Mercedes-Benz 300 SD User manual

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Mercedes-Benz
Operator's Manual
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S
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Product information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories explicitly approved by us for
your vehicle model. We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special suitability for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles.
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 other agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could
adversely affect the safety, performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them. Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive
comprehensive information, also on permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.
Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies 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, and
for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
• Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
• Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

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Operator's manual
This Operator's Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others. Vehicle damage caused by failure to
follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations for optional
equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment, your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:
• New Car Limited Warranty,
• Emission System Warranty,
• Emission Performance Warranty,
•State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws).

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Important notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price, if Mercedes-Benz USA,LLC
or its authorized Mercedes-Benz Center fails to conform the vehicle to its express warranties after a reasonable number of repair attempts
during the period of one year or 12 000 miles from original delivery of the vehicle. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed for
a retail buyer (1) if the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of substantial nonconformities for a cumulative total of more than 30
calendar days or (2) the same substantial non-conformity 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-conformity and have given us an opportunity to perform the repair
ourselves. Notifications should be sent to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Regional Office listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.
Roadside assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program provides factory trained technical help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to the
toll-free Roadside Assistance number:
1-800-222-0100 (in the USA) only
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Representatives 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program brochure in your glove box.

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Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to send in the "Change of Address Notice" found in the Owner's Service
and Warranty Policy Booklet. It is in your own interest that we can contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all owner's literature with the vehicle to make it available to the next owner.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used Car" found in the Owner's
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet.
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that service facilities or replacement
parts may not be readily available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program.
For details, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
LLC European Delivery Department European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive 849 Eglinton Avenue East
Montvale, NJ 07645 Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

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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 Operator'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 Operator's Manual, your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to inform you of correct care and operating procedures.
The Operator's Manual and Service Booklet are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.

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Check Regularly and Before a Long Trip
See Index
The First 1000 Miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its performance later on.
Therefore, drive your vehicle during the first 1500 km (1000 miles) at moderate vehicle and engine-speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle driving) and high RPM (no more than 2/3 of maximum permissible speed in each
gear as indicated on the speedometer).
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended to brake the vehicle by manually shifting to a lower gear. We recommend to
select positions "3" or "2"only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) speeds may be gradually increased to the permissible maximum
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, in accordance with the
Maintenance Booklet.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance with the Maintenance Booklet may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Radio Transmitters
Warning!
Never operate radio transmitters equipped with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. without the telephone
connected to an external antenna) from inside the vehicle while the engine is running. Doing so could lead
to a malfunction of the vehicle's electronic system, possibly resulting in an accident and personal injury.
Radio transmitters, such as a portable telephone or a citicens band unit should only be used inside
the passenger compartment, if they are connected to a Mercedes-Benz approved antenna that is
installed on the outside of the vehicle.

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Introduction Power window and sliding/Pop-Up roof 32 Rear Window Sunshade 67
Product information 2Power closing assist for door and trunk lid 33 Rear Window Defroster 68
Operator's manual 4Anti-Theft Alarm System 34 Shelf Below Rear Window 68
Consumer Information 130 Power Seats, Front 35 Setting Clock 69
Problems with your vehicle 131 Lumbar support 38 Antenna 69
Reporting Safety Defects 132 Multicontour Backrest 38 Cellular Telephone 69
Index 134 Heated Seats 39
Armrest, front 40 Driving
Instruments and controls Head Restraints, Rear 42
Power Head Restraints, Rear 43 Drinking and driving 72
Instruments and controls 10 Adjustable steering wheel 44 Parking Brake 72
Instrument Cluster 12
Seat belts and Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) 45
Driving off 72
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13 Seat belts 45 Automatic Transmission 73
Starting and Turning Off the Engine 14 Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) 48 Rear Fender Indicator 76
Driving Instructions 15 Airbag 49 Cruise Control 76
Steering Lock 54 Charge Indicator Lamp 78
Operation Combination Switch 55 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge with Oil
Pressure Warning Lamp 78
Air Outlets 20 Exterior Lamp Switch 57 Low Engine Oil Level Warning Lamp 79
Automatic Climate Control 21 Inside and exterior Rear View Mirrors 58 Engine Oil Consumption 79
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable Air outlet
24
Sun Visors 61 Fuel Consumption Gauge 79
Climate control 25 Vanity mirrors 61 Fuel Reserve Warning Lamp 78
Activated Charcoal Filter 25 Interior Lighting 62 Outside Temperature Indicator 80
Car keys 26 Storage Compartments 63 Coolant Temperature Gauge 80
Infrared Remote Control 27 Ashtrays 64 Low Engine Coolant Level
Warning Lamp
81
Central Locking system 30 Lighter 64 Low Windshield and
Headlamp Washer System
Doors 30 Sliding roof with rear pop-up feature 65 Washer Fluid Level Warning Lamp 81
Trunk 31 Power Windows 67 Exterior Lamp Failure Indicator Lamp 82

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Seat Belt Warning Lamp 82 Spare Wheel, lug wrench 93 Emergency Operation of Sliding Roof 118
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp 82 Stowing Things in the Vehicle 95 Roof Rack 119
Brake Warning Lamp 83 First Aid Kit 95 MERCEDES-BENZ
Spare Parts Service
119
ABS (Antilock Brake System)
Warning Lamp 84
Vehicle Jack 96 Layout of Poly-V-Belt Drive 119
Automatic Locking Differential (ASD) 85 Vehicle Tools 96
Adaptive damping system (ADS) 86 Storage compartment below vehicle tool
box
96 Technical Data. Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants etc. Consumer
Information
Emission Control 87 Wheels 97
Changing Wheels 98 Identification Plates 122
Traveling Abroad 87 Tire in Inflation Pressure 101 Warranty Coverage 123
Winter Driving 88 Battery 102 Technical Data 124
Snow Chains 88 Exterior Lamps 103 Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc. 125
Fuses 107 Capacities 125
Practical Hints Jump Starting 108 Engine Oils 127
Towing the Vehicle 110 Brake Fluid 127
Hood 90 Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 111 Air Conditioner Refrigerant 127
Checking Coolant Level 91 Testing Infrared Remote Control 114 Diesel Fuels 128
Adding Coolant 91 Front Head Restraints 115 Coolants 129
Checking Engine Oil Level 92 Rear Seat Cushion 116 Check regularly and before a long trip 139
Checking Automatic Trans. Fluid Level
93 Manual Closing of Trunk Lid 116
Turning Off Engine Manually 94 Manual Retraction of Trunk Lid Handle 116
Blending of Fuel System 94 Replacing Wiper Blades 117
Trunk Lamp 95 Manual Release of Fuel Filler Flap 118

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Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see specified pages
1Adjustable air outlet 19 Storage/eyeglasses compartment
2Exterior lamp switch 20 Lock for storage/eyeglasses compartment and eye glove
3Parking brake release 21 Glove box (illuminated with key in steering lock
position 2)
4Hood lock release 22 Rear window defroster switch
5Parking brake pedal 23 Switch for rear seat head restraints
6Steering wheel adjustment switch 24 Activated charcoal filter switch
7Combination switch 25 Central locking switch
8Cruise control switch 26 Hazard warning flasher switch
9Horn, airbag 27 Automatic climate control
10 Instrument cluster 28 Radio
11 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch 29 Ashtray with lighter
12 Adjustable air outlet 30 Adaptive damping system adjustment switch
13 Heated air supply button - center air outlet 31 Seat heater switch
14 Non heated/cooled air supply button - center air outlet 32 Mirror adjustment switch
15 Air volume control for left air outlet 33 Switch for rear window sunshade
16 Air volume control for left center air outlet 34 Power window switch
17 Air volume control for center air outlet 35 Loudspeaker front to rear fader control
18 Air volume control for right air outlet