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