Mercedes-Benz 380 SL 1984 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.

Owner's Manual
380 SL
Chassis 107
1984
Mercedes-Benz
0

O u r company and staff wish you many hours of
enjoyment with your new vehicle.
You have placed a lot of trust in our company name by
purchasing a MERCEDES, from which you may expect that
it will give you long service, with a minimum of trouble and
that it is easy to operate.
We have just one request to make, hoping that it will
benefit you as well:
Please do not put this manual aside without first carefully
reading it.
This manual contains many important recommendations
that could help you gain better control over your
MERCEDES and more pleasure while driving it.
We wish you many miles of motoring pleasure.
Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
3

Contents
Special equipment is also described
in this manual, including operating
instructions wherever necessary.
Since there 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
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be
glad to inform you of correct care
and operating procedures.
The last page
What you should know at the
gas station
Vehicle Operation
Instruments and Controls 8
Instrument Cluster ..................... 10
Keys, Doors ................................. 12
Flat Key, Master Key
and Supplementary Key 12
Obtaining Replacement Keys . 12
Opening, Locking and
Unlocking of Doors ................ 12
Central Lock System ............... 13
Seats ........................................... 14
Adjustment of Driver’s Seat
and Front Passenger Seat 14
Safety Head Restraints 15
Seat Heater ........................... 15
Seat Belts ............................... 16
Controls ..................................... 17
Steering Lock.......................... 17
Lighting Switch ........................ 18
Combination Switch .................. 19
Cruise Control .......................... 20
Automatic Climate Control 21
Various Equipment ...................... 26
Exterior Mirrors ........................ 26
Inside Rear View Mirror .......... 26
Sun Visors ................................. 27
Heated Rear Window ................ 27
Shelf below Rear Window — 27
Lighter ..................................... 28
Interior Lamps .......................... 28
Power Windows ........................ 28
Soft Top ....................................... 29
Hardtop ........................................... 31
Radio .............................................. 33
Driving
Hood ........................................... 40
Parking Brake ............................. 40
Regular Inspections ................... 41
Catalytic Converter Cautions ... 42
Starting and Turning
off the Engine ............................. 43
Starting and Shifting Gears .... 44
Safe Driving ................................ 46
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
Lamp ....................................... 47
Brake Fluid ............................. 47
Charge Indicator Lamp ...... 47
Fuel Reserve Warning Lamp .. 47
Oil Pressure Gauge ............... 48
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 48
Emission Control ................. 48
Engine Oil Consumption ....... 48
The First 1500 km/1000 Miles .. 49
Driving Economically ................. 49
Gauge for Economical
Driving (ECONOMY) ............ 49
Special Operating Conditions ... 49
Winter Driving ...................... 49
Hints for Driving .................. 50
Tire Chains ............................. 50
Traveling Abroad ................. 50
4

Vehicle Care
MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance
System .......................................
Spare Parts Service ...................
Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle
Jobs related to Care ...............
Practical Hints
Ash tray ....................................
Luggage or Ski Racks ..............
Spare Wheel, Jack,
Vehicle Tool Kit ........................
Wheels, Tires,
Changing Wheels ....................
Wheels, Tires ........................
Changing Wheels .................
Tire Inflation Pressure ..........
Checking Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants, etc ...........................
Engine Oil Level Check .......
Checking Coolant Level .......
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level .............................
Electrical System ...................
Headlamp Adjustment .......
Replacing Bulbs .................
Fuses ..................................
Battery ................................
Spark Plugs ........................
Tow-starting and Towing
the Vehicle .............................
Jump Starting ..........................
Unlocking of the Filler Flap...
Technical Data - Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Identification Plates ...............
Vehicle Data Cards ...............
Warranty Coverage ...............
Technical Data ......................
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, el
Capacities ..........................
Engine Oils ........................
Brake Fluid ........................
Coolants .............................
Service Literature .................
Consumer Information ..........
2
3
3
4
8
8
8
9
9
60
61
61
61
62
63
Contents
64
64
64
68 Vehicle Operation
68
68
69
70
70 Driving
72
73 Vehicle Care
73
74
76
76
78
78
79
80
81
Technical Data - Fuels,
Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Practical Hints

Vehicle Operation

Instruments and Controls
>For more detailed descriptions see quoted pages.
1 Swivelling side ventilation outlets (page 21)
2 Control lever for side ventilation (page 21)
3 Parking brake release button (page 40)
4 Hood release lever (page 40)
5 Parking brake pedal (page 40)
6 Combination switch (page 19)
7 Lighting switch (page 18)
8 Instruction tag (except tourist vehicle).
Use only unleaded gasoline
9 Cruise control (page 20)
10 Instrument cluster (page 10)
11 Horn control
12 Steering lock with ignition/starter
switch (page 17)
13 Swivelling outlets for nonheated fresh air (page 21)
14 Outside temperature gauge
15 Switch for front dome lamps (page 28)
8
16 Switch for automatic antenna (page 38)
17 Switch for heated rear window (page 27)
18 Radio (page 33)
19 Automatic climate control (page 21)
20 Ash tray with lighter (page 28, 58)
21 Switch for left power window (page 28)
22 Switch for left seat heater (page 15)
23 Switch for hazard warning flasher system
24 Switch for right seat heater (page 15)
25 Switch for right power window (page 28)
26 Adjusting lever for exterior mirror on front
passenger side (page 26)
27 Glove compartment (to open, shift handle
sideways). Only illuminated if steering lock is in
position “1” or “2”.
28 Loudspeaker cover, right and left

Instruments and Controls
9

Instrument Cluster
^ 1 Gauge for economical driving (ECONOMY).
^ See page 49
2 Coolant temperature gauge (° C)
V Up to red marking: Maximum permissible
temperature for an anti-corrosion/antifreeze-
blended fill protecting down to —30° Cl—22° F.
See page 48
3 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow)
Comes on when the steering lock key is moved
to driving position “2” and must go out when
the engine is idling. See page 47
Fuel reserve and capacity, refer to page 77
and last page
4 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 48
5 Main odometer
6 Trip odometer
7 Knob for clock adjustment
(press in for adjustments)
8 Electric clock
9 Tachometer
10 Red marking on tachometer:
Excessive engine revolutions
10
11 Turn signal indicator lamp, right (green)
12 02-Sensor replacement indicator lamp (red):
When the indicator lamp comes on, the
02-Sensor must be replaced
13 Seat belt warning lamp (red)
14 Brake pad wear indicator lamp (yellow):
Lights up during braking if the front wheel brake
pads are worn down. See page 47
15 Dimmer knob for instrument lamps,
continuous adjustment
16 Resetting knob for trip odometer
(push button)
17 Brake warning lamp (red) comes on if
the parking brake is engaged
too little brake fluid is in the reservoir
18 High beam indicator lamp (blue)
19 Charge indicator lamp (red):
Comes on when the steering lock key is
moved to driving position “2” and must go
out when the engine is idling. See page 47
20 Turn signal indicator lamp, left (green)

Instrument Cluster

Keys Doors
>
Rat Key
The flat key fits all vehicle
locks. We recommend that
you carry the flat key with
you and keep it in a safe
place so that it is always
handy, if needed (e.g. in your wal
let). Never leave the flat key in the
vehicle.
Master Key - square headed - fits
all locks on the car.
Supplementary Key - rounded
head - fits only the door locks and
the steering lock. This key is inten
ded to be used whenever the car is
left with an attendant. Be sure to
lock glove compartment and trunk
with the master key.
Obtaining Replacement Keys
You are given 4 keys with your
vehicle. Replacement keys can be
obtained only via MERCEDES-BENZ
service stations. For security rea
sons, obtaining replacement keys
requires considerable time.
Opening the Doors
From outside: pull handle
outwards (1).
From inside: pull handle in door
panel (4).
Locking and Unlocking of Doors
From the outside: turn key.
From the inside: actuate safety
catch.
Unlocking
Locking
The driver’s door can be locked
only if it is closed and the door
latch has properly engaged.
9653
12

Keys Doors
Central Lock System
The central lock system enables
the front passenger door, the fuel
tank filler flap and the trunk lid to
be locked or unlocked together
with the driver’s door. When locking
or unlocking, the locking levers on
both doors must move simul
taneously. If one locking lever fails
to do so, the lock of that particular
door is not properly engaged. The
door must then be opened and
closed correctly.
With the central lock system in the
locked position, the front passenger
door can be locked and unlocked
either with the locking lever or with
the key.
Actuation of the locking lever on
the front passenger door, however,
is not possible when the central
lock system is in the unlocked
position.
The trunk lid can also be unlocked
separately by turning the master key
counterclockwise to the stop. Push
the trunk lock button in with it and
lift the lid. Return the key to its ini
tial position and withdraw it. To lock
the lid, close it firmly. It will then
be locked again by the central lock
system.
A provision has been made to faci
litate permanent locking of the
trunk lid for positive prevention of
access to trunk by unauthorized
persons.
Before leaving vehicle with an
attendant, lock trunk with master
key (square head) by turning key
clockwise to stop (tumbler slot ver
tical), then provide attendant with
round-headed supplementary key.
Thus, the trunk lock has been ex
cluded from the operation of the
central lock system and cannot be
opened except with the square
headed master key, that you keep
in your possession.
To reverse this, turn trunk lock
counterclockwise back to horizontal
position of the tumbler slot with
master key. Lock will then be reen
gaged in central lock system; that
is, it will automatically be locked or
unlocked depending on whether
the driver’s door is locked or un
locked.
The central lock system operates
on vacuum generated by the en
gine. A reservoir allows the central
lock system to be actuated about
five times after the engine is turned
off. If the system can then no
longer be engaged, idle engine for
a short period.
If no vacuum is available, doors and
trunk have to be locked individually
with the key. The fuel tank filler flap,
however, remains unlocked.
Note:
If the filler flap cannot be opened
when the central lock system is un
locked, refer to “Unlocking of the
Filler Flap” (page 70).

Seats
Adjustment of Driver's Seat
and Front Passenger’s Seat
Fore/aft adjustment: lift handle (1),
push seat backward or forward and
allow handle to reengage.
Seat elevation (6 positions): Each
time handle (2) is pulled up, the
seat is raised by one notch. If the
handle is pushed down completely,
the seat will return to its lowest
position. Afterwards, handle can be
pulled up to engage the seat in its
first position to avoid clicking noise.
Back rest tilt: turn handwheel (3).
For full reclining of backrest, seat
should be moved to one of the for-
wardmost positions and headrest
removed. For driving, return back
rest to upright position, push seat
back, and replace headrest.
After disengaging the stop by lifting
knob (4), the back rest can be
folded forwards.
Note:
Prior to operating the vehicle, the
driver should adjust the seat height
for proper vision as well as fore/aft
placement and seat back angle to
insure adequate control, reach,
operation, and comfort. Be certain
seat is “locked in” by sliding front/
rear until full engagement is
assured. The head restraint should
also be adjusted for proper height
so that when the cushion is tipped
completely forward, it should form a
cradle behind the seat occupant’s
head (see page 15).
Both the inside and outside rear
view mirrors should then be adjus
ted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts.
All seat, head restraint, and rear
view mirror adjustments as well as
fastening of seat belts should be
accomplished before the vehicle is
put into motion.
14

Seats
Safety Head Restraints
Adjust head restraint to support the
back of the head approximately at
ear level.
Height adjustment:
Pull head restraint slightly forward
(1) and slide up or down.
Removing head restraints:
Pull head restraint up to the stop.
Depress release button (2) to be
felt under the covering material in
rear of back rest and pull up head
restraint quickly, holding it by the
LH head restraint post (viewed in
driving direction). Finally pull out
head restraint completely with both
hands.
Seat Heater
The seat heater can be switched
on when the steering lock is in
position “1” or “2”.
Heater operation:
Push in upper switch portion;
position 1 = normal heater opera
tion, one indicator lamp lights up.
Push in lower switch portion;
position 2 = rapid heating, both
indicator lamps light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in
the rapid heating mode, the heater
automatically switches to normal
operation and only one control
lamp will stay on.
9414
Turning off heater:
If one control lamp is on, press in
upper part of switch, position 1.
If both control lamps are on, press
in lower part of switch, position 2.
The heater automatically turns off
after approximately 30 minutes of
operation.
Note:
When in operation, the seat heater
consumes a large amount of elec
trical energy. It is advisable not to
use the seat heater longer than
necessary.
15

Seats
Seat Belts
Warning System:
The indicator is illuminated for 4-8
seconds after turning the steering
lock key to position “2”. If the seat
belt of the driver’s seat is not
fastened a warning buzzer sounds
simultaneously.
Fastening:
Pull belt with latch plate (1) over
shoulder and lap. The belt must
not be twisted.
Press latch plate (1) into buckle
(2) and allow to engage audibly.
The belt must be tight and must
be checked for tightness imme
diately after fastening and regu
larly during the trip. If required,
tighten lap belt by pulling up on
the upper belt section.
Unfastening:
Depress red button (3) in buckle.
Return latch plate (1) to initial
position.
Operation:
The seat belt inertia reel stops the
belt from unwinding further in case
of vehicle deceleration or if the belt
is pulled out quickly.
Functional test:
The locking function of the inertia
reel can be tested by pulling the
belt out quickly.
Note:
No seat belt can be used for more
than one person. Belts are not
intended for children under the age
of six or under the weight of
23 kg/50 lb.
After an accident, inspect the seat
belts and replace them, if required.
The belt anchors in the vehicle
should also be checked.
Replace damaged belts immediately.
Belts must not be routed via sharp
edges.
No modifications which may affect
the efficiency of the belts must be
made.
For cleaning and care of belt webb
ing, refer to page 54.
16

Controls
Steering Lock
0 Steering is locked when the key
is withdrawn and the steering
lock is engaged. The key can be
withdrawn only in zero position.
Note:
Do not remove key from steer
ing lock while the vehicle is in
motion as this will cause the
engagement of the steering lock
thus rendering the vehicle
inoperable.
Steering is unlocked.
(If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to turn the key
clockwise to position “1”.)
Driving position.
Starting position.
For starting and turning off the
engine, refer to page 43.
Notes:
The following items can be opera
ted with the key in steering lock
position “1”.
Wiper, windshield washer, head
lamp flasher, lighter, glove compart
ment lamp, radio, seat heater, elec
trically adjustable exterior mirror.
A warning buzzer sounds when the
key has been left in steering lock
positions “1” or “0” and the driver’s
door is opened.
With the engine at idle speed, the
charging rate of the alternator (out
put) is limited.
It is therefore recommended to turn
off unnecessary electrical con
sumers while driving in stop and go
traffic. This precaution helps to
avoid draining of the battery.
An effective measure to preserve
battery power is to turn off the fol
lowing consumers:
Seat heater, heated rear window.
<
17

Controls
>Lighting Switch
0 Off-position
1 Parking lamps (includes side
marker lamps, tail lamps, license
plate lamps, instrument panel
lamps)
Same as pos. 1 plus headlamps
Standing lamps, right
Standing lamps, left
Fog lamps (turn to position 2
and pull out to first detent =
same as position 2 plus fog
lamps)
2
3
4
A
Note:
With the steering lock key removed
and the driver’s door or the front
passenger’s door open, a warning
buzzer sounds if the vehicle’s ex
terior lamps are not switched off
(standing lamps excepted).
18