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Instrument Cluster

1  Gauge for economical driving  (ECONOMY).  See 

page 47

2  Coolant temperature gauge  (° C)

Up to  red  marking:  Maximum  permissible tempe 

rature for an antifreeze-blended fill  protecting 

down to -30° C /-22° F.  See page 46

3  Fuel gauge with  reserve warning  lamp  (yellow) 

Fuel  reserve for approx. 45-50  km/30 miles 
For capacitiy,  refer to page 81  and  last page

4  Oil  pressure gauge  (bar). See page 46

5  Turn signal  indicator lamp, left  (green)

6  Main odometer

7  Trip odometer

8  Turn signal  indicator lamp, right  (green)

9  Tachometer

10  Red  marking on tachometer:

Excessive engine speed

11  Electric clock

12  Knob for clock adjustment 

(press in for adjustments)

13  0 2-Sensor replacement indicator lamp  (red): 

When the indicator lamp comes on, the 
0 2-Sensor must be replaced

14  Seat belt warning  lamp  (red)

15  Brake warning  lamp  (red) comes on if

•  the parking  brake is engaged
•  not enough  brake fluid  is in the reservoir

16  Brake pad wear indicator lamp  (yellow):

Lamp comes on while  braking and driving if the 

front wheel  brake pads are worn down,  refer to 

page 45

17  Charge indicator lamp  (red):

Comes on when the steering  lock key is moved to 
driving  position  “2” and  must go out when the 
engine is idling.  See page 46

18  High  beam  indicator lamp  (blue)

19  Knob for instrument lamps and trip odometer 

Rotate knob: instrument  lamps intensity are infini­

tely variable

Depress knob: trip odometer is turned  back 

Note

A stop is provided on the speedometer at the 

138  km/h/85  mph  reading.  Speeds in  excess of 
138  km/h/85  mph will  not be indicated.

Summary of Contents for 380 SEL 126 1981

Page 1: ...Owner s Manual 380SEL Mercedes Benz...

Page 2: ...luggage racks when not in use not warm up your engine at idle and with the vehicle at standstill avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration avoid frequent braking avoid unnecessarily high speeds hav...

Page 3: ...380SEL Type 126 1981...

Page 4: ......

Page 5: ...EDES maybe this is your first car from the DAIMLER BENZ company In both cases for your own benefit please read this owner s manual before putting it away Even though you have been driving a car for ye...

Page 6: ......

Page 7: ...Seats Electrical Adjustment of Driver s and Front Passenger s Seats Safety Headrests Rear Seat Adjustment Orthopaedic Seat Back Arm Rest Rear Seat Arm Rest Front Seats Seat H e a te r Safety B e lts T...

Page 8: ...in g 48 Hints for D riv in g 48 Tire Chains 49 Traveling A broad 49 Vehicle Care MERCEDES BENZ Maintenance System Severe Operating Conditions Engine Oil Change and Filter Change Automatic Transmissio...

Page 9: ...a rtin g 72 Tow starting and Towing the Vehicle 72 Technical Data Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc Identification Plates 76 Vehicle Data C ards 77 Warranty Coverage 77 Technical D a ta 78 Fuels Coolants...

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Page 11: ...Vehicle Operation...

Page 12: ...e 22 13 Lever for nonheated fresh air page 26 14 Switch for rear passenger compartment lamp page 30 15 Switch for electric sliding roof page 29 16 Switch for hazard warning flasher system 17 Switch fo...

Page 13: ...Instruments and Controls 11...

Page 14: ...ensor replacement indicator lamp red When the indicator lamp comes on the 0 2 Sensor must be replaced 14 Seat belt warning lamp red 15 Brake warning lamp red comes on if the parking brake is engaged n...

Page 15: ...Instrument Cluster...

Page 16: ...ompartment and trunk with the master key Flat Key T The flat key fits all vehicle locks We recommend that you carry the flat key with you and keep it in a safe place so that it is always handy if need...

Page 17: ...d down the rear doors cannot be opened from the outside or the inside They can be opened after pulling plungers up One cannot lock Opening the Doors From outside pull handle outwards 1 From inside pul...

Page 18: ...ush button with the key and open the trunk Turn the key to its initial position and withdraw it To lock the trunk lid close it firmly the trunk lid will then be locked by the master lock system again...

Page 19: ...mirror adjustments as well as faste ning of seat belts should be accom plished before the vehicle is put into motion Safety Headrests Adjust headrest to support the back of the head approximately at...

Page 20: ...eat cushion Orthopaedic Seat Back Turn handwheel 1 to adjust the spinal support The spinal support must not be inflated when being adjusted A red mark in window 2 indicates the height it is adjusted t...

Page 21: ...ont seat heaters can be switched on with the steering lock in positions 1 or 2 the rear seat heaters only in steering lock position 2 The switches for the front seats are located at the forward end of...

Page 22: ...belt with latch plate 1 across shoulder and lap The belt must not be twisted and must be tight Press latch plate 1 into buckle 2 and allow to engage audibly Adjust front seat safety belts so as to ha...

Page 23: ...he buckle The belt must not be twisted and must be tight To shorten the belt pull the loose belt end To lengthen the belt turn tongue so that it is at right angles to the belt webbing and pull the bel...

Page 24: ...The starter is engaged when the key is pressed against the stop The starter non repeat unit requires the key to be returned to position 0 prior to a new starting attempt For starting and turning off...

Page 25: ...e as pos 1plus headlamps 3 4 A B Standing lamps right Standing lamps left Turn to position 2 and pull out to first detent same as position 2 plus fog lamps Available for an option Note With the steeri...

Page 26: ...as changing lanes on a highway move combina tion switch to the point of resistance only and hold it there 6 Control for windshield washer system When the washer system is switched on the wipers also...

Page 27: ...y set speed remains Cancelling To cancel the cruise control briefly push lever to position 3 The cruise control will also be canceled if the brake pedal is actuated or if the vehicle speed drops below...

Page 28: ...ith levers 8 and 10 the center swivelling outlets 11 with lever 9 Lever to the left open Fixed outlets 12 are opened and closed by rotating the wheel in the respective outlet Wheel turned up open To e...

Page 29: ...ating mode most of the heated air is channeled to the footwell Only sufficient air is channeled to the windshield to keep it free from mist under normal weather conditions In the cooling mode air is o...

Page 30: ...ring lock to position 1 or 2 The exterior mirror can be adjusted by means of the lever Note If the mirror housing has been forcibly removed from its safety catch it must be repositioned by applying fi...

Page 31: ...sideways Illuminated sun visors Swing down sun visor The illumina tion is switched on when the cover is opened For this purpose the visor must be engaged in its inner fixture 4 Sliding Roof Turn key...

Page 32: ...after a maximum of 30 minutes Always remove heavy layers of ice and snow first Interior Lamps The switch for the front lamp has 3 positions Position 1 the lamp is switched on and off delayed by the f...

Page 33: ...in the center console The rear door windows can also be operated using the switches 5 in each rear door panel as long as the safety switch S in the center console is depres sed If the safety switch i...

Page 34: ...r fast forward 18 Cassette eject button 19 Cassette slot The radio can only be operated with the ignition key in the number 1 or 2 position To turn the radio on or off To turn the radio on insert a ca...

Page 35: ...hrough 6F for FM and 7A through OA for AM Press the station seeker bar 14 on the right side to search for stations UP the band or on the left side to search for stations Down the band The radio is pro...

Page 36: ...and four AM stations can be stored in memory and called by activating the appropriate buttons marked 1F 6F for FM or 7A 0A for AM stations To store stations in memory Any FM station frequency displaye...

Page 37: ...st forward button 17 When the radio is turned off by acti vating the OFF switch or by turning the ignition key the cassette will automatically be ejected Care and maintenance To avoid a deterioration...

Page 38: ...6 9412 Automatic Antenna The antenna switch can be actuated with the radio switched on and the key in steering lock positions 1 or 2 If the antenna switch is in center position the antenna extends aut...

Page 39: ...Driving 37...

Page 40: ...gnition system Because of the high voltage it is highly dangerous to touch any compo nents ignition coil distributor spark plug sockets ignition cables diag nostic socket of the ignition system if the...

Page 41: ...smission See Checking Fuels Coolants Lubri cants etc Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc and last page 4 Coolant Level See Checking Fuels Coolants Lubri cants etc Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc and last page...

Page 42: ...ylin ders indicated by audible signs excessive unburned fuel may reach the converter causing it to overheat Continued operation of your vehicle can result in damage to the converter For the same reaso...

Page 43: ...nt Temperatures about 15 C 35 C 59 F 95 F Turn the key in steering lock clock wise to the stop Start without actuating accelerator Release key only when the engine is running smoothly Turning off Turn...

Page 44: ...rm up the engine smoothly Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached Accelerator position Partial throttle early upshifting normal acceleration Full throttle...

Page 45: ...w the engine speed to drop too low at uphill gradients to prevent the engine from laboring at low RPMs Depending on the degree of the incline shift selector lever to positions S or L early enough to m...

Page 46: ...r on the road aquaplaning may occur even with tires still showing the full tread depth and even at low speeds Avoid track grooves in the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain Tire friction Dry...

Page 47: ...y cause a shortage of brake fluid in the reservoir Have brake system checked in a MERCEDES BENZ service station as soon as possible Install only brake pads recom mended by us If other than recommended...

Page 48: ...ring severe operating conditions and stop and go city traffic the coolant temperature must not rise above the red marking Engine Oil Consumption Engine oil consumption can only be determined after a c...

Page 49: ...ng to a lower gear We recommend to select positions S or L only at moderate speeds for hill driving After 1500 km 1000 miles speeds may gradually be increased to the permissible maximum Gauge for Econ...

Page 50: ...ly and to avoid abrupt acceleration braking and steering action Do not use the cruise control system under such conditions When the vehicle is in danger of skidding move selector lever to position N T...

Page 51: ...few miles of driving Do not exceed permissible maximum speed of 50 km h 30 mph On clear roads remove the chains as soon as prac ticable Adhere to the manufactu rer s mounting instructions Traveling A...

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Page 53: ...Vehicle Care 51...

Page 54: ...ear preferably in spring Use only brake fluids recommended by MERCEDES BENZ The vehicle must receive the pres cribed maintenance and or lubrica tion work at the specified intervals as listed in the ma...

Page 55: ...the main tenance booklet Under severe operating conditions have the automatic transmission fluid changed every 24 000 km 15 000 miles without filter change All MERCEDES BENZ service stations maintain...

Page 56: ...o 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 b...

Page 57: ...eels Tar Stains Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and become more difficult to remove Window Cleaning Use a window cleaning solution on very dirty or oil stained windows Clean windshield wiper...

Page 58: ...t apply wax if your car is parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot For maximum protection the paintwork should be waxed approximately once every three months Use the appropriate MERCEDES BENZ To...

Page 59: ...Practical Hints i 57...

Page 60: ...sition ash tray squarely and push in Rear Seat Cushion Removal Press unlocking buttons 1 left and right outwards while slight ly lifting the front corner of the rear seat cushion Then pull the rear se...

Page 61: ...y lead to marring of the paint or even denting of the roof if excessive weight is placed on the rack Your MERCEDES BENZ dealer can give further advice Spare Wheel Jack Vehicle Tool Kit Spare wheel 1 j...

Page 62: ...ining the same sense of rotation Rotating however should be carried out before the characteristic tire wear pattern shoulder wear on front wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels becomes visible a...

Page 63: ...heel bolts 5 Clean jack supporting tube if necessary Jack tubes are behind the front wheel housings and in front of the rear wheel housing 6 Insert jack arm into the tube hole up to the stop Position...

Page 64: ...rying operating conditions Tire pressures listed for light loads are minimum values offering high driving comfort Increased inflation pressures for heavy loads produce favorable handling characteristi...

Page 65: ...side of the dipstick For viscosity and capacity see Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc and last page Engine Oil Level Check 1 Dipstick 2 Oil filler opening Check engine oil level at regular intervals e g...

Page 66: ...to be added due to evaporation of water plain water can be added If a larger quantity of coolant has to be added a 50 50 mixture of water and antifreeze should be used Caution Do not remove pressure c...

Page 67: ...filter into the dipstick opening Even the slightest impurity may cause opera tional troubles The oil level in the transmission is dependent upon the oil temperature The maximum and minimum oil level m...

Page 68: ...nd read just headlamps at regular intervals and invariably when a lamp has been replaced Headlamp Unit 1 Headlamp vertical aiming screw 2 Headlamp horizontal aiming screw 3 Fog lamp vertical aiming sc...

Page 69: ...l off connector Bulb for Fog Lamp 9 Loosen securing screw 5 and pull housing out of bracket Then loosen securing screws 6 and remove front cover Remove securing screws 10 and take out lamp holder Pull...

Page 70: ...it out and open reflector The same applies to the removal of the rear lamp Reading Lamps in the Rear Passenger Compartment To change the bulbs pull out lamps Trunk Lamp Trunk lamp 1 is easily accessi...

Page 71: ...engine side and procee ding outwards RH row odd numbers 1 3 5 etc up to 13 LH row even numbers 2 4 6 etc up to 14 Fuses must not be repaired or bridged Spare fuses are stored in the fuse box observe a...

Page 72: ...with the hydro meter or the tube attached to it I Coat battery terminal clamps with acidproof grease Keep battery clean and dry Only tow vehicle with the battery connected Only charge battery with a b...

Page 73: ...a result of snow accumulation The windshield wiper arm will then no longer return completely to its initial position although the windshield wiper motor continues to run a full cycle If the electric d...

Page 74: ...tive terminals Start engine as normal After the engine has started first remove jumper cables from the negative battery terminals and then from the positive terminals Instructions A discharged battery...

Page 75: ...tor lever to L Only touch the accele rator when the engine is revolving As soon as the engine has fired return the selector lever to N immediately If the engine fails to fire within a few seconds retu...

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Page 77: ...Technical Data Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc i 75...

Page 78: ...bers 6 Emission Control Tag 7 Information Tag California version Vacuum line routing for emission control system 8 Emission Control Tag Catalyst Information 1 Certification Tag left door pillar 3 Chas...

Page 79: ...litate the processing of the order Your car is covered under the terms of the warranties printed in the owner s service and warranty policy booklet and your dealer will exchange or repair any defectiv...

Page 80: ...d data apply only to the standard vehicle See a MERCEDES BENZ service station for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment 78 V belts Water pump fan power steering pum p 2 V...

Page 81: ...mp Glove compartment lamp 14 V 70 A 12V 1 5 kW 12V 66 Ah see last page 12 V Sealed beam Halogen 21 5 W 32 3 cp H 3 21 W 32 cp 21 W 32 cp 10 W 6 cp 10W 6 cp 21 W 32 cp 5 W festoon lamp 10 W festoon lam...

Page 82: ...t your MERCEDES BENZ respective lubricants must match and recommended by us service station Total oil capacity in case of engine oil and filter change Automatic transmission Fuels coolants lubricants...

Page 83: ...h approx Multipurpose grease Grease nipples Multipurpose or lubrication grease Door locks Special grease Battery terminals Bosch special grease Brake reservoir approximately 0 5 1 1 1 USpt Brake fluid...

Page 84: ...peration oil in the factory or in a MERCEDES BENZ service station This oil is specially developed for the specific operating conditions during the first 1300 1600 km 800 1000 miles A recom mended engi...

Page 85: ...ction against corrosion To treat the cooling water do not use more than 1 10 cm3 l of a recommended corrosion inhibitor Without antifreeze in the cooling system the water already starts boiling at app...

Page 86: ...edes Benz of Canada 849 Eglinton Ave East Toronto 17 Ont Canada Att Service Department Tel 416 425 3550 The above companies will be happy to handle any such requests from customers We consider this to...

Page 87: ...40 10 W 50 15 W 40 15 W 50 For further information refer to page 80 Automatic transmission fluid ATF For level checks and replenishment refer to page 65 For normal replenishment use water potable wate...

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