Mercedes-Benz 300 SE User manual

Mercedes-Benz
•wner’s Manual

y
What You Should Know at
the Gas Station
See last page
MERCEDES-BENZ
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
1-800-222-0100
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
performed 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
1990
300 SE
300 SEL

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 by
governmental or approval agencies 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 modif 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 cop ing, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior
authorization in writing.
V K T /28.09.89 RS/10 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 exemplified 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 oper
ation of your MERCEDES BENZ.
We extend 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 familiar
ize 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 de
scribed. Therefore, ou ma find explanations of equip
ment not installed in our vehicle. If ou have an ques
tions about the operation of an equipment, our 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 Warrant Polic Booklet
contains detailed information about the warranties
covering our MERCEDES-BENZ, including:
• New Car Limited Warrant
• Emmission S stem Warrant
• Emission Performance Warrant
• California Emission Control S stem
Warrant (California Onl )
4
Maintenance
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 ssistance
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
will be answered b Mercedes-Benz Customer Assist
ance Representatives 24 hours a da , 365 da s a ear.
On-site service calls b a local Mercedes-Benz Road
side Assistance technician are available weekda s from
5:00 PM till midnight, weekends and legal holida s from
8:00 AM till midnight.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance Program brochure in our glove box
or console storage compartment.

Change of ddress or Ownership
If ou change our address, be sure to send in the
“Change of Address Notice" found in the Owner’s Ser
vice 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. . 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

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
Technical Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Consumer Information
I
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Index

Check Regularly and
Before a Long Trip
See page 120
The First 1500 km
(1000 Miles)
The more cautiousl ou treat our
vehicle during the break-in period, the
more satisfied ou will be with its
performance later on. Therefore, drive
our vehicle during the first 1500 km
(1000 miles) at moderate vehicle and
engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heav loads
(full throttle driving) and high RPM (no
more than 2h of 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”
or “2” onl at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1500 km (1000 miles) speeds
ma graduall be increased to the
permissible maximum.
8

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions, Service and Maintenance
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
MERCEDES-BENZ
Maintenance S stem 20
9

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see specified pages.
1 Air volume control for side air outlets (page 22)
2 Side air outlets (page 22)
3 Adjustable air outlets (page 22)
4 Parking brake release (page 60)
5 Hood lock release (page 74)
6 Parking brake pedal (page 60)
7 Combination switch (page 50)
8 Exterior lamp switch (page 49)
9 Cruise control (page 64)
10 Instrument cluster (page 12)
11 Horn, airbag (page 42)
12 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch (page 48)
13 Air volume control lever for center and side air
outlets (page 22)
14 Rear window defroster switch (page 55)
10
15 Air recirculation switch (page 22)
16 Hazard warning flasher switch
17 Automatic antenna switch (page 57)
18 Rear passenger compartment lamp switch (page 54)
19 Automatic climate control (page 22)
20 Radio
21 Ashtra with lighter (pages 54, 97)
22 Left front seat heater switch (page 35)
23 Switch for rear window sun shade
24 Right front seat heater switch (page 35)
25 Left power window switch group (page 56)
26 Adjusting switch for exterior mirror on front
passenger side (page 42)
27 Loudspeaker front to rear fader control
28 Right power window switch group (page 56)
29 Glove compartment (illuminated in steering lock
positions 1 or 2) is not installed in vehicles equipped
with a front passenger airbag

P68-0026-B37
I
Instruments and Controls

I D £ 3 BRAKE Q ^ £ 2 + 3E°F <W > ( ) SRS ENGINE
Instrument Cluster
1 Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer.
Rotate knob: To var intensit of instrument lamps.
Depress knob: To reset trip odometer.
2 Fuel econom gauge. See page 72
3 Coolant temperature gauge. See page 67
4 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp ( ellow).
See page 68
5 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 66
6 Turn signal indicator lamp, left (green)
7 Speedometer
8 Main odometer
9 Trip odometer
10 Outside temperature indicator. See page 68
11 Turn signal indicator lamp, right (green)
12 Electric clock
13 Tachometer
14 Red marking on tachometer:
Excessive engine speed
15 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in and rotate for adjustments)
12

Indicator Lamp Symbols
Function Indicator Lamp
High beam
Warning Lamps
(should go out with the engine running unless)
Batter not being charged.
See page 66
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 60, 69
Brake fluid low (Canada onl ).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 60, 69
Front brake pads worn down.
See page 69
Engine oil level low.
See page 67
a
(CD)
ID
Coolant level low.
See page 67
Fluid level for windshield and head
lamp washer s stem low.
See page 68
Exterior lamp failure.
See page 68
CHECK
ENGINE
ABS malfunction.
See page 70
SRS malfunction.
See page 42
Engine malfunction.
If the lamp comes on when the engine is
running, it indicates a malfunction of the
0 2-sensor on Federal version vehicles,
and fuel injection s stem or emission
control s stem on the California version
vehicles. In either case, we recommend
that ou have the malfunction checked as
soon as possible.
See page 71
13
Instrument Cluster
Indicator Lamp S mbols

Catalytic Converter
Your MERCEDES-BENZ is equipped
with monolithic catal tic converters,
an important element in conjunction
with the 0 2-sensor to achieve sub
stantial control of the pollutants in the
exhaust emissions. Keep our vehicle
in proper operating condition b fol
lowing our recommended maintenan
ce instructions as outlined in our
Maintenance Booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catal tic
converters, use onl premium unlea
ded gasoline in this vehicle.
An noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired prompt
l . Otherwise excessive unburned fuel
ma reach the converter causing it to
overheat.
Warning!
s with any vehicle, do not idle,
park or operate this vehicle in
areas where combustible mate
rials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the
hot exhaust system, as these
materials could be ignited.
14

Starting and Turning Off the
Engine
Before Starting
• Engage parking brake.
• Move the selector lever to position
“ P ”
• Turn ke to steering lock position
2. The charge indicator lamp
should come on.
Cold Engine
Turn ke in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
Release ke onl when the engine is
firing regularl .
Hot Engine
Turn ke in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
If the engine has not fired after
approx. 4 seconds, depress accelera
tor 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 depressed slowl
at the beginning of the starting
process.
Turning off
Turn the ke in the steering lock to
position 0 onl when the vehicle has
stopped moving. The ke can onl be
removed if the selector lever is 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 increased idle speed with
the selector lever in position “P”.
Important!
Due to the installed starter nonrepeat
feature, the ke must be turned
completel to the left before attempt
ing 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 . Do not speed up the
engine before pressure is registered
on the pressure gauge.
The charge indicator lamp should go
out as soon as the engine has started.
In areas where temperatures fre
quentl drop below -25°C (-13°F), we
recommend that an engine block
heater be installed. Your authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will advise
ou on this subject.
I
15
Catal tic Converter
Startinn

Driving Instructions
Power assistance
When the engine is not running, the
brake and steering s stems are
without power assistance. Under
these circumstances, a much greater
effort is necessar to stop or steer the
vehicle.
Brakes
Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the brakes b shifting
into “3” or “2”. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and redu
ces brake pad wear. Do not exceed
engine speed limits (see page 63).
After hard braking it is advisable to
drive on for some time so the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.
Warning!
fter driving in heavy rain for
some time without applying the
brakes or through water deep
enough to wet brake compo
nents, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be
necessary. Be sure to maintain a
safe distance from vehicles in
front.
The condition of the parking brake
s stem is checked each time the car
is in the shop for the required mainte
nance.
Between maintenance checks, it is a
good practice to appl the parking
brake once or twice while driving at
approximatel 50 km/h (30 mph) on a
dr straight road. Appl parking brake
lightl until a slight drag on the wheels
is felt. Keep appl ing the brake for
about 10 seconds while pulling the
release handle out before releasing
the parking brake completel . This
practice will keep the parking brake at
maximum efficienc .
16

Warning!
The stop lamps will not come on
when applying the parking brake
only. Perform the procedure in
the previous paragraph only
when the road is clear of other
traffic.
Resting your foot on the brake
pedal will cause excessive and
premature wear of the brake
pads.
It can also result in the brakes
overheating thereby significantly
reducing their effectiveness. It
may not be possible to stop the
car in sufficient time 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 instru
ment 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 recommended brake
pads are installed, the braking
properties of the vehicle can be
affected to an extent that the
safety 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 approx. 2 mm (Vie in), at
which point the tire is considered worn
and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
17
Drivinn InQ tm rtinno

Warning!
Do not allow your tires to wear
down too far. With less than 3
mm (1/s in) of tread, the adhesion
properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/
or road surface (conditions), the
tire traction varies widely.
Warning!
If ice has formed on the road, tire
traction will be substantially
reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
___________ V _______________
Specified tire pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularl if
the tires are subjected to high loads
(e.g. high speeds, heav loads, high
ambient temperatures).
quaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water
la er on the road, aquaplaning ma
occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires. 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 temperatures fall close
to the freezing point.
We recommend M + S radial-pl tires
for the winter season for all four
wheels to insure normal balanced
handling characteristics.
On packed snow, the can reduce
our stopping distance as compared
with summer tires. Stopping distance,
however, is still considerabl greater
than when the road is wet or dr .
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. flat
tire affects the ability to steer or
brake the vehicle. You may lose
control of the car. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving
at high speed with a flat tire will
cause excessive heat build-up
and possibly a fire, or tire blow
out.
18