Mercedes-Benz 300 SE 1993 User manual

Owner’s Manual

w
What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
MERCEDES-BENZ
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
1-800-222-0100
(U.S.A. only)
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
1993
300 SE
400 SEL
500 SEL

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 proper installation will be
performed.
Printed in Germany
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.
VP/P 23.04.92RS 12MD

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 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

Introdu tion
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 contained in this manual. Ignoring them
could result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injur to ou or others.
Your vehicle ma have some or all of the equip
ment described in this manual. Therefore, ou ma
find explanations of equipment not installed in our
vehicle. If ou have an questions about the opera
tion of an equipment, our authorized Mercedes-
Benz dealer will be glad to demonstrate the proper
procedures.
Owner’s Servi e and Warranty Poli y
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
Important Noti e for California Retail Buyers of
Mer edes-Benz Automobiles
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 on e dire tly notified
us in writing of the need to repair the non- on
formity and have given us an opportunity to per
form the repair ourselves. Notifi ations should
be sent to the nearest Mer edes-Benz Regional
Offi e listed in the Owner’s Servi e and Warran
ty Information Booklet.
Maintenan e
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the
necessar maintenance work which should be
performed 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 Assistan e
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 glove box.
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 Vehi le 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

Instruments and Controls
Starting the Engine, Driving Instru tions
Operation
Driving
Pra ti al Hints
Te hni al Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubri ants et .
Consumer Information
Index

The First 1000 Miles
(1500 km)
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 2/3 of maxi
mum 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”
onl at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km)
speeds ma be graduall in
creased to the permissible
maximum.
Che k Regularly and
Before a Long Trip
See Index
Maintenan e
We strongl recommend that ou
have our vehicle serviced b our
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer,
in accordance with the Mainte
nance Booklet.
8

Instruments and Controls
Starting the Engine, Driving Instru tions
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

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

11
Instruments and Controls

P54-0065-B34
Instrument Cluster
1 Fuel gauge with reserve warning
lamps ( ellow). See Index
2 Coolant temperature gauge. See Index
3 Fuel consumption gauge. See Index
4 Engine oil pressure gauge (bar) with warning
lamp (red). See Index
5 Left turn signal indicator lamp (green)
6 Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer
Rotate knob: To var intensit of instrument
lamps.
Depress knob: To reset trip odometer.
7 Speedometer
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
ASR function indicator lamp ( ellow). See Index
Trip odometer
Main odometer
Outside temperature indicator. See Index
Right turn signal indicator lamp (green)
Knob for setting clock (to adjust pull knob out).
See Index
Tachometer
Red marking on tachometer: Excessive engine
speed
Electric clock. See Index
12

Indi ator Lamp Symbols
Fun tion Indi ator Lamp
High beam
Warning Lamps
(should go out with the engine running unless)
Batter not being charged properl .
See Index
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer s stem low.
See Index
Coolant level low. See Index
Engine oil level low. See Index
n Exterior lamp failure. See Index
aADS malfunction. See Index
ASR malfunction. See Index
MM ABS malfunction. See Index
Brake pads worn down.
See Index
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
Brake fluid low (Canada onl ).
Parking brake engaged.
See Index
SRS malfunction.
See Index
Fasten seat belts.
See Index
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(California onl ).
If the lamp comes on when the engine is
running, it indicates a malfunction of 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.
13
Instrument Cluster
Indicator Lamp S mbols

Catalyti Converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped
with monolithic t pe catal tic
converters, an important element
in conjunction with the ox gen
sensor to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the
exhaust emissions. 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 catal tic converter
causing it to overheat.
Warning!
As with any vehi le, do not
idle, park or operate this ve
hi le in areas where ombus
tible materials su h as grass,
hay or leaves an ome into
onta t with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials
ould be ignited.
14

Starting and Turning Off the
Engine
Before Starting
Engage parking brake and ensure
selector lever is in 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.
Turn the ke in the steering lock to
position 0 to stop the 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” .
Turning Off
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 charge indicator lamp should
go out as soon as the engine has
started.
In areas where temperatures fre
quentl drop below -4°F (-20°C)
we recommend that an engine
block heater be installed. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer
will advise ou on this subject.
Important!

Driving Instru tions
Power Assistan e
Warning!
When the engine is not
running, the brake and
steering systems are without
power assistan e. Under
these ir umstan es, a mu h
greater effort is ne essary to
stop or steer the vehi le.
Brakes
Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the
brakes b shifting into ”3” , ”2” or
” B” (model 300 SE: ”3” or ”2”).
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.
After driving in heavy rain for
some time without applying
the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake
omponents, the first braking
a tion may be somewhat re
du ed and in reased pedal
pressure may be ne essary.
Be sure to maintain a safe
distan e from vehi les in
front.
Warning!
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
parking 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 pull
ing the release handle out before
releasing the parking brake com
pletel . This practice will keep the
parking brake at maximum
efficienc .
The stop lamps will not ome
on when applying the parking
brake only. Perform the pro
edure in the previous para
graph only when the road is
lear of other traffi .
Resting your foot on the brake
pedal will ause ex essive
and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It an also result in the brakes
overheating thereby signifi
antly redu ing their effe tive
ness. It may not be possible
to stop the ar in suffi ient
time to avoid an a ident.
Warning!
All checks and maintenance work
on the brake s stem should be
carried out b an authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer.
16

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.
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 re ommended
brake pads are installed, the
braking properties of the ve
hi le an be degraded to an
extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired.
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 / i 6 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 mm) of tread, the
adhesion properties on a wet
road are sharply redu ed.
Depending upon the weather
and/or road surfa e ( ondi
tions), the tire tra tion 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
temperatures).
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A
flat tire affe ts the ability to
steer or brake the vehi le. You
may lose ontrol of the ar.
Continued driving with a flat
tire or driving at high speed
with a flat tire will ause
ex essive 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 Tra tion
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 when
ever as the outside temperatures
are close to the freezing point.
Warning!
If i e has formed on the road,
tire tra tion will be substan
tially redu ed. Under su h
weather onditions, drive,
steer and brake with extreme
aution.
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 reduce
our stopping distance as com
pared with summer tires. Stop
ping distance, however, is still
considerabl greater than when
the road is wet or dr .
Parking
Warning!
To redu e the risk of personal
injury as a result of vehi le
movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the
vehi le always:
1. Keep right foot on brake
pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking
brake pedal.
3. Move the sele tor lever to
position ”P”.
4. Slowly release brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards
the road urb.
6. Turn the key to steering
lo k position 0 and remove.
Important!
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