Engine Oils; Fuel Requirements; Brake F Lu Id - Mercedes-Benz 380 SL 1985 Owner's Manual

Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc.

Engine Oils

Engine oils are specifically tested
for their suitability in our engines.
Therefore, use only engine oils
recommended by us. Information
on recommended brands is avail­
able at any authorized MERCEDES-
BENZ dealer.
On a new vehicle, the engine is
filled with break-in oil in
the factory. This oil is specially
developed for the specific operating
conditions during the first
1300-1600 km/800-1000 miles.
A recommended engine oil may be
used for topping up if the oil level
drops to the dipstick minimum
mark prior to the first service 1300-
1600 km/800-1000 miles.

Fuel Requirements

Use only unleaded gasoline meet­
ing ASTM standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 87 min. It is an
average of both, the Research (R)
octane number and the Motor (M)
octane number: (R + M)/2. This is
also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxy­
genates such as Ethanol, MTBE,
IPA, IBA and TBA can be used pro­
vided the ratio of either one of
these oxygenates to gasoline does
not exceed 10 % .
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline
must not exceed 3 %. In both
cases, this does not include the
cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and
Methanol is not allowed. MTBE
may, however, be added up to
15%. Gasohol, which contains 10%
Ethanol and 90 % unleaded gaso­
line, can be used.
These blends must also meet all
other fuel requirements such as
resistance to spark knock, boiling
range, vapor pressure, etc..
Brake Fluid
During the course of the operation
of the vehicle, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously
reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere.
Under extremely hard operating
conditions, this moisture content
can lead to the formation of vapor
in the system thus reducing the
system's efficiency. The brake fluid
must therefore be replaced annual­
ly, preferably in the spring. It is
recommended to use only brake
fluid approved by MERCEDES-
BENZ.
Your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will
provide you with additional informa­
tion.