How to Remove the Alternator From a 300SD

1. Unfasten the negative battery cable of the Mercedes 300SD from the battery post with an open-end wrench. Locate the alternator directly behind the radiator on the passenger side of the engine compartment.
2. Loosen the bolts that secure the alternator to the engine and bracket with a socket wrench -- just far enough that you can move the alternator on the bracket. Move the alternator forward and remove the alternator belt.
3. Remove the electrical wiring plug from the side of the alternator by hand. Unfasten the bolts that attach the ground wire and the electrical wiring harness to the alternator with a socket wrench.
4. Detach the bolts that secure the alternator to the motor and bracket with a socket wrench until you can slide out the bolts by hand. Lift the alternator off the bracket and remove it from the engine compartment.

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How to Break

1. Allow the car to warm up thoroughly before accelerating aggressively. Avoid full-throttle starts during the break-in. If you have an automatic transmission, avoid aggressive use of the throttle that will cause the gearbox to downshift and bring the engine RPMs up quickly.
2. Drive the car gently and smoothly for the first 1,200 miles. This is BMW's recommended break-in period to allow the engine's internals to break in properly. Use the clutch gently for the first 300 miles.
3. Maintain the engine's RPMs below 4,500-rpm on the tachometer for the first 1,200 miles. BMW engines are smooth, high-revving engines by nature, so this may hard to resist, but your BMW and its engine will appreciate being treated gently when brand new.
4. Vary the speeds at which you drive your BMW. Drive on a variety of roads, including freeways, city streets and medium-speed secondary roads. If you are attending a track day or similar sanctioned event at a race track where there are no speed limits, do not exceed 100-mph.

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How to Replace the Climate Control Unit in a 1994 Mercedes Benz C220

1. Unhook the C220's negative battery cable using a wrench. This keeps you safe from shock and prevents an electrical short circuit.
2. Inspect the bottom edge of the radio to find two Phillips screws. Remove them and set them in the cup holder.
3. Insert your Mercedes radio removal keys into the slots on the sides of the radio. Push them in firmly to engage them, and then pull the radio forward. Unplug the two connections from the back of the radio and set the radio unit aside.
4. Inspect the radio cavity to find two Phillips screws. Remove them and set them in the cup holder. These secure the trim panel.
5. Grasp the bottom of the trim panel and pull it off. Move the trim panel to the side. It's not necessary to unplug the connections on the back of the panel. Now you have access to the climate control unit.
6. Remove the four Phillips screws from the climate control unit. Slide the unit out and unplug the connections from the rear. Move the old climate control unit out of the way.
7. Plug the connections into the new climate control unit. Insert it into the dash. Insert and tighten the four screws to mount it.
8. Position the trim panel back in place and push it firmly against the dash. Insert and tighten the two Phillips screws inside that secure the bottom edge of the panel.
9. Plug the radio connections back in. Insert the radio back into the cavity. Remove the Mercedes radio keys from the slots. Replace the two screws beneath the radio. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

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How to Replace a BMW Performance Steering Wheel

1. Get the security code for the radio, as it will be disabled in this procedure. Disconnect the battery and let the vehicle sit for at least 15 minutes before proceeding so the circuits go to sleep and dissipate their charge.
2. Remove the screws from the back of the steering wheel where they go into the air bag--generally you will need Torx bits for this. Lift the air bag up gently remove the two yellow wires with a black stripe attached the bag. There will be two more wires for the horn, one is a ground and the other a hot wire that goes into the steering column. Remove the ground. Push down on the plastic tube that houses the hot wire and twist it to the left to unlock it. Pull it straight out. Set aside the air bag, face down.
3. Remove the nut holding the steering wheel. Using a steering wheel puller take off the steering wheel.
4. Install the new wheel, paying particular attention to the raised plastic piece that houses the horn wire. There is a hole in the center of the wheel for this raised piece. Orient the wheel so this piece will slip through the hole in the wheel as you install it. Install the nut on the column and tighten it down.
5. Hold the air bag close to the column and attach the horn button hot wire by taking the plastic tube and gently inserting it in the hole in the steering wheel. While pushing down, twist it to the right to lock it in place. Attach the horn ground wire to the bottom of the air bag. Next attach both remaining yellow wires to the air bag and lay the bag in place. Install the screws from the back to secure the air bag.
6. Reconnect the battery---connect the positive post first, then connect the negative post.

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How to Reset a BMW Computer

1. Turn your ignition key to the accessory position when the lights and radio come on (before starting the car).
2. Press and hold the 'Trip' button on the instrument panel until the red light comes on.
3. Press the 'Trip' button a second time and hold until 'Reset' appears.
4. Press the 'Trip' button a third time. The computer is now reset.

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How to Troubleshoot a Mercedes ML350

1. Determine the location of the OBD2 port on your ML350 by feeling around for it below your steering wheel at the top of the driver's side foot well. The diagnostic port will be marked with OBD and will be approximately two inches in width.
2. Plug the OBD2 code scanner into the diagnostic port, then turn on your ML350 so that the engine is idling. If you are having issues with your engine and cannot get it to idle, turn the ignition to the accessories position instead so that the vehicle's interior electronics are activated.
3. Let the code scanner scan for any error codes that will be sent as output by the diagnostic computer in your ML350 and take note of any codes that appear on the display of the code reader.
4. Bring the codes that were displayed to a licensed mechanic, auto parts store or Mercedes dealership to be decoded. All three of these resources will have books and computer records on hand that can tell you if the error code you received is, for example, indicating a failing sensor.

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How to Reset the Service Reminder on a 2001 Audi S4

1. Press and hold the 'reset' button on the right side of the instrument cluster. There are two buttons on the instrument cluster, one to the right of the speedometer, and one to the left.
2. Turn the ignition switch on. Do not start the engine.
3. Press and hold the button on the left side of the instrument cluster, next to the speedometer.
4. Release both buttons when the service reminder resets on the display.

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How to Replace a BMW Blower Resistor

1. Unscrew the two screws holding the dash panel underneath the steering wheel in place. There is one screw in each of the top corners. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove them. Pull the panel off.
2. Remove the metal shield that is now exposed. Use a 10 mm socket to unbolt the three bolts that secure it, then pull the shield out.
3. Remove the OBD-II diagnostic port with a Phillips screwdriver and push it aside. It is not necessary to disconnect the wiring from the port. Remove the plastic air duct by gently pulling on it until the plastic clips release. The blower resistor is now exposed. It is the small, rectangular box that was previously hidden by the duct.
4. Unbolt the resistor with a Torx-20 screwdriver. Pull it out and insert the replacement resistor. Tighten the screws firmly. Test the system to make sure the blower motor now works properly, then reassemble the parts that were previously removed, ensuring all screws and bolts are replaced.

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How to Install a Water Pump on a 1996 E320

1. Turn the engine off and let it cool for at least an hour.
2. Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. Use a socket wrench to remove the drain plug from the bottom of the radiator. Drain the coolant into the pan.
3. Use a socket wrench to remove the bolts attached to the fan shroud and power steering pump. Lift them from the engine. Loosen the bolt attached to the fan belt tensioner with a nut driver. Lift the belt away from the engine.
4. Loosen the bolt attached to the upper radiator hose clamp. Lift the hose from the clamp and disconnect it from the water pump. Use an Allen wrench to remove the bolts that fix the water pump in place. Lift the water pump from the Mercedes.
5. Place a new gasket and O-ring onto the new water pump. Place the water pump back in the same position from which you removed the old one and secure it in place by attaching new bolts with an Allen wrench.
6. Reinstall the fan shroud and power steering pump, securing them in place with the bolts you removed. Place the radiator hose back in the water pump and fix it in place by reattaching the clamp. Lift the fan belt back on to the tensioner. Tighten the tensioner bolt with a nut driver to secure it in place.
7. Unscrew the cap of the radiator. Fill the radiator with new coolant. Reattach the cap once the radiator is full.

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How to do a tire rotation on Audi A6 Quattro

1. According to the bentley repair manual, the tires rotation should be done on the same side, meaning you switch the front and back tires on the same side.
2. First step in rotating the tires to loosen the lug nuts of front and rear wheels of the side you want to work on first.
3. Jack up the car on the front or rear, place a jack stand to free the jack, which you will need to lift up the other end. Remove the wheel.
4. Use the jack to lift up the car and remove the other wheel. Switch the wheels and you are done rotating the tires on that side.
5. Wheels should be balanced at every 2 tire rotations or about 12,000 miles as they do wear unevenly.

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