MERCEDES-BENZ IN-CAR TRAVEL KIT

By George Murphy

This looks like a large list, but most items can be stored easily in the trunk side bins (make sure no water leaks into them), the first aid kit compartment, glove compartment, and door storage bins. If you want to, re-arrange the items on this list by location and make a check list to keep in the glove compartment - that way you'll know where to find something quickly.

Factory Tool Kit Contents	Items to Add:
screwdriver, regular and Phillips head wheel mounting pin (Part No. 126 403 00 74) metric open-end wrenches combination pliers/wire cutters spark plug wrench	needle nose pliers 2 electric test leads/jumpers, 3 feet long w/alligator clips mini-hacksaw test lamp or 12-volt tester 10-in Crescent wrench (needed to change diesel fuel filter)

Keep your tool roll in a side storage bin in the trunk where it will be accessible even with a full load of luggage.

Fuse assortment

M-B systems	Other Fuses
8 amp (white) 16 amp (red) 25 amp (blue)	radio, phone, CB radio, other added devices Diesels: fusible link for glow plug circuit

Keep fuses in glove compartment along with an ACCURATE tire pressure gauge.

Additional Basic Items

Keep in trunk storage bins or in spare tire compartment:

Electrical tape
Flashlight w/spare batteries
Hose repair kit
Tubeless tire puncture repair kit
Duct tape
2-3 feet length of fuel hose (be sure to use correct size) plus 2 clamps
roll of heavy duty paper towels, glass cleaner
Reflective safety vest and warning triangle (M-B part No. 000 590 14 12)
Flares (3 or more)
Tow strap
Rags
Small bottle of waterless hand cleaner
M-B Glass Cleaner (Part #000 986 40 71)
"Bug remover" sponge
leather gloves; latex gloves
fire extinguisher (at least 10:ABC rating)
M-B First Aid Kit - check for completeness, add any special needs
set of correct V-belts (keep old replaced ones)
coat hangar wire (bend to fit around spare tire)
wheel chocks (wood or plastic)
spare wiper blades (rubber inserts)(renew every 6 months)
jack, lug wrench, rags, hat
6"x6"x3/4" plywood jack base
ACC mono-valve insert (1981 and up)
collapsible water jug

Spare Parts

Diesel cars	Gasoline cars
spin-on fuel filter; in-line fuel filter 10-in Crescent wrench for spin-on filter (tool roll) rubber cap for last fuel injector glow plug fusible link (see fuses above) spare glow plug	fuel filter points, condenser (older cars w/o electronic ignition)

General

If spare tire/wheel is not the same as road wheels, make sure you have correct lug bolts for spare wheel, i.e., 4 alloy road wheels; steel wheel for spare (Do not use alloy style lug bolts with steel wheels nor vice versa)
Cars with hydropneumatic suspension (6.9, 500SE/SEL, etc.): suspension blocks

MANUALS (in door pocket):

Owners manual
Parts picture book
Wiring diagram (available from MBNA)
Warranty and service booklets
Vehicle registration
local maps (city, state)
M-B dealer directory; 800 number
Latest copy of The STAR

FLUIDS

quart of motor oil (most M-Bs have a space in engine compartment)
pint of brake fluid (Castrol LMA or M-B)
cars with self-leveling (station wagons, S-class): 1 liter hydraulic fluid

Extended trip

extra water, granola bars, etc.
blanket, large candle, matches
maps of trip areas

Winter trip:

Add tire chains, sand, shovel, survival blanket, etc.

Back to Links Page

This list courtesy of:: George Murphy, MBCA Technical Committee; Phone: 423-482-9175 9am to 5pm ET; Fax 423-482-9175 anytime

Web Page ©1998, Greater Washington Section, Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Inc.
For more information contact a GWS Webmeister.