Mercedes-Benz 300SD 1981, Owner'S Manual

Page: 60 / 97

C leaning and C are of th e Vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected
to a great amount of varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked,
can attack the paintwork as well as
the underbody and cause lasting
damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic condi­
tions, but also by air pollution, road
salt, tar, gravel and stone chipping.
Grease and oil, fuel, coolant, brake
fluid, bird droppings, tree resins, etc.
should immediately be removed to
avoid paint damage. Frequent wash­
ing, however, reduces and/or elimi­
nates the aggressivity and potency of
the above adverse influences.
Special car-care measures may be
necessary to deal with unfavorable
conditions; for example, near the
coast, in industrial areas (smoke,
exhaust emissions), or during winter
operation.
You should check your vehicle from
time to time for stone chipping or
other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible.
In doing so, do not neglect the
underside of the car. A prerequisite
for a thorough check is a washing of
the underbody followed by a rust-
proofing treatment.
Your vehicle has been treated at the
factory with a wax-base rustproofing
in the body cavities.
After every engine cleaning you
should have the engine compartment
rustproofed. Before rustproofing, all
control linkage bushings have to be
lubricated with hydraulic oil (check
with your local MERCEDES-BENZ
dealership for recommended brands).
We have selected car-care products
and compiled recommendations
which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the
newest in technological standing. You
can obtain MB car-care products at
every MERCEDES-BENZ service sta­
tion.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corro­
sion or damage due to negligent or
incorrect care cannot always be
removed with the car-care products
recommended here. In such cases it
is best to seek aid at your
MERCEDES-BENZ service station.
The following topics deal with the
cleaning and care of your vehicle and
give important “ how-to” information
as well as references to recom­
mended MB car-care products.