Mercedes-Benz 300TD 1980 Owner's Manual page 45

Turn key clockwise to the stop to start
the engine. Release key only when
the engine fires regularly.
When the engine is at operating tem ­
perature (coolant temperature above
approx. +70° C / +158° F), the pre­
glowing indicator lamp comeson only
briefly. The engine can be started
immediately.
At ambient temperatures below
0° C / 32° F and with the engine cold,
completely depress accelerator while
starting. Actuate starter until the
engine fires regularly and engine
speed rises. Then ease off the accel­
erator slowly. Cranking times of up to
one minute will not do any harm to
the starter.
At ambient temperatures of less than
-20° C / -4° F, depress the accel­
erator three times prior to starting.
Idle Speed Adjustment:
Turn idle speed adjuster clockwise
until the engine will just run smoothly.
The idle speed adjuster should be
turned clockwise to the stop (normal
position) at the latest when the cool­
ant has reached a temperature of
+ 60° C / +140° F.
Check reading on oil pressure gauge
immediately after starting the engine.
In a very cold engine the oil pressure
will only rise slowly, some time after
the engine has started, Do not speed
up the engine before pressure is
registered on the oil pressure gauge.
The charge indicator lamp must go
out as soon as the engine has started.
Note:
If the preglowing indicator lamp
flashes, the preglowing system is
defective. Have the preglowing
system inspected at a MERCEDES-
BENZ service station.
Starting and Turning off the Engine
Turning off
Turn key in steering lock to posi­
tion " 0" and remove only when the
vehicle has stopped.
Should the engine continue to
operate in steering lock posi­
tion " 0" , refer to page 61.
With very high coolant tempera­
tures (e.g. after driving on steep
inclines), do not shut down the
engine immediately but allow to
run at slightly increased idle speed
for another 1— 2 minutes approxi­
mately.