Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL 126 1981 User manual

Owner’s
Manual 380SEL Mercedes-Benz

Drive Sensibly — Save uel
uel 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.

380 SEL
Type 126
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. As the
scope of delivery is determined 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, D o o rs .................
Master Key and
Supplementary Key. .
lat K e y ....................
Obtaining Replacement
Keys ...........................
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of Doors . .
Master Lock System .
Seats...............................
Electrical Adjustment of
Driver’s and ront
Passenger’s Seats . .
Safety Headrests . . .
Rear Seat Adjustment
Orthopaedic Seat Back
Arm Rest (Rear Seat) .
Arm Rest ( ront Seats)
Seat H eater ..............
Safety B e lts ..............
The last page
What you should know at the
gas station
Contents
C ontrols .................................. 22
Steering L o c k .................... 22
~ Lighting Switch ...................... 23
] Combination Switch .... 24
14 Cruise Control ...................... 25
Automatic Climate Control . . 26
^4 Various Equipment .................. 28
14 Exterior Mirrors ...................... 28
Inside Rear View Mirror . . . 28
14 Sun Visors ............................. 29
Sliding R o o f ........................ 29
Interior Lam ps .................... 30
Heated Rear Window .... 30
16 Electric Lighter ...................... 31
Shelf below Rear Window . . 31
Electric Window Lifters . . . 31
}° Radio .......................................... 32
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18
18
19
19
20
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Contents
Driving
Hood ......................................... 38
Parking B ra k e ........................ 38
Regular Inspections .............. 39
Catalytic Converter Cautions . 40
Starting and Turning
off the Engine ........................ 41
Starting and Shifting Gears . . 42
Safe D rivin g ........................... 44
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
L a m p .................................. 45
Brake luid ........................... 45
Charge Indicator Lamp . . . 46
Oil Pressure Gauge .............. 46
Coolant Temperature Gauge 46
Engine Oil Consumption . . 46
Emission Control ................. 46
The irst 1500 km/1000 Miles . 47
Driving Economically .............. 47
Gauge for Economical
Driving (ECONOMY) .... 47
Special Operating Conditions . 48
Winter D riving .................... 48
Hints for D riving ................. 48
Tire Chains ........................... 49
Traveling Abroad ................. 49
Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance
System .....................................
Severe Operating Conditions
Engine Oil Change and ilter
Change ..............................
Automatic Transmission —
luid and ilter Change . . .
Spare Parts Service .............
Cleaning and Care
of the Vehicle ........................
Jobs related to Care ....
Practical Hints
Ash trays .................................. 58
52 Rear Seat Cushion .................. 58
52 irst Aid K it ............................... 59
Luggage or Ski Racks .... 59
53 Spare Wheel, Jack,
Vehicle Tool K it ........................ 59
53 Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels 60
53 Wheels, Tires ........................ 60
Changing Wheels ................. 61
54 Tire Inflation Pressure .... 62
55 Checking uels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc .......................... 63
Engine Oil Level Check . . . 63
Checking Coolant Level... 64
Replenishing Coolant. . . . 64
Automatic Transmission
luid Level ........................ 65
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Contents
Electrical System .................... 66
Replacing B ulbs ................. 66
uses .................................. 69
Battery .................................. 70
Spark P lugs ........................ 70
Windshield W ipers ................. 71
Emergency Operation of
Sliding R o o f ........................... 71
Unlocking the uel iller lap . 71
Jump S ta rtin g ........................ 72
Tow-starting and Towing
the Vehicle .............................. 72
Technical Data, Fuels, Coolants,
Lu ricants, etc.
Identification Plates ................. 76
Vehicle Data Cards ................. 77
Warranty Coverage ................. 77
Technical D ata ........................ 78
uels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 80
Capacities ........................... 80
Engine Oils ........................... 82
Brake luid ........................... 82
Coolants ............................... 83
Service Literature .................... 84
Vehicle Operation ^
Driving ^
Vehicle Care ^
Practical Hints ^
Technical Data, Fuels, k
Coolants, Lu ricants, etc. r
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