Mercedes-Benz 260 E 124 1987 User manual

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
performed 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 consumption.

Owner's Manual
260E
300 E
Model 124
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.
Z KD /8.86.10/K

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 pos
sible 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 ope
ration of your MERCEDES-BENZ.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe pleas
urable 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.
Ignoring 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
equipment 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 Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy Booklet
contains detailed information about the warranties cover
ing 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 ser
vice. The Service Advisor will record each service.
Roadside Assistance
Although your Mercedes-Benz is built to be as trouble-
free as possible a Roadside Assistance Program is avail
able to provide emergency roadside service after normal
dealer hours and on weekends and holidays in the conti
guous 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.

Chan e 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.
Operatin Your Vehicle Outside the U.S.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
damage the catalysts
• fuel may have a considerably lower octane rating and
Improper fuel can cause engine damage
• sen/ice 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 de
tails 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
important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.
6

Instruments and Controls, Startin the En ine
Drivin Hints, Service and Maintenance
Operation
Drivin
Practical Hints
Technical Data
Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc.
Consumer Information
Index

Check Re ularly and
Before a Lon 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 % of maximum permis
sible 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
vehicle by manually shifting to a lower
gear. We recommend to select posi
tions “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

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see specified pages.
1 Adjustable side ventilation outlets (page 22)
2 Exterior lamp switch (page 44)
3 Parking brake release (page 58)
4 Hood lock release (page 68)
5 Parking brake pedal (page 58)
6 Combination switch (page 45)
7 Air volume control for side ventilation (page 22)
8 Cruise control (page 61)
9 Instrument cluster (page 12)
10 Horn control airbag (page 40)
11 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch (page 43)
12 Adjustable center ventilation outlets (page 22)
13 Air volume control for center ventilation outlets
(page 22)
14 Glove compartment illuminated (only with key in
steering lock positions 1 or 2)
15 Rear window defroster switch (page 48)
10
16 Switch for folding rear seat head restraints backward
(page 35)
17 Air recirculation switch (page 22)
18 Hazard warning flasher system switch
19 Automatic antenna switch (page 55)
20 Rear passenger compartment lamp switch (page 49)
21 Automatic climate control (page 22)
22 Radio (page 51)
23 Ash tray with lighter (pages 47 88)
24 Left front seat heater switch (page 36)
25 Right front seat heater switch (page 36)
26 Left power window switch group (page 50)
27 Adjusting lever for exterior mirror on front passenger
side (page 46)
28 Loudspeaker-front to rear fader control
29 Right power window switch group (page 50)

11
Instruments and Controls

Instrument Cluster
1 Economical driving indicator (ECONOMY).
See page 65
2 Coolant temperature gauge
Up to red marking: Maximum permissible tempera
ture for an anticorrosion/antifreeze-blended fill pro
tecting down to -30°C (-22°F). See page 64
3 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow).
See page 64
Fuel reserve and capacity refer to page 97 and
last page
4 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 63
5 Turn signal indicator lamp left (green)
6 Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer
Rotate knob: to vary intensity of instrument lamps
Depress knob: to reset trip odometer
7 Speedometer
8 Main odometer
9 Trip odometer
10 Turn signal indicator lamp right (green)
11 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
12 Electric clock
13 Tachometer
12
14 Red marking on tachometer:
Excessive engine speed
15 0 2-Sensor malfunction indicator lamp (red):
If the indicator lamp comes on it indicates a mal
function in the 0 2-sensor circuit. The 0 2-sensor
circuit should be checked by an authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer at the first opportunity.
16 Supplemental restraint system indicator
lamp (red). See page 40
17 Antilock brake system (ABS) indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 62
18 Exterior light failure indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 63
19 Low windshield and headlamp washer fluid level
indicator lamp (yellow). See page 64.
20 Outside temperature indicator. See page 64
21 Low engine coolant level indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 64
22 Low engine oil level indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 63
23 Brake pad wear indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 62
24 Brake warning lamp (red). See pages 58 62
25 Charge indicator lamp (red). See page 63
26 High beam indicator lamp (blue)

I
13
Instrument Cluster

Catalytic Converter Cautions
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 in
structions as outlined in your mainte
nance booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters only use unleaded gaso
line in this vehicle.
Should any noticeable irregularities in
the engine operation occur excessive
unburned fuel may reach the conver
ter causing it to overheat.
Warnin !
As with any vehicle, do not idle,
park or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials such
as rass, hay or leaves can come
into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be
i nited.
14

Startin and Turnin off the En ine
Engage parking brake before starting
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 En ine
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 (0°F) depress accelerator
three times prior to starting.
Hot En ine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
If the engine has not fired after ap
prox. 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.
Turnin 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
steering lock position 0 before a new
starting attempt is made.
Observe the oil pressure gauge imme
diately 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 bevore 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 unsuccess
ful starting attempts and the engine
will no longer fire depress the accele
rator 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.

Power assistance
When the engine is not running the
brake and steering systems are with
out power assistance. Under these cir
cumstances a much greater effort is
necessary to steer or stop the vehicle.
Brakes
Warnin !
When drivin down lon and steep
rades, relieve the brakes by shift
in into a lower speed (selector
lever position “3” or “2” in the case
of automatic transmissions). This
helps prevent overheatin 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.
Warnin !
After drivin in heavy rain for some
time without applyin the brakes or
throu h water deep enou h to
wet brake components, the first
Driving Hints brakin action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pres
sure may be necessary. Be sure to
maintain a safe distance from ve
hicles in front.
The condition of the parking brake sy
stem 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 se
conds while pulling release handle out
before releasing parking brake com
pletely. This practice will keep the
parking brake at maximum efficiency.
Warnin !
The stop lamps will not come on
when applyin the parkin brake
only. Perform the procedure in the
previous para raph 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 instru
ment cluster stays on the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the sys
tem may be the reason for low brake
fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at
an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer without delay.
Install only brake pads recommended
by MERCEDES-BENZ.
If other than recommended brake
pads are installed the braking proper
ties of the vehicle can be affected to
an extent that the safety is substan
tially impaired.
16

Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWJ) are re
quired by law. The limits defined there
are absolute minimum and indicated
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.
Do not allow your tires to wear
down too far. With less than 3 mm
(Vs in) of tread, the antiskid pro
perties on a wet road are sharply
reduced.
Dependin upon the weather and/or
road surface (conditions), the
traction varies widely.
Specified tire pressures must be main
tained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subjected to high loads (e.g.
high speeds heavy loads high
ambient temperatures).
Aquaplanin
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.
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.
Warnin !
If ice has formed on the road, tire
traction will be substantially re
duced. 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. Stopping distance however is
still considerably greater than when
the road is wet or dry.

Warnin !
To reduce the risk of personal
injury as a result of vehicle move
ment, before leavin the vehicle
always:
1. Keep foot on brake pedal.
2. En a e first or reverse ear (se
lector lever position “P” in the
case of automatic transmission).
3. Turn front wheels towards the
road curb.
4. Firmly depress parkin brake
pedal.
5. Turn the key to steerin lock
position 0 and remove.
Clutch
Caution!
Resting your foot on the clutch pedal
will cause excessive and premature
wear of the clutch disc.
Parking 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 means of cor
rective steering action.
Winter Driving Hints Road salts and chemicals can ad
versely 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 im
paired 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
braking efficiency should be tested as
soon as possible after driving is
resumed while adhering to the safety
requirements.
18