2001 Mercedes C-Class Owner's Manual - Page 368

Gasoline additives A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits. After an extended period of using fuels without such additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to engine performance problems such as: • warm-up hesitation, • unstable idle, • knocking/pinging, • misfire, • power loss. Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel. They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be harmful to the engine operation. Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Coolants The engine coolant is a mixture of water and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides: • corrosion protection, • freeze protection, • boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point). The cooling system was filled at the factory with a coolant providing freeze protection to approximately - 22°F (- 30°C) and corrosion protection. If the antifreeze mixture is effective to - 22°F (- 30°C), the boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C). The coolant solution must be used year round to provide the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every 3 years. To provide the important corrosion protection, the solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equals a freeze protection to approximately - 22°F (- 30°C). If you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protection to approximately - 49°F (- 45°C), the engine temperature 359 Instrument cluster display Practical hints Car care Technical data Index Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities Instruments and controls Operation Driving