Battery Replacement: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SEL 3.8L V8 Sedan (4 Door)
Mercedes-Benz 380SEL Model Years - 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
Where the battery is located and how to remove the 12V battery terminals
Hans Angermeier is an ASE certified Maintenance and Light Repair Technician and has produced over 100,000 videos showing drivers how to fix things on their cars. He has broad expertise on basic repair procedures covering the majority of cars on the road. Over the past 10 years, Hans has been focused on building CarCareKiosk, which is visited by millions of drivers each month.
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Where is the battery located in a Mercedes-Benz 380SEL?
The video above shows you how to replace the battery in your 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SEL. We recommend changing the battery in Mercedes-Benzs every 4 years. Although some batteries last much longer, most batteries begin breaking down chemically after four years, so you could experience dimmer headlights and other negative effects before you have a dead battery in your 380SEL that you need to replace.
The battery location in a Mercedes-Benz 380SEL can typically be found in the engine bay, but may be in the trunk, fender or inside of the vehicle. You may need to remove the air filter housing, a plastic engine cover or parts of the cowl to find the battery in your 380SEL. See exactly where the battery is located in your 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SEL.
Replacing the battery in your 380SEL involves removing the terminals. When you reconnect the terminals, your radio presets are likely to be cleared out. In some 380SELs, you may need to re-enter a security code to get your radio to work again. Check for this code in your owners manual - it will usually be either a sticker or small card in the booklet. If you can't find it, call Mercedes-Benz and they will give you the code for free. In many Mercedes-Benzs, the transmission "learns" how you drive over time and makes adjustments, so you may experience altered driving dynamics as your car re-learns your driving style after changing the battery.
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