Mercedes-Benz 300 CD 1978 User manual

Mercedes-Benz

IG

Owner’s
Manual 240 D
300 D
300CD
Type 123 D
78
Mercedes-Benz

You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BENZ, a car in whose
construction and production we have taken great pains because
we believe that quality is not a m atter of chance.
Perhaps you have already had experience w ith 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 putting it away. Even though you have been driving
a car for years, some things 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 m otoring.
DAIMLER-BENZ Aktiengesellschaft
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 equip
ent o f your vehicle ay deviate
fro the descriptions and illustra
tions to so e extent.
The last page
What you should know at the
gas station
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and Controls .... 8
Instrument Cluster ..................... 10
Keys, Doors ................................. 12
Master and Supplementary
Keys ........................................ 12
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of D o o rs .............. 12
Master Lock System ............ 13
Seats ............................................. 14
Front Seat Adjustment .... 14
Safety Headrest ..................... 15
Arm Rest (Rear Seat) ......... 15
Safety B elts ............................ 16
Controls ..................................... 18
Steering Lock ........................ 18
Idle Speed A djuster .............. 18
Light Switch .......................... 1
Combination Switch ............ 20
Cruise Control ........................ 21
Various Equipment ................... 22
Interior Lights ........................ 22
Rear View Mirrors ................. 22
Sun Visor ................................. 23
Heated Rear Window .......... 23
Shelf below Rear Window . . 23
Electric Lighter ........................ 24
Sliding R oo f ............................ 24
Electric Window Lifters .... 25
Heating and Ventilation 26
Air Conditioning System 28
Automatic Climate Control ... 30
Radio ............................................. 33
Driving
H oo d ............................................. 38
Regular Inspections ................... 3
Parking Brake ............................ 40
Starting and Turning off the
Engine .......................................... 40
Starting and Shifting Gears ... 42
Mechanical Transmission . . . 42
Automatic Transmission . . . 42
Safe Driving .............................. 45
Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . 46
Brake Fluid ............................ 46
Charge Indicator L ig ht 46
Oil Pressure Gauge .............. 46
Coolant Temperature Gauge 46
Emission Control ................... 47
Driving Economically ................ 47
Fuel Consumption ................ 47
Engine Oil Consumption .... 47
The First 1,000 Miles
(1,500 k m ) ................................... 47
Special Operating Conditions . 48
Winter D riving........................ 48
High Altitude Correction
D evice ...................................... 48
Travelling Abroad ................ 48
4

Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Main
tenance System ........................ 50
Severe Operating
Conditions .............................. 50
Engine Oil Change and
Filter Change .......................... 51
Automatic Transmission —
Fluid and Filter Change .... 51
Spare Parts Service ................... 51
Cleaning and Care of the
Vehicle ........................................ 52
Jobs related to Care ............ 53
Practical Hints
Ash trays ..................................... 56
First Aid K it ................................. 56
Rear Seat Cushion ................... 57
Tool K it ........................................ 57
Luggage or Ski R acks .............. 57
Bleeding the Fuel System .... 58
Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc ............................. 58
Engine Oil Level Check .... 58
Replenishing Coolant 5
Fluid Level — Automatic
Transmission .......................... 60
Wheels, Tires, Changing
Wheels ........................................ 61
Wheels, T ire s .....................
Changing Wheels ............
Tire Pressure .....................
Electrical System ...................
Replacing B ulbs ................
Fuses ...................................
Battery .................................
Emergency Operation of
Sliding Roof ..........................
Unlocking of the Filler Flap . .
Emergency-starting and
Towing the V ehicle ..............
Turning off Engine Manually
Technical Data — Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates
..............
Vehicle Data Cards ..............
Technical Data .....................
240 D ...................................
300 D, 300 C D .....................
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants,
etc ..............................................
Capacities ..........................
Engine O ils ..........................
Brake Fluid .......................
Diesel F u els........................
Coolants ............................
Service Literature ................
Contents
Vehicle Operation
61
62
63
64
64
68
68
6 Driving
6
70
71
Vehicle Care
74
74
75
75
77 Practical Hints
7
7
82
8 2 Technical Data — Fuels,
8 3 Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
84
85
5

Vehicle Operation

Instruments and Controls
For ore detailed descriptions see quoted pages.
1Speaker grilles
2Swivelling side ventilation outlets (page 26)
3Parking brake release knob (page 40)
4Hood lock release handle (page 38)
5Parking brake pedal (page 40)
6Combination switch (page 20)
7Light switch (page 1 )
8Cruise control (page 21)
Idle speed adjuster (page 18)
10 Instrument cluster (page 10)
11 Horn control
12 Steering lock (page 18)
Steering lock with preglow/starter switch
13 Swivelling outlets for nonheated fresh air
(page 26)
14 Lever for nonheated fresh air (page 26)
15 Switch for rear courtesy light
16 Switch for automatic antenna (page 35)
17 Air conditioner temperature switch (page 28)
18 Control of electrically operated sliding roof
(page 24)
1 Switch for heated rear window (page 23)
20 Air distribution lever (page 26)
21 Heater switch, left vehicle side (page 26)
22 Switch for air volume control and blower
(page 26)
23 Heater switch, right vehicle side (page 26)
24 Radio (page 33)
25 Ash tray with electric lighter (page 24, 56)
26 Speaker — fader control (page 34)
27 Switch group for window lifters (page 25)
28 Hazard warning flasher switch
Push switch = hazard warning flasher system
switched on
Push switch once more = hazard warning
flasher system switched off
2 Glove compartment, illuminated
(only if steering lock is in position "1" or "2")
To open, move handle sideways

Instruments and Controls

Instrum ent Cluster
1 Coolant temperature gauge (° F)
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. 22 — 25 miles
(35 - 40 km)
For capacity, refer to page 81 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
Preglowing indicator (orange)
10 Seat belt warning
11 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
12 Knob for instrument lighting and trip
odometer
Rotate knob: instrument lighting is
infinitely 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 (red):
Light comes on while braking and driving
if the front wheel brake pads are worn down.
Refer to page 46
15 Charge indicator light (red):
Comes on when the steering lock key is
moved to driving position "2" and must go
out when the engine is idling
16 High beam indicator light (blue)

Instrument Cluster
11

Keys Doors
>
Master Key — square-headed
fits all locks on the car.
Supplementary Key — rounded
head — fits only the door locks
and the steering lock. This key is
intended to be used whenever the
car is left with an attendant. Be
sure to lock glove compartment
and trunk with the master key.
Opening the Doors
From outside: pull handle out
wards (1).
From the inside: pull handle in door
trim panel.
Loc ing and Unloc ing of Doors
From the outside: turn key.
From the inside: actuate safety
plunger (sedan) or safety lever
(coupe).
2 Unlocking
3 Locking
When the rear door plunger's are
pushed down the rear doors
cannot be opened from the outside
or the inside. They can be opened
after pulling plungers up.
One cannot lock:
• the driver's door if it is open
• each door if the door lock has
not engaged fully. In this case
open the door and close it again.
8637
12

Keys Doors
Master Loc System
The master lock system simulta
neously 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 en
gaged fully. Open the door once
more and close it correctly.
When the master lock system has
been applied, the lock plungers of
the front passenger door and the
rear doors can also be operated
manually from inside. In addition to
this, the front passenger door can
be locked or unlocked by means
of the key.
The master lock system can only
be applied by depressing the
plunger on the driver's door. Lock
plungers of the other doors cannot
be depressed individually.
The trunk lid can also be unlocked
separately by turning master key
counterclockwise to the stop. Push
the trunk lock button in with it and
lift the lid. Return the key to its ini
tial position and withdraw it. To
lock the lid, close it firmly. It will
then be locked again by the master
lock system.
A provision has been made to
facilitate permanent locking of the
trunk lid for positive prevention of
access to trunk by unauthorized
persons.
Before leaving vehicle with an at
tendant, lock trunk with mas
ter key (square head) by turning
key clockwise to stop (tumbler slot
vertical), then provide attendant
with round-headed supplementary
key. Thus, the trunk lock has been
excluded from the operation of the
master lock system and cannot be
opened except with the square
headed master key.
To reverse this, turn trunk lock
counterclockwise back to horizon
tal position of the tumbler slot
with master key. Lock will then be
reengaged in master lock system;
that is, it will automatically be
locked or unlocked depending on
whether the driver's door is locked
or unlocked.
The master lock system operates
on vacuum generated by the en
gine. A reservoir allows the master
lock system to be actuated about
five times after the engine is turned
off. If the system can then no
longer be engaged, idle engine for
a short period.
If no vacuum is available, doors
and trunk have to be locked individ
ually in the normal manner. The
fuel tank filler flap, however,
remains unlocked.
Note:
If the filler flap cannot be opened
when the master lock system is
unlocked, refer to "Unlocking of
the Filler Flap".

Seats
Front Seat Adjustment
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 re-engage.
Seat back position: turn hand
wheel (3) forward or backward.
For full reclining of backrest, seat
should be moved to one of the for-
wardmost positions and headrest
removed. For driving, return seat
rearwards and backrest to upright
position. 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 headrest should also be
adjusted for proper height so that
when the cushion is tipped com
pletely forward, it should from 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 kp) should be
seated in the back seat with an
approved restraint system properly
secured. All seat, headrest, and
rear view 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 by means
of vacuum. The locks can be
released by pushing button (4).
When the doors are opened the
backrests can be folded forward
readily.
14

Seats
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".
4
Safety Headrest
Adjust headrest to support the
back of the head at the level of
the upper end of ear. For height
adjustment or for removal, push
headrest slightly forward (1). To
detach the headrest, release ar
rester by depressing a button to be
felt under the backrest covering
material.
Front seats: button below L/H
headrest post (2).
Rear seats: button above between
both headrest posts.
15

Seats
>
Safety Belts
Warning system:
The indicator marked "FASTEN
SEAT BELTS" is illuminated for
4 — 8 seconds after turning the
steering lock key to position "2"
If the safety belt of the driver's
seat is not fastened a warning
buzzer sounds simultaneously.
Fastening of front and rear outer
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 audibly.
Unfastening, front and rear:
• Depress red button "PRESS" (3)
in buckle (2).
• Return tongue (1) to initial
position.
Fastening of rear center 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 audibly.
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.
875
16

Operation:
The safety belt inertia reel stops
the belt from unwinding further in
case of vehicle deceleration in any
direction or if the belt is pulled out
quickly.
Functional test:
The locking function of the inertia
reel can be tested by braking, driv
ing around a bend or by pulling the
belt out quickly.
Note:
No safety belt can be used for more
than one person. Belts are not in
tended for children.
Anchoring points for a child seat
are provided.
After an accident, inspect the
safety belts and replace them, if re
Seats
quired. The belt anchors in the
vehicle should also be checked.
Renew damaged belt webbing.
Belt webbing must not be routed
via sharp edges.
No modifications which may affect
the efficiency of the belts must
be made.
For cleaning and care of belt
webbing, refer to page 53.
i
17

Controls
8628
Steering Loc
0 Steering is locked when the key
is removed. Key can be re
moved only in this position.
Note:
Do not remove key from steer
ing 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 necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to turn the key
clockwise to position "1".)
2 Preglowing takes place.
Starting: continue turning key
clockwise to the stop. The
starter is engaged when the key
is pressed against the stop.
The starter nonrepeat unit
requires the key to be returned
to position "1" or "0" prior to
a new starting attempt. For
starting and turning off the en
gine, refer to page 40.
Notes:
The following items can be
operated with the key in steering
lock position "1” :
Wiper, windshield washer, head
light flasher, electric lighter, glove
compartment light, radio, electric
seat heater for front seats.
The power supply to the standing
lights is disrupted if the key in the
steering lock is in position "2".
A warning buzzer sounds when the
key has been left in steering lock
positions "1" or "0" and the driver's
door is opened.
Idle Speed Adjuster
To increase idle speed, turn knob
counterclockwise.
To decrease idle speed, turn knob
clockwise.
18