water pumps stopped failing. Also, he said that the insides of the cooling system are cleaner and more protected with the Mercedes coolant than with other coolants he's used.

The FAQ page at http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=10 says

What vehicles use Zerex G-05 in the factory fill and what is the dye color?
1984 Mercedes and beyond (light yellow)
1990 Deere and Company vehicles and beyond (green)
2001 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep and beyond (orange)
2002 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury trucks and SUVS and beyond (yellow)
2003 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury automobiles and beyond (yellow)

What aftermarket products are approved by Ford and Chrysler?
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury brands - Ford Motorcraft Gold and Zerex G-05
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep brands –Mopar 5/100 Antifreeze and Zerex G-05

What is the difference between these products?
All products use the Zerex G-05 formulation. The only difference is the dye color.

So, from this page, it looks like Zerex G-05 and MB coolant are definitely the same product. It also seems to imply that you could call the Ford dealer and order Ford Motorcraft Gold coolant, for example, if that's more convenient / less expensive.

Where I live, MB coolant from the dealership seems to be about the same price as Zerex or other alternatives though, so I just buy that.

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1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth
1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD

Is phosphate. The lower cost green and/or yellow contain it. Even in low amounts it can contribute to lower pH during use and cause the formation of phosphoric acid. Copper, brass and iron could manage it fairly well but it's taboo for aluminum. Recall when radiators were made of brass?? Zerex states (although I never tested it in the labs I've worked) "phosphate free." The web site claims some sort of acid control - trade secret, no specific formula.

As for "compatible with all brands" I have heard mechanics dub red-orange GM brand dex cool, "DEATH cool." When mixed with some types of differing chemistry, it gels!! and WILL NOT FLOW!

My wifes 2001 VW Jettta V6 has red coolant thats $40 a gallon. Anybody know what thats about?

Red? Obviously blood of the innocents, or something.

What about this stuff? It says, "meets property and performance specification requirements of DaimlerChrysler MS 7170, MS-9769"

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The new mercedes blue coolant stops the heads cracking and rods bending? Perhaps the red vw coolant is aimed at keeping the turbos alive. A percentage of this is starting to sound like marketing. I would try to find the generic brand of that coolant and use it to change the coolant at recomended frequencys in the vw. It has turned out to be the identical product quite a few times in the past. Bet it's under 20.00. I just do not feel the cars we purchase new should become profit centres. Just take your coolant to the dealer when he does the work as long as it is the same and you have documentation that it is. Bet you they offer to supply it for less the next time if they have any brains.

I don’t know about the high tech chemical makeup of the stuff, but I do know this:
About 7 years ago, I went from the MB stuff to some other orange stuff that said it was compatible with aluminum radiators, etc. I thought I’d give it a try.
Within the next 18 months or so, I changed my ACC servo out twice. The second time, I recall some nasty build up in the coolant valve portion of the servo. You’d think I’d figure it out with the first servo. DUH….
Big time thorough flush and back to MB coolant. Same servo since. Seems to me there’s something different about it.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Actualy I think the new MB blue coolant never needs to be changed or something like that.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

A relative in the car parts industry told me that the water in europe is not as radiator friendly hence the use of 'mb' coolant.
I trust him but still use zo5.

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

That would only make a difference if you used tap water, which is probably not a good idea anyplace.