Mercedes-Benz 280 E 1979 User manual

You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BENZ, a car in whose
construction and production we have taken reat 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 puttin it away. Even thou h you have been drivin
a car for years, some thin s 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 motorin .
DAIMLER-BENZ Aktien esellschaft
3

Contents
This Owner’s Manual also
describes optional extras as far as
an introduction on their handling
is required. As these extras need
to be ordered separately, the
equip ent of your vehicle ay
deviate fro the descriptions and
illustrations to so e extent.
The last pa e
What ou should know at the
gas station
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and Controls 8
Instrument Cluster ....................... 10
Ke s, Doors ................................ 12
Master and Supplementar
ke ............................................ 12
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of Doors ................. 12
Master Lock S stem .............. 13
Seats ............................................ 14
Adjustment of Driver’s Seat
and Front Passenger Seat ... 14
Safet Headrest ....................... 15
Arm Rest (Rear Seat) ........... 15
Safet Belts ............................. 16
Controls ...................................... 18
Steering Lock ........................... 18
Light Switch ............................. 19
Combination Switch ............... 20
Cruise Control ......................... 21
Various Equipment ..................... 22
Interior Lights ........................... 22
Rear View M irrors ................... 22
Sun V isor ................................ 23
Heated Rear Window ........... 23
Shelf below Rear Window ... 23
Electric Lighter ....................... 24
Sliding R oof............................. 24
Electric Window Lifters 25
Automatic Climate C ontrol 26
Radio .......................................... 29
Drivin
Hood .......................................... 34
Regular Inspections ................. 35
Parking Brake ........................... 36
Catal tic Converter Cautions ... 37
Starting and Turning off the
Engine ........................................ 38
Starting and Shifting Gears 39
Safe Driving ............................... 41
Brake Pad Wear Indicator ... 43
Brake Fluid ............................. 43
Charge Indicator Light 43
Oil Pressure Gauge.............. 43
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 43
Emission Control
................. 44
Driving Economicall ................ 44
Fuel Consumption ................. 44
Engine Oil Consumption .... 44
The First 1,000 Miles (1,500 km) 44
Special Operating Conditions .. 45
Winter Driving ....................... 45
Hints for Driving ..................... 45
High Altitude Engine
Adjustment ............................. 46
Tire Chains ........................... 46
Traveling Abroad ................. 46
4

Contents
Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance
S stem ...................................... 48
Severe Operating Conditions 48
Engine Oil Change and Filter
Change ................................... 48
Automatic Transmission -
Fluid and Filter Change 48
Spare Parts Service .................. 49
Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 50
Jobs related to Care ................ 51
Practical Hints
Ash tra s .................................... 54
First Aid K it ............................... 54
Rear Seat Cushion .................... 55
Spare Wheel, Jack, Vehicle
Tool K it ...................................... 55
Luggage or Ski Racks .............. 55
Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels 56
Wheels, Tires ......................... 56
Changing Wheels .................. 57
Tire Pressure ......................... 58
Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc ............................ 59
Engine Oil Level Check 59
Replenishing Coolant .......... 59
Fluid Level - Automatic
Transmission ....................... 60
Electrical S stem ..................... 61
Fuses ..................................... 61
Batter ................................... 61
Spark Plugs ........................... 61
Replacing B ulbs .................... 62
Emergenc Operating of
Sliding Roof ............................... 66
Unlocking of the Fuel Tank
Filler F lap ................................... 66
Emergenc -starting and
Towing the Vehicle ................... 67
Technical Data — Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates .................. 70
Vehicle Data Cards .................. 71
Technical Data ......................... 72
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 74
Capacities ............................. 74
Engine O ils ............................. 76
Brake Fluid ............................. 76
Coolants ............................... 77
Service-Literature ................... 78
Vehicle Operation
Drivin
Vehicle Care
Practical Hints
Technical Data — Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
5

Vehicle Operation

Instruments and Controls
For ore detailed descriptions see quoted pages.
1 Speaker grilles
2 Swivelling side ventilation outlets (page 26)
3 Parking brake release knob (page 36)
4 Hood lock release handle (page 34)
5 Parking brake pedal (page 36)
6 Combination switch (page 20)
7 Light switch (page 19)
8 Cruise control (page 21)
9 Instrument cluster (page 10)
10 Horn control
11 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch (page 18)
12 Swivelling outlets for cooled air (page 26)
13 Switch for rear courtes light
14 Switch for automatic antenna (page 31)
15 Switch for electric sliding roof (page 24)
16 Switch for heated rear window (page 23)
17 Automatic climate control (page 26)
18 Radio (page 29)
19 Ash tra with electric lighter (page 24, 54)
20 Speaker - fader control (page 30)
21 Switch group for window lifters (page 25)
22 Hazard warning flasher switch
Push switch = hazard warning flasher s stem
switched on
Push switch once more = hazard warning
flasher s stem switched off
23 Glove compartment, illuminated (onl if steering
lock is in position “1” or “2”)
To open, move handle sidewa s

Instruments and Controls
9

instrument Cluster
1 Coolant temperature gauge (° F)
Up to red marking: Maximum permissible
temperature for an antifreeze-blended fill
protecting down to -22° F (-30° C)
2 Fuel gauge with reserve warning light (red)
Fuel reserve for approx. 25 miles (40 km)
For capacit , refer to page 75 and last page
3 Oil pressure gauge
4 Turn signal indicator light, left (green)
5 Main odometer
6 Trip odometer
7 Turn signal indicator light, right (green)
8 Electric clock
9 Catal st replacement indicator light (red)
(onl California vehicles). When the indicator light
comes on, the catal st must be replaced.
10 Seat belt warning light (red)
11 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
12 Knob for instrument lighting and trip odometer
Rotate knob: instrument lighting is infinitel
variable
Depress knob: trip odometer is turned back
13 Brake warning light (red) comes on if
• the parking brake is engaged
• too little brake fluid is in the reservoir
14 Brake pad wear indicator light (red):
Light comes on while braking and driving
if the front wheel brake pads are worn down.
Refer to page 43
15 Charge indicator light (red):
Comes on when the steering lock ke is
moved to driving position “2” and must go
out when the engine is idling
16 High beam indicator light (blue)

11

Ke s Doors
IT
0=U 8878
Master Key — square head - fits all
locks on the car.
Supplementary Key — rounded head
— fits onl the door locks and the
steering lock. This ke is intended
to be used whenever the car is left
with an attendant. Be sure to lock
glove compartment and trunk
with the master ke .
Openin the Doors
From outside: pull handle
outwards (1).
From the inside: pull handle in door
trim panel.
Lockin and Unlockin of Doors
From the outside: turn ke .
From the inside: actuate safet
plunger (sedan) or safet lever
(coupe).
2 Unlocking
3 Locking
a 8916
When the rear door plunger’s are
pushed down the rear doors
cannot be opened from the outside
or the inside. The can be opened
after pulling plungers up.
One cannot lock:
• the driver’s door if it is open.
• an door if the door lock has
not engaged full . In this case
open the door and close it again.

Ke s Doors
Master Lock System
The master lock s stem simultane
ousl locks or unlocks together
with the driver’s door all other
doors, fuel tank filler flap and trunk
lid. As the driver’s door plunger is
moved, the plungers of all other
doors must move at the same time.
If this is not the case, the lock of
the corresponding door has not
engaged full . Open the door once
more and close it correctl .
When the master lock s stem has
been applied, the lock plungers of
the front passenger door and the
rear doors can also be operated
manuall from inside. In addition to
this, the front passenger door can
be locked or unlocked b means
of the ke .
The master lock s stem can onl be
applied b depressing the plunger
on the driver’s door. Lock plungers
of the other doors cannot be
depressed individuall .
The trunk lid can also be unlocked
separatel b turning master ke
counterclockwise to the stop. Push
the trunk lock button in with
it and lift the lid. Return the ke to
its initial position and withdraw it.
To lock the lid, close it firml . It will
then be locked again b the master
lock s stem.
A provision has been made to
facilitate permanent locking of the
trunk lid for positive prevention
of access to trunk b unauthorized
persons.
Before leaving vehicle with an
attendant, lock trunk with master
ke (square head) b turning ke
clockwise to stop (tumbler slot
vertical), then provide attendant
with round-headed supplementar
ke . Thus, the trunk lock has been
excluded from the operation of the
master lock s stem and cannot be
opened except with the square
headed master ke .
To reverse this, turn trunk lock
counterclockwise back to hori
zontal position of the tumbler
slot with master ke . Lock will then
be reengaged in master lock
s stem; that is, it will automaticall
be locked or unlocked depending
on whether the driver’s door
is locked or unlocked.
The master lock s stem operates
on vacuum generated b the
engine. A reservoir allows the
master lock s stem to be actuated
about five times after the engine
is turned off. If the s stem can then
no longer be engaged, idle engine
for a short period.
If no vacuum is available, the locks
can be actuated individuall in the
normal manner. The fuel tank filler
flap, however, remains unlocked.
Note:
If the filler flap cannot be opened
when the master lock s stem is
unlocked, refer to “ Unlocking of the
Fuel Tank Filler Flap” (page 66).

Seats
>
Adjustment of Driver’s Seat and
Front Passen er Seat
Forward and backward adjustment:
lift handle (1); slide seat to desired
position and allow handle to re
engage.
Height of seat: raise lever (2);
to raise seat, move seat forward;
to lower seat, move seat backward;
allow lever to reengage.
Seat back position: turn handwheel
(3) forward or backward.
For full reclining of backrest, seat
should be moved to one of the
forwardmost positions and headrest
removed. For driving, return back
rest to upright position and push
seat back. Replace headrest.
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,
operation, and comfort. The head
rest should also be adjusted for
proper height so that when the
cushion is tipped completel
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 50 lbs. (23 kg) should be
seated in the back seat with an
approved restraint s stem properl
secured.
All seat, headrest, and rearview
mirror adjustments as well as
fastening of seat belts should be
accomplished before the vehicle
is put into motion.
Coupe: When the doors are closed
the backrests are locked b means
of vacuum. The locks can be
released b pushing button (4).
When the doors are opened the
backrests can be folded forward
readil .
14

Seats
Safety Headrest
Adjust headrest to support the back
of the head at the level of the upper
end of the ear.
Height adjustment:
Press headrest slightl forward (1)
and reset upward or downward.
Detaching headrests:
Pull headrest out to the stop.
Release arrester b depressing
locking knob to be felt under the
backrest covering material and pull
up headrest, holding it b the LH
headrest post (viewed in driving
direction). Finall pull out headrest
completel with both hands.
The headrest locking knob of the
front seat is located below the LH
headrest post (2).
The headrest locking knob of the
rear seat is located between the two
headrest posts.
Arm Rest (Rear Seat)
A center arm rest is provided in the
rear seat which can be pulled out
with a loop. When replacing, lift at
the rear. For the removal of the rear
seat cushion see “Practical Hints”.
15

Seats
)
Safety Belts
Warning s stem:
The indicator marked “FASTEN
SEAT BELTS” is illuminated for 4—8
seconds after turning the steering
lock ke to position “2”. If the safet
belt of the driver’s seat is not
fastened a warning buzzer sounds
simultaneousl .
Fastening of front and outer rear
seat belts (with inertia reel):
• Pull belt with tongue (1) across
shoulder and lap. The belt must
not be twisted and must be tight.
• Press tongue (1) into buckle (2)
and allow to engage audibl .
Unfastening, front and rear:
• Depress red button “PRESS” (3)
in buckle (2).
• Return tongue (1) to initial
position.
Fastening of rear center seat belt
(without inertia reel):
• Pull belt across the lap. It must
not be twisted and must be tight.
• Press tongue into, buckle and
allow to engage audibl .
Adjustment of rear center seat belt:
To lengthen, turn belt buckle (on
LH side of belt) to be at right angles
to the belt and pull the tongue.
To shorten, pull loose end of belt.
8759
16

Operation of belts with inertia reel:
The safet belt inertia reel stops
the belt from unwinding further in
case of vehicle deceleration in an
direction or if the belt is pulled out
quickl .
Functional test:
The locking function of the inertia
reel can be tested b braking,
driving around a bend or b pulling
the belt out quickl .
Note:
No safet belt can be used for more
than one person. Belts are not
intended for children.
After an accident, inspect the safet
belts and replace them, if required.
Seats
The belt anchors in the vehicle
should also be checked.
Belt webbing must not be routed
via sharp edges.
No modifications which ma affect
the efficienc of the belts must be
made.
For cleaning and care of belt
webbing, refer to page 51.
(
17

Controls
Steerin Lock
0 Steering is locked when the
ke is removed. Ke can be
removed onl in this position.
Note:
Do not remove ke 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 neces
sar , move steering wheel
slightl to turn the ke clockwise
to position “1”.)
18
Hi: 8688
2 Driving.
Starting position:
Continue turning ke clockwise
to the stop. The starter is
engaged when the ke is
pressed against the stop. The
starter non-repeat unit requires the
ke to be returned to position “0”
prior to a new starting attempt.
Notes:
The following items can be
operated with the ke in steering
lock position “1” :
Wipers, windshield washer,
headlight flasher, electric lighter,
glove compartment light, radio,
electric seat heater for front seats.
The power suppl to the standing
lights is disrupted if the ke
in the steering lock is in
position “2”.
A warning buzzer sounds when
the ke has been left in steering
lock positions “1” or “0” and the
driver’s door is opened.

Controls
Li ht Switch
0 Off-position
1 Parking lights (includes side mar
ker lights, tail lights, license plate
lights, instrument panel lights)
2 Same as pos. 1 plus headlights
3 Standing lights, right
4 Standing lights, left
A Turn to position 2 and pull out
to first detent = same as
position 2 plus fog lights
B Available for an option
Note:
With the steering lock ke removed
and the driver’s door open a signal
sounds if the vehicle’s exterior
lighting is not switched off
(standing lights excepted).