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