Mercedes-Benz 300 E 2.8 User manual

Owner’s Manual

What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
MERCEDES-BENZ
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
1-800-222-0100
(U.S.A. onl )
Drive Sensibl - Save Fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operat
ing conditions.
To save fuel ou should:
• keep tires at the recommended
inflation pressures,
• remove unnecessar 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 per
formed at regular intervals b an
authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer.
Fuel consumption is also increased
b driving in cold weather, in
stop-and-go traffic, on short trips and in
hill countr .

Mercedes-Benz
Owner’s Manual
300 E 2.8
300 E
300 CE
300 E 4MATIC
400 E
500 E

Kindly observe the following in your own best interests:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as
well as conversion parts and accessories e plicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have subjected these parts to a special test in which
their reliability, safety and their special suitability for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been determined.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products
and therefore cannot be held responsible for them, even if in
individual cases an official approval or authorization by
governmental or approval agencies should e ist.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts
and accessories approved by us are available at your
Mercedes-Benz service station where you will receive
comprehensive information, also on permissible technical
modifications, and where e pert installation will be
performed.
Printed in Ger any
We reserve the right to modif the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data
and illustrations of this Owner’s Manual. Reprinting, translation and cop ing, even
of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.
Press time 10/06/92
VP/P 15K

Our company and staff congratulate you on the
purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is demonstration of your
trust in our company name. Further, it e emplifies 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 abide by the recommendations contained in
this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with
the operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
We e tend our best wishes for many miles of safe,
pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
3

Introduction
This Owner’s Manual contains a great deal of useful
information. We urge ou to read it carefull and
familiarize ourself with the vehicle before driving.
For our own safet and longer service life of the
vehicle, we urge ou to follow the instructions and
warnings. Ignoring them could result in damage to
the vehicle or personal injur .
Your vehicle ma have some or all of the equipment
described. Therefore, ou ma find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in our vehicle. If
ou have an questions about the operation of an
equipment, our authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warrant Polic Booklet
contains detailed information about the warranties
covering our Mercedes-Benz, including:
• New Car Limited Warrant
• Emission S stem Warrant
• Emission Performance Warrant
• California Emission Control S stem
Warrant (California onl )
• State Warrant Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)
4
I portant Notice for California Retail Buyers of
Mercedes-Benz Auto obiles
Linder California law ou ma be entitled to a
replacement of our vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price, if Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc. or its authorized dealer fails to conform the
vehicle to its express warranties after a reasonable
number of repair attempts during the period of one
ear or 12 000 miles from original deliver of the
vehicle. A reasonable number of repair attempts is
presumed for a retail bu er (1) if the vehicle is out
of service b reason of repair of substantial non
conformities for a cumulative total of more than
30 calendar da s or (2) the same substantial non
conformit has been subject to repair four or more
times and you have at least once directly notified
us in writing of the need to repair the non-con
for ity and have given us an opportunity to per
for the repair ourselves. Notifications should
be sent to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Regional
Office listed in the Owner’s Service and Warran
ty Infor ation Booklet.
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the ne
cessar maintenance work which should be per
formed at regular intervals.
Alwa s have the Maintenance Booklet with ou
when ou take the vehicle to our authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer for service. The service
advisor will record each service in the booklet for
ou.

Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program
provides factor trained technical help in the event
of a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance number:
1-800-222-0100 (in the U.S.A. only)
will be answered b Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Representatives 24 hours a da ,
365 da s a ear.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-
Benz Roadside Assistance Program brochure in
our lockable storage compartment.
Change of Address or Ownership
If ou change our address, be sure to send in the
’’Change of Address Notice” found in the Owner’s
Service and Warrant Polic Booklet. It is in our
own interest that we can contact ou should the
need arise.
If ou sell our Mercedes, please leave all owner’s
literature with the vehicle to make it available to the
next owner.
If ou bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in
the ’’Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the
Owner’s Service and Warrant Polic Booklet.
Operating Your Vehicle Outside the U.S.A. or
Canada
If ou plan to operate our vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
• unleaded fuels for vehicles with catal tic
converters ma not be available; the use of
leaded fuels will damage the catal sts,
• fuel ma have a considerabl lower octane
rating, and improper fuel can cause engine
damage,
• service facilities or replacement parts ma not be
readil available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for
deliver in Europe under our European Deliver
Program. For details, consult our authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer or write to:
Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.
European Deliver Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645
In Canada write to:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Deliver Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5
5

We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask
for your understanding that we reserve the right to make
changes in design and equipment. Therefore, information,
illustrations and descriptions in this Owner’s Manual might
differ from your vehicle.
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 Owner’s Manual, your authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer will be glad to inform you of
correct care and operating procedures.
The Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet are
important documents and should be kept with the
vehicle.
6

Instru ents and Controls
Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions
Operation
Driving
Practical Hints
Technical Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc.
Consu er Infor ation
Index

The First 1000 Miles
(1500 k )
The more cautiousl ou treat our
vehicle during the break-in period,
the more satisfied ou will be with
its performance later on. There
fore, drive our vehicle during the
first 1000 miles (1500 km) at
moderate vehicle and engine
speeds.
During this period, avoid heav
loads (full throttle driving) and
high RPM (no more than 2/3of
maximum permissible speed in
each gear as indicated on the
speedometer).
Avoid accelerating b kickdown. It
is not recommended to brake the
vehicle b manuall shifting to a
lower gear. We recommend to
select positions ”3”, ”2” or ”B”
(for models 400 E and 500 E) onl
at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km)
speeds ma graduall be in
creased to the permissible
maximum.
Check Regularly and
Before a Long Trip
See Index
Maintenance
We strongl recommend that ou
have our vehicle serviced b our
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer,
in accordance with the Mainte
nance Booklet.
8

Instru ents and Controls
Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions
Instruments and Controls 10
Instrument Cluster 12
Indicator Lamp S mbols 13
Catal tic Converter 14
Starting and Turning Off
the Engine 15
Driving Instructions 16

Instru ents and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see Inde .
1 Adjustable side air outlets
2 Exterior lamp switch
3 Parking brake release
4 Hood lock release
5 Parking brake pedal
6 Combination switch
7 Air volume control for side air outlets
8 Cruise control
9 Instrument cluster
10 Horn, airbag
11 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch
12 Adjustable center air outlets
13 Air volume control for center air outlets
14 Rear window defroster switch
10
15 Switch for folding rear seat head restraints
backward
16 Switch for rear window sunshade
17 Air recirculation switch
18 Hazard warning flasher switch
19 Indicator lamp for anti-theft alarm
20 Snow chain switch
21 Rear passenger compartment lamp switch
22 Automatic climate control
23 Radio
24 Ashtra with lighter
25 Left front seat heater switch
26 Right front seat heater switch
27 Left power window switch group
28 Mirror adjustment switch
29 Loudspeaker front to rear fader control
30 Right power window switch group

11
Instruments and Controls

D £3 BRAKE Q ^ w l <S? (©) SRS i p n C HEC K
a s r e n g i n e
P54-0010-B34B
Instru ent Cluster
1 Coolant temperature gauge. See Index
2 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp ( ellow).
See Index
3 Engine oil pressure gauge (bar). See Index
4 Turn signal indicator lamp, left (green)
5 Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer
Rotate knob: to var intensit of instrument lamps
Depress knob: to reset trip odometer
6 Speedometer
7 ASR function indicator lamp ( ellow). See Index
300 E 4MATIC:
4MATIC function indicator lamp ( ellow).
See Index
8 Main odometer
9 Trip odometer
10 Outside temperature indicator. See Index
11 Turn signal indicator lamp, right (green)
12 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in and rotate for adjustments)
13 Electric clock
14 Tachometer
15 Red marking on tachometer:
Excessive engine speed
12

Indicator La p Sy bols
Function Indicator La p
High beam
Warning La ps
(should go out with the engine running unless)
Batter not being charged.
See Index
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
Brake fluid low (Canada onl ).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
Brake pads worn down.
See Index
Engine oil level low.
See Index
Coolant level low.
See Index
BRAKE
(®)
ID
D
CHECK
ENGINE
Fluid level for windshield and
headlamp washer s stem low.
See Index
Exterior lamp failure.
See Index
ABS malfunction.
See Index
SRS malfunction.
See Index
ASR malfunction.
See Index
4MATIC malfunction.
See Index
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
300 and 400 series (California onl ),
500 E (all).
If the lamp comes on when the
engine is running, it indicates a
malfunction in the fuel injection
s stem or emission control s stem. In
either case, we recommend that ou
have the malfunction checked as
soon as possible. See Index

Catalytic Converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped
with monolithic catal tic convert
ers, an important element in con
junction with the ox gen sensor to
achieve substantial control of the
pollutants in the exhaust emis
sions. Keep our vehicle in proper
operating condition b following
our recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in our
maintenance booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the cata
l tic converters, use onl premium
unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
An noticeable irregularities in
engine operation should be re
paired promptl . Otherwise
excessive unburned fuel ma
reach the converter causing it to
overheat.
Warning!
As with any vehicle, do not
idle, park or operate this ve
hicle in areas where co bus
tible aterials such as grass,
hay or leaves can co e into
contact with the hot exhaust
syste , as these aterials
could be ignited.
14

Starting and Turning Off the
Engine
Before Starting
Engage parking brake and move
the selector lever to position ” P”
or ”N” . Turn ke in steering lock
to position 2. The charge indicator
lamp should come on.
Cold Engine
Do not depress accelerator. Turn
ke in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Release ke onl when
the engine is firing regularl .
Hot Engine
Do not depress accelerator. Turn
ke in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. If the engine has not
fired after approx. 4 seconds,
depress accelerator and continue
cranking until the engine is firing
regularl . Release ke and back
off accelerator.
At ver high coolant temperatures
the engine starting time can be
shortened if the accelerator is de
pressed slowl at the beginning of
the starting process.
Turning off
Turn the ke in the steering lock to
position 0 to stop engine.
The ke can onl be removed with
the selector lever in position ” P” .
If the coolant temperature is ver
high (e.g. after hard driving on
mountain roads), do not shut off
the engine immediatel , but allow
it to run for 1 - 2 minutes at in
creased idle speed with selector
lever in position ”P” or ”N” .
I portant!
Due to the installed starter non
repeat feature, the ke must be
turned completel to the left before
attempting to start the engine
again.
Observe the oil pressure gauge
immediatel after starting the
engine. In a ver cold engine the
oil pressure will rise slowl after
the engine has started. Do not
speed up the engine before pres
sure is registered on the pressure
gauge. If ou do not see the
gauge register oil pressure, stop
the engine and have it checked.
The batter charge indicator lamp
should go out as soon as the
engine has started.
In areas where temperatures
frequentl drop below -13°F
(-25°C), we recommend that an
engine block heater be installed.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer will advise ou on this
subject.
15
Catal tic Converter
Starting

Driving Instructions
Power assistance
Warning!
When the engine is not
running, the brake and
steering syste s are without
power assistance. Under
these circu stances, a uch
greater effort is necessary to
stop or steer the vehicle.
Brakes
Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the
brakes b shifting into ”3”, ”2” or
”B” (for models 400 E and 500 E).
This helps prevent overheating of
the brakes and reduces brake pad
wear. Do not exceed engine speed
limits (see Index).
After hard braking it is advisable
to drive on for some time, rather
than immediatel parking, so the
air stream will cool down the
brakes faster.
Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for
so e ti e without applying
the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake
co ponents, the first braking
action ay be so ewhat re
duced and increased pedal
pressure ay be necessary.
Be sure to aintain a safe
distance fro vehicles in
front.
The condition of the parking brake
s stem is checked each time the
car is in the shop for the required
maintenance.
Between maintenance checks, it is
a good practice to appl the park
ing brake once or twice while
driving at approximatel 30 mph
(50 km/h) on a dr straight road.
Appl parking brake lightl while
pulling the release handle out until
a slight drag on the wheels is felt.
Keep appl ing the brake for about
10 seconds while pulling the re
lease handle out before releasing
the parking brake completel . This
practice will keep the parking
brake at maximum efficienc .
Warning!
The stop la ps will not co e
on when applying the parking
brake only. Perfor the pro
cedure in the previous para
graph only when the road is
clear of other traffic.
Resting your foot on the brake
pedal will cause excessive
and pre ature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes
overheating thereby signifi
cantly reducing their effective
ness. It ay not be possible
to stop the car in sufficient
ti e to avoid an accident.
All checks and maintenance work
on the brake s stem should be
carried out b an authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer.
If the parking brake is released
and the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster sta s on, the
brake fluid level in the reservoir is
too low.
16

Brake pad wear or a leak in the
s stem ma be the reason for low
brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake s stem inspected
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
dealer immediatel .
Install onl brake pads and brake
fluid recommended b Mercedes-
Benz.
Warning!
If other than reco ended
brake pads are installed, the
braking properties of the ve
hicle can be affected to an
extent that safe braking is
substantially i paired.
1801
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are
required b law. These indicators
are located in six places on the
tread circumference and become
visible at a depth of approximatel
1/16 in (2 mm), 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
1/8 in (3 ) of tread, the
adhesion properties on a wet
road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather
and/or road surface (condi
tions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Specified tire pressures must be
maintained. This applies parti
cularl if the tires are subjected to
high loads (e.g. high speeds,
heav loads, high ambient tem
peratures).
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire.
A flat tire affects the ability to
steer or brake the vehicle. You
ay lose control of the car.
Continued driving with a flat
tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will cause ex
cessive heat build-up and
possibly a fire.

Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the
water la er on the road, aqua
planing ma occur, even at low
speeds and with new tires.
Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track
grooves in the road and appl
brakes cautiousl in the rain.
Tire Traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow
covered or ic road is alwa s
lower than on a dr road.
You should pa particular attention
to the condition of the road as
soon as the prevailing tempera
tures fall close to the freezing
point.
Warning!
If ice has for ed on the road,
tire traction will be substan
tially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive,
steer and brake with extre e
caution.
We recommend M + S radial-pl
tires for the winter season for all
four wheels to insure normal bal
anced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, the can re
duce our stopping distance as
compared with summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still
considerabl greater than when
the road is wet or dr .
Parking
Warning!
To reduce the risk of personal
injury as a result of vehicle
ove ent, before turning off
the engine and leaving the
vehicle always:
1. Keep right foot on brake
pedal.
2. Fir ly depress parking
brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to
position ”P”.
4. Slowly release brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards
the road curb.
6. Turn the key to steering
lock position 0 and re ove.
I portant!
It is advisable to set the parking
brake whenever parking or leaving
the vehicle. In addition, move
selector lever to position "P” .
When parking on hills, alwa s set
the parking brake.
18