How to Use Diesel Fuel to Clean an Engine

1. Open the hood. Spread a large plastic tarp under the vehicle so the diesel fuel does not get on the pavement or ground. An aluminum pan can also be used as long as it is big enough to collect the fuel that will run off of the engine.
2. Turn the car on long enough to mildly warm the engine. The Auto Media website says a warm engine will soften the grease and buildup, making it easier to remove.
3. Cover the intake filter, distributor and wire plugs around the distributor with plastic bags. The Auto Education website recommends securing the plastic bags with rubber bands to protect the parts while the engine is being cleaned.
4. Slowly pour a small amount of diesel fuel onto the top of the engine. When the fuel has set on the engine for a few minutes, use a brush to loosen the buildup and grease. Paper towels can then be used to remove the grease and buildup from the engine.
5. Pour some diesel fuel on a towel, then use it to clean the sides and bottom of the engine without spilling large amounts of diesel fuel on the ground.
6. Spray the engine with a water hose to remove the diesel fuel. Only use water to clean the engine if the runoff can be contained correctly. Diesel fuel is not environmentally friendly, so don't let the runoff go onto grass or other natural areas.
7. Remove the plastic bags from around the engine. Shut the hood. Be sure to correctly dispose of the plastic tarp or aluminum tray that was used to contain the diesel fuel.

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How do I Change the Oil Cartridge on a Mercedes S320?

1. Open the hood for access to the oil filter. The oil filter is located on the left-hand side of the engine next to the oil cap.
2. Unscrew the filter cap with an oil filter wrench. Pull the filter out of the engine by pulling the cap out. Wrap an old rag around the filter to prevent oil from leaking out.
3. Grasp the filter with the rag and pull the filter off stick. The filter will slide off the stick with no resistance.
4. Replace the seals that are on the top of the stick by pulling the old ones off and attaching the new ones. Push the new filter on to the stick. Push the new seal on to the bottom of the stick.
5. Insert the filter back in to the engine. Screw the filter cap in hand tight. Do not wrench tighten.

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How Do I Replace a BMW MINI Fog Light Bulb?

1. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel located on the same side of the car as the burned out bulb. Lift the corner of the car with a floor jack. Finish removing the lug nuts and the wheel.
2. Remove the plastic screws that hold the plastic fender liner in place with a screwdriver. You only need to remove the forward-most five of the screws. Pull the fender liner back to access the fog light bulb.
3. Turn the fog light bulb to release it from the back of the fog light housing. Insert the new bulb and turn it until it seats into the housing. Do not touch the glass of the bulb.
4. Reinstall the plastic screws that hold the fender liner in place. Reinstall the wheel and thread the lug nuts back on by hand. Lower the MINI back to the ground and tighten the lug nuts by hand to 89 ft.-lbs.

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How to Adjust a Car Compass in a Mercedes Benz

1. Turn on your engine. Make sure the radio and climate control are off. Make sure all of the doors are closed.
2. Press and hold the button on the bottom side of your electronic compass mirror. Hold this button for approximately six seconds, until 'C' appears in the compass display.
3. Drive your Mercedes in a full circle without applying the accelerator pedal (let it coast at 3 to 5 mph).
4. Continue driving in a full circle (it may take several circles) until the compass display changes from 'C' to the proper direction.

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How do I Remove the Heater Core on a 97 Audi A4?

1. Park your Audi A4 on a level surface and open all four doors, then moving the front seats as far back as possible. You will also need to recline the seats as far back as possible.
2. Open your A4's hood and disconnect the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Locate the hoses that are next to the battery, which serve as the heater core hoses. Loosen the clamps on these hoses using your hands and slide the hoses off of the heater core lines.
3. Loosen the 8 mm bolt that secures the refrigerant lines underneath the heater core hoses, then remove the air filter that is located inside of the component that's revealed. If the air filter looks dirty, it may be an opportune time to replace it with a new one.
4. Remove all contents from your A4's center console armrest, the glove box, and back seat area.
5. Remove the plastic dash panel on the driver's side that is directly under the steering wheel. These are secured by three 8 mm bolts that sit at the left, center, and right hand sides of the dash panel.
6. Open your glove box and squeeze its sides inwards, which will loosen the glove box and drop it to the ground. Next, remove the four 8 mm bolts that are behind it. There are two bolts on the outside edge, while the third bolt rests on the driver's side corner of the glove box area. The fourth is located inside the glovebox cavity.
7. Remove the rear ashtray that is attached to the center console and designed for use by rear passengers. Remove the two 13 mm nuts that are revealed once the ashtray is removed.
8. Pop off the plastic dash paneling that surrounds the center console by using your flathead screwdriver, then remove the 8 mm bolts that are revealed (there is one on the driver's side and one on the passenger side).
9. Pry off the dash material which surrounds the shifter using your flathead screwdriver and set it aside.
10. Loosen and remove the two 8 mm bolts that secure the dashboard to the front of the car's interior. These bolts are located on the driver's side and passenger side of the car.
11. Remove the steering column on the driver's side by pulling it directly out, then loosening the screws that are revealed once the column as been extended.
12. Locate the bolt that is located behind the area where your A4's center three vents are placed. Loosen and remove this 8 mm bolt, then disconnect the wiring harness that is revealed.
13. Pull the dashboard cover forward towards the interior of the car and pull it up at the same time to remove the dashboard cover.
14. Reach into the center vent area of your car and locate the heating and ventilation box that is at the center of the car. This will be a metal piece with a box like structure and is secured to the car using a three-angle bracket and metal cross-bar. Remove the bracket by using your 8 mm socket wrench.
15. Pull the heating and ventilation box, which is constructed of black plastic and has a square shape, out of its place. Disconnect any wiring harnesses that are attached to it so that you can completely remove the heating and ventilation box.
16. Unscrew the heater core's securing bolt and drain any remaining coolant out of the heater core by pouring it on the ground.
17. Slide the old heater core out of its place and put the new one back in. Repeat these instructions in reverse to reassemble your car's interior, ensuring that you connect any wiring harnesses that you may have disconnected during the procedure.

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How to Maintain a BMW

1. Replace all hoses and belts every few years. This avoids leaks and prevents future issues such as loose or rotted belts. BMW recommends belt checks every 30,000 on newer vehicles and 15,000 on vehicles older than 1992.
2. Top off oil when mid-point on the dipstick. Note color, look for amber or dark brown. Any darker, change the oil. Perform an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes sooner.
3. Clean the outside of your BMW frequently. Wash it once a week, if possible, to remove any road salt or dirt that may cause rust to occur. Keep the inside looking new by vacuuming thoroughly to remove all debris from the floorboard and seats.
4. Check your air filter for dirt or clogs. Hold it up to the light and look through it. If you cannot see through it, then it is time to replace it.
5. Replace windshield wipers once every six months. Worn wipers will scratch your windshield if they become brittle, cracked or work down to the plastic or metal.
6. Check brakes frequently, especially if you drive daily. If your brake pads get worn, they score the rotors, upping the cost of the brake job significantly. Change brake pads at recommended intervals.
7. Flush your coolant and have your transmission fluid replaced every 36,000 miles or less.

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How to Service Your BMW

1. Pay attention to the BMW’s service light indicators. According to German Motor Specialist, whenever the ignition is on, five green lights will appear and, depending on vehicle use and driving style, the green lights will systematically shut off one-by-one. The last green light is an indicator that service should be scheduled. Make immediate service arrangements for the yellow and red light inscription (e.g., change oil).
2. Get a standard oil change every 2,500 to 3,000 miles. Allow a professional lube center to replenish engine oil (preferably with a higher grade) and to change the air filter.
3. In between oil change intervals, check your oil levels. Make sure that the dipstick does not indicate oil below its specified level line.Consult with a BMW dealership on the best motor oil for your BMW model. Choose high quality engine oil, preferably a synthetic formula with a 5-rated grade to keep the engine’s parts well lubricated. Fill engine oil as instructed on product label. Over or underestimating how much to apply, or choosing the wrong engine oil can significantly damage the engine, negatively impacting the BMW's running capabilities.
4. Replace or rotate tires. Have the BMW’s tires switched after 5,000 miles. Have your tires rotated after every other oil change if you are a frequent long-distance traveler. Replace worn tires with little to no traction.
5. Have required annual servicing performed (as noted in the owner’s manual) by professional auto stations. Create a checklist of mandatory inspections that should be performed, such as a brake fluid flush, coolant flush, and an oxygen sensor replacement. Replace the timing belt after 4 years (or 50,000 miles).

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How Do I Remove a Mercedes 190E Door Speaker Grille?

1. Open the door that contains the speaker in question.
2. Locate the screw on the bottom of the door speaker grille and remove it with a Phillips screwdriver.
3. Pull the speaker grille down and remove it from the door. Set the grille and the screw aside.

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How to Change the Headlight Bulb of a 2006 BMW 325I

1. Jack up the front of your BMW 325I using the front jack point behind the radiator.
2. Place jack stands under the pinch welds of the BMW and lower the car onto the stands.
3. Unbolt the lug nuts using an impact wrench and pull the wheel up and off the wheel hub assembly.
4. Remove the plastic retaining screws on the inner wheel liner and pull the wheel liner down.
5. Unplug the power connector from the back of the HID ballast assembly.
6. Pull the Xenon HID bulb out of the back of the headlight housing assembly. It is held in place with friction, so you'll need to pull rather hard to remove it.
7. Orient the replacement bulb so that the notch in the collar of the bulb is facing upward toward the top of the headlight housing and push it all the way into the back of the housing.
8. Reconnect the power connector and put the wheel liner back in place. Then lower the BMW to the ground. Assembly is the reverse of dis-assembly.

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How to Troubleshoot a Transmission Shift Solenoid amp; Gear Shift Lever Indicator

Transmission Shift Solenoid
1. Raise each corner of the vehicle up with the car jack and place jack stands under the frame. Make sure the car is raised high enough so you can work under the car freely.
2. Slide the drain pan under the transmission fluid drain plug. Remove the drain plug with a ratchet and socket, and let all the fluid drain out of the transmission. Remove the transmission pan bolts with a ratchet and socket. Pull the pan away from the bottom of the transmission, revealing the transmission shift solenoid.
3. Wipe off the shift solenoid with a shop towel. Disconnect one of the two plugs that attaches to the shift solenoid. Turn the knob on the volt meter to the ohms setting, so resistance can be measured. Set the volt meter on 200.
4. Take the black lead of the volt meter and touch the negative battery terminal wire. Take the red lead of volt meter and slide the tip into the terminal plug you just disconnected from the shift solenoid. Look at the reading you get on the digital display of your volt meter. Determine if the reading is between 12 and 25. Readings below 12 or above 25 tell you that the shift solenoid is not working. Reattach the plug to the shift solenoid and pull the second plug attached to the solenoid. Perform the same procedures on this plug wire. Replace the transmission shift solenoid after determining it is bad.
Gear Shift Indicator
5. Move the gear shift into the desired gear. Look at the gear labels and the arrow, or other indicator, to see if the gear shift indicator lines up with the selected gear.
6. Move the gear lever to another gear and look to see if the indicator lines up with the selected gear. Misalignment of the arrow will tell you if there is a problem. Moving the gear shift to "neutral" but having the indicator show the transmission is in "drive" tells you the gear shift indicator is not working properly.
7. Try each gear position to determine how much misalignment is in the indicator. Slide under the car and check for a loose gear shift cable. Check all the gear shift cable connections to ensure they are all tight and are not missing. Tighten any loose gear shift cable clamps or bolts. Replace the gear shift cable if you find that this is causing the misalignment with the gear shift indicator.

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