Not all motorists know how often it is worth changing the coolant, which one should be filled, what to do if the coolant is lost, and what proportions should be observed. Let's try to figure it out.

We have on sale the original Mercedes antifreeze with catalog number A000 989 08 25 and its full analogue A000 989 21 25(blue concentrate). It is allowed to use third-party products that have passed certification and are listed on approval sheet 325.0 (the last approval sheet is shown below). Antifreeze A000 989 08 25 and A000 989 21 25 allow mixing. Antifreeze is used to adjust the level or replace. A000 989 08 25.

As for the preparation of antifreeze, for example, to reach a freezing point of -37 ° C, the ratio of concentrate and water is 1: 1. Do not use undiluted concentrate, as this can lead to the precipitation of crystals (like sugar crystals) inside the cooling system and blockage of the flow sections. This is the first moment, and the second - the antifreeze does not have a linear dependence of the freezing point on the concentration - so, the freezing point of undiluted concentrate is close to -20 ..- 25 ° C, i.e. higher than diluted with water one to one (look at the graph). The maximum allowable percentage of concentrate in the finished antifreeze is 55%. This provides protection against freezing down to -44 o C. A further increase in the proportion of concentrate is undesirable - with an increase in the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coolant, its heat capacity decreases, i.e. the ability to absorb heat and remove it. After some time after replacement, the blue antifreeze changes color to greenish, but I will make a reservation right away - the color change is not a criterion for its suitability - its color is due to the dye, which subsequently "works".

Coolant replacement interval:

1. most models since 2002 - once every 15 years or 250,000 km of run, unless otherwise indicated in service book(in fairness, it must be said that much depends on the quality of the water with which the concentrate was diluted);
2. for earlier models (before 2002) the frequency was once every 3 years;
3. for some cars and after that, antifreeze must be changed every three years. This list mainly includes machines with the M111 engine:

• W210 with chassis number up to А956412;
• all W202 with M111 from the beginning to the end of production;
• W208.335 / 435 with M111.945 engine with chassis number up to F165935 / T056332;
• W170 with M111 engine with chassis number up to F252591;
• W163 - regardless of the type of engine (all petrol and diesel);

The list of products with approval sheet 325.0 is given at the bottom of the article.

The manufacturer's requirements for water are rather ambiguous. It is suggested to use clean, soft water. Drinking water, as written, is often good for this, but not always. Industrial, tap, river water is not applicable. Therefore, it is better to use distilled and deionized water. Using plain water will result in problems with the cooling system over time. These are deposits (scale) on the walls of the cooling jacket, radiator, and a decrease in the anti-corrosion properties of antifreeze. The walls of the cooling jacket, rough from scale, and the reduced cross-sections of the radiator honeycomb will lead to a decrease in the fluid flow rate and, as a consequence, to a decrease in the efficiency of the system itself. For comparison, brew ordinary tap water in a teapot for a month without first filtering it, and at the end of the experiment, see what will be inside. Now imagine what will happen in the cooling system.

General information about antifreeze for Mercedes Benz passenger cars (tolerance sheet 326.0)

Here, too, everything should be clear - the tolerance sheet stipulates the use of antifreezes that are already ready for use. They do not need to be diluted with water, checked for density, etc. Among the advantages are much more stable parameters, because demineralized water of very high quality is used. In addition, the manufacturer's responsibility for a ready-to-consumer product is always higher than for a semi-finished product, which the buyer has to bring himself. Among the shortcomings - firstly, the freezing temperature is standard for European products -37 ° C, and secondly - a high price - large overhead costs for storage, transportation, packaging, plus high-quality water is not cheap. A list of 326.0 approved products is shown below. Otherwise and in general, antifreezes from tolerance sheet 326.0 are completely identical to products from sheet 325.0 and are used in all gasoline and diesel engines passenger cars Mercedes benz.

Tolerance sheet 326.0

Antifreeze "30"

Since 2011, Mercedes has introduced another antifreeze into circulation - with a catalog number A000 989 16 2514(canister 5 liters). It is designed to "repair" a cooling system damaged by corrosion of aluminum alloys (suspension, gel in the cooling system, overheating, loss of radiator throughput). Antifreeze is supplied in the form of a concentrate, which must be diluted 50/50 with water to obtain a coolant with a freezing point of -37 o C. Antifreeze "30" must not be mixed with any other types of antifreeze and, most importantly, subsequently the cooling system already filled with antifreeze "30" cannot be filled with antifreeze from approval sheets 325.0 or 325.2. To distinguish the cooling system reservoir, a "Typ 30" sticker is glued in a prominent place. Antifreeze "30" must be changed every 3 years.

Some general information about antifreeze

In general, there are four main types of antifreeze:

1. traditional antifreezes containing inorganic inhibitors - silicates, phosphates, borates, nitrites, amines, nitrates and their combinations. Now in Europe they are used less and less because of their low service life (2-3 years), low boiling point (about 105 o C). In addition, silicates during operation cover the inner surface of the cooling system with a silicate film, which impairs heat transfer (but if silicates are not added, then corrosion will instantly "gnaw" your car engine). This type of antifreeze has not been used in Mercedes since about the end of the 90s;
2. hybrid antifreezes (often referred to as HOAT - Hybrid Organic Acid Technology, Hybrid Technology, NF - Nitrite Free). They are usually blue, green, blue-green, or yellow. This type complies with the Volkswagen standard TL 774-C and carries the approval of Volkswagen G11 (ready-made antifreezes), G05 or G48 on the labels. They make up a large part of the list of products included in the tolerance sheet 325.0. They differ in the use of both inorganic (mainly silicates and phosphates) inhibitors and organic, i.e. combine the advantages of traditional and carboxylated antifreezes (with the same formation of a film on the wall of the cooling jacket, but thinner and non-consumable inhibitors, which come into operation only when corrosion foci appear). There are many differences in the composition of such antifreezes: for the United States, the use of nitrites is typical, slightly less phosphates, but with a minimum content of silicates (the main inhibitors are phosphoric acid, sodium metasilicate, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite), and for Europe, the use of phosphates is uncommon due to increased water hardness, as a result of which phosphates precipitate (there is only one way out - the use of demineralized water) - therefore, the focus is mainly on silicates; also European antifreezes do not contain amines, and some of them do not contain nitrites.
3. "Carboxylate" antifreezes or "OAT coolants - organic acid technology" are sometimes referred to as "organic antifreezes". There are quite a few of them on the list of 325.0 approved products. They are distinguished by the use of organic (carboxylic) acids as inhibitors (but they do not contain silicates, phosphates, borates, nitrates, nitrites and amines). Of the advantages - heat boiling point (about 165 ° C), longer service life (from 5 years or more). Again, it is typical for the Japanese to add nitrites and molybdates even to carboxylate antifreezes, and for the Americans - phosphates. They were assigned a quality class: - G12 - ready-made antifreeze; the class was in circulation until 2006 and was determined by the Volkswagen specification TL 774-D; - G12 + ready-made antifreeze; the class has been in circulation since 2006 and was determined by the Volkswagen specification TL 774-F; - G30 - concentrate for VW, G33 - concentrate for cars of the Peugeot-Citroen group, G34 - concentrate for the GM group. G12 are usually painted in red, G12 + - in red, orange, crimson, pink or lilac. Carboxylate antifreezes are characterized by a slow but long-lasting effect of inhibitors. They work best with aluminum, worse - with copper and brass, cast iron, solder with a high lead content. There have been cases of aggressive influence on elastomers. Antifreeze classifications G12 and G12 + are miscible with each other within the same manufacturer; G12 + is allowed (but undesirable) to be mixed with antifreezes, G12 - are absolutely not miscible with G11 antifreezes.
4. "lobrid coolants" or "SOAT coolants" - occupy an intermediate position between hybrid and carboxylate antifreezes. In addition to carboxylates, they contain a small (up to 10%) amount of inorganic constituents, mainly silicates. Colors can be any - yellow, green, orange or even colorless (for filling on a conveyor). For these antifreezes, a separate designation is allocated - G12 ++ for the ready-made antifreeze and G40 for the concentrate (they correspond to the Volkswagen specification TL 774-G). Each of the manufacturers in its own way defines the name of the class - BASF calls them SOAT (Silicone Organic Acid Technology), Arteco - Lobrid Technology. They appeared relatively recently - around 2008.

Propylene glycol antifreezes stand out separately. According to the Volkswagen classification, they are assigned the designation G13 and a bright yellow or orange color. There are more and more of them, but only in Europe - it is very expensive. Most buyers are not willing to buy such a product, although public transport in Europe switched to polypropylene glycol antifreezes a long time ago. Advantages: It is non-toxic and very environmentally friendly. Propylene glycol or ethylene glycol / glycerin antifreezes are designated G13, but Mercedes antifreezes of this class are not used.

Antifreeze color. For some manufacturers, the color meant the type of antifreeze, for others, the freezing point. So, the Japanese have long adhered to the principle of temperature gradation: red (maximum) -30 o C, green -25 o C, yellow -20 o C. But there is one "BUT": the lower the pour point, the lower the heat transfer, i.e. the efficiency of the cooling system is seriously reduced. Therefore, some Japanese manufacturers, whose cars are distinguished by small volumes of cooling systems, do not use red, as is the case on 80% of cars, but green or yellow antifreeze... But this does not mean that red and yellow Japanese antifreeze are immiscible, although it may be the other way around. This does not mean anything at all, since it is generally better not to mix antifreezes. The Europeans have a more systematic approach, thanks to the Volkswagen concern. It was these guys who became the trendsetters in the field of antifreeze. Volkswagen approval sheets bear the Gxx designation.

So, an approximate set of colors according to the Volkswagen classification:

1. class G11, G05, G48, as a rule, is painted in blue, green, blue-green, sometimes yellow (these are "hybrid" antifreezes);
2. class G12, G30, G33, G34 - usually red (these are carboxylate antifreezes);
3. class G12 + - usually in red, orange, crimson, pink or purple (this is also a carboxylate antifreeze);
4. class G12 ++, G40 - usually in purple or violet color. Belongs to the class of "lobridny" antifreezes;
5. class G13 - propylene glycol antifreezes. They are usually colored orange.

And one more thing about the color of antifreeze - we all know that on the market you can often buy the same product under different brands and at different prices. So, the same antifreeze can be painted in the following colors: orange for the Ford plant, yellow for Volvo, pink for the Opel plant, blue for the Komatsu plant. The same antifreeze goes on sale in orange. Any more questions about the legality of choosing antifreeze by color? Understand that the choice of antifreeze must be approached no less responsibly than the choice engine oil and it is not necessary to pour into the tank without getting it! The differences between the products are simply huge and anything can happen from mixing different antifreezes. It is better not to buy "just blue" antifreeze and add it to the tank and drive with this mixture for the next 2-3 years.

Can I mix different brands of antifreeze and what should I add to the cooling system?

The answer is similar to the answer to the question "is it possible to mix oils different brands and classes? "So, in most cases, oils can be mixed. And antifreezes are more likely not than yes! Consider the cases when you may need to top up the coolant:

1. Leakage of coolant as a result of a malfunction (leaks in the system). If you have the opportunity to get to the service to eliminate the defect, then you need to eliminate the defect and adjust the coolant level using a diluted concentrate (with a density check after the repair is completed). Yet better liquid just replace;
2. if there is a fluid leak on a long journey, or simply in a situation where a car with such a level simply does not reach service. In this situation, we top up what we find - there is a car shop nearby - any antifreeze that has a tolerance sheet 325.0 (if the concentrate is only diluted with water); if there is none, whatever is available; if there is no place to buy or beg, add water; if there is nowhere to take water in winter, melt the snow (it will melt for a very long time in the expansion tank) and move without turning off the engine. In a situation with antifreeze topping up, you can drive a hundred or two kilometers, in a situation with water - less, since the water pump suffers, more precisely the seal that protects the bearing, but in both cases the end point of the journey should be the station Maintenance where everything that you have filled needs to be replaced with normal coolant. Regarding the seal of the bearings of the water pump - specially, no lubricating additives are introduced into the antifreeze - ethylene glycol itself, due to its qualities, provides sliding at the point of contact between the impeller and the seal. When using clean water, the seal is abraded;
3. if there is a drop in level without visible leaks (after a night parking under the car and there are no puddles on the plastic protection), oil dipstick no emulsion or from exhaust pipe white steam does not come down - add water. Check and adjust the coolant level when you next visit. The reason for the drop in the level may be the discharge of vapors through the plug of the expansion tank, the task of the valve of which is to maintain excess pressure (usually for a Mercedes it is 1.5-2.0 bar). Moreover, water vapor is released, which begins to evaporate at 100 ° C, and not ethylene glycol, which boils at a temperature of 197 ° C. That is why, if you add diluted concentrate, the content of monoethylene glycol in the cooling system may become too high, which will lead to a sharp decrease in heat capacity coolant and others negative consequences, which have already been discussed above.

Thus, if you do not know what is filled in your car in the cooling system, it is better to replace it - it is not so expensive, but for sure. Moreover, you will get rid of questions about what to add to the system. You will not add Lukoil oil to Shell, will you? Mix antifreeze different types- money transfer - the additive packages are unbalanced and we get a cocktail with unknown properties. Mix antifreezes even with a 325.0 approval from Mercedes, but different manufacturers- also not the smartest move. Each manufacturer uses its own set of inhibitors and it may turn out that some of the positive properties of antifreeze will be lost, and some negative ones will be enhanced a hundredfold! A fatal situation from mixing antifreezes of different types and manufacturers and colors will not occur in 99% of cases, although there were situations when a precipitate or even a gel fell out! It is just that in the shortest possible time it is necessary to completely replace the coolant in the system, because antifreeze is not just an anti-freeze, but a set of very balanced additives - anti-corrosion, anti-cavitation, detergents and many, many others.

Then another question arises - what to add to the cooling system, in which there is original antifreeze? Only the original antifreeze. The manufacturer of the product for the conveyor and supply of spare parts is not known, although it is clear that Daimler AG itself is not engaged in the production of antifreeze. It is possible that there are several such suppliers. But in any a car you can safely fill in the original antifreeze, since they are all created according to the same recipe. As for the products from the tolerance sheet 325.0 - they can be used in the cooling system, but they cannot be mixed with each other! You will not mix oils from sheet 229.5 with each other in random proportions just because they are included in the same tolerance sheet?

Further! The main criterion for the suitability of antifreeze in your car's cooling system is not the color, but its freezing point. Closer to winter, it makes sense to find out this value. To do this, you need to visit a service station. If you decide to do it yourself, then remember that you need to adjust the density not in the expansion tank, but in the system as a whole, for which, after each refilling of concentrate, you need to start the engine, turn on the stove to full and let the "cocktail" stir for several minutes. Then you can check the result (albeit with a correction for the coolant temperature: the density of the antifreeze decreases from about 1.065 at 20 ° C to 1.022 at 100 ° C). With regard to the danger of freezing of the coolant in the engine. If the liquid consists of at least 30% of the concentrate, then there is practically no risk of destruction (rupture of engine parts, as would happen in the case of using water): the increase in volume is unlikely to reach 1%. The liquid can turn into a mushy substance, but after warming up the engine, it will return to its qualities. Worse, if she manages to turn into an ice, the pump impeller will most likely not stand it.

List of products included in the tolerance sheet 325.0

It should be borne in mind that the tolerance sheets are constantly changing. In the tables given - tolerance sheets 325.0 and 326.0 as of 06/11/2015

The article is based on the article of the now defunct site www.mb-info.ru

Antifreeze for Mercedes-Benz GL-Class X166

When buying, you need to know the shade - Colour and Type of antifreeze approved for the model year of your GL-Class X166. Select the manufacturer at your discretion. Do not forget - each type of fluid has its own service life.
For example: for Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (Body X166) of 2012, with a gasoline or diesel engine type, lobrid antifreeze class, type G12 ++ with shades of red is suitable. The approximate period of the next replacement of which will be 7 years. If possible, check the selected fluid against the vehicle manufacturer's specifications and service intervals. It's important to know Each type of liquid has its own color. There are rare cases when a type is tinted with a different color.
The color of red antifreeze can be from purple to light pink (green and the same yellow principles).
Mix liquid from different manufacturers - can if their types match the mixing conditions. G11 can be mixed with G11 analogues G11 cannot be mixed with G12 G11 can be mixed G12 + G11 can be mixed G12 ++ G11 can be mixed G13 G12 can be mixed with G12 analogues G12 cannot be mixed with G11 G12 can be mixed with G12 + G12 cannot be mixed with G12 ++ G12 cannot be mixed with G13 G12 +, G12 ++ and G13 can be mixed with each other Mixing of Antifreeze with Antifreeze is not allowed. No way! Antifreeze and Antifreeze are very different in quality. Antifreeze is the trade name of the traditional type (TL) of the old-style coolant. At the end of its service life, the liquid completely discolours or becomes very dull. Before changing one type of fluid to another, flush the car's radiator with plain water.

As a result of the internal combustion engine operation, it heats up - this is a natural process. But the heating process cannot be endless. For supporting working temperature and the exclusion of the factor of overheating of the Mercedes engine, as well as in other brands, a coolant is used for cooling - antifreeze.

The coolant has special properties and characteristics that do not allow it to boil at 100 degrees and not freeze at subzero temperatures. Like any automotive fluid, antifreeze has its own lifespan and must be changed.

Cost The cost of replacing antifreeze with a Mercedes depends on the car model and the amount of coolant to be poured from 2100 rubles

It is recommended to replace the coolant in accordance with the Mercedes service regulations. The regulations state that it should be replaced every 2-3 years or for a mileage of 100 thousand km.

Overheating of the engine leads to the loss of the inherent properties of the engine oil. In addition, the aging of the oil in an overheated motor is faster, and the load on the working surfaces of the motor multiplies.

Replacing the coolant with a Mercedes

IMPORTANT! The coolant must be changed every 2-3 years / every 100 thousand kilometers / when washing radiators

The procedure for replacing antifreeze is replacing the old coolant with a new one. Old liquid drains through the drain plug located at the bottom of the radiator. After the liquid is drained from the radiators of the cooling system, drain plug closes, and into the system through expansion tank the cooling liquid is poured in advance mixed with distilled water.

We recommend changing the coolant also when cleaning the cooling radiators. Usually, this procedure is started in the spring, when the snow has melted and all the dirt has been washed off the roads. There is nothing to add here, while washing the radiators it is recommended to replace working fluid to a new one.

When you need to add coolant to a Mercedes

The vehicle's smart systems can detect the coolant level. Of course, the system will not indicate the exact volume of the missing fluid, but it will promptly notify the car owner about the insufficient level.

For what reason is fluid topping up required? Let's start with the fact that it is necessary to check the level, that is, every 15,000 km. Checking the level is not a complicated procedure and is possible for self-access.

Like any liquid, antifreeze can still evaporate, although the evaporation or boiling point of antifreeze is much higher plain water... In addition, antifreeze prevents the cooling system of a car from freezing in winter, and its crystallization properties depend primarily on the degree of concentration (percentage of mixing with antifreeze with distilled water).

Topping up antifreeze, each in a small amount is the norm. If the level drops quickly and you often have to add fluid to the cooling system, then you need to look for a malfunction and search for leaks, because overheating of the motor can lead to serious damage and expensive repairs.