Mercedes-Benz 260 E 124 1988 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.
Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather in stop-and-go
traffic on short trips and in hilly
country.

Ownert Manual
260 E
300 E
300 CE
Model 124
1988

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.). eprinting, translation
and copying, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in
writing.
Z K D /12.87.10/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 as possible to
operate and provide years of service.
Your MERCEDES-BENZ represents the efforts of many
skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership 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 oper
ation 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
authorized 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
• Emission System 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 your authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer for service. The Service Advisor will record each
service.
oadside 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.

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.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
• 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 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
In Canada write to:
Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto Ontario M4G 2L5
5

Optional equipment is also described in this manual,
including operating instructions wherever necessary.
Since they 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 authorized
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, Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions, Service and Maintenance
Operation
Driving
Practical Hints
Technical Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Consumer Information
Index

Check egularly and
Before a Long Trip
See page 116
The First 1500 km (1000 Miles)
The more cautiously you treat your
vehicle 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 RPM
(no more than 2/3 of maximum permis
sible speed in each gear).
Downshift 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 Instructions, Service and Maintenance
Instruments and Controls 10
Instrument Cluster 12
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13
Catalytic Converter Cautions 14
Starting and Turning off the
Engine 15
Driving Instructions 16
MERCEDES-BENZ
Maintenance System 19

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see specified pages.
1 Adjustable side air outlets (page 22)
2 Exterior lamp switch (page 46)
3 Parking brake release (page 62)
4 Hood lock release (page 72)
5 Parking brake pedal (page 62)
6 Combination switch (page 47)
7 Air volume control for side air outlets (page 22)
8 Cruise control (page 65)
9 Instrument cluster (page 12)
10 Horn control air bag (page 42)
11 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch (page 45)
12 Adjustable center air outlets (page 22)
13 Air volume control for center air outlets (page 22)
14 Glove compartment illuminated (only with key in
steering lock positions 1 or 2)
15 Rear window defroster switch (page 50)
10
16 Switch for folding rear seat head restraints backward
(page 36)
17 Switch for rear window sun shade
18 Air recirculation switch (page 22)
19 Hazard warning flasher system switch
20 Automatic antenna switch (page 60)
21 Rear passenger compartment lamp switch (page 51)
22 Automatic climate control (page 22)
23 Radio (page 53)
24 Ashtray with lighter (pages 49 92)
25 Left front seat heater switch (page 37)
26 Right front seat heater switch (page 37)
27 Left power window switch group (page 52)
28 Adjusting switch for exterior mirror on front
passenger side (page 48)
29 Loudspeaker front to rear fader control
30 Right power window switch group (page 52)

11
Instruments and Controls

Instrument Cluster
1 Economical driving indicator. See page 69
2 Coolant temperature gauge. See page 68
3 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow).
See page 68
4 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 67
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
9Trip odometer
10 Outside temperature indicator. See page 68
11 Turn signal indicator lamp right (green)
12 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
13 Electric clock
14 Tachometer
15 Red marking on tachometer:
Excessive engine speed
12

Indicator Lamp Symbols
Function Indicator Lamp
High beam
ID
Warning Lamps
(must go out with the engine running)
aBattery not being charged.
See page 67
B AKE
CD
O
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 62 66
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 62 66
Brake pad wear.
See page 66
Engine oil level low.
See page 67
□ Coolant level low.
See page 68
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer system low.
See page 68
to] Exterior light failure.
See page 67
ABS malfunction.
See page 66
SRS malfunction.
See page 42
CHECK
ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE malfunction.
If the lamp comes on when the engine is
running it indicates a malfunction of the
0 2-sensor on Federal version vehicles
and injection system or emission control
system on the California version vehicles.
In either case we recommend that you
have the malfunction checked as soon as
possible.
See page 69

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 use only premium un
leaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Should any noticeable irregularities in
the engine operation occur excessive
unburned fuel may reach the convert
er causing it to overheat.
Warning!
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.
14

Starting and Turning off the Engine Hot Engine Important!
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 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 below
-18°C (0°F) depress accelerator
three times prior to starting.
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.
Turning off
Turn the key in steering lock to posi
tion 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.
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 before pressure is regis
tered on the pressure gauge.
The charge indicator lamp should go
out as soon as the engine has started.
In areas where temperatures fre
quently drop below -25°C (-13°F)
we recommend that a block heater
be installed. Your authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will advise
you on this subject.
15
Startinq

Driving Instructions
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 stop or steer the vehicle.
Brakes
Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades relieve the brakes by shifting
into a lower gear (selector lever posi
tion “3” or “2” in the case of automatic
transmissions). This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces
brake pad wear. Do not exceed en
gine speed limits (see page 64).
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 pres
sure may be necessary. Be sure to
maintain a safe distance from ve
hicles in front.
The condition of the parking brake
system 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 brake for about 10 sec
onds while pulling the release handle
out before releasing the parking brake
completely. 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 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 and brake fluid
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

1801
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are
required by law. These indicators are
located in six places on the tread cir
cumference and become visible at a
depth of approx. 2 mm (1/i6 in) at
which point the tire is considered worn
and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
Warning!
Do not allow your tires to wear
down too far. With less than 3 mm
(1/8 in) of tread, the adhesion pro
perties on a wet road are sharply
reduced.
Depending 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).
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 traction
The safe speed on a wet snow
covered 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
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 winter season for all four
wheels to insure normal balanced
handling characteristics. 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.
17
Drivino Instructions

Parking
Warning!
To reduce the risk of personal
injury as a result of vehicle move
ment, before leaving the vehicle
always:
1. Keep foot on brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake
pedal.
3. Slowly release brake pedal.
4. Engage first or reverse gear (se
lector lever position “P” in the
case of automatic transmission).
5. Turn front wheels towards the
road curb.
6. Turn the key to steering lock
position 0 and remove.
Note:
It is advisable to set the parking brake
whenever leaving the vehicle. Also
when parking on hills always apply
the parking brake in addition to en
gaging first or reverse gear (selector
lever position “P” in the case of an
automatic transmission).
Clutch
Caution!
Resting your foot on the clutch pedal
will cause excessive and premature
wear of the clutch disc.
Winter Driving Instructions
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.
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 observing the safety
rules in the previous paragraph.
18