Engine Oils; Fuel Requirements; Brake Fluid - Mercedes-Benz 1985 380SE 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 available 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 meeting
ASTM standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 87 min. It is an aver­
age 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
oxygenates such as Ethanol, MTBE,
IPA, IBA and TBA can be used
provided the ratio of either one of
these oxygenates to gasoline does
10
not exceed % .
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline
must not exceed 3%. In both cases,
this does not include the cosol­
vents.
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 gasoline,
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 annually,
preferable in the spring. It is recom­
mended to use only brake fluid
approved by MERCEDES-BENZ.
Your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will
provide you with additional informa­
tion.