Mercedes-Benz 240 D 1979, 300 D 1979, 300 CD 1979 Owner's Manual
You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BENZ, a car in whose
constru ction and produ ction we have taken great pains because
we believe tha t quality is not a matter of chance.
Perhaps you have already had experience with a MERCEDES,
maybe this is your first car from the DAIM LER -BEN Z company.
In both cases — for your own benefit — please read this ow ner's
manual before putting it away. Even though you have been driving
a car for years, some things in this car m ay be new to you, and this
manual certainly contains a fe w hints which w ill help you to make
the m ost of your new car.
We wish you safe and pleasant m otoring.
DAIM LER -BEN Z Aktiengesellscha ft
3
Contents
This Owner's Manual also
describes optional extras as far as
an introduction on their handling
is required. /Is these extras need to
be ordered separately, the equip
ment o f your vehicle may deviate
from the descriptions and illustra
tions to some extent.
Th e last pag e
What you should know at the
gas station
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and Controls .... 8
Instrument Cluster
.......................
10
Keys, Doors
...................................
12
Master and Supplementary
Keys
..........................................
12
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of Doors
................
12
Master Lock System
..............
13
Seats
..............................................
14
Adjustment of Driver's Seat
and Front Passenger Seat . . 14
Safety Headrest
.......................
15
Arm Rest (Rear Seat)
...........
15
Safety Belts
..............................
16
Controls
.......................................
18
Steering Lock
.........................
18
Idle Speed A djuster
................
18
Light Switch
............................
19
Combination Switch .............. 20
Cruise Control
.........................
21
Various Equipment
....................
22
Interior Lights ........................ 22
Rear View Mirrors
..................
22
Sun V iso r
...................................
23
Heated Rear Window
...........
23
Shelf below Rear Window . . 23
Electric Lighter
.........................
24
Sliding R o of
..............................
24
Electric Window Lifters .... 25
Heating and Ve ntilation 26
Air Conditioning Syste m 28
Automatic Climate Control .. . 30
Rad io
.............................................
33
Driving
H o o d
............................................
38
Regular Inspections
...................
39
Parking Brake
............................
40
Starting and Turning off the
Engine
..........................................
40
Starting and Shifting Gears . . . 42
Manual Transmission 42
Automatic Transmission ... 42
Safe Driving
..............................
44
Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . 46
Brake Fluid .•
..........................
46
Charge Indicator L ig h t 46
Oil Pressure Gauge
..............
46
Coolant Temperature Gauge 46
Emission Control
...................
47
Driving Economically
................
47
Fuel Consumption
................
47
Engine Oil Consumption .... 47
The First 1,000 Miles
(1,500 k m )
...................................
48
Special Operating Conditions . 48
Winter D riv ing ........................ 48
Hints for Driving
...................
49
High Altitude Correction
D evice
......................................
49
Tire Chains
............................
49
Travelling Abroad
................
49
4
Contents
Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Main
tenance System ........................ 52
Severe Operating
Conditions
..............................
52
Engine Oil Change and
Filter C hange
..........................
53
Automatic Transmission —
Fluid and Filter Change .... 53
Spare Parts S ervice
...................
53
Cleaning and Care of the
Vehicle
........................................
54
Jobs related to Care
............
55
Practical Hints
Ash tra ys
.....................................
58
First Aid K it
.................................
58
Rear Seat Cushion
...................
59
Spare Wheel, Jack, Vehicle
Tool K it
........................................
59
Luggage or Ski R a cks
..............
59
Bleeding the Fuel System .... 60
Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc
.............................
60
Engine Oil Level Check .... 60
Replenishing C oo lant 61
Fluid Level — Automatic
Transmission
..........................
62
Wheels, Tires, Changing
Wheels
........................................
63
Wheels, T ires
..........................
63
Changing Wheels
.................
64
Tire Pressure
..........................
65
Electrical S ystem
........................
66
Replacing B ulb s
.....................
66
Fuses
........................................
70
Battery
......................................
70
Emergency Operation of
Sliding Roof
...............................
71
Unlocking of the Filler Flap .... 71
Emergency-starting and
Towing the Ve h icle
...................
72
Turning off Engine Manually . . 73
Technical Data — Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates
...................
76
Vehicle Data Cards
...................
76
Technical Data
..........................
77
240 D
........................................
77
300 D, 300 C D
..........................
79
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants,
etc
...................................................
81
Capacities
...............................
81
Engine O ils
...............................
84
Brake Fluid
............................
84
Diesel F u e ls
............................
85
Coolants
.................................
86
Service Literature
.....................
87
Vehicle Operation
Driving
Vehicle Care
Practical Hints
Technical Data — Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
5
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see quoted pages.
1 Speaker grilles
2 Swivelling side ventilation outlets (page 26)
3 Parking brake release knob (page 40)
4 Hood lock release handle (page 38)
5 Parking brake pedal (page 40)
6 Combination switch (page 20)
7 Light switch (page 19)
8 Cruise control (page 21)
9 Idle speed adjuster (page 18)
10 Instrument cluster (page 10)
11 Horn control
12 Steering lock (page 18)
Steering lock with preglow/starter switch
13 Swivelling outlets for nonheated fresh air
(page 26)
14 Lever for nonheated fresh air (page 26)
15 Switch for rear courtesy light
8
16 Switch for automatic antenna (page 35)
17 Air conditioner temperature switch (page 28)
18 Switch for electric sliding roof
(page 24)
19 Switch for heated rear window (page 23)
20 Air distribution lever (page 26)
21 Heater switch, left vehicle side (page 26)
22 Switch for air volume control and blower
(page 26)
23 Heater switch, right vehicle side (page 26)
24 Radio (page 33)
25 Ash tray with electric lighter (page 24, 58)
26 Speaker — fader control (page 34)
27 Switch group for window lifters (page 25)
28 Hazard warning flasher switch
Push switch = hazard warning flasher system
switched on
Push switch once more = hazard warning
flasher system switched off
29 Glove compartment, illuminated
(only if steering lock is in position "1 " or "2")
To open, move handle sideways
Instruments and Controls
9
Instrument Cluster
1 Coolant temperature gauge (° F)
Up to red marking: Maximum permissible
temperature for an antifreeze-blended fill
protecting down to —22° F (—30° C)
2 Fuel gauge with reserve warning light (red)
Fuel reserve for approx. 35 miles (55 km)
For capacity, refer to page 83
and last page
3 Oil pressure gauge
4 Turn signal indicator light, left (green)
5 Main odometer
6 Trip odometer
7 Turn signal indicator light, right (green)
8 Electric clock
9 Preglowing indicator light (orange)
10 Seat belt warning light (red)
11 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
12 Knob for instrument lighting and trip
odometer
Rotate knob: instrument lighting is
infinitely variable
Depress knob: trip odometer is turned back
13 Brake warning light (red) comes on if
• the parking brake is engaged
• too little brake fluid is in the reservoir
14 Brake pad wear indicator light (red):
Light comes on while braking and driving
if the front wheel brake pads are worn down.
Refer to page 46
15 Charge indicator light (red):
Comes on when the steering lock key is
moved to driving position "2" and must go
out when the engine is idling
16
High beam indicator light (blue)
11
Keys Doors
Master Key — square-headed —
fits all locks on the car.
Supplementary Key — rounded
head — fits only the door locks
and the steering lock. This key is
intended to be used whenever the
car is left with an attendant. Be
sure to lock glove compartment
and trunk with the master key.
Opening the Doors
From outside: pull handle out
wards (1).
From the inside: pull handle in door
trim panel.
Locking and Unlocking of Doors
From the outside: turn key.
From the inside: actuate safety
plunger (sedan) or safety lever
(coupe).
2 Unlocking
3 Locking
When the rear door plunger's are
pushed down the rear doors
cannot be opened from the outside
or the inside. They can be opened
after pulling plungers up.
One cannot lock:
• the driver's door if it is open
• any door if the door lock has
not engaged fully. In this case
open the door and close it again.
12
Keys Doors
Master Lock System
The master lock system simulta
neously locks or unlocks together
with the driver's door all other
doors, fuel tank filler flap and trunk
lid. As the driver's door plunger is
moved, the plungers of all other
doors must move at the same time.
If this is not the case, the lock of
the corresponding door has not en
gaged fully. Open the door once
more and close it correctly.
When the master lock system has
been applied, the lock plungers of
the front passenger door and the
rear doors can also be operated
manually from inside. In addition to
this, the front passenger door can
be locked or unlocked by means
of the key.
The master lock system can only
be applied by depressing the
plunger on the driver's door. Lock
plungers of the other doors cannot
be depressed individually.
The trunk lid can also be unlocked
separately by turning master key
counterclockwise to the stop. Push
the trunk lock button in with it and
lift the lid. Return the key to its ini
tial position and withdraw it. To
lock the lid, close it firmly. It will
then be locked again by the master
lock system.
A provision has been made to
facilitate permanent locking of the
trunk lid for positive prevention of
access to trunk by unauthorized
persons.
Before leaving vehicle with an at
tendant, lock trunk with mas
ter key (square head) by turning
key clockwise to stop (tumbler slot
vertical), then provide attendant
with round-headed supplementary
key. Thus, the trunk lock has been
excluded from the operation of the
master lock system and cannot be
opened except with the square
headed master key.
To reverse this, turn trunk lock
counterclockwise back to horizon
tal position of the tumbler slot
with master key. Lock will then be
reengaged in master lock system;
that is, it will automatically be
locked or unlocked depending on
whether the driver's door is locked
or unlocked.
The master lock system operates
on vacuum generated by the en
gine. A reservoir allows the master
lock system to be actuated about
five times after the engine is turned
off. If the system can then no
longer be engaged, idle engine for
a short period.
If no vacuum is available, doors
and trunk have to be locked individ
ually in the normal manner. The
fuel tank filler flap, however,
remains unlocked.
Note:
If the filler flap cannot be opened
when the master lock system is
unlocked, refer to "Unlocking of
the Filler Flap" (page 71).
Seats
Adjustment of Driver's Seat and
Front Passenger Seat
Forward and backward adjustment:
lift handle (1); slide seat to desired
position and allow handle to re
engage.
Height of seat: raise lever (2);
to raise seat, move seat forward;
to lower seat, move seat backward;
allow lever to re-engage.
Seat back position: turn hand
wheel (3) forward or backward.
For full reclining of backrest, seat
should be moved to one of the for-
wardmost positions and headrest
removed. For driving, return
backrest to upright position and
push seat back. Replace headrest.
Note:
Prior to operating the vehicle,
the driver should adjust the seat
height for proper vision as well as
fore-aft placement and seat back
angle to insure adequate control,
reach, operation, and comfort.
The headrest should also be
adjusted for proper height so that
when the cushion is tipped com
pletely forward, it should form a
cradle behind the seat occupant's
head. Both the inside and outside
rear view mirrors should then be
adjusted for adequate rearward
vision. Fasten seat belts. Children
under the age of six or under the
weight of 50 lbs. (23 kg) should be
seated in the back seat with an
approved restraint system properly
secured. All seat, headrest, and
rear view mirror adjustments as
well as fastening of seat belts
should be accomplished before the
vehicle is put into motion.
Coup6: When the doors are closed
the backrests are locked by means
of vacuum. The locks can be
released by pushing button (4).
When the doors are opened the
backrests can be folded forward
readily.
14
Seats
Safety Headrest
Adjust headrest to support the
back of the head at the level of the
upper end of the ear.
Height adjustment:
Press headrest slightly forward (1)
and reset upward or downward.
Detaching headrests:
Pull headrest out to the stop.
Release arrester by depressing
locking knob to be felt under the
backrest covering material and pull
up headrest, holding it by the LH
headrest post (viewed in driving
direction). Finally pull out headrest
completely with both hands.
The headrest locking knob of the
front seat is located below the LH
headrest post (2).
The headrest locking knob of the
rear seat is located between the
tw o headrest posts.
Arm Rest (Rear Seat)
A center arm rest is provided in the
rear seat which can be pulled out
with a loop.
When replacing, lift at the rear.
For the removal of the rear seat
cushion see "Practical Hints".
15
Seats
I
Safety Belts
Warning system:
The indicator marked "FASTEN
SEAT BELTS" is illuminated for
4 — 8 seconds after turning the
steering lock key to position "2"
If the safety belt of the driver's
seat is not fastened a warning
buzzer sounds simultaneously.
Fastening of front and rear outer
seat belts (with inertia reel):
• Pull belt with tongue (1) across
shoulder and lap. The belt must
not be twisted and must be
tight.
• Press tongue (1) into buckle (2)
and allow to engage audibly.
Unfastening, front and rear:
• Depress red button "PRESS" (3)
in buckle (2).
• Return tongue (1) to initial
position.
Fastening of rear center belt
(without inertia reel):
• Pull belt across the lap. It must
not be twisted and must be
tight.
• Press tongue into buckle and
allow to engage audibly.
Adjustment of rear center seat belt:
To lengthen, turn belt buckle (on
LH side of belt) to be at right angles
to the belt and pull the tongue.
To shorten, pull loose end of belt.
16
Seats
Operation of belts with inertia reel:
The safety belt inertia reel stops
the belt from unwinding further in
case of vehicle deceleration in any
direction or if the belt is pulled out
quickly.
Functional test:
The locking function of the inertia
reel can be tested by braking, driv
ing around a bend or by pulling the
belt out quickly.
Note:
No safety belt can be used for more
than one person. Belts are not in
tended for children.
After an accident, inspect the
safety belts and replace them, if re
quired. The belt anchors in the
vehicle should also be checked.
Belt webbing must not be routed
via sharp edges.
No modifications which may affect
the efficiency of the belts must
be made.
For cleaning and care of belt
webbing, refer to page 55.
17
Controls
8628
Steering Lock
0 Steering is locked when the key
is removed. Key can be re
moved only in this position.
Note:
Do not remove key from steer
ing lock while the vehicle is in
motion as this will cause the
engagement of the steering
lock thus rendering the vehicle
inoperable.
1 Steering is unlocked.
(If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to turn the key
clockwise to position "1".)
2 Preglowing and driving position.
Starting: continue turning key
clockwise to the stop. The
starter is engaged when the key
is pressed against the stop.
The starter nonrepeat unit
requires the key to be returned
to position "0 " prior to
a new starting attempt. For
starting and turning off the en
gine, refer to page 40.
Notes:
The following items can be
operated with the key in steering
lock position "1":
Wiper, windshield washer, head
light flasher, electric lighter, glove
compartment light, radio, electric
seat heater for front seats.
The power supply to the standing
lights is disrupted if the key in the
steering lock is in position "2".
A warning buzzer sounds when the
key has been left in steering lock
positions "1" or "0" and the driver's
door is opened.
Idle Speed Adjuster
To increase idle speed, turn knob
counterclockwise.
To decrease idle speed, turn knob
clockwise.
18
Controls
8154
Light Switch
0 Off-position
1 Parking lights (includes side
marker lights, tail lights, license
plate lights, instrument panel
lights)
2 Same as pos. 1 plus headlights
3 Standing lights, right
4 Standing lights, left
A Turn to position 2 and pull out
to first detent = same as po
sition 2 plus fog lights
B Available for an option
Note:
With the steering lock key removed
and the driver's door open a signal
sounds if the vehicle's exterior
lighting is not switched off (stand
ing lights excepted).
19
Controls
Com bination Switch
1 Low beam (turn light switch
clockwise two notches)
2 High beam (turn light switch
clockwise two notches)
3 Headlight flasher (high beam
available independent of light
switch position)
4 Turn signals, right
5 Turn signals, left
To operate the turn signals, move
the combination switch past the
point of resistance (up or down).
The switch is automatically can
celled when the steering wheel is
turned by a large enough angle.
To signal minor directional changes
of the vehicle, such as changing
lanes on a highway, move combi
nation switch to the point of
resistance only and hold it there.
6 Control for windshield washer
system
When the washer system is
switched on, the wipers also
operate
7 Windshield wiper speeds
0 Windshield wiper switched off
1 Intermittent wiping
II Normal wiper speed
III High wiper speed
Hints:
If one of the turn signals fails, the
turn signal indicator system flashes
and sounds at a faster sequence
than under normal operating con
ditions.
Fog lights will only operate to
gether with low beam headlights.
Fog lights are turned off automat
ically when light switch is returned
to off-position.
20
Controls
86ZJ
Cruise Control
Any given speed above a range of
approximately 10 — 25 mph
(16 — 40 km/h), depending on
model, can be maintained with the
cruise control by operating the
switch.
1 = Setting (touch switch)
Accelerating (hold switch)
2 = Setting (touch switch)
Decelerating (hold switch)
Normally the vehicle is acceler
ated to the desired speed with
the accelerator. Speed is set
by briefly pushing the switch
to position "1" or "2", and the
accelerator can be released.
The speed can be increased
(e. g. for passing) by using the
accelerator. As soon as the ac
celerator is released, the pre
viously set speed will be re
sumed automatically.
If the set speed is to be in
creased or decreased slightly
(e. g. for adaption to the flow
of traffic), hold switch in po
sition "1" or "2" until the de
sired speed is reached. When
the switch is released, the
newly set speed remains con
stant.
= Cancelling
To cancel the cruise control,
briefly push lever to posi
tion "3".
The cruise control will also be
cancelled if the brake pedal is
actuated or if the vehicle speed
drops on steep grades by
more than 20 % below the set
speed.
4 = Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to
position "4" when driving at
a speed exceeding approxi
mately 10 — 25 mph
(16 — 40 km/h), depending on
model, that speed is resumed
which was set prior to the
cancellation of the cruise con
trol. The last memorized speed
is cancelled when the key in
the steering lock is turned to
position “ 1" or "0".
Important:
Please do not use the cruise con
trol if traffic conditions do not
make it advisable to maintain a
steady speed, i. e. in heavy traffic
or on twisting or slick and muddy
roads.
Position "Resume" should be en
gaged only if the driver is fully
aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this par
ticular preset speed.
When driving with the cruise con
trol, the selector lever must not be
shifted to position "N" as other
wise the engine will overrev.
21
Various Equipment
8643
Interior Lights
The switch for the front light has
3 positions.
Position I: light is switched on and
off by the front door contact
switches.
Position II: light is continuously
switched off.
Position III: light is continuously
switched on.
The rear passenger compartment
light is switched on and off by the
rear door contact switches or by
the rocker switch on the instrument
panel.
Rear View Mirrors
Outside rear view mirror:
Outside rear view mirror (2) can be
randomly adjusted from inside by
means of lever (1). If the mirror
housing has been forcibly removed
from its safety catch, it must be
repositioned by applying firm pres
sure.
Inside rear view mirror:
Mirror housing can be randomly
adjusted. In addition mirror
can be dimmed by means of lever
on lower mirror edge. Lever in op
posite driving direction = normal
position. Lever in driving direction
= anti-dazzle position.
22
Various Equipment
Sun Visor
To protect against sunlight
from ahead, fold the sun visor
downwards.
In the event of strong sunlight
through the side windows, remove
the sun visor from its inner fixture
and swing it sideways.
Heated Rear W indow
Turn key in steering lock to posi
tion "2".
When the rear window heater is
turned on, the white indicator light
in the switch (1) comes on.
A heavy load is imposed on the
battery due to the high power re
quirement. For this reason, switch
off the heated rear window as soon
as it is demisted or defrosted. It is
shut off automatically after a
maximum of 30 minutes. Always
remove heavy layers of ice and
snow first.
Shelf below Rear W indow
Do not carry heavy or hard objects
on the shelf below the rear
window. Such items could become
dislodged during hard braking or
upon a vehicle crash causing
distraction or serious injury to the
vehicle occupants.
23
Various Equipment
Electric Lighter
Key in steering lock position
"1" or "2".
Press in electric lighter; it will pop
out automatically when hot.
Sliding Roof
Manual operation
To release, swing down locking
lever and turn by half a revolution
to the stop. Slide roof to the de
sired position. To secure, turn
back the locking lever to the stop
and swing up.
Note:
For safety reasons the locking lever
must be swung up every time the
sliding roof was moved.
Electrical control
Turn key in steering lock
to position "2".
Press upper end (symbol) of rocker
switch (1) to open roof, press
lower end to close.
If the electric drive fails, the
sliding roof can also be moved by
hand. Refer to "Emergency
Operation of Sliding Roof".
24
Various Equipment
Electric W indow Lifters
Switch group for window lifters:
1 front, left
2 rear, left
3 front, right
4 rear, right
5 Safety switch
The electric window lifters can only
be operated with the steering lock
in position "2". All four windows
can then be operated using the
switches in the center console.
The rear door windows can also be
operated using the switches (5) in
each rear door panel as long as
the safety switch "S " in the center
console is depressed. If the safety
switch is not depressed, inadvert
ent operation of the rear door
windows (for instance, by children)
is prevented.
25
Heating and Ventilation
>
1 Air volume control knob
Switch on by turning clock
wise. The air volume is then in
creased up to the stop. The
3-speed blower cuts in as of
scale mark "I".
In case of dust and fume annoy
ance from outside, the air
supply to the vehicle can be cut
off (by turning knob counter
clockwise to the stop).
To heat and ventilate the
parked vehicle, or if an in
sufficient volume of air is avail
able during the ride, move air
volume control knob at least
to blower speed I. For fast
touring we recommend you to
engage blower speed I, for
city traffic speed II.
2 Heater knob, left vehicle side
3 Heater knob, right vehicle side
Switch on heater by turning to
the right. Heating power is then
increased up to the stop.
Control air volume with knob 1.
4 Air distribution lever
Lever to the left = air to wind
shield
Lever in center position = air
to windshield and to front and
rear footwells
Lever to the right = air to
front and rear footwells and a
minor volume of air to the
windshield
5 Lever for nonheated fresh air
Lever to the left = open
Lever to the right = closed
6 Swivelling outlets for non
heated fresh air
7 Swivelling outlets for side venti
lation
Turn right = open
Turn left = closed
Fresh air enters the vehicle through
the openings in front of the wind
shield (keep free of snow) and is
emitted through the ventilation
openings below the rear window
if the side windows are closed.
Do not cover up ventilation
openings w ith clothes etc.
8820
26
Examples for heating and ventilation settings
Maximum heating
power and maximum air
volume to the w ind
shield (DEF = Defrost).
To defrost the side
windows, also open
swivelling outlets 7 and
point towards the side
windows.
Maximum heating
power and normal air
volume to the w ind
shield as well as to front
and rear footwells.
Varying heating power
and increased air vol
ume to front and rear
footwells, left and right
vehicle side.
8810
Heating and Ventilation
/INDSHIELD FLOOR
/^3D E F IDEF /^3D E F
Maximum heating
power and maximum air
volume to front and
rear footwells.
I
mmm
^ “oll oil oil
HEAT LEFT AIR FAN HEAT RIGHT
Maximum air volume
to windshield as well as
to front and rear foot
wells (open lever 5 fully
for nonheated fresh air).
OEF
______________
WINDSHIELD FLOOR
/^ 3 D E F ,<c^3D EF / ^ J D E F
Normal air volume to
front and rear footwells
(open lever 5 halfway
for nonheated fresh air).
27
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