Mercedes-Benz 300SD 1981 User manual

Drive Sensibly — Save Fuel
Fuel consumption depends to a great
extent on driving habits and operating
conditions.
In order to save fuel you should:
ensure that tire pressures are
correct
not carry unnecessary loads
remove ski racks or roof-mounted
luggage racks when not in use
not warm up your engine at idle
and with the vehicle at standstill
avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration
avoid frequent braking
avoid unnecessarily high speeds
have all the maintenance jobs
specified by us carried out at
regular intervals by a
MERCEDES-BENZ service station.
Driving in low temperature weather, in
stop-and-go city traffic and on short
hops, and in hilly country also
increases fuel consumption.

300SD
Type 126 D
1981

You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BENZ, 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-BENZ 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-BENZ Aktiengesellschaft
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This Owner's Manual also describes
optional extras as far as this is
required for their operation.
/4s the scope of delivery is deter
mined by the order the equipment of
your vehicle may deviate from the
descriptions and illustrations to some
extent.
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and Controls .
Instrument Cluster ............
Keys, Doors ......................
Master Key and
Supplementary Key
Flat Key ..........................
Obtaining Replacement
Keys ..............................
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of Doors
Master Lock System .. .
Seats ...................................
Electrical Adjustment of
Driver’s and Front
Passenger’s Seats ........
Safety Headrests ..........
Orthopaedic Seat Back .
Arm Rest (Front Seats) .
Arm Rest (Rear Seat) . .
Seat Heater ..................
Safety Belts ..................
The last page
What you should know at the gas
station
Contents
Controls ....................................... 22
Steering Lock ........................... 22
Lighting Switch ....................... 23
12 Combination Switch ............... 24
14 Cruise Control .......................... 25
Automatic Climate Control 26
^ Various Equipment ..................... 28
Exterior M irrors ....................... 28
Inside Rear View Mirror 28
Sun Visors ............................... 29
Sliding R oof ............................. 29
Interior Lam ps ......................... 30
Heated Rear Window .............. 30
16 Electric Lighter .......................... 31
Shelf below Rear Window .... 31
Electric Window Lifters 31
I® Radio .............................................. 32
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18
19
19
20
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Contents
Driving
Hood ............................................. 42
Regular Inspections .................... 43
Parking Brake .............................. 44
Starting and Turning
off the Engine ............................... 44
Starting and Shifting Gears 46
Safe Driving ................................. 48
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
Lamp ......................................... 50
Brake Fluid ............................... 50
Charge Indicator Lam p 50
Oil Pressure Gauge ................ 50
Coolant Temperature Gauge 50
Emission Control ..................... 51
Engine Oil Consumption 51
The First 1500 km/1000 Miles ... 51
Special Operating Conditions... 52
Winter Driving .......................... 52
Hints for Driving ...................... 52
High Altitude Correction
Device ....................................... 53
Tire Chains ............................... 53
Traveling Abroad .................... 53
Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance
System ......................................... 56
Severe Operating Conditions 56
Enginge Oil Change and Filter
Change ..................................... 57
Automatic Transmission —
Fluid and Filter Change 57
Spare Parts Service .................... 57
Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 58
Jobs related to C are .............. 59
Practical Hints
Ash trays ..................................... 62
Rear Seat Cushion ...................... 62
Bleeding the Fuel System 63
Turning off Engine Manually .... 63
First Aid Kit ................................... 64
Luggage or Ski Racks ................ 64
Spare Wheel, Jack,
Vehicle Tool Kit .......................... 64
Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels 65
Wheels, Tires .......................... 65
Changing Wheels ..................... 66
Tire Inflation Pressure 67
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Contents
Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc
.............................. 68
Engine Oil Level Check 68
Checking Coolant Level
........ 69
Replenishing Coolant ............ 69
Fluid Level —
Automatic Transmission 70
Electrical System ......................... 71
Fuses
....................................... 71
Battery
..................................... 71
Replacing Bulbs ....................... 72
Windshield Wipers
....................... 75
Emergency Operation of
Sliding R oof ................................. 75
Unlocking the Fuel Filler Flap ... 75
Jump Starting ............................... 76
Tow-starting and Towing
the Vehicle ................................... 76
Technical Data, Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates ..................... 80
Vehicle Data Cards ..................... 81
Warranty Coverage ..................... 81
Technical Data
............................. 82
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 84
Capacities ................................. 84
Engine Oils ............................... 86
Brake Fluid ............................... 86
Diesel Fuels ............................. 87
Coolants ................................... 88
Service Literature
......................... 89
Vehicle Operation
Driving
Vehicle Care
Practical Hints
Technical Data, Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
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