Mercedes-Benz 300SD 1984 Owner's Manual

Owner’s Manual

300 SD-

TURBO DIESEL

- Mercedes-Benz

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 as well,
increases fuel consumption.

Owner’s Manual

300S D-

TURBO DIESEL

Chassis 126 D

1984

Mercedes-Benz

O u r company and staff wish you many hours of

enjoyment with your new vehicle.
You have placed a lot of trust in our company name by

purchasing a MERCEDES, from which you may expect that
it will give you long service, with a minimum of trouble and
that it is easy to operate.

We have just one request to make, hoping that it will benefit
you as well:

Please do not put this manual aside without first carefully
reading it.

This manual contains many important recommendations
that could help you gain better control over your

MERCEDES and more pleasure while driving it.

We wish you many miles of motoring pleasure.
Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft

3

Contents

Special equipment is also described
in this manual, including operating
instructions wherever necessary.
Since there are special-order items,
the descriptions and illustrations
herein may vary slightly from the
actuaiequipment of your vehicle.

If there are any equipment details that
are not shown or described in this
Owner’s Manual, your MERCEDES-
BENZ dealer will be glad to inform you
of correct care and operating proce
dures.

Vehicle Operation

Instruments and Controls

.........

10

Instrument Cluster

......................

12

Keys, D o o rs

...................................

14
Master Key and
Supplementary K e y

.................

14
Flat Key

.....................................

14
Obtaining Replacement
Keys

...........................................

14
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of D o o rs

.................

14
Central Lock System

.............

15
Burglar Alarm System

...........

16

Seats

..............................................

17

Front Power Seats

.................

17
Safety Head Restraints 18
Orthopedic Seat Backrest ... 19
Arm Rest (Front Seats)

.........

20
Arm Rest (Rear Seat)

.............

20
Seat Heater

..............................

21
Seat Belts

................................

22
Supplement Restraint
System (SRS)

..........................

24

C o n trols

.........................................

26

Steering Lock

..........................

26

Lighting Switch

........................

27

Combination Switch

...............

28

Cruise C o ntrol

..........................

29
Automatic Climate C on trol 30
Various Equipment

......................

35

Exterior M irro rs

........................

35

Inside Rear View Mirror

.........

35

Sun Visors

................................

36

Sliding R oo f

..............................

36

Interior Lam p s

..........................

37

Heated Rear Window

.............

37

Lighter

.......................................

38

Shelf below Rear Window .. . 38
Power Windows

......................

38
Radio

.............................................

39

The last page

What you should know at the gas
station

5

Contents

Driving

Hood

.............................................

46

Regular Inspections

...................

47

Parking Brake

..............................

48
Starting and Turning
off the Engine

..............................

48

Starting and Shifting Gears .... 50

Safe Driving ................................... 52

Brake Pad Wear Indicator
Lamp

.........................................

54

Brake Fluid

..............................

54

Charge Indicator L a m p

.............

54
Fuel Reserve Warning Lamp . 54
Oil Pressure Gauge

...............

54
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 54
Emission Control

....................

55

Engine Oil Consumption .... 55

The First 1500 km/1000 Miles .. 55

Special Operating Conditions .. 56

Winter Driving

..........................

56

Hints for Driving

......................

56

High Altitude Correction
Device

.......................................

57
Tire Chains

..............................

57
Traveling A b road

...................

57

Vehicle Care

MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance

Sys tem

...........................................

Spare Parts Service

...................

Cleaning and Care of the
Vehicle

...........................................

Jobs related to C a re

...............

Practical Hints

Ash trays

.......................................

66

60 Rear Seat Cushion

.......................

66

61 Bleeding the Fuel System

..........

67

Turning off Engine Manually .... 67

61 First Aid Kit

....................................

68

62 Luggage or Ski Racks

.................

68
Spare Wheel, Jack,
Vehicle Tool Kit

............................

68
Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels 69

Wheels, Tire s

............................

69

Changing Wheels

....................

70

Tire Inflation Pressure

...........

71

6

Contents

Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc

...............................

72

Engine Oil Level Check

.........

72

Checking Coolant Level

.........

73

Adding C oolant

........................

73
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level

................................

74

Electrical System

........................

75
Fuses

.........................................

75
Battery

.......................................

75
Headlamp Adjustment

...........

76
Replacing Bulbs

......................

76

Emergency Operation of

Sliding R o o f

...................................

79

Unlocking the Fuel Filler Flap . . 79
Windshield Wipers

......................

80

Jump Starting

..............................

80

Tow-starting and Towing
the Vehicle

.....................................

81

Technical Data, Fuels, Coolants,

Lubricants, etc.

Identification Plates

....................

84

Vehicle Data Cards

......................

85

Warranty C overage

......................

85

Technical D a ta

..............................

86

Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 88

Capacities

................................

88

Engine Oils

..............................

90

Brake Fluid

..............................

90

Diesel F u e ls

..............................

91

Coolants

...................................

92

Service Literature

........................

93

Consumer Information

...............

94

Vehicle Operation

Driving

Vehicle Care

Practical Hints

Technical Data, Fuels,

Coolants, Lubricants, etc.

7

Vehicle Operation

Instruments and Controls

gj* For more detailed descriptions see quoted pages.

B 1 Speaker grilles

V 2 Side ventilation outlets (page 30)

3 Swivelling outlets for nonheated fresh air (page 30)
4 Parking brake release handle (page 48)
5 Handle to disengage hood lock (page 46)
6 Parking brake pedal (page 48)

7 Combination switch (page 28)
8 Lighting switch (page 27)

9 Cruise control (page 29)
10 Instrument cluster (page 12)
11 Horn control
12 Steering lock with preglow/starter switch (page 26)
13 Lever for nonheated fresh air (page 30)

10

14

Switch for rear passenger compartment
lamp (page 37)

15

Switch for electric sliding roof (page 36)

16

Switch for hazard warning flasher system

17

Switch for automatic antenna (page 44)

18

Switch for heated rear window (page 37)

19

Automatic climate control (page 30)

20

Radio (page 39)

21

Ash tray with lighter (page 38, 66)

22

Switch for left front seat heater (page 21)

23

Loudspeaker — fader control

24

Switch for right front seat heater (page 21)

25

Switch group for power windows (page 38)

26

Adjusting lever for exterior mirror on front
passenger side (page 35)

27

Glove compartment, illuminated (only in steering
lock positions “ 1” or “ 2” )

Instruments and Controls

11

Instrument Cluster

1 Coolant temperature gauge (° C)

Up to red marking: Maximum permissible
temperature for an anti-corrosion/antifreeze-
blended fill protecting down to —30° C/ —22° F.
See page 54

2 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow)

Comes on when the steering lock key is moved to
driving position “ 2” and must go out when the
engine is idling. See page 54
Fuel reserve and capacity, refer to page 89 and last
page

3 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 54
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 Supplemental restraint system indicator lamp (red).

See page 24
12 Seat belt warning lamp (red)
13 Outside temperature gauge
14 Preglow indicator lamp (yellow)

15 Brake warning lamp (red) comes on if

• the parking brake is engaged

• not enough brake fluid is in the reservoir

16 Brake pad wear indicator lamp (yellow):

Lights up during braking if the front wheel brake
pads are worn down. See page 54

17 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 54

18 High beam indicator lamp (blue)
19 Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer

Rotate knob: instrument lamps intensity are infinitely

variable

Depress knob: trip odometer is turned back

Instrument Cluster

13

Keys Doors

Flat 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.

Master Key — square head — 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.

Obtaining Replacement Keys

You are given 4 keys with your
vehicle. Replacement keys can be
obtained only via MERCEDES-BENZ

service stations. For security rea
sons, obtaining replacement keys
requires considerable time.

Opening the Doors

From outside: pull handle outwards (1).
From inside: pull handle in door trim

panel (4).

Locking and Unlocking of Doors

From the outside: turn key.
From the inside: actuate button.

2 Unlocking
3 Locking

14

Keys Doors

When the rear door buttons are

pushed down, the rear doors cannot
be opened from the outside or the
inside. They can be opened after
pulling buttons up.

The driver’s door can be locked only if
it is closed and the door lock has
properly engaged.

Central Lock System

The central 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 buttons of the other vehicle

doors must then move together with
the lock button 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 central lock system in the

locked position, the trunk lid can also
be unlocked individually: To do so,

turn the master 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 central
lock system again.

The trunk lid can also be locked

independently (for instance, to leave

the vehicle in a workshop) without

actuating the central lock system.

Turn the master 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 master 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 79).

15

Keys Doors

Burglar Alarm System

Switching alarm system on or off:

The alarm system is switched on or
off by locking or unlocking the front
doors with the master key (square

head, marked with a red and project
ing lug which can also be felt at night).

With the warning system switched on
an additional horn will sound intermit
tently for approx. 30 seconds if an

unauthorized persons opens a door,

the hood or the trunk lid, turns or

bridges the steering lock (ignition) or
actuates the service brake. It keeps
on sounding for approx. 30 seconds
even if the triggering component (e.g.
the door) is closed again immediately.

Special functions:
The trunk lid can be opened only

when the alarm system is switched

off.

Trunk lid emergency release:

If the trunk lid cannot be opened with
the alarm system switched off, it can
be opened by means of an emer
gency control. For this purpose,
remove rear seat cushion and fold

back LH cover. Then pull the ring of
the emergency release cable while
another person at the same time

opens the trunk lid.

If the vehicle is left in a workshop,

garage etc.,
switch off alarm system. Only leave

secondary key (rounded head) with
the vehicle.

Notes:
Never hand over master key to

unknown persons. We recommend
that you keep the flat key on you in a
safe place (e.g. in your wallet) so that
it is accessible at any time.

Seats

Front Power Seats

The switches for the front seat
adjustment are located in each front
door.

Turn ignition key to position “ 2” to
provide power to the switches.

Seat adjustment:
A Seat cushion adjustment

B Seatback adjustment

Storing seat position of driver's seat:
C Memory button
D Position buttons “ 1” and “2”

Two seat positions may be stored in
memory. After adjusting the driver’s
seat position, press the memory
button C and within 3 seconds, the
position button “ 1” . A second seat
position may be stored in memory by
pressing position button "2".

Recalling seat positions stored in

memory:
To recall a seat position stored in

memory, press position button (“ 1”
or “ 2") until seat movement has
stopped. For safety reasons, the seat
stops moving immediately after
releasing the position button.

Note:

If the ignition key is removed or in
position “ 1” or “ 0” the seats can not
be moved unless the driver's door is
open.

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 head restraint
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 rearview
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, head restraint and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fasten
ing of seat belts should only be
accomplished before the vehicle is
put into motion.

17

Safety Head Restraints

Adjust head restraint to support the

back of the head approximately at ear
level.

Safety head restraints, front
Height adjustment:
Press head restraint slightly forward

(1) and slide upward or downward as
required.

Removing head restraints:
Pull head restraint up to the stop.

Depress release button (2) to be felt
under the seat back covering material
and pull head restraint up quickly,
holding it by the LH head restraint
post (viewed in driving direction).
Then pull out head restraint com
pletely with both hands.

Safety head restraints, rear
Height adjustment:
Raise or lower head restraint as

required.

Removing head restraints:
Pull up head restraint until resistance

can be felt. Then pull it out quickly

using both hands.

Seats

18

Seats

Orthopedic Seat Backrest

Some models may be equipped with
orthopedic seats. These seats have
an inflatable air cushion built into the
backrest to provide additional spinal
cord support. The amount of cushion
height and curvature may be adjusted
after turning the key in steering lock
to position “ 2” .

The inflation pressure of the air
cushion may be continuously varied
between position “ 0” = without
pressure, and position “ 4” = maxi
mum pressure, by changing the
pressure regulator (1) setting.

In addition, the cushion height may be
changed to five different settings
between position "A ” = lowest
setting, and "E ” = highest setting, by
varying the height regulator (2)
adjustment.

If a driving trip is temporarily inter
rupted, the last cushion setting is
retained in memory, and automatically
adjusts the cushion to this setting
when the trip is continued.

19

Seats

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.

Arm Rest (Rear Seat)
An arm rest is provided in the rear

seat which can be pulled out with the

loop.
For the removal of the rear seat

cushion see "Practical Hints” .

20

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.

Heater operation:
Push in upper switch portion; posi

tion 1 = normal heater operation, one
indicator lamp lights up.

Push in lower switch portion; posi

tion 2 = rapid heating, both indicator

lamps light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the

rapid heating mode, the heater
automatically switches to normal
operation and only one control lamp
will stay on.

Seats

Turning off heater:

If one control lamp is on, press in
upper part of switch, position 1.

If both control lamps are on, press in
lower part of switch, position 2.

The heater automatically turns off
after approximately 30 minutes of
operation.

Note:

When in operation, the seat heater

consumes a large amount of power. It
is advisable not to use the seat heater
longer than necessary.

21

Seats

»

Seat Belts

Warning system:
The indicator is illuminated for

4 -8 seconds after turning the steer

ing lock key to position “ 2” . If the
seat 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 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.

22

Seats

Operation:

The seat 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 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 seat belt can be used for more

than one person. 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.

After an accident, inspect the seat
belts and replace them, if required.

Child restraint systems recom
mended by us can be fastened to the
seat belts installed. Any MERCEDES-
BENZ service station will gladly
advise you accordingly.

The belt anchors in the vehicle should

also be checked.
Belt webbing must not be routed via

sharp edges.

Replace damaged seat belts
immediately.

No modifications which may affect the
efficiency of the belts must be made.

For cleaning and care of belt web
bing, refer to page 62.

23

Seats

Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS)

In addition to the three-point seat

belts, this vehicle is equipped with an
airbag (1) and a knee bolster for the
driver, and with an emergency ten
sioning retractor (2) for the front

passenger. The airbag is located in

the steering wheel hub. The tension
ing unit is attached to the retractor of
the front passenger’s three-point seat

belt.

When used in conjunction with the
three-point seat belts, the airbag and
emergency tensioning retractor pro
vide improved front occupant protec

tion.

The “ SRS” is designed in such a
way that it can only provide its
supplemental protective function
in case of a severe frontal impact.
Its additional protective function
will only be effective in accidents
of this type. It is always necessary
for the driver and front passenger
to have their seat belts fastened,
otherwise, the airbag cannot pro
vide the intended supplemental
protection for the driver, and the
front passenger will have no
protection whatsoever.

24

Seats

In cases of less severe frontal
impacts, roll-overs, side or rear
collisions, or other accidents
during which no substantial forces
are exerted on the front of the
vehicle, the airbag and emergency
tensioning retractor will not be
activated. Therefore it is extremely
important that all vehicle occu
pants utilize the three-point seat
belts as described in the Owner’s
Manual.

The operational readiness of the
system is indicated by the “ SRS”
control light (3) in the instrument
cluster. This control light will come on
after turning the ignition key to
position “ 1 ” or “ 2” . After approxi
mately 10 seconds, the light will go
out. If it does not come on, does not
go out, or flickers on and off, the
system is malfunctioning and the
vehicle should be taken to an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer

immediately in order to have the
system checked and repaired; other

wise it may not be activated when

needed in an accident.

The service life of the airbag and
emergency tensioning retractor
extends to the date indicated on the
glove compartment sticker. To pro
vide continued reliability of the sys
tem after that date, it should be

inspected by an authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer at that

time.

Warning!

After the activation of the “SRS” the
gas generators will temporarily
release a small volume of smoke in
the vehicle interior. This smoke,
however, is neither injurious to your
health nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle.

No modifications of any kind may be
made to any components or wiring of
the “SRS” . This includes the installa
tion of additional trim material,
badges, etc., over the steering wheel
hub. Improper work on the system,
including incorrect installation or
removal, can lead to possible injury
through an uncontrolled activation of

the airbag and emergency tensioning

retractor. In addition, through impro

per work there is a risk of rendering
the ,,SRS” inoperative. Therefore, any
work on the system or in the vicinity
of its components should be per
formed by an authorized

MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.

If the airbag unit, emergency tension
ing retractor or vehicle is being
scrapped or if the vehicle is being
serviced at a shop which is not an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer,
it is the driver’s responsibility to give
notice that the vehicle is equipped
with “ SRS” and that safety instruc
tions are available at all authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealers.

25

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.
3 Starting position.

For starting and turning off the
engine, refer to page 48.

Notes:

The following items can be operated
with the key in steering lock posi
tion “ 1” .

Wiper, windshield washer, headlamp
flasher, lighter, glove compartment
lamp, radio, seat heater for front
seats, electrically adjustable exterior
mirror.

A warning buzzer sounds when the
key has been left in steering lock
positions “ 1” or “0” and the driver’s
door is opened.

With the engine at idle speed, the
charging rate of the alternator (out
put) is limited.

It is therefore recommended to turn
off unnecessary electrical consumers
while driving in stop and go traffic.
This precaution helps to avoid drain
ing of the battery.

An effective measure to preserve

battery power is to turn off the
following consumers:

Seat heater, heated rear window.

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

Controls

Note:

With the steering lock key removed
and the driver’s door open, a warning

buzzer sounds if the vehicle’s exterior
lamps are not switched off (standing
lamps excepted).

Controls

►

Combination Switch

1 Low beam (turn lighting switch

clockwise two notches)

2 High beam (turn lighting switch

clockwise two notches)

3 High beam flasher (high beam

available 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 80.

28