engine coolant MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2011 User Guide

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning.
The coolant level is too low.
If the coolant level is correct, the airflow to the engine radiator
may be blocked or the electric engine radiator fan may be mal-
functioning.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Engage the electric parking brake.
X Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant (Y page 265).
Observe the warning notes as you do so.
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X Do not start the engine again until the coolant temperature is
under 120 †. The engine may otherwise be damaged.
X Drive to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. ?
The red coolant warn-
ing lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 120 †. The airflow to the
engine radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too
low.
G WARNING
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
Do not drive when your engine is overheated. This can cause some
fluids which may have leaked into the engine compartmen tto
catch fire.
Stea mfrom the overheated engine can also cause serious burns
which can occur just by opening the bonnet.
There is a risk of injury.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traf-
fic conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Engage the electric parking brake. 240
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
X
Leave the vehicle and keep a safe distance from the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Check the coolant level and top up the coolant (Y page 265).
Observe the warning notes as you do so.
X If you have to top up the coolant frequently, have the engine
cooling system checked.
X Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not
blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
X If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. Driving systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance warn-
ing lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
Aw
arning tone also
sounds. You are approaching a vehicle or a stationary obstacle in your line
of travel at too high a speed.
X
Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
241On-board computer and displays Z

X
Replace cap :on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Make sure that the cap locks into place
securely.
X Chec kthe oil level again with the oil dip-
stick (Y page 264).
Further information on engine oil
(Y page 314). Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
The cooling system is pressurised. Therefore,
only unscrew the cap once the engine has
cooled down. The coolant temperature dis-
play must show less than 40 †. Otherwise,
you could be scalded if hot coolant escapes.
! The coolant level must only be checked
and corrected when the engine has cooled
down (coolant temperature under 40 †).
Checking the coolant level when the cool-
ant temperature is over 40 † can lead to
damage to the engine or engine cooling
system. X
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level if the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 127). X
Check the coolant temperature display in
the instrument cluster.
The coolant temperature must be below
40 †.
X Turn the key to position 0(Ypage 127) in
the ignition lock.
X Slowly turn cap :half a turn anti-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap :further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar
= in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank ;.
X If necessary, top up with coolant that has
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
X Replace cap :and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
For further information on coolant, see
(Y page 316).
Topping up the windscreen washer sys-
tem/headlampc leaning system G
WARNING
Windscreen washer fluid/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Avoid spilling windscreen washer
fluid/antifreeze on hot engine components as
it can ignite and burn. Severe burns could be
the result. Engine compartment
265Maintenance and care Z

D
Maximum permissible rear axle load (kg)
E Paint code
i The data shown on the vehicle identifica-
tion plate is example data. This data is dif-
ferent for every vehicle, and can deviate
from the data shown here. You can find the
data applicable to your vehicle on the vehi-
cle's identification plate. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
X
Slide the right-hand front seat to its rear-
most position.
X Fold up floor covering :in front of the
right-hand front seat.
You will see vehicle identification number
(VIN) ;stamped into the vehicle body.
The vehicle identification number (VIN) can
also be found on the vehicle identification
plate (Y page 310). Engine number
The engine number is stamped onto the
crankcase. More information can be obtained
from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Service products and capacities
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When handling, storing and disposing of any
service products, please observe the relevant regulations, as you could otherwise endanger
yourself and others.
Keep service products away from children.
To protect your health, do not allow service
products to come into contact with your eyes
or open wounds. See a doctor immediately if
any service product is swallowed.
H
Environmental note
Dispose of service products in an environ-
mentally-responsible manner.
Service products include the following:
R fuels (e.g. petrol, diesel)
R lubricants (e.g. engine oil, transmission oil)
R coolant
R brake fluid
R windscreen washer fluid
R climate control system refrigerant
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Mercedes-Benz rec-
ommends that you use products that have
been tested and specially approved by
Mercedes-Benz. These products are listed in
this Mercedes-Ben zOwner's Manual in the
relevant section.
You can recognise service products approved
by Mercedes-Ben zby the following inscrip-
tion on the containers:
R MB-Freigabe (e.g. MB-Freigabe 229.51)
R MB Approval (e.g. MB Approval 229.51)
Other designations or recommendations that
relate to a level of quality or a specification in
accordance with an MB Sheet number (such
as MB 229.5) hav enot necessarily been
approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Further information can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre or on the
Internet at http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Service products and capacities
311Technical data Z

can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.co
m.
i Have the brake fluid regularly checked at
a qualified specialist workshop.
There is usually a notice in the engine com-
partment to remind you when the next
brake fluid change is due. Coolant
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Antifreeze is highly flammable. Fire, naked
flames and smoking are prohibited whe nhan-
dling antifreeze.
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot
engine parts, it may ignite and you could burn
yourself. Do no tspill any antifreeze on hot
engine parts.
! Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection. You
could otherwise damage the engine.
Further information on coolants can be
found in the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products, MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1, e.g. on the Inter-
net at http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
Or contact a qualified specialist workshop.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the engine cooling system is not
sufficiently protected from corrosion and
overheating.
! The engine cooling system is filled with
coolant, which must be renewed after
15 years or after 250,000 kilometres at the
latest. The coolant is a mixture of water and anti-
freeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs the
following tasks:
R
anti-corrosion protection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
If antifreeze/corrosion inhibito ris present in
the correct concentration, the boiling point of
the coolant during operation will be around
130 †.
The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor concentra-
tion in the engine cooling system should:
R be at least 50%. This will protect the engine
cooling system against freezing down to
around -37 †.
R not exceed 55% (antifreeze protection
down to -45 †). Otherwise, heat will not be
dissipated as effectively.
If the vehicle has lost coolant, top it up with
equal amounts of water and antifreeze/cor-
rosion inhibitor. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends an antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor con-
centrate in accordance with MB Specifica-
tions for Service Products 310.1.
i When the vehicle is first delivered, it is fil-
led with a coolant mixture that ensures
adequate antifreeze and corrosion protec-
tion. Washer fluid
G
WARNING
Windscreen washer fluid/antifreeze is highly
flammable.A void spilling windscreen washer
fluid/antifreeze on hot engine components as
it can ignite and burn. Severe burns could be
the result.
! Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or
MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid
could damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps. 316
Service products and capacitiesTechnical data