Mercedes-Benz 300 SD 1978 User manual

You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BEN , a car in whose
construction and production we have taken great 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-BEN 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 motoring.
DAIMLER-BEN Aktiengesellschaft
3

Contents
This Owner’s Manual also describes
optional extras as far as this is
required for their operation.
As the scope of delivery is determined
by the order the equipment of your
vehicle may deviate from the
descriptions and illustrations to some
extent.
The last page
What you should know at the gas
station
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and C on trols 8
Instrument Cluster ......................... 10
Keys, Doors
..................................... 12
Master Key and
Supplementary K e y ................... 12
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of Doors ..................... 12
Master Lock System ................. 13
Seats ................................................. 14
Front Seat Adjustm ent 14
Safety Headrest ........................... 14
Arm Rest (Rear Seat) ................. 15
Safety Belts
................................. 15
C ontrols ............................................. 17
Steering Lock ............................. 17
Idle Speed A djuster ................... 17
Light S w itch ................................. 18
Combination S w itch ................... 19
Cruise C on trol ............................. 20
Automatic Climate Control .......... 21
Various Equipm ent ......................... 25
Interior Lights ............................. 25
Rear View M irrors ....................... 25
Sun Visor ..................................... 25
Electric Window Lifters ............ 26
Lighter ........................................... 27
Shelf below Rear Window .... 27
Heated Rear W indow .............. 27
Sliding R o of ............................... 27
Radio ............................................... 28
Driving
Hood ................................................. 34
Parking Brake ............................... 34
Regular Inspections .................... 35
Starting and Turning
off the E ngine ................................. 36
Starting and Shifting Gears .... 38
Safe Driving ................................... 40
Brake Pad Wear Indicator ... 42
Brake F luid ................................. 42
Charge Indicator Light 42
Oil Pressure Gauge
................ 42
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 42
Emission C ontrol
...................... 43
Driving Econom ically .................. 43
Fuel Consumption .................. 43
Engine Oil C onsum ption 43
The First 1,000 Miles (1,500 km) 43
Special Operating Conditions .. 44
Winter Driving .......................... 44
High Altitude Correction
Device ......................................... 44
Traveling Abroad .................... 44
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Contents
Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BEN Maintenance
System ............................................. 46
Severe Operating Conditions . 46
Engine Oil Change and Filter
Change ....................................... 47
Automatic Transmission —
Fluid and Filter Change 47
Spare Parts S ervice
.................... 47
Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 48
Jobs related to C are ................ 49
Practical Hints
Ash tra y s ......................................... 52
Rear Seat Cushion
....................... 52
First Aid K it
..................................... 53
Vehicle Tool K it............................. 53
Luggage or Ski Racks ................ 53
Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels 54
Wheels, T ires ............................. 54
Changing W heels .................... 55
Tire Inflation Pressure 56
Fuel System
.................................. 57
Bleeding the Fuel System .... 57
Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc ................................ 57
Engine Oil Lvel Check
.......... 57
Checking Coolant Level .... 58
Replenishing C oolant .............. 58
Fluid Level —
Automatic Transm ission 59
Electrical System ........................... 60
Replacing Bulbs ....................... 60
Fuses ........................................... 63
Battery ......................................... 63
Sliding Roof Emergency
Operating
....................................... 64
Unlocking of the Filler F la p 64
Tow-starting and Towing
the Vehicle ..................................... 65
Turning off Engine Manually .... 66
Technical Data, Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates .................. 68
Vehicle Data C ards ....................... 68
Technical D a ta ............................... 69
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 71
Capacities ................................... 71
Engine O ils ................................. 73
Brake F luid
................................. 73
Diesel Fuels ............................... 74
C oolants ..................................... 75
Service Literature ......................... 76
Vehicle Operation
Driving
Vehicle Care
Practical Hints
Technical Data, Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
5

Vehicle Operation

Instru ents and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see quoted pages.
1 Speaker grilles
2 Adjustable louvers for side ventilation (page 21)
3 Control lever for side ventilation (page 21)
4 Parking brake release knob (page 34)
5 Handle to disengage hood lock (page 34)
6 Parking brake pedal (page 34)
7 Combination switch (page 19)
8 Light switch (page 18)
9 Cruise control (page 20)
10 Idle speed adjuster (page 17)
11 Instrument cluster (page 10)
12 Horn control
13 Steering lock (page 17)
Steering lock with preglow/starter switch
14 Adjustable louvers for cooled air (page 21)
15 Switch for rear passenger compartment light
16 Switch for automatic antenna (page 30)
17 Switch for heated rear window (page 27)
18 Switch for electric sliding roof (page 27)
19 Automatic climate control (page 21)
20 Radio (page 28)
21 Ash tray with lighter (page 27, 52)
22 Loudspeaker — fader control (page 29)
23 Switch group for window lifters (page 26)
24 Switch for hazard warning flasher system
Push switch = hazard warning flasher
system switched on
Push switch once more = hazard warning
flasher system switched off
25 Glove compartment (to open, shift handle
sideways). Only illuminated if steering lock is
in position “ 1” or “2”.

Instru ents and Controls
9