Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL 1986 User manual

Owne

Drive Sensibly - Save Fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operat
ing conditions.
To save uel you should:
• keep tires at the recommended
in lation pressures
• remove unnecessary loads
• remove ski racks or roo -mounted
luggage racks when not in use
• allow engine to warm up under low
load use
• avoid requent acceleration and
deceleration
• have all maintenance work per or
med at regular intervals by an au
thorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.
Driving in cold weather, in stop-and-
go city tra ic, on short trips, and in
hilly country also increase uel con
sumption.

Owner’s Manual
420 SEL
560 SEL
560 SEC
Model 126
1986

Printed in Germany
We reserve the right to modi y the technical details o the vehicle as given in the data
and illustrations o this Owner’s Manual (s.e.e.o.). Reprinting, translation and copying,
even o excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.
ZKD/ 4.86.12/MD

O u r company and sta congratulate you on the purchase o your
new MERCEDES-BENZ.
Your selection o our product is demonstration o your trust in our
company name. Further, it exempli ies your desire to own an
automobile that will be as such as possible easy to operate and
provide years o service.
Your MERCEDES-BENZ represents the e orts o many skilled
engineers and cra tsmen. To ensure your pleasure in owning it, we
ask you to make a small investment o your time:
• Please read this manual care ully be ore putting it aside.
• Please considerthe recommendations contained in this
manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the operation
o your MERCEDES-BENZ.
We extend our best wishes or many miles o sa e, pleasurable
driving.
Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellscha t
3

Introduction
This Owner’s Manual contains a great deal o use ul
in ormation. We urge you to read it care ully and
amiliarize yoursel with the vehicle be ore driving.
For your own sa ety and longer service li e o the vehicle,
we urge you to ollow the instructions and warnings.
Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or
personal injury.
Your vehicle may have some or all o the equipment
described. There ore, you may ind explanations o
equipment not installed in your vehicle. I you have any
questions about the operation o any equipment, your
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be glad to demonstrate
the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy Booklet con
tains detailed in ormation about the warranties covering
your MERCEDES-BENZ, including:
• New Car Limited Warranty
• Emissions Systems Warranty
• Emission Per ormance Warranty
• Cali ornia Emission Control System
Warranty (Cali ornia Only)
4
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the necessary
maintenance work which should be per ormed at regular
intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with you when
you take the vehicle to a MERCEDES-BENZ dealer or
service. The Service Advisor will record each service.
Roadside Assistance
Although your Mercedes-Benz is built to be as trouble-
ree as possible, a Roadside Assistance Program is avail
able to provide emergency roadside service a ter normal
dealer hours and on weekends and holidays in the conti
guous United States.
Roadside Assistance is available Monday through Friday
rom 5:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight and on Saturday, Sun
day and legal holidays rom 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight.
In the event o a breakdown during these hours,
telephone this toll- ree number: 1-800-222-0100.
For additional in ormation, re er to the Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance Program Booklet in your glove
compartment.

Chan e of Address or Ownership
I you change your address, be sure to send in the
“Change o Address Notice” ound in the Owner’s
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet. It is in your own
interest that we can contact you should the need arise.
I you sell your Mercedes, please leave all owner’s litera
ture with the vehicle to make it available to the next
owner.
I you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the
“Notice o Purchase o Used Car” ound in the Owner’s
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet.
Operatin Your Vehicle Outside the U.S.A. or Canada
I you plan to operate your vehicle in oreign countries,
please be aware that:
• unleaded uels or vehicles with catalytic converters
may not be available; the use o leaded uels will
damage the catalysts,
• uel may have a considerably lower octane rating, and
improper uel can cause engine damage,
• service acilities or replacement parts may not be
readily available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available or delivery
in Europe under our European Delivery Program. For
details, consult your authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer or write to:
Mercedes-Benz o North America, Inc.
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645
5

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine
Driving Hints, Servi e and Maintenan e
Operation
Driving
Pra ti al Hints
Te hni al Data
Fuels Coolants Lubri ants et .
Index

Check Re ularly and
Before a Lon Trip
See page 112
What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
The First 1500 km (1000 Miles)
The more cautiously you treat your
engine during the break-in period, the
more satis ied you will be with its per
ormance later on. There ore, drive
your vehicle during the irst 1500 km
(1000 miles) at moderate vehicle and
engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads
( ull throttle driving) and high RPMs
(no more than 2/3 o maximum per
missible speed in each gear).
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is
not recommended to brake the
vehicle by manually shi ting to a
lower gear. We recommend to select
positions “3” or “2” only at moderate
speeds ( or hill driving).
A ter 1500 km (1000 miles) speeds
may gradually be increased to the
permissible maximum.
8

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine
Driving Hints, Servi e and Maintenan e
Instruments and Controls 10
Instrument Cluster 12
Catalytic Converter Cautions 14
Starting and Turning o
the Engine 15
Driving Hints 16
MERCEDES-BENZ
Maintenance System 18

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see specified pages.
1 Air volume control or side ventilation outlets
(page 20)
2 Adjustable side ventilation outlets (page 20)
3 Adjustable air outlets (page 20)
4 Parking brake release (page 56)
5 Hood lock release (pages 68, 69)
6 Parking brake pedal (page 56)
7 Combination switch (page 43)
8 Exterior lamp switch (page 42)
9 Cruise control (page 59)
10 Instrument cluster (page 12)
11 Horn control, airbag
12 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch (page 41)
13 Slide lever or center ventilation outlets (page 20)
14 Rear window de roster switch (page 46)
15 Air recirculation switch (page 20)
16 Fan are horn control switch
17 Hazard warning lasher system switch
18 Automatic antenna switch (page 53)
19 Rear passenger compartment lamp switch (page 47)
20 Automatic climate control (page 20)
21 Radio (page 49)
22 Ash tray with lighter (pages 45, 89)
23 Le t ront seat heater switch (page 32)
24 Right ront seat heater switch (page 32)
25 Le t power window switch group (page 48)
26 Adjusting lever or exterior mirror on ront passenger
side (page 44)
27 Loudspeaker- ront to rear ader control
28 Right power window switch group (page 48)
29 Glove compartment, illuminated (only with key in
steering lock positions 1 or 2)

11

Instrument Cluster
1 Economical driving indicator (ECONOMY).
See page 60
2 Coolant temperature gauge
Up to red marking: Maximum permissible tempera
ture or an anticorrosion/anti reeze-blended ill pro
tecting down to -30° C (-22° F). See page 61
3 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow).
See page 61
Fuel reserve and capacity, re er to page 99 and
last page
4 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 60
5 Turn signal indicator lamp, le t (green)
6 Speedometer
7 Main odometer
8 Trip odometer
9 Turn signal indicator lamp, right (green)
10 Tachometer
11 Red marking on tachometer:
Excessive engine speed
12 Electric clock
13 Knob or clock adjustment
(press in or adjustments)
14 0 2-Sensor mal unction indicator lamp (red):
I the indicator lamp comes on, it indicates a mal
unction in the 0 2-sensor circuit. The 02-sensor
circuit should be checked by an authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer at the irst opportunity.
15 Supplemental restraint system indicator lamp (red).
See page 38
16 Antilock brake system (ABS) indicator lamp
(yellow). See page 63
17 Exterior light ailure indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 61
18 Low windshield and headlamp washer luid level
indicator lamp (yellow). See page 61
19 Outside temperature indicator. See page 62
20 Low engine coolant level indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 61
21 Low engine oil level indicator lamp (yellow).
See page 60
22 Brake pad wear indicator lamp (yellow). See page 62
23 Brake warning lamp (red). See pages 56, 62
24 Charge indicator lamp (red). See page 60
25 High beam indicator lamp (blue)
26 Knob or instrument lamps and trip odometer
Rotate knob: To vary intensity o instrument lamps
Depress knob: To reset trip odometer

(
13

Catalytic Converter Cautions
Your MERCEDES-BENZ is equipped
with monolithic catalytic converters,
an important element in conjunction
with the 0 2-sensor to achieve sub
stantial control o the pollutants in the
exhaust emissions. Keep your vehicle
in proper operating condition by
ollowing our recommended mainte
nance instructions as outlined in your
maintenance booklet.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Should any noticeable irregularities in
the engine operation occur, excessive
unburned uel may reach the conver
ter causing it to overheat.
Warnin !
As with any vehicle, do not idle,
park or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials such
as rass, hay or leaves can come
into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be
i nited.

Startin and Turnin off the En ine
Engage parking brake and move the
gear selector lever in either “P” or “N”
position be ore starting the engine.
Turn key to steering lock position 2.
The charge indicator lamp should
come on.
Cold En ine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
Release key only when the engine is
iring regularly.
At ambient temperatures o less than
-18° C (0° F), depress accelerator
three times prior to starting.
Hot En ine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
I the engine has not ired a ter ap
prox. 4 seconds, depress accelerator
and continue cranking until the engine
is iring regularly. Release key and
back o accelerator.
At very high coolant temperatures the
engine starting time can be shortened
i the accelerator is depressed slowly
at the beginning o the starting pro
cess.
Turnin off
Turn the key in steering lock to posi
tion 0 and only remove the key when
the vehicle is at standstill.
I the coolant temperature is very high
(e.g. a ter hard driving on mountain
roads), do not shut o the engine
immediately, allow it to run or
1-2 minutes at increased idle speed.
Hints:
Due to the installed starter non-repeat
unit, the key must be returned to
steering lock position 0 be ore a new
starting attempt is made.
Observe the oil pressure gauge
immediately a ter starting the engine.
In a very cold engine the oil pressure
will only rise slowly, some time a ter
the engine has started. Do not speed
up the engine be ore pressure is
registered on the pressure gauge.
The charge indicator lamp should go
out as soon as the engine has started.
Should too much uel have entered
the engine due to several unsuccess
ul starting attempts and the engine
will no longer ire, depress the
accelerator while starting. This should
make the mixture combustible again.
Back o the accelerator only when
the engine is iring regularly.
In areas where temperatures re
quently drop below -25° C (-13°F),
we recommend that a block heater is
installed. Every MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer will advise you on this subject.
(
15

Drivin Hints
Power assistance
When the engine is not running, the
brake and steering systems are with
out power assistance. Under these
circumstances, a much greater e ort
is necessary to steer or stop the
vehicle.
Tires
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too ar. With less than 3mm (Vs in) o
tread, the antiskid properties on a wet
road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or
road sur ace (conditions), the traction
varies widely.
Speci ied tire pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly i
the tires are subjected to high loads
(e. g. high speeds, heavy loads, high
ambient temperatures).
Aquaplanin
Depending on the depth o the water
layer on the road, aquaplaning may
occur, even at low speeds. Avoid
track grooves in the road and apply
brakes cautiously in the rain.
Tire friction
The sa e speed on a wet or icy road is
always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to
the condition o the road as soon as
the prevailing temperatures all close
to the reezing point.
Warnin !
If ice has formed on the road, tire
traction will be substantially re
duced. Under such weather condi
tions, drive, steer and brake with
extreme caution.
We recommend M + S radial-ply tires
or the cold season. On packed snow,
they can reduce your stopping dis
tance as compared with summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is
still considerably greater than when
the road is wet or dry.
Brakes
Warnin !
When drivin down lon and steep
rades, relieve the brakes by shift
in into “3”, “2” or “B”. This helps
prevent overheatin of the brakes
and reduces brake pad wear.
A ter hard braking it is advisable to
drive on or some time so the air
stream will cool down the brakes
aster.
Warnin !
After drivin in heavy rain for some
time without applyin the brakes or
throu h water deep enou h to wet
brake components, the first brakin
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 o the parking brake
system is checked each time the car
is in the shop or maintenance.
Between maintenance checks it is a
good practice to apply the parking
brake once or twice while driving at
approximately 50 km/h (30 mph) on a
dry road. Apply brake lightly until a
slight drag on the wheels is elt. Keep
applying brakes or about 10 seconds
while pulling release handle out be
ore releasing parking brake com
pletely. This practice will keep the
parking brake at maximum e iciency.

Warnin !
The stop lamps will not come on
when applyin the parkin brake
only. Perform the procedure in the
previous para raph only when the
road is clear of other traffic.
All checks and maintenance work on
the brake sytem should be carried out
by an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer.
I the parking brake is released and
the brake warning lamp in the instru
ment cluster stays on, the brake luid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the
system may be the reason or low
brake luid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at
an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer without delay.
Install only brake pads recommended
by us.
I other than recommended brake
pads are installed, the braking proper
ties o the vehicle can be a ected to
an extent that the sa ety is substan
tially impaired.
Parkin
Warnin !
To reduce the risk of personal in
jury as a result of vehicle move
ment, before leavin the vehicle
always:
1. Keep foot on brake pedal.
2. Move the selector lever
to position “P”.
3. Turn front wheels towards
the road curb.
4. Firmly depress parkin
brake pedal.
5. Turn the key to steerin
lock position 0 and remove.
Winter Drivin Hints
The most important rule or slippery
or icy roads is to drive sensibly and to
avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering action. Do not use the
cruise control system under such
conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger o skid
ding, move selector lever to position
“N”. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can ad
versely a ect braking e iciency.
Increased pedal orce may become
necessary to produce the normal
brake e ect. We there ore recom
mend depressing the brake pedal
repeatedly when traveling on salt-
strewn roads at length. This can
bring road salt impaired braking
e iciency back to normal. A prere
quisite is, however, that this is pos
sible without endangering other driv
ers on the road.
I the vehicle is parked a ter being
driven on salt treated roads, the brak
ing e iciency should be tested as
soon as possible a ter driving is
resumed while adhering to the sa ety
requirements.
i
17

MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance System
A maintenance booklet is included
with your car listing all the mainte
nance jobs that must be carried out
a ter the ollowing mileages:
Routine Maintenance
Inspection at
1300-1600 km (800-1000 miles)
Lubrication Service every
12 000 km (7500 miles)
Maintenance Service every
24000 km (15000 miles)
Additional Work every
48 000 km (30000 miles)
For additional details re er to the
Maintenance Booklet,
in the case o low mileage operation,
the Maintenance Service must be
carried out at least once every
2 years.
En ine Oil and Filter Chan e
Required every 12000 km
(7500 miles), or at least once a year
( all) when using year-round multi
grade oil; otherwise at least twice a
year (spring and all).
For engine oil recommendations, see
page 98.
Severe Operatin Conditions
In the case o severe operating condi
tions or heavy use mainly in city tra ic
or over short distances, requent
mountain driving, poor roads, dusty
and muddy conditions, trailer opera
tion, hard and sporty driving etc., it
may be necessary to carry out
maintenance work at shorter than
normal intervals, as ollows:
Engine: Oil change with ilter change
every 6000 km (3750 miles)
Automatic transmission: Fluid
change without ilter change every
24 000 km (15 000 miles).
Tires: Inspect
Air cleaner: Clean or replace element
Special Maintenance Measures
Brake fluid should be replaced annu
ally, pre erably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake
luid approved by MERCEDES-BENZ.
Do not mix di erent types o brake
luids.
The coolant should be checked or
su icient protection be ore the start
o and during the hot and cold
season.
Flave the coolant (water/anticorrosion/
anti reeze mixture) replaced at least
every three years (see “Fuels, Cool
ants, Lubricants, etc.”).
Maintenance Vouchers
Your authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer will certi y in the maintenance
booklet that all lubrication and
maintenance services have been
carried out at the correct intervals.