Mercedes-Benz 300SD 1981 Owner's Manual
Drive Sensibly — Save Fuel
Fuel consumption depends to a great
extent on driving habits and operating
conditions.
In order to save fuel you should:
• ensure that tire pressures are
correct
• not carry unnecessary loads
• remove ski racks or roof-mounted
luggage racks when not in use
• not warm up your engine at idle
and with the vehicle at standstill
• avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration
• avoid frequent braking
• avoid unnecessarily high speeds
• have all the maintenance jobs
specified by us carried out at
regular intervals by a
MERCEDES-BENZ service station.
Driving in low temperature weather, in
stop-and-go city traffic and on short
hops, and in hilly country also
increases fuel consumption.
300SD
Type 126 D
1981
You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BENZ, a car in whose construction
and production we have taken great pains because we believe that quality is
not a matter of chance.
Perhaps you have already had experience with a MERCEDES, maybe this is
your first car from the DAIMLER-BENZ company. In both cases — for your
own benefit — please read this owner’s manual before putting it away. Even
though you have been driving a car for years, some things in this car may be
new to you, and this manual certainly contains a few hints which will help you
to make the most of your new car.
We wish you safe and pleasant motoring.
DAIMLER-BENZ Aktiengesellschaft
3
This Owner's Manual also describes
optional extras as far as this is
required for their operation.
/4s the scope of delivery is deter
mined by the order, the equipment of
your vehicle may deviate from the
descriptions and illustrations to some
extent.
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and Controls .
Instrument Cluster
............
Keys, D oors
......................
Master Key and
Supplementary Key
Flat Key
..........................
Obtaining Replacement
Keys
..............................
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of Doors
Master Lock System .. .
Seats
...................................
Electrical Adjustment of
Driver’s and Front
Passenger’s Seats
........
Safety Headrests
..........
Orthopaedic Seat Back .
Arm Rest (Front Seats) .
Arm Rest (Rear Seat) . .
Seat Heater
..................
Safety Belts
..................
The last page
What you should know at the gas
station
Contents
Controls
.......................................
22
Steering Lock
...........................
22
Lighting Switch ....................... 23
12 Combination Switch
...............
24
14 Cruise C ontrol
..........................
25
Automatic Climate C ontrol 26
^ Various Equipment
.....................
28
Exterior M irrors
.......................
28
Inside Rear View M irror 28
Sun Visors
...............................
29
Sliding R oo f
.............................
29
Interior Lam ps
.........................
30
Heated Rear Window
..............
30
16 Electric Lighter
..........................
31
Shelf below Rear Window .... 31
Electric Window Lifters 31
I® Radio
..............................................
32
18
18
19
19
20
5
Contents
Driving
Hood
.............................................
42
Regular Inspections
....................
43
Parking Brake
..............................
44
Starting and Turning
off the Engine
...............................
44
Starting and Shifting Gears 46
Safe Driving ................................. 48
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
Lamp
.........................................
50
Brake Fluid
...............................
50
Charge Indicator Lam p 50
Oil Pressure Gauge
................
50
Coolant Temperature Gauge 50
Emission Control
.....................
51
Engine Oil Consumption 51
The First 1500 km/1000 Miles . .. 51
Special Operating Conditions... 52
Winter Driving
..........................
52
Hints for Driving
......................
52
High Altitude Correction
Device
.......................................
53
Tire Chains
...............................
53
Traveling Abroad
....................
53
Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance
System
.........................................
56
Severe Operating Conditions 56
Enginge Oil Change and Filter
Change
.....................................
57
Automatic Transmission —
Fluid and Filter Change 57
Spare Parts Service
....................
57
Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 58
Jobs related to C are
..............
59
Practical Hints
Ash trays
.....................................
62
Rear Seat Cushion
......................
62
Bleeding the Fuel System 63
Turning off Engine Manually .... 63
First Aid Kit
...................................
64
Luggage or Ski Racks
................
64
Spare Wheel, Jack,
Vehicle Tool Kit
..........................
64
Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels 65
Wheels, T ire s
..........................
65
Changing Wheels
.....................
66
Tire Inflation Pressure 67
6
Contents
Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc
..............................
68
Engine Oil Level Check 68
Checking Coolant Level
........
69
Replenishing Coolant
............
69
Fluid Level —
Automatic Transmission 70
Electrical System
.........................
71
Fuses
.......................................
71
Battery
.....................................
71
Replacing Bulbs
.......................
72
Windshield Wipers
.......................
75
Emergency Operation of
Sliding R oo f
.................................
75
Unlocking the Fuel Filler Flap ... 75
Jump Starting
...............................
76
Tow-starting and Towing
the Vehicle
...................................
76
Technical Data, Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates
.....................
80
Vehicle Data Cards
.....................
81
Warranty Coverage
.....................
81
Technical Data
.............................
82
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 84
Capacities
.................................
84
Engine Oils
...............................
86
Brake Fluid
...............................
86
Diesel F uels
.............................
87
Coolants
...................................
88
Service Literature
.........................
89
Vehicle Operation
Driving
Vehicle Care
Practical Hints
Technical Data, Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
7
Vehicle Operation
Instrum ents and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see quoted pages.
B 1 Speaker grilles
2 Side ventilation outlets (page 26)
3 Swivelling outlets for nonheated fresh air (page 26)
4 Parking brake release handle (page 44)
5 Handle to disengage hood lock (page 42)
6 Parking brake pedal (page 44)
7 Combination switch (page 24)
8 Lighting switch (page 23)
9 Cruise control (page 25)
10 Instrument cluster (page 12)
11 Horn control
12 Steering lock (page 22)
Steering lock with preglow/starter switch
13 Lever for nonheated fresh air (page 26)
10
14
Switch for rear passenger compartment lamp
(page 30)
15 Switch for electric sliding roof (page 29)
16 Switch for hazard warning flasher system
17
Switch for automatic antenna (page 34)
18
Switch for heated rear window (page 30)
19
Automatic climate control (page 26)
20
Radio (page 32)
21 Ash tray with lighter (page 31, 62)
22
Switch for left front seat heater (page 19)
23 Loudspeaker — fader control
24
Switch for right front seat heater (page 19)
25 Switch group for window lifters (page 31)
26
Adjusting lever for exterior mirror on front
passenger side (page 28)
27 Glove compartment, illuminated (only in steering
lock positions “ 1 ” or “2” )
Instruments and Controls
11
Instrum ent Cluster
1 Coolant temperature gauge (° C)
Up to red marking: Maximum permissible
temperature for an antifreeze-blended fill protecting
down to - 30° C/ - 22° F. See page 50.
2 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow)
Fuel reserve and capacity, refer to page 85 and last
page.
3 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 50.
4 Turn signal indicator lamp, left (green)
5 Main odometer
6 Trip odometer
7 Turn signal indicator lamp, right (green)
8 Tachometer
9 Electric clock
10 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
11 Seat belt warning lamp (red)
12 Preglow indicator lamp (yellow)
13 Brake warning lamp (red) comes on if
• the parking brake is engaged
• not enough brake fluid is in the reservoir
14 Brake pad wear indicator lamp (yellow):
Lights up during braking if the front wheel brake pads
are worn down. See page 50.
15 Charge indicator lamp (red):
Comes on when the steering lock key is moved to
driving position “ 2” and must go out when the
engine is idling. See page 50.
16 High beam indicator lamp (blue)
17 Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer
Rotate knob: instrument lamps intensity are
infinitely variable
Depress knob: trip odometer is turned back
Note
A stop is provided on the speedometer at the
138 km/h/85 mph reading. Speeds in excess of
138 km/h/85 mph will not be indicated.
Instrument Cluster
13
Keys Doors
Master Key — square head -
locks on the car.
-fits all Flat Key
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.
The flat key fits all vehicle
locks. We recommend that
you carry the flat key with
you and keep it in a safe
place so that it is always
handy, if needed (e.g. in
your wallet). Never leave the flat key in
the vehicle.
Obtaining Replacement Keys
Replacement keys can be obtained
only via MERCEDES-BENZ service
stations. If the keys are lost, assist
ance is rather time consuming and
expensive.
14
Keys Doors
Opening the Doors
From outside: pull handle outwards (1)
From inside: pull handle in door trim
panel (4).
4
Locking and Unlocking of Doors
From the outside: turn key.
From the inside: actuate plunger.
2 Unlocking
3 Locking
When the rear door plungers 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.
15
Keys Doors
Seats
>
Master Lock System
The master lock system locks or
unlocks the driver’s door, the other
vehicle doors, the fuel tank filler flap
and the trunk lid simultaneously. The
lock plungers of the other vehicle
doors must then move together with
the lock plunger of the driver’s door.
If this does not happen, the lock of
the respective door is not properly
engaged. Open the door again and
shut it correctly.
The front passenger door and the rear
doors can also be locked or unlocked
individually from inside. The front
passenger door can also be locked
and unlocked with the key.
With the master lock system in the
locked position, the trunk lid can also
be unlocked individually: To do so,
turn the main key to the left as far as it
will go, then depress the trunk lid lock
push button with the key and open
the trunk. Turn the key to its initial
position and withdraw it. To lock the
trunk lid, close it firmly; the trunk lid
will then be locked by the master lock
system again.
The trunk lid can also be locked
independently (for instance, to leave
the vehicle in a workshop) without
actuating the master lock system.
Turn the main key to the right as far as
it will go and withdraw it. In this case
the trunk lid can only be unlocked
with the main key which must be
inserted and turned back to the left.
Note:
If the fuel tank filler flap cannot be
opened, refer to “ Unlocking the Fuel
Filler Flap” (page 75).
Electrical Adjustment of Driver’s and
Front Passenger's Seats
Turn key in steering lock to
position “2” .
Seat and seat back can be adjusted
individually by means of the switches.
These are accommodated in the front
doors.
When the key is withdrawn or turned
to steering lock positions “ 1” or “ 0",
seat and seat back can be adjusted
only if the driver's door is open.
16
Seats
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, oper
ation, and comfort. The headrest
should also be adjusted for proper
height so that when the cushion is
tipped completely 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 23 kg/50 lb 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 fasten
ing of seat belts should be accom
plished before the vehicle is put into
motion.
Safety Headrests
Adjust headrest to support the back
of the head approximately at ear level.
Safety headrests, front
Height adjustment:
Press headrest slightly forward (1)
and reset upward or downward as
required.
Detaching headrests:
Pull headrest out to the stop. Release
arrester by depressing release knob
to be felt under the seat back
covering material and pull headrest
upward quickly, holding it by the LH
headrest post (viewed in driving
direction). Then pull out headrest
completely with both hands.
The headrest release knob is located
below the LH headrest post (2).
Safety headrests, rear
Height adjustment:
Raise or lower headrest as required.
Detaching headrests:
Pull up headrest until resistance can
be felt. Then pull it out quickly using
both hands.
17
Seats
>
Orthopaedic Seat Back
Turn handwheel (1) to adjust the
spinal support. The spinal support
must not be inflated when being
adjusted. A red mark in window (2)
indicates the height it is adjusted to.
To inflate the spinal support, actuate
hand pump (3) as required. For
deflation, push button (4).
Arm Rest (Front Seats)
The arm rest engages in 3 positions.
Position 1 = arm rest folded up.
Position 2 = for normally inclined
seat back.
Position 3 = for extremely inclined
seat back.
For downward adjustment of the arm
rest, depress release button 4.
Note:
The arm rest does not suffice as a
child restraint system. In case of a
frontal collision a child can be
catapulted forward over the locked
arm rest. It is only suitable as
protection against objects which
might be hurled forward when the
vehicle is decelerated.
18
Seats
Arm Rest (Rear Seat)
An arm rest is provided in the rear
seat which can be pulled out with a
loop.
For the removal of the rear seat
cushion see “ Practical Hints” .
Seat Heater
The front seat heaters can be
switched on with the steering lock in
positions “ 1” or “ 2” , the rear seat
heaters only in steering lock
position “ 2”.
The switches for the front seats are
located at the forward end of the
center tray, those for the rear seats
are accommodated in the rear doors.
Push switch to position 1 = contin
uous operation. The indicator lamp in
the switch comes on.
Push switch to position 2 = rapid
heating. Both indicator lamps in the
switch come on.
Switch in center position = seat
heater off.
Due to the relatively high power
consumption of the seat heater a
heavy load is placed on the battery.
For this reason the switch should not
be left in position 2 any longer than is
absolutely necessary while the engine
is switched off.
19
Seats
t
Safety Belts
Warning system:
The indicator 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:
• Pull belt with latch plate (1) over
shoulder and lap. The belt must
not be twisted.
• Press latch plate (1) into buckle (2)
and allow to engage audibly.
• Adjust front seat safety belts so as
to have the upper belt located as
near as possible to the middle of
the shoulder. For this purpose,
push button (4) and raise or lower
belt outlet (3 positions).
• The belt must be tight and must be
checked for tightness immediately
after fastening and regularly during
the trip. If required, tighten lap belt
by pulling up on the upper belt
section.
Unfastening:
• Depress red button (3) in buckle.
• Return latch plate (1) to initial
position.
20
Seats
Operation:
The safety belt inertia reel stops the
belt from unwinding further in case of
vehicle deceleration in any direction
of if the belt is pulled out quickly.
Functional test:
The locking function of the inertia reel
can be tested by braking, driving
around a bend or by pulling the belt
out quickly.
Lap Belt in Rear Passenger Compart
ment:
Pull belt with latch plate (1) across the
lap, press tongue in lock (2) and allow
to engage audibly. The belt must not
be twisted but must be tight.
To shorten the belt, pull belt end with
the latch plate engaged. To lengthen
the belt, turn the latch plate so that it
is at a little more than 90° to the belt
and pull before fastening the belt.
To disengage the belt, push red
button (3) in the lock.
Note:
No safety belt can be used for more
than one person. Belts are not
intended for children.
After an accident, inspect the safety
belts and replace them, if required.
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 web
bing, refer to page 59.
(
21
Controls
Steering Lock
0 Steering is locked when the key is
withdrawn and the steering lock is
engaged. The key can be with
drawn only in zero position.
Note:
Do not remove key from steering
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 engine,
refer to page 44.
Notes:
The following items can be operated
with the key in steering lock posi
tion “ 1” .
Wiper, windshield washer, headlamp
flasher, electric lighter, glove com
partment lamp, radio, electric seat
heater for front seats, electrically
adjustable exterior mirror.
The power supply to the standing
lamps 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.
22
Controls
i
Lighting Switch
0 Off-position
1 Parking lamps (includes side mar
ker lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
2 Same as pos. 1 plus headlamps
3 Standing lamps, right
4 Standing lamps, left
A Turn to position 2 and pull out to
first detent = same as position 2
plus fog lamps
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 lamps
are not switched off (standing lamps
excepted).
23
Controls
Combination Switch
1 Low beam (turn lighting switch
clockwise two notches)
2 High beam (turn lighting switch
clockwise two notches)
3 Headlamp flasher high beam avail
able independent of lighting 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 cancelled 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 combination
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 control
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 conditions.
Fog lamps will only operate together
with low beam headlamps. Fog lamps
are turned off automatically when
lighting switch is returned to off-posi
tion.
For the overload protection for the
windshield wiper motor, see page 75.
24
Controls
Cruise Control
Any given speed above approximately
40 km/h/25 mph 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 accelera
tor. As soon as the accelerator is
released, the previously set
speed will be resumed automati
cally.
If a set speed is to be increased
or decreased slightly, e.g. to
adapt to the traffic flow, retain
switch in position “ 1” or “2” until
the desired speed is reached.
When the switch is released, the
newly set speed remains.
3 = Cancelling
To cancel the cruise control,
briefly push lever to position 3.
The cruise control will also be
cancelled if the brake pedal is
actuated or if the vehicle speed
drops below 40 km/h/25 mph.
4 = Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to
position “ 4” when driving at a
speed exceeding approximately
40 km/h/25 mph, that speed is
resumed which was set prior to
the cancellation of the cruise
control. The last memorized
speed is cancelled when thj-«
in the steering lock is turne
position “ 1” or “ 0” .
Important:
Only use the cruise control if the
traffic conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
Position “Resume” should be en
gaged only if the driver is fully aware
of the previously set speed and
wishes to resume this particular
preset speed.
When driving with the cruise control,
the selector lever must not be shifted
to position "N " as otherwise the
engine will overrev.
25
Autom atic Climate Control
12 3 U j 5 16 ! 7
The automatic climate control system
is designed to maintain the desired
temperature in the vehicle interior.
Heating, cooling and air distribution
(top, center, bottom) are controlled
automatically.
The automatic climate control system
will work only if the engine is running.
Various functions can be chosen with
the push buttons to suit the weather
conditions. Air outlets 11 and 12 can
be opened, closed or swivelled as
desired. The outer swivelling outlets
can be opened and closed with levers
8 and 10, the center swivelling outlets
11 with lever 9. Lever to the left =
open. Fixed outlets 12 are opened
and closed by rotating the wheel in
the respective outlet. Wheel turned
up = open.
To ensure correct operation of the
automatic climate control system, air
outlets 11 and 12 must not all be
closed at the same time.
The swivelling outlet located on the
console for unheated fresh air or
cooled air to the rear passenger
compartment can also be opened or
closed as required.
Lever to the left = open.
Buttons 2-7 can only be pushed
individually. The indicator lamps in the
individual buttons come on if the
buttons are pushed when the vehicle
exterior lamps are switched on
(except for the standing lamps).
26
Autom atic Climate Control
1 Temperature (°C)
The interior temperature can be
adjusted infinitely by turning the
temperature selector wheel be
tween the two end positions
"MIN” = no heating and "MAX”
= full heat output. If the heat is
required to reach a selected
temperature, this particular tem
perature is reached as quickly as
possible and then maintained
constantly. In order to avoid
undesirable temperature fluctua
tions, a set temperature should be
readjusted in small increments
only.
2 Defrost
Air heated to maximum tempera
ture is channeled to the windshield
regardless of the position of the
temperature selector wheel 1.
To direct air to the side windows,
open air outlets 12.
3 Bi-Level
In the heating and cooling modes,
air is channeled to the windshield
and footwells. During the cooling
mode, additional air is routed to
outlets 11.
The vehicle interior is cooled down
with the least possible draught
with the footwells receiving a
larger volume of cooled air.
4 Normal
In the heating mode most of the
heated air is channeled to the
footwell. Only sufficient air is
channeled to the windshield to
keep it free from mist under
normal weather conditions.
In the cooling mode, air is only
channeled to air outlets 11 and 12.
At low ambient temperatures the
fresh air supply and the blower are
switched off until the engine
coolant has warmed up slightly.
5 Economy
EC (ECONOMY) = saving opera
tion; the refrigerant compressor is
switched off.
Control 5 is the same as control 4,
but provides no cooling effect.
We recommend this setting at
ambient temperatures when no
cooling of the fresh air is required
(saves fuel).
6 Off
If this control has been actuated,
the fresh air supply to the vehicle
is cut off (e.g. in the case of dust
and fumes entering from outside).
7 Fan
If controls 3,4 or 5 are actuated,
the air volume can be adjusted as
desired.
Push upper switch = maximum air
volume
Push lower switch = minimum air
volume
Push center switch = air volume
is controlled automatically
Important!
In order to keep the automatic climate
control in good working order, con
trols 3 or 4 need to be actuated briefly
at least once a month. Ambient
temperature must then be above
+ 2° 0/36° F.
Inside Rear View Mirror
The mirror can be tilted to the
anti-glare position by means of the
lever at its lower edge.
1 = Normal position
2 = Anti-glare position
Various Equipment
Exterior Mirrors
Driver’s side:
Exterior mirror (2) can be adjusted
from inside the vehicle by means of
adjusting lever (1).
Front passenger side:
Turn key in steering lock to position
“ 1” or “ 2” . The exterior mirror can be
adjusted by means of the lever.
Note:
If the mirror housing has been forcibly
removed from its safety catch, it must
be repositioned by applying firm
pressure.
28
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