Mercedes-Benz 280 E 1981 User manual

Owner’s 280 E

Drive Sensibly—Save Fuel
Fuel consumption depends to a
reat extent on drivin habits and
operatin conditions.
In order to save fuel you should:
• ensure that tire pressures are
correct
• not carry unnecessary loads
• remove ski racks or roof-
mounted lu a e racks when
not in use
• not warm up your en ine at idle
and with the vehicle at standstill
• avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration
• avoid frequent brakin
• avoid unnecessarily hi h speeds
• have all the maintenance jobs
specified by us carried out at
re ular intervals by a
MERCEDES-BENZ service
station
Drivin in low temperature weather,
in stop-and- o city traffic and on
short hops, and in hilly country also
increases fuel consumption.

280 E
280 CE
Type 123
1981

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. /4s these extras need
to be ordered separately, the
equipment of your ehicle may
de iate from the descriptions and
illustrations to some extent.
The last pa e
What you should know at the
as station
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and C ontrols 8
Instrument Cluster ......................... 10
Keys, Doors ..................................... 12
Master and Supplementary
Key .............................................. 12
Openin , Lockin and
Unlockin of D oors .................. 12
Master Lock System ................ 13
Seats ................................................ 14
Adjustment of Driver’s Seat
and Front Passen er Seat .... 14
Seat Heater ................................. 15
Safety Headrests ....................... 15
Arm Rest (Rear Seat) ................ 16
Safety Belts ............................... 16
Controls .......................................... 18
Steerin L ock ............................. 18
Li htin Switch .......................... 19
Combination Switch ................. 20
Cruise Control ............................ 21
Various Equipm ent ........................ 22
Interior Lam ps ............................ 22
Outside Rear View Mirror .... 22
Inside Rear View M irror 22
Sun Visor .................................... 23
Heated Rear W indow ................. 23
Shelf below Rear Window .... 23
Electric Li hter .......................... 24
Slidin R oo f ................................ 24
Electric Window Lifters 25
Automatic Climate C ontrol 26
Radio ............................................... 28
Driving
H ood ................................................. 32
Re ular Inspections ..................... 33
Parkin Brake ................................ 34
Catalytic Converter Cautions ... 35
Startin and Turnin off the
En ine .......................................... 36
Startin and Shiftin Gears .... 37
Safe Drivin .................................. 39
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
Lamp .......................................... 41
Brake F luid ................................ 41
Char e Indicator Lam p 41
Oil Pressure Gau e ................... 41
Coolant Temperature Gau e . 41
Emission C ontrol ........................ 42
En ine Oil Consumption 42
The First 1500 km/1000 Miles ... 42
Special Operatin Conditions .. 43
Winter Drivin ......................... 43
Hints for D rivin .......................... 43
Tire Chains .................................. 44
Travelin Abroad ....................... 44
4

Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance
System ..........................................
Severe Operatin Conditions .
En ine Oil Chan e and Filter
Chan e ......................................
Automatic T ransmission -
Fluid and Filter Chan e ...........
Spare Parts Service .....................
Cleanin and Care of the Vehicle
Jobs related to Care .................
Practical Hints
Ash trays ......................................
Rear Seat Cushion .....................
First Aid K it ..................................
Lu a e or Ski Racks ...............
Spare Wheel, Jack, Vehicle
Tool K it ........................................
Wheels, Tires, Chan in Wheels
Wheels, T ire s .........................
Chan in Wheels .................
Tire Pressure .........................
Checkin Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc .............................
En ine Oil Level C heck ........
Replenishin C oolant ...........
Fluid Level-Automatic
Transmission .........................
Electrical System ...............
Replacin Bulbs ...........
Fuses ..............................
Battery ............................
SparkPlu s ...................
Emer ency Operatin of
Slidin R oof .......................
Unlockin of the Fuel Tank
Filler F lap ...........................
Emer ency-startin and
Towin the Vehicle ...........
Jump Startin ...................
Technical Data - Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates .............
Vehicle Data Cards .............
Technical D ata .....................
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants,
Capacities .......................
En ine O ils .......................
Brake Fluid .......................
Coolants ...........................
Service-Literature ...............
46
46
46
46
47
48
49
52
52
53
53
53
54
54
55
56
57
57
58
59
Contents
60
60
64
64 Vehicle Operation
64
65
65
66
67
Drivin
Vehicle Care
. . . 70
. . . 71
. . . 72
tc. 74
. . . 74
. . . 76
. . . 76
. . . 77
. . . 78
Practical Hints
Technical Data - Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
5

Vehicle Operation

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see quoted pages.
1 Speaker rilles
2 Swivellin side ventilation outlets (pa e 26)
3 Parkin brake release knob (pa e 34)
4 Hood lock release handle (pa e 32)
5 Parkin brake pedal (pa e 34)
6 Combination switch (pa e 20)
7 Li htin switch (pa e 19)
8 Cruise control (pa e 21)
9 Instrument cluster (pa e 10)
10 Horn control
11 Steerin lock with i nition/starter switch
(pa e 18)
12 Swivellin outlets for cooled air (pa e 26)
13 Switch for rear courtesy lamp
14 Switch for automatic antenna (pa e 29)
15 Switch for electric slidin roof (pa e 24)
16 Switch for heated rear window (pa e 23)
17 Automatic climate control (pa e 26)
18 Radio (pa e 28)
19 Ash tray with electric li hter (pa e 24,52)
20 Switch for left front seat heater (pa e 15)
21 Switch for ri ht front seat heater (pa e 15)
22 Speaker-fader control (pa e 29)
23 Switch roup for window lifters (pa e 25)
24 Hazard warnin flasher switch
Push switch = hazard warnin flasher system
switched on
Push switch once more = hazard warnin
flasher system switched off
25 Glove compartment, illuminated (only if steerin
lock is in position “ 1” or “ 2” )
To open, move handle sideways