Mercedes-Benz 300SD 1981 Owner's Manual
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Mercedes-Benz 300SD 1981 Owner's Manual

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Summary of Contents for Mercedes-Benz 300SD 1981

  • Page 2 • have all the maintenance jobs specified by us carried out at regular intervals by a MERCEDES-BENZ service station. Driving in low temperature weather, in stop-and-go city traffic and on short hops, and in hilly country also increases fuel consumption.
  • Page 3 300SD Type 126 D 1981...
  • Page 5 You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BENZ, a car in whose construction and production we have taken great pains because we believe that quality is not a m atter of chance. Perhaps you have already had experience with a MERCEDES, maybe this is your first car from the DAIMLER-BENZ company.

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    Contents Vehicle Operation This Owner's Manual also describes C o n tro ls ........optional extras as far as this is Steering L o ck......Instruments and Controls . required for their operation. Lighting Switch ....... Instrument C luster.... /4s the scope o f delivery is deter­ Combination Switch ....
  • Page 8 Contents Practical Hints Vehicle Care Driving Ash trays ........MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance H o o d ..........S y s te m ......... Rear Seat C ushion...... Regular Inspections....Severe Operating Conditions Bleeding the Fuel S ystem Parking Brake......Enginge Oil Change and Filter Turning off Engine Manually .
  • Page 9 Contents Technical Data, Fuels, Coolants, Checking Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. Lubricants, etc......Engine Oil Level C h e c k Identification P lates..... Checking Coolant Level ..Vehicle Operation Vehicle Data Cards ..... Replenishing Coolant .... Fluid Level — Warranty C ove ra g e ..... Automatic Transm ission Technical D a ta ......
  • Page 11 Vehicle Operation...
  • Page 12 Instrum ents and Controls Switch for rear passenger compartment lamp For more detailed descriptions see quoted pages. (page 30) Speaker grilles Switch for electric sliding roof (page 29) Side ventilation outlets (page 26) Switch for hazard warning flasher system Swivelling outlets for nonheated fresh air (page 26) Switch for automatic antenna (page 34) Parking brake release handle (page 44) Switch for heated rear window (page 30)
  • Page 13 Instru m en ts and C ontrols...
  • Page 14 Instrum ent C lu ster Preglow indicator lamp (yellow) 1 Coolant temperature gauge (° C) Up to red marking: Maximum permissible Brake warning lamp (red) comes on if temperature for an antifreeze-blended fill protecting • the parking brake is engaged down to - 30°...
  • Page 15 Instrum ent C luster...
  • Page 16 Obtaining Replacement Keys locks on the car. The flat key fits all vehicle Replacement keys can be obtained only via MERCEDES-BENZ service locks. We recommend that Supplementary Key— rounded head stations. If the keys are lost, assist­ you carry the flat key with —...
  • Page 17 Keys Doors Opening the Doors Locking and Unlocking of Doors When the rear door plungers are pushed down, the rear doors cannot From the outside: turn key. From outside: pull handle outwards (1) be opened from the outside or the From the inside: actuate plunger.
  • Page 18 Keys Doors S eats Master Lock System With the master lock system in the locked position, the trunk lid can also The master lock system locks or be unlocked individually: To do so, unlocks the driver’s door, the other turn the main key to the left as far as it vehicle doors, the fuel tank filler flap will go, then depress the trunk lid lock and the trunk lid simultaneously.
  • Page 19 S eats Note: Detaching headrests: Prior to operating the vehicle, the Pull headrest out to the stop. Release driver should adjust the seat height arrester by depressing release knob for proper vision as well as fore-aft to be felt under the seat back placement and seat back angle to covering material and pull headrest insure adequate control, reach, oper­...
  • Page 20 Seats > Orthopaedic Seat Back Arm Rest (Front Seats) Note: The arm rest does not suffice as a Turn handwheel (1) to adjust the The arm rest engages in 3 positions. child restraint system. In case of a spinal support. The spinal support Position 1 = arm rest folded up.
  • Page 21 Seats Push switch to position 1 = contin­ uous operation. The indicator lamp in the switch comes on. Push switch to position 2 = rapid heating. Both indicator lamps in the switch come on. Switch in center position = seat heater off.
  • Page 22 S eats Safety Belts • Press latch plate (1) into buckle (2) • The belt must be tight and must be and allow to engage audibly. checked for tightness immediately Warning system: after fastening and regularly during • Adjust front seat safety belts so as The indicator is illuminated for 4 -8 the trip.
  • Page 23 S eats Operation: Note: The safety belt inertia reel stops the No safety belt can be used for more belt from unwinding further in case of than one person. Belts are not vehicle deceleration in any direction intended for children. of if the belt is pulled out quickly.

  • Page 24: C O N Tro Ls

    Controls Note: Notes: Do not remove key from steering The following items can be operated lock while the vehicle is in motion with the key in steering lock posi­ as this will cause the engagement tion “ 1” . of the steering lock thus rendering Wiper, windshield washer, headlamp the vehicle inoperable.

  • Page 25: Lighting Switch

    Controls Lighting Switch 3 Standing lamps, right Note: 4 Standing lamps, left With the steering lock key removed 0 Off-position and the driver's door open a signal A Turn to position 2 and pull out to 1 Parking lamps (includes side mar­ sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps first detent = same as position 2 ker lamps, tail lamps, license plate...

  • Page 26: Combination Switch

    Controls 6 Control for windshield washer system When the washer system is switched on, the wipers also operate 7 Windshield wiper control 0 Windshield wiper switched off 1 Intermittent wiping II Normal wiper speed III High wiper speed Hints: If one of the turn signals fails, the turn signal indicator system flashes and To operate the turn signals, move the Combination Switch...

  • Page 27: Cruise Control

    Controls the accelerator. Speed is set by 4 = Resume briefly pushing the switch to If the lever is briefly pushed to position “ 1” or “ 2” , and the position “ 4” when driving at a accelerator can be released. The speed exceeding approximately speed can be increased (e.g.

  • Page 28: Automatic Climate C O N Tro L

    A u to m atic C lim ate C ontrol The automatic climate control system desired. The outer swivelling outlets The swivelling outlet located on the is designed to maintain the desired can be opened and closed with levers console for unheated fresh air or temperature in the vehicle interior.
  • Page 29 A u to m atic C lim ate Control 1 Temperature (°C) The vehicle interior is cooled down 6 Off The interior temperature can be with the least possible draught If this control has been actuated, adjusted infinitely by turning the with the footwells receiving a the fresh air supply to the vehicle temperature selector wheel be­...

  • Page 30: Various Equipment

    Various E quipm ent Inside Rear View Mirror Front passenger side: Exterior Mirrors Turn key in steering lock to position The mirror can be tilted to the Driver’s side: “ 1” or “ 2” . The exterior mirror can be anti-glare position by means of the Exterior mirror (2) can be adjusted adjusted by means of the lever.

  • Page 31: Sun Visors

    Various E quipm ent « Sun Visors Illuminated sun visors: Sliding Roof Swing down sun visor. The illumina­ To protect against glaring sunlight Turn key in steering lock to posi­ tion is switched on when the cover is from ahead, swing sun visors down­ tion “...

  • Page 32: Interior Lamps

    Various E quipm ent » Heated Rear Window Interior Lamps The rear courtesy lamp is switched on and off by the rear door contact Turn key in steering lock to posi­ The switch for the front lamp has switches or by the rocker switch on tion “...

  • Page 33: Electric Lighter

    Various Equipment 'f 9 f> 0 9 Electric Lighter Electric Window Lifters then be operated using the switches in the center console. The rear door Key in steering lock position “ 1 ” Switch group for window lifters: windows can also be operated using or “...

  • Page 34: Radio

    Radio 1 On-Off/Volume Control 2 Tone Control 3 Push buttons for band selection and tuning of preset stations 4 Manual tuning control 5 Wave band indicator 6 Cassette eject 7 Fast forward Europa Cassette 8 Fast rewind (Radio with Pushbutton Tuning and built-in Cassette 9 Track indicator Player) 10 Track change-over button...
  • Page 35 Radio the stop, tune in station with manual On-Off/Volume Your radio is fitted with a continuously tuning knob (4) and push preset operating Stereo Decoder which Turn knob (1) clockwise to switch button in again to the stop. automatically switches the radio from radio on and to increase volume.
  • Page 36 Radio • if the antenna switch is engaged in To manually eject the cassette, push the “ max.” position, the antenna release bar (6). When the cassette is extends fully, ejected, the unit will switch over to radio reception automatically. •...
  • Page 37 Radio Fast tape forward locking but­ I 1 I M I I Cassette eject button jE a ^ y Cassette door f"""1 ..To turn the radio on or off, the ignition switch must be in position “ 1” or “ 2” . To turn the radio ON Press “...
  • Page 38 Radio tions received will be selected and To tune to a station An additional fader control, installed locked in. During the next sweep, the in the center console of the car, Stations can be tuned in by using less powerful and during the third allows for distribution of the audio automatic search, direct frequency cycle, also the weak stations will be...
  • Page 39 Radio Direct frequency dialing If, after pressing the function con­ trol Q , the station seeker bar In order to select a station with a known frequency, select the wave band, press I is not activated within eight the function button □ and then enter the frequency by pressing the A U T O M A T I C seconds, the manual tuning mode is...
  • Page 40 Radio Tape Cassette playback Accordingly, for fast forward trans­ Showing the “ old” setting first allows for reconsideration of the decision to port of the tape, press the fast It is recommended to use only good store. If it is desirable to leave the forward button quality cassettes with a playback time “...
  • Page 41 Radio Note: To use timers Note concerning timer This is a 24 hour clock and time must Timer E D can be used to automatic­ To connect any accessory to this be entered in all four digits. A 24 hour ally turn the radio on at a preset timer, a special relay is required which clock counts time from midnight to...

  • Page 43: Driving

    Driving...
  • Page 44 Hood Notes: To open, pull hood release handle Push in safety catches on LH and RH sides of the radiator grille simulta­ located on the LH side below the There is a risk of injury when the hood neously and lift up hood. instrument panel.
  • Page 45 Have th e follow ing item s ch ecked regularly and prior to any long trip Fuel Supply For winter and summer operation diesel fuels refer to “ Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. and last page” . Tire Pressure For tire pressure table refer to fuel filler flap or last page.

  • Page 46: Parking Brake

    S tartin g and Turning off th e Engine Parking Brake When the preglow indicator goes out, Depress parking brake pedal. When Engage parking brake before starting the engine is ready for starting. the key is in position “ 2” of the the engine.
  • Page 47 At ambient temperatures of less than tive and should be repaired at a - 1 8 ° C/0° F, depress accelerator With very high coolant temperatures MERCEDES-BENZ service station at three times prior to starting. (e.g. after driving on mountain the earliest possible date.

  • Page 48: Starting And Shifting G Ears

    S tartin g and Shifting Gears Hint Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on the engine until the When parking the vehicle or if working operating temperature has been on the vehicle with the engine reached. running, depress parking brake pedal and move selector lever to position Accelerator position...
  • Page 49 S tartin g and Shifting Gears Selector lever positions brakes are released, the vehicle and descents. As the transmis­ can be moved freely (pushed, sion shifts up to 3rd gear only, The automatic gear shifting process towed or tow-started). Do not this position permits the utiliza­...

  • Page 50: Safe Driving

    Safe Driving Starting and Shifting Gears positions “ S” or “ L” early enough to Power assistance: Maneuvering maintain engine RPMs within best Do not attempt to move or coast the To maneuver in a restricted area, e.g. torque range. vehicle with the engine not in when pulling into a parking space, operation, as engine-driven accesso­...
  • Page 51 MERCEDES-BENZ service station. You should bay particular attention to to drive on for some time so the air the condition of the road as soon as...

  • Page 52: Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp

    BENZ. to an extent that the safety is at a temperature of approx. 125° C/ Your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will substantially impaired. 257° F with an antifreeze-blended provide you with additional informa­ coolant fill protecting down to tion.

  • Page 53: Emission C O N Tro L

    Any adjustments on the engine do not force the engine to labor at low should, therefore, be carried out only engine speed. by qualified MERCEDES-BENZ techn­ Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is icians. The adjustments of the engine not recommended to brake the should not be altered in any way.

  • Page 54: Special Operating C Onditions

    Have your car winterized in a wheels are locked for no more than temperature. A well charged bat­ MERCEDES-BENZ service station fractions of a second as otherwise the tery ensures that the engine can before the onset of winter.

  • Page 55: High Altitude Correction Device

    Tire chains can only be used on the Abroad, too, there is a widely-spread automatic high altitude correction driving wheels. Use only chains MERCEDES-BENZ service network at device. tested and recommended by us. Any your disposal. If you travel into areas...

  • Page 57: Vehicle Care

    Vehicle Care...

  • Page 58: Mercedes-Benz Maintenance S Y S Te M

    Any MERCEDES-BENZ service sta­ the maintenance booklet. We would also like to draw your tion will be pleased to give you expert...

  • Page 59: Spare Parts Service

    M ER C E D E S -B E N Z M ain ten an ce System S p are Parts Service Engine Oil Change and Filter Automatic-Transmission — All MERCEDES-BENZ service sta­ Change Fluid and Filter Change tions maintain a stock of original...

  • Page 60: Cleaning And Care Of The Vehicle

    In doing so, do not neglect the can obtain MB car-care products at damage. underside of the car. A prerequisite every MERCEDES-BENZ service sta­ Such damage is caused not only by for a thorough check is a washing of tion.

  • Page 61: Jobs Related To C A R E

    C leaning and C are of th e Vehicle Car Wash Tar Stains clear, lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the webbing at temperatures Before washing your vehicle, remove Quickly remove tar stains before they above 80° C/1760 F or in direct insect residues.
  • Page 62 If possible, clean wheels once a week doubt, please consult your with lukewarm water and autosham­ MERCEDES-BENZ service station. poo. Use an ample supply of water. Paintwork Do not apply wax if your car is parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot.
  • Page 63 Practical Hints...

  • Page 64: Ash Trays

    Practical Hints 9240 Rear Seat Cushion To remove rear ash tray: Ash trays Push the ash tray down while opening Removal: Press unlocking buttons 1 Removal, front: and remove. (left and right) outwards while slightly fe g ,.. Pull ash tray out to the stop, lift up To install ash tray: lifting the front corner of the rear seat insert and remove.

  • Page 65: Bleeding The Fuel System

    P ractical Hints Bleeding the Fuel System The entire system must be bled Turning off Engine Manually manually after the fuel tank has been A completely bled fuel system is If the engine continues operating in driven completely empty. imperative for perfect engine opera­ steering lock position “...

  • Page 66: First Aid Kit

    Note: excessive weight is placed on the The jack is designed exclusively for rack. Your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer jacking up the vehicle at the jack can give further advice. tubes provided on either side of the vehicle.

  • Page 67: Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels

    The rim version and brand. flanges must be checked for wear The wheels can be rotated according See any MERCEDES-BENZ service before a tire is mounted. Remove to the degree of tire wear while station for information on tested and burrs, if there are any.

  • Page 68: Changing Wheels

    Wheels Tires Changing Wheels Changing Wheels 8. Adjust the jack to allow the wheel 1. Depress parking brake pedal. 5. Clean jack supporting tube, if necessary. Jack tubes are behind to be slipped on without being 2. Move selector leverto position “ P". lifted.

  • Page 69: Tire Inflation Pressure

    Wheels Tires Changing Wheels 10. Lower car and remove jack. Tire Inflation Pressure permissible. The ride of the vehicle, Tighten the five bolts evenly by however, will become somewhat A table (see fuel filler flap or last going around the wheel and harder.

  • Page 70: Checking Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, Etc

    Checking Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. Engine Oil Level Check The vehicle should be Wipe dipstick before any oil level parked on level ground and measurement. To determine the oil 1 Dipstick the oil level must be some­ level, check both sides of the 2 Oil filler opening where between the lower dipstick.

  • Page 71: Checking Coolant Level

    Checking Fuels C o o lants Lubricants etc. Replenishing Coolant Checking Coolant Level If a small amount of coolant has to be The coolant level can be checked visually at the transparent coolant added (due to evaporation of water), reservoir. plain water can be added.

  • Page 72: Fluid Level

    Checking Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. The maximum and minimum oil level Check transmission fluid level with marks on the dipstick are applicable the engine idling, parking brake references only if the transmission engaged and selector lever in posi­ fluid has reached its normal operating tion “...

  • Page 73: Electrical System

    E lectrical System Fuses must not be repaired or If battery acid is to be extracted for bridged. battery diagnosis purposes, perforate the diaphragm with the hydrometer or Spare fuses are stored in the fuse box the tube attached to it. (observe amperage and color code).

  • Page 74: Replacing Bulbs

    Electrical System j 9426 19425 6 Securing screw for cover of Headlamp Unit Replacing Bulbs sealed-beam unit/halogen and 1 Headlamp vertical aiming screw Only handle new bulbs for headlamps fog lamp and tail lamps with tissue paper or 2 Headlamp horizontal aiming 7 Sealed-beam unit/halogen similar.
  • Page 75 E lectrical System Replacing Bulbs: Bulbs for turn signal, standing, side marker and parking lamps (11): Turn lamp holder with bulb to the left and remove. Depress bulb, turn to the left and take out. Sealed-beam Unit/Halogen (7): Loosen securing screw (5) and pull housing out of bracket.
  • Page 76 Electrical System Interior Lamps Trunk Lamp Glove Compartment Lamp To replace the bulb, lift off front lamp Trunk lamp (1) is easily accessible To replace the bulb, pull out lamp. at RH side, pull it out and open when trunk lid (2) is open. reflector.

  • Page 77: Windshield W Ipers

    W indshield W ipers Em ergency O peratio n of Sliding Roof Unlocking the Fuel F iller Flap In order to renew or release frozen windshield wiper blades, the wind­ shield wiper arms can be pulled out of their recess by hand. Sufficient force must be applied to overcome spring resistance.

  • Page 78: Jump Starting

    T o w -sta rtin g and Tow ing the Vehicle Jum p Startin g • Start engine as normal. If the battery is discharged the engine can be started with jumber cables • After the engine has started, first (minimum lead cross section is remove jumper cables from the 35 mm2) and the (12 V) battery of...
  • Page 79 T o w -sta rtin g and Towing the Vehicle As soon as the engine has started, Towing a Vehicle Please keep in mind that considerably immediately return selector lever to more effort is necessary to steer and The vehicle may be towed with the “...

  • Page 81: Technical Data Fuels Coolants Lubricants Etc

    Technical Data Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc.

  • Page 82: Identification Plates

    Identification Plates When ordering spare parts, please quote chassis and engine numbers. 6 Emission Control Tag 7 Information Tag California version Vacuum line routing 1 Certification Tag 3 Chassis No. for emission control system (left door pillar) 4 Engine No. 8 Emission Control Tag 2 Identification Tag Catalyst Information...

  • Page 83: Vehicle Data Cards

    Data card No. 1 bears the key number and should on no account be felt in the vehicle. Submit this card to your MERCEDES-BENZ service station to request a replacement key in case of loss. Data card No. 2 bears no key data and is kept in the maintenance booklet.

  • Page 84: Technical D Ata

    12.5 x 1150 mm Battery........12 V/88 Ah Air conditioning ......12.5 x 925 mm 1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See a MERCEDES-BENZ service station for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipm ent.
  • Page 85 Technical Data See certification tag W eights....Bulbs........Sealed beam/ High and low beam s....Halogen Main Dimensions Turn signal, standing, side 5145 mm/202.5 in Overall vehicle length marker and parking lamps, 1820 mm/ 71.7 in Overall vehicle width 21/5 W/32/3 cp fr o n t........

  • Page 86: Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, Etc

    Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. Capacities Vehicle components and their re­ Therefore use only brands tested and Enquire at your MERCEDES-BENZ spective lubricants must match. recommended by us. service station. Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. Recommended engine oil Total oil capacity in case of engine oil and 7.5 1/7.9 US qt...
  • Page 87 Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. Capacities Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. Capacity Rear axle 1.31/2.7 US pt Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90 Hydraulic fluid Accelerator control linkage 1.21/2.4 US pt Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) Power steering 60 g each approx. Multipurpose grease Front wheel hubs 2.1 oz each approx.

  • Page 88: Engine O Ils

    1300— 1600 km/800— 1000 miles. Engine oils are specifically tested for factory or in a MERCEDES-BENZ their suitability in our engines. There­ service station. This oil is specially Brake Fluid fore, use only engine oils recom­...

  • Page 89: Diesel Fuels

    Fuels C o o lants Lubricants etc. Engine power may drop according to tios shown refer to the total mixture. Diesel Fuels We recommend not to exceed the the proportion of kerosene. For this Use only commercially available vehi­ reason, keep percentage of kerosene mixture ratio, dependent on prevailing cular diesel fuels No.

  • Page 90: Coolants

    MERCEDES-BENZ The coolant remains in the cooling maintenance service. Antifreeze system all year long and must be renewed after 3 years at the latest.

  • Page 91: Service Literature

    Customers who are interested in ordering service literature for their vehicles are advised to contact our subsidiaries in the U.S. or Canada at the following addresses, respectively for U.S.A.: Mercedes-Benz of N.A. Inc. One Mercedes Drive P.O. Box 350 Montvale, New Jersey 07645...
  • Page 94 Printed In Germany We reserve the right to m odify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this O w ner’s Manual (s.e.e.o.). Reprinting, translation and copying, even of excerpts, is not perm itted w ithout our prior authorization in writting.
  • Page 95 W hat you should know a t th e gas station The last page Diesel fuels acc. to ASTM D 975, grades 1 and 2 as well as VV-F-800a grades 1 and 2. • Fuel: Fuel tank capacity approx. 77 I/20.3 US gal, this includes a approx. 12.5 I/3.3 US gal reserve. Only fill fuel tank until the discharge nozzle unit cuts out —...

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