Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL 1988 User manual

Owner’s Manual
420 SEL
560 SEL
560 SEC
Vl
f0

What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
Drive Sensibly - Save Fuel
Fuel consu ption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operat
ing conditions.
To save fuel you should:
• keep tires at the reco ended
inflation pressures
• re ove unnecessary loads
• re ove ski racks or roof- ounted
luggage racks when not in use
• allow engine to war up under low
load use
• avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration
• have all aintenance work per
for ed at regular intervals by an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer.
Fuel consu ption is also increased
by driving in cold weather, in stop-
and-go traffic, on short trips and in
hilly country.

Owner’s Manual
\
420 SEL
560 SEL
560 SEC
Model 126
1988

Printed in Germany
We reserve the right to odify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data
and illustrations of this Owner’s Manual (s.e.e.o.). Reprinting, translation and copying,
even of excerpts, is not per itted without our prior authorization in writing.
ZKD / 8.87.15 / MD

O u r co pany and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your
new MERCEDES-BENZ.
Your selection of our product is de onstration of your trust in our
co pany na e. Further, it exe plifies your desire to own an
auto obile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your MERCEDES-BENZ represents the efforts of any skilled
engineers and crafts en. To ensure your pleasure of ownership,
we ask you to ake a s all invest ent of your ti e:
• Please read this anual carefully before putting it aside.
• Please considerthe reco endations contained in this
anual. They are designed to acquaint you with the operation
of your MERCEDES-BENZ.
We extend our best wishes for any iles of safe, pleasurable
driving.
Dai ler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft

Introduction
This Owner’s Manual contains a great deal of useful
infor ation. We urge you to read it carefully and
fa iliarize yourself with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle,
we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings.
Ignoring the could result in da age to the vehicle or
personal injury.
Your vehicle ay have so e or all of the equip ent
described. Therefore, you ay find explanations of
equip ent not installed in your vehicle. If you have any
questions about the operation of any equip ent, your
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be glad to
de onstrate the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy Booklet con
tains detailed infor ation about the warranties covering
your MERCEDES-BENZ, including:
• New Car Li ited Warranty
• E ission Syste Warranty
• E ission Perfor ance Warranty
• California E ission Control Syste
Warranty (California Only)
4
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the necessary
aintenance work which should be perfor ed at regular
intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with you when
you take the vehicle to your authorized MERCEDES-
BENZ dealer for service. The Service Advisor will record
each service.
Roadside Assistance
Although your Mercedes-Benz is built to be as trouble-
free as possible, a Roadside Assistance Progra is avail
able to provide e ergency roadside service after nor al
dealer hours and on weekends and holidays in the
contiguous United States.
Roadside Assistance is available Monday through Friday
fro 5:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight and on Saturday, Sun
day and legal holidays fro 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight.
In the event of a breakdown during these hours,
telephone this toll-free nu ber: 1-800-222-0100.
For additional infor ation, refer to the Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance Progra Booklet in your glove
co part ent.

Change o Address or Ownership
If you change your address, be sure to send in the
“Change of Address Notice” found in the Owner’s
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet. It is in your own
interest that we can contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all owner’s litera
ture with the vehicle to ake it available to the next
owner.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the
“Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the Owner’s
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet.
Operating Your Vehicle Outside the U.S.A. or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries,
please be aware that:
• unleaded fuels for vehicles with catalytic converters
ay not be available; the use of leaded fuels will
da age the catalysts,
• fuel ay have a considerably lower octane rating, and
i proper fuel can cause engine da age,
• service facilities or replace ent parts ay not be
readily available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz odels are available for delivery
in Europe under our European Delivery Progra . For
details, consult your authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer or write to:
Mercedes-Benz of North A erica, Inc.
European Delivery Depart ent
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645
In Canada write to:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Depart ent
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5
5

Optional equipment is also described in this manual, includ
ing operating instructions wherever necessary. Since they
are special-order items, the descriptions and illustrations
herein may vary slightly rom the actual equipment o your
vehicle.
I there are any equipment details that are not shown or
described in this Owner’s Manual, your authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be glad to in orm you o
correct care and operating procedures.
The Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet are important
documents and should be kept with the vehicle.
6

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions, Service and Maintenance
Operation
Driving
Practical Hints
Technical Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Consumer In ormation
Index

Check Regularly and
Be ore a Long Trip
See page 116
The First 1500 km (1000 Miles)
The ore cautiously you treat your
vehicle during the break-in period, the
ore satisfied you will be with its per
for ance later on. Therefore, drive
your vehicle during the first 1500 k
(1000 iles) at oderate vehicle and
engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and high RPM
(no ore than 2A of axi u per
issible speed in each gear).
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is
not reco ended to brake the
vehicle by anually shifting to a
lower gear. We reco end to select
positions “3” or “2” only at oderate
speeds (for hill driving).
After 1500 k (1000 iles) speeds
ay gradually be increased to the
per issible axi u .
8

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine
Driving Instructions, Service and Maintenance
Instru ents and Controls 10
Instru ent Cluster 12
Indicator La p Sy bols 13
Catalytic Converter Cautions 14
Starting and Turning off
the Engine 15
Driving Instructions 16
MERCEDES-BENZ
Maintenance Syste 19

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see speci ied pages.
1 Volu e control for side air outlets (page 22)
2 Side air outlets (page 22)
3 Adjustable air outlets (page 22)
4 Parking brake release (page 62)
5 Hood lock release (pages 74, 75)
6 Parking brake pedal (page 62)
7 Co bination switch (page 46)
8 Exterior la p switch (page 45)
9 Cruise control (page 65)
10 Instru ent cluster (page 12)
11 Horn control, air bag (page 41)
12 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch (page 44)
13 Air volu e control lever for center air outlets
(page 22)
14 Rear window defroster switch (page 49)
10
15 Air recirculation switch (page 22)
16 Hazard warning flasher syste switch
17 Auto atic antenna switch (page 59)
18 Rear passenger co part ent la p switch (page 50)
19 Auto atic cli ate control (page 22)
20 Radio (page 52)
21 Ashtray with lighter (pages 48, 96)
22 Left front seat heater switch (page 34)
23 Fanfare horn control switch
24 Switch for rear window sun shade
25 Right front seat heater switch (page 34)
26 Left power window switch group (page 51)
27 Adjusting switch for exterior irror on front
passenger side (page 47)
28 Loudspeaker front to rear fader control
29 Right power window switch group (page 51)
30 Glove co part ent, illu inated (only with key in
steering lock positions 1 or 2)

11
Instru ents and Controls

Instrument Cluster
1 Knob for instru ent la ps and trip odo eter
Rotate knob: To vary intensity of instru ent la ps
Depress knob: To reset trip odo eter
2 Econo ical driving indicator. See page 66
3 Coolant te perature gauge. See page 67
4 Fuel gauge with reserve warning la p (yellow).
See page 67
5 Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 66
6 Turn signal indicator la p, left (green)
7 Speedo eter
8 Main odo eter
9 Trip odo eter
10 Outside te perature indicator. See page 68
11 Turn signal indicator la p, right (green)
12 Electric clock
13 Tacho eter
14 Red arking on tacho eter:
Excessive engine speed
15 Knob for clock adjust ent
(press in for adjust ents)
12

Indicator Lamp Symbols
Function Indicator Lamp
High bea
ID
Warning Lamps
( ust go out with the engine running)
aBattery not being charged.
See page 66
BRAKE Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 62, 68
((D) Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 62, 68.
Brake pad wear.
See page 68
Engine oil level low.
See page 66
O Coolant level low.
See page 67
■ ' ■ Fluid level for windshield and headla p
washer syste low.
See page 67
Exterior light failure.
See page 67
ABS alfunction.
See page 69
SRS
CHECK
ENGINE
SRS alfunction.
See page 41
CHECK ENGINE alfunction.
If the la p co es on when the engine is
running, it indicates a alfunction in the
0 2-sensor on Federal version vehicles, and
injection syste or e ission control syste
on the California version vehicles. In either
case we reco end that you have the al
function checked as soon as possible.
See page 70
IS
13
Instru ent Cluster

Catalytic Converter Cautions
Your MERCEDES-BENZ is equipped
with onolithic catalytic converters,
an i portant ele ent in conjunction
with the 0 2-sensor to achieve sub
stantial control of the pollutants in the
exhaust e issions. Keep your vehicle
in proper operating condition by
following our reco ended ainte
nance instructions as outlined in your
aintenance booklet.
Caution!
To prevent da age to the catalytic
converters, use only pre iu un
leaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Should any noticeable irregularities in
the engine operation occur, excessive
unburned fuel ay reach the convert
er causing it to overheat.
Warning!
As with any vehicle, do not idle,
park or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials such
as grass, hay or leaves can come
into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be
ignited.
14

Starting and Turning o the Engine
Engage parking brake and ove the
gear selector lever in either “P” or “N”
position before starting the engine.
Turn key to steering lock position 2.
The charge indicator la p should
co e on.
Cold Engine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
Release key only when the engine is
firing regularly.
At a bient te peratures below
-18° C (0° F), depress accelerator
three ti es prior to starting.
Hot Engine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop. Do not depress accelerator.
If the engine has not fired after ap
prox. 4 seconds, depress accelerator
and continue cranking until the engine
is firing regularly. Release key and
back off accelerator.
At very high coolant te peratures the
engine starting ti e can be shortened
if the accelerator is depressed slowly
at the beginning of the starting pro
cess.
Turning o
Turn the key in steering lock to posi
tion 0 and only re ove the key when
the vehicle has stopped.
If the coolant te perature is very high
(e.g. after hard driving on ountain
roads), do not shut off the engine
i ediately, allow it to run for
1-2 inutes at increased idle speed.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat
unit, the key ust be returned to
steering lock position 0 before a new
starting atte pt is ade.
Observe the oil pressure gauge
i ediately after starting the engine.
In a very cold engine the oil pressure
will only rise slowly, so e ti e after
the engine has started. Do not speed
up the engine before pressure is
registered on the pressure gauge.
The charge indicator la p should go
out as soon as the engine has started.
In areas where te peratures fre
quently drop below -25° C (-13° F),
we reco end that a block heater
be installed. Your authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will advise
you on this subject.

Driving Instructions
Power assistance
When the engine is not running, the
brake and steering syste s are with
out power assistance. Under these
circu stances, a uch greater effort
is necessary to stop or steer the
vehicle.
Brakes
Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the brakes by shifting
into “3”, “2” or “B”. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and re
duces brake pad wear. Do not exceed
engine speed li its (see page 64).
After hard braking it is advisable to
drive on for so e ti e so the air
strea will cool down the brakes
faster.
Warning!
A ter driving in heavy rain or some
time without applying the brakes or
through water deep enough to wet
brake components, the irst braking
action may be somewhat reduced
and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary. Be sure to maintain a
sa e distance rom vehicles in ront.
The condition of the parking brake
syste is checked each ti e the car
is in the shop for aintenance.
Between aintenance checks it is a
good practice to apply the parking
brake once or twice while driving at
approxi ately 50 k /h (30 ph) on a
dry straight road. Apply brake lightly
until a slight drag on the wheels is felt.
Keep applying brake for about
10 seconds while pulling the release
handle out before releasing the park
ing brake co pletely. This practice
will keep the parking brake at axi
u efficiency.
Warning!
The stop lamps will not come on
when applying the parking brake
only. Per orm the procedure in the
previous paragraph only when the
road is clear o other tra ic.
Caution!
Resting your foot on the brake pedal
will cause excessive and pre ature
wear of the brake pads.
All checks and aintenance work on
the brake syste should be carried
out by an authorized MERCEDES-
BENZ dealer.
If the parking brake is released and
the brake warning la p in the instru
ent cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the
syste ay be the reason for low
brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake syste inspected at
an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer without delay.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
reco ended by MERCEDES-BENZ.
If other than reco ended brake
pads are installed, the braking proper
ties of the vehicle can be affected to
an extent that the safety is substan
tially i paired.
16

Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are
required by law. These indicators are
located in six places on the tread cir
cu ference and beco e visible at a
depth of approx. 2 ('/e in), at
which point the tire is considered
worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
Warning!
Do not allow your tires to wear
down too ar. With less than 3mm
('/b in) o tread, the adhesion prop
erties on a wet road are sharply re
duced.
Depending upon the weather and/
or road sur ace (conditions), the
traction varies widely.
Specified tire pressures ust be
aintained. This applies particularly if
the tires are subjected to high loads
(e. g. high speeds, heavy loads, high
a bient te peratures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water
layer on the road, aquaplaning ay
occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in
the rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow co
vered or icy road is always lower than
on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to
the condition of the road as soon as
the prevailing te peratures fall close
to the freezing point.
Warning!
I ice has ormed on the road, tire
traction will be substantially re
duced. Under such weather condi
tions, drive, steer and brake with
extreme caution.
We reco end M + S radial-ply tires
for the winter season for all four
wheels to insure nor al balanced
handling characteristics. On packed
snow, they can reduce your stopping
distance as co pared with su er
tires. Stopping distance, however, is
still considerably greater than when
the road is wet or dry.
17
Driving Instructions

Parking
Warning!
To reduce the risk o personal in
jury as a result o vehicle move
ment, be ore leaving the vehicle
always:
1. Keep oot on brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking
brake pedal.
3. Slowly release brake pedal.
4. Move the selector lever
to position “P”.
5. Turn ront wheels towards
the road curb.
6. Turn the key to steering
lock position 0 and remove.
Note:
It is advisable to set the parking brake
whenever leaving the vehicle. Also,
when parking on hills, always apply
the parking brake. In addition, ove
selector lever to position “P”.
Winter Driving Instructions
The ost i portant rule for slippery
or icy roads is to drive sensibly and to
avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering action. Do not use the
cruise control syste under such
conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skid
ding, ove selector lever to position
“N”. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and che icals can ad
versely affect braking efficiency.
Increased pedal force ay beco e
necessary to produce the nor al
brake effect. We therefore reco 
end depressing the brake pedal
repeatedly when traveling on salt-
strewn roads at length. This can
bring road salt i paired braking
efficiency back to nor al. A prere
quisite is, however, that this is pos
sible without endangering other
drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being
driven on salt treated roads, the brak
ing efficiency should be tested as
soon as possible after driving is
resu ed while observing the safety
rules in the previous paragraph.
18