Mercedes-Benz 300 SE 1989 User manual

Owner's Manual
300 SE
300 SEL

What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
Drive Sensibly - Save Fuel
Fuel consumption to a great extent
depends on driving habits and operat
ing conditions.
To save fuel you should:
• keep tires at the recommended
inflation pressures
• remove unnecessary 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 by an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer.
Fuel consumption is also increased
by driving in cold weather in stop-
and-go traffic on short trips and in
hilly country.

Owner's Manual
300 SE
300 SEL
Model 126
1989

Kindly observe the following in your own best interests:
We recommend using MERCEDES BENZ original parts as
well as conversion parts and accessories explicitly
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
should exist.
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 expert installation will be per
formed.
Printed in Germany
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data
and illustrations of this Owner's Manual (s.e.e.o.). Reprinting translation and copying
even of excerpts is not permitted w ithout our prior authorization in writing
2KD/8.88.8/PVL

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, we ask you to make a small investment of
your time\
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside.
• Please consider the recommendations contained in this
manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your MERCEDES BENZ.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe,
pleasurable driving.
Daimler Benz A ktiengesellschaft
3

Introduction
This Owner’s Manual contains a great deal of useful
information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiar
ize 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.
Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or
personal injury.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment des
cribed. Therefore you may find explanations of equip
ment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any ques
tions about the operation of any equipment your author
ized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be glad to demon
strate the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy Booklet con
tains detailed information about the warranties covering
your MERCEDES-BENZ including:
• New Car Limited Warranty
• Emission System Warranty
• Emission Performance Warranty
• California Emission Control System
Warranty (California Only)
4
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the necessary
maintenance work which should be performed at regular
intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with you when you
take the vehicle to your authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer for service. The Service Advisor will record each
service.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program pro
vides factory trained technical help in the event of a
breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside Assistance
number:
1-800-222 0100
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Customer Assist
ance Representatives 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
On-site service calls by a local Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance technician are available weekdays from 5:00
PM till midnight weekends and legal holidays from 8:00
AM till midnight.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance Program brochure in your glove or
console storage compartment.

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 Ser
vice 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 litera
ture 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 U.S.A. or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries
please be aware that:
• unleaded fuels for vehicles with catalytic converters
may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will dam
age the catalysts
• fuel may have a considerably lower octane rating and
improper fuel can cause engine damage
• 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:
Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc.
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale NJ 07645
In Canada write to:
Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto Ontario M4G 2L5
5

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 equip
ment 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 impor
tant documents and should be kept with the vehicle.
6

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions, Service and Maintenance
Operation
Driving
Practical Hints
I
I
I
Technical Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Consumer Information

Check Regularly and
Before a Long Trip
See page 112
The First 1500 km (1000 Miles)
The more cautiously you treat your
vehicle during the break-in period the
more satisfied you will be with its per
formance 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 permis
sible speed in each gear).
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is
not recommended to brake the vehi
cle by manually shifting to a lower
gear. We recommend to select posi
tions “ 3” or “ 2” only at moderate
speeds (for hill driving).
After 1500 km (1000 miles) speeds
may gradually be increased to the
permissible maximum.
8