Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 201 1987 User manual

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What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
Drive Sensibly - Save Fuel
Fuel consumption to a great extent
depends on driving habits and operat
ing conditions.
To save fuel you should:
• keep tires at the recommended
inflation pressures
• remove unnecessary loads
• remove ski racks or roof-mounted
luggage racks when not in use
• allow engine to warm up under low
load use
• avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration
• have all maintenance work per
formed at regular intervals by an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer.
Driving in cold weather in stop-and-go
city traffic on short trips and in hilly
country also increase fuel consump
tion.

Owner's Manual
190 E 2.3-16
Model 201
1987

Printed in Germany
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data
and illustrations of this Owner’s Manual (s.e.e.o.). Reprinting translation and copying
even of excerpts is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.
ZKD/8.86.3/SVA

O u r company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of
your new MERCEDES-BENZ.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in
our company name. Further it exemplifies your desire to own an
automobile that will be as easy to operate as possible and
provide years of service.
Your MERCEDES-BENZ represents the efforts of many skilled
engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure in owning it
we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside.
• Please consider the recommendations contained in this
manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the operation
of your MERCEDES-BENZ.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe pleasurable
driving.
Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
3

Introduction
This Owner’s Manual contains a great deal of useful infor
mation. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize
yourself with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle
we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings. Ignor
ing them could result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment
described. Therefore you may find explanations of equip
ment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any
questions about the operation of any equipment your
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be glad to demonstrate the
proper procedures.
Owner’s ervice and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy Booklet con
tains detailed information about the warranties covering
your MERCEDES-BENZ including:
• New Car Limited Warranty
• Emissions Systems Warranty
• Emission Performance Warranty
• California Emission Control System
Warranty (California Only)
4
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the necessary
maintenance work which should be performed at regular
intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with you when you
take the vehicle to a MERCEDES-BENZ dealer for service.
The Service Advisor will record each service.
Roadside Assistance
Although your Mercedes-Benz is built to be as troublefree
as possible a Roadside Assistance Program is available
to provide emergency roadside service after normal dealer
hours and on weekends and holidays in the contiguous
United States.
Roadside Assistance is available Monday through Friday
from 5:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight and on Saturday Sunday
and legal holidays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight. In the
event of a breakdown during these hours telephone this
toll-free number: 1-800-222-0100.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance Program Booklet in your glove com
partment.

Change of Address or Ownership
If you change your address be sure to send in the
“Change of Address Notice” found in the Owner’s Service
and Warranty Policy Booklet. It is in your own interest that
we can contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes please leave all owner’s litera
ture with the vehicle to make it available to the next owner.
If you bought this vehicle used be sure to send in the
“Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the Owner’s
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet.
Operating Your Vehicle Outside the U. .A. or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries
please be aware that:
• unleaded fuels for vehicles with catalytic converters
may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will dam
age the catalysts
• fuel may have a considerably lower octane rating and
improper fuel can cause engine damage
• service facilities or replacement parts may not be
readily available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery
in Europe under our European Delivery Program. For
details consult your authorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer
or write to:
Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc.
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale NJ 07645
5

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 actual
equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not shown or
described in this Owners Manual, your MERCEDES-
BENZ dealer will be glad to inform you of correct care
and operating procedures.
The Owners Manual and Maintenance Booklet are im
portant documents and should be kept with the vehicle.
6

Instruments and Controls, tarting the Engine
Driving Hints, ervice and Maintenance
Operation
Driving
Practical Hints
Technical Data
Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc.
Consumer Information
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Check Regularly and
Before a Long Trip
See page 108
The First 1500 km (1000 Miles)
The more cautiously you treat your
engine during the break-in period the
more satisfied you will be with its per
formance later on. Therefore drive
your vehicle during the first 1500 km
(1000 miles) at moderate vehicle and
engine speeds.
During this period avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and high RPMs (no
more than 2A of maximum permissible
speed in each gear).
Down shift at proper engine speed!
On vehicles with automatic transmis
sion avoid accelerating by kick-down. It
is not recommended to brake the vehi
cle by manually shifting to a lower gear.
We recommend to select positions “3”
or “2” only at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1500 km (1000 miles) speeds
may gradually be increased to the
permissible maximum.
8

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine
Driving Hints, Service and Maintenance
Instruments and Controls 10
Instrument Cluster 12
Catalytic Converter Cautions 14
Starting and Turning off the
Engine 15
Driving Hints 16
MERCEDES-BENZ
Maintenance System 19
9

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see specified pages.
1 Air volume lever for side ventilation (page 22)
2 Adjustable side ventilation outlets (page 22)
3 Exterior lamp switch (page 41)
4 Combination switch (page 42)
5 Cruise control (page 59)
6 Rear courtesy lamp switch (page 47)
7 Instrument cluster (page 12)
8 Horn control airbag (page 37)
9 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch (page 40)
10 Rear window defroster switch (page 46)
11 Electric sliding roof switch (page 47)
12 Automatic antenna switch (page 53)
13 Adjustable center ventilation outlets (page 22)
14 Air volume lever for center ventilation (page 22)
10
15 Glove compartment illuminated (only with key in
steering lock positions 1 or 2)
16 Fan speed control lever (page 22)
17 Tempmatic climate control system (page 22)
18 Radio (page 49)
19 Engine oil temperature indicator (page 60)
20 Stop watch (page 43)
21 Voltmeter (page 61)
22 Ash tray with lighter (page 45 87)
23 Power window switch group (page 48)
24 Hazard warning flasher system switch
25 Adjusting lever for exterior mirror on front passenger
side (page 44)
26 Loudspeaker - front to rear fader control
27 Left front seat heater switch (page 34)
28 Right front seat heater switch (page 34)

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11
In s t r u m o r v * .

Instrument Cluster
1 Economical driving indicator (ECONOMY).
See page 60
2 Coolant temperature gauge
Up to red marking: Maximum permissible temperature
for an anticorrosion/antifreeze-blended fill protecting
down to -30° C (-22° F). See page 61
3 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow).
See page 61
Fuel reserve and capacity refer to page 96 and last
page
4 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 60
5 Turn signal indicator lamp left (green)
6 Speedometer
7 Main odometer
8 Trip odometer
9 Turn signal indicator lamp right (green)
10 Tachometer
11 Red marking on tachometer:
Excessive engine speed
12 Electric clock
13 0 2-sensor malfunction indicator lamp (red):
If the indicator lamp comes on it indicates a
malfunction in the 0 2-sensor circuit. The 0 2-sensor
circuit should be checked by an authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer at the first opportunity.
12
14 Seat belt warning lamp (red)
15 Supplemental restraint system indicator lamp (red).
See page 37
16 Antilock brake system (ABS) indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 63
17 Low windshield and headlamp washer fluid level
indicator lamp (yellow). See page 64
18 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
19 Outside temperature indicator. See page 62
20 Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer
Rotate knob: to vary intensity of instrument lamps
Depress knob: to reset trip odometer
21 Low engine coolant level indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 61
22 Low engine oil level indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 61
23 Brake warning lamp (red). See pages 56 62
24 Brake pad wear indicator lamp (yellow). See page 62
25 Charge indicator lamp (red). See page 60
26 High beam indicator lamp (blue)

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13

Your MERCEDES-BENZ is equipped
with monolithic catalytic converters an
important element in conjunction with
the 0 2-sensor to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instruc
tions as outlined in your maintenance
booklet.
Catalytic Converter Cautions
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters only use unleaded gasoline
in this vehicle.
Should any noticeable irregularities in
the engine operation occur excessive
unburned fuel may reach the converter
causing it to overheat.
Caution!
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park
or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials such
as grass, hay or leaves can come
into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be
ignited.
Warning!
14

tarting and Turning off the Engine
Engage parking brake before starling
the engine.
Move gearshift lever to neutral (selec
tor lever positions “P” or “N” on auto
matic transmissions).
Turn key to steering lock position 2.
The charge indicator lamp should
come on.
Cold Engine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
Release key only when the engine is
firing regularly.
At ambient temperatures of less than
-18 ° C (00 F) depress accelerator
three times prior to starting.
Hot Engine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator. If
the engine has not fired after approx.
4 seconds depress accelerator and
continue cranking until the engine is
firing regularly. Release key and back
off accelerator.
At very high coolant temperatures the
engine starting time can be shortened
if the accelerator is depressed slowly at
the beginning of the starting process.
Turning off
Turn the key to steering lock position 0
and only remove the key when the
vehicle is stopped.
If the coolant temperature is very high
(e.g. after hard driving on mountain
roads) do not shut off the engine
immediately allow it to run for
1-2 minutes at increased idle speed.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat
unit the key must be returned to steer
ing lock position 0 before a new start
ing attempt is made.
Observe the oil pressure gauge
immediately after starting the engine.
In a very cold engine the oil pressure
will only rise slowly some time after the
engine has started. Do not speed up
the engine before pressure is regis
tered on the pressure gauge.
The charge indicator lamp should go
out as soon as the engine has started.
Should too much fuel have entered the
engine due to several unsuccessful
starting attempts and the engine will no
longer fire depress the accelerator
while starting. This should make the
mixture combustible again. Back off
the accelerator only when the engine is
firing regularly.
In areas where temperatures fre
quently drop below -25° C (-13° F)
we recommend that a block heater is
installed. Any MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer will advise you on this subject.

Driving Hints
Power assistance
When the engine is not running the
brake and steering systems are without
power assistance. Under these cir
cumstances a much greater effort is
necessary to steer or stop the vehicle.
Brakes
Warning!
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the brakes by shift
ing into a lower speed (selector
lever position “3” or “2” in the case
of automatic transmissions). This
helps prevent overheating of the
brakes. Otherwise the brakes will
overheat and this may result in a
brake failure.
After hard braking it is advisable to
drive on for some time so the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.
Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for some
time without applying the brakes or
through water deep enough to wet
brake components, the first braking
action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary. Be sure to maintain a
safe distance from vehicles in front.
The condition of the parking brake sys
tem is checked each time the car is in
the shop for maintenance.
Between maintenance checks it is a
good practice to apply the parking
brake once or twice while driving at
approximately 50 km/h (30 mph) on a
dry straight road. Apply brake lightly
until a slight drag on the wheels is felt.
Keep applying brakes for about 10 sec
onds while holding release button in
before release parking brake com
pletely. This practice will keep the
parking brake at maximum efficiency.
Warning!
The stop lamps will not come on
when applying the parking brake
only. Perform the procedure in the
previous paragraph only when the
road is clear of other traffic.
Caution!
Resting your foot on the brake pedal
will cause excessive and premature
wear of the brake pads.
All checks and maintenance work on
the brake system should be carried out
by an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer.
If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument
cluster stays on the brake fluid level in
the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system
may be the reason for low brake fluid in
the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.
Install only brake pads recommended
by MERCEDES-BENZ.
If other than recommended brake pads
are installed the braking properties of
the vehicle can be affected to an extent
that the safety is substantially
impaired.
16

1748
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWJ) are
required by law. The limits defined
there are absolute minimum and indi
cated on the tire by wear indicators.
These indicators - little humps which
are embeded equally at six sections of
the tire circumference in the bottom of
the tread - become visible as cross
stripes on the tire running surface once
the wear limit is reached.
Warning!
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. With less than 3 mm (V» in)
of tread, the antiskid properties on a
wet road fall off sharply.
Depending upon the weather and/or
road surface (conditions), the trac
tion varies widely.
Specified tire pressure must be main
tained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subjected to high loads (e.g.
high speeds heavy loads high
ambient temperatures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water
layer on the road aquaplaning may
occur even at low speeds and with
new tires. Avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire friction
The safe speed on a wet or icy road is
always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to
the condition of the road as soon as the
prevailing temperatures fall close to the
freezing point.
Warning!
If ice has formed on the road, tire c
traction will be substantially
reduced. Under such weather condi
tions, drive, steer and brake with
extreme caution.
We recommend M + S radial-ply tires
for the cold season. On packed snow
they can reduce your stopping distance
as compared with summer tires. Stop
ping distance however is still consid
erably greater than when the road is
wet or dry.
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17

Parking
Warning!
To reduce the risk of personal injury
as a result of vehicle movement,
before leaving the vehicle always:
1. Keep foot on brake pedal.
2. Engage first or reverse gear
(selector lever position “P” in the
case of automatic transmis
sions).
3. Turn front wheels towards the
road curb.
4. Pull up parking brake lever.
5. Turn the key to steering
lock position 0 and remove.
Clutch
Caution!
Winter Driving Hints
The most important rule for slippery or
icy roads is to drive sensibly and to
avoid abrupt acceleration braking and
steering action. Do not use the cruise
control system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skid
ding declutch or - in case of an auto
matic transmission - move selector
lever to position “N”. Try to keep the
vehicle under control by corrective
steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can
adversely affect braking efficiency.
Increased pedal force may become
necessary to produce the normal brake
effect. We therefore recommend
depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
when traveling on saltstrewn roads at
length. This can bring road salt
impaired braking efficiency back to nor
mal. A prerequisite is however that
this is possible without endangering
other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being
driven on salt treated roads the brak
ing efficiency should be tested as soon
as possible after driving is resumed
while adhering to the safety require
ments.
Resting your foot on the clutch pedal
will cause excessive and premature
wear of the clutch disc.
18