How to Remove the Center Armrest From an Infiniti I35

1. Open the hood and disconnect both battery cables. Wait at least 10 minutes before you begin work inside the car. This allows residual electricity in the system, which can cause an accidental inflation of the airbag, to dissipate.
2. Open the glove box. Remove the airbag connector cover on the top-front of the glove compartment, and then disconnect the wiring harness.
3. Use a socket to remove the nut that connects the dash side lower finisher, which is the plastic piece on the side of the dashboard. Insert a small flat screwdriver into the seam between the dash top and the side finisher. To avoid scratches, place a soft cloth over the tip of the screwdriver. Gently pry the panel to release the two metal clips.
4. Remove the driver's side lower instrument panel. This is the panel below the steering wheel that attaches to the center console. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw on each side. Insert a flat screwdriver into the seam at the top of the panel, and then gently pry it of. There are three metal clips you must release along the top, and two plastic tabs on the right side that pull straight out.
5. Remove the shifter finisher. This is the piece that fits around the gearshift. Pry off the two metal clips on each side of the shifter finisher with a flat screwdriver. When the piece is out of the console, disconnect the wiring harness from the rear of the cigarette lighter.
6. Remove the glove box. There are two Phillips screws along the bottom of the bracket, and one screw in the top-left corner of the bracket. There is also a single metal clip on the right side that you should be able to release as you remove the glove box assembly.
7. Remove both instrument stay covers. These are the plastic pieces on the bottom left and right sides of the center instrument cluster, close to the cigarette lighter and ashtray. There is a single screw on the side of the panel closest to the front of the vehicle, near the bottom. There is a single metal clip on the opposite side of the screw. Use a flat screwdriver to pry the clip out, if necessary.
8. Remove the screws from the center console. There are two screws in the front, one on each side of the gearshift, one screw inside the console box (which you can access with the arm rest/console lid open) and one on each side of the console, near the rear. You can now lift the console off of the vehicle's floor.

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How to Replace an Audi Bulb

1. Open the hood and examine the area behind the headlights or front turn signals. You should see where the wires go into the back of the bulbs.
2. Remove the cover for the headlight housing, if there is one. This will be held on either with snaps or a couple of Phillips-head screws.
3. On some models, such as the A4, you must remove the air intake duct on the passenger side to gain access to the bulb. This is held on with two Torx screws on top of the duct.
4. Remove the two or three screws that hold the top of the headlight housing in place. Loosen--but do not remove--the screws that hold the bottom into place.
5. Gently push the headlight forward to gain access to the bulbs.
6. Unclip the wire clip that holds the bulb into the housing, and pull out the bulb and harness.
7. Install the new bulb in the reverse of removal.
8. Open the trunk (on a sedan) or the hatch (on a wagon), and inspect the area behind the taillights and rear turn-signal housings. There will be a small, round plug in the back of the housing that conceals the screw for the housing.
9. Pry the housing cover out with a thin screwdriver, and remove the screw.
10. Pull the taillight housing away from the body of the car. You may have to move some of the rubber seal that goes over the housing to be able to pull it out.
11. Separate the panel that holds the bulbs from the back of the housing.
12. Press down gently on the bulb, and turn the bulb to release it.
13. Install the new bulb and replace the pieces in the reverse of removal.

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How to Activate Satellite Radio in a Mercedes

1. Check your owner's manual to ensure that the built-in stereo in your Mercedes-Benz vehicle is in fact capable of receiving Sirius satellite radio signals. Some built-in stereos are only 'Sirius-ready,' meaning that they require the purchase of a separate tuner before they can receive the satellite signal.
2. Retrieve and write down the unique ESN number that belongs to the Sirius radio in your dashboard. On many Mercedes-Benz models, this number can be displayed by pressing the 'SAT' button on the center dashboard and then choosing 'Service' on the screen. However, instructions may vary based on your car and radio model. Check your owner's manual or call the dealer.
3. Park your car outdoors, in a location with a clear view of the sky. Turn on the car stereo, put it into satellite mode and tune to Sirius channel 184 (the activation and notification channel).
4. Contact the Sirius activation center by phone at 888-539-SIRI (7474) or activate online (see Resources). Provide your radio's ESN. Normal subscriptions require payment by credit card.
5. Keep your car parked outside with the radio on and tuned to Sirius channel 184 for about 15 minutes after completing the telephone or online activation process. This is to ensure that your Sirius radio receives the activation signal.

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How to Replace the Odometer Light in a BMW Z3 Instrument Cluster

1. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Ensure that you have the code for your radio if it is the OEM stereo, since disconnecting the battery resets it.
2. Remove the Torx screws that hold the instrument cluster to the dash pod with a T20 Torx bit and a ratchet.
3. Protect the plastic on the gauge panel with a piece of flannel. Also lay a heavy towel on the steering column to offer more protection.
4. Slide a very thin tool (feeler gauge, thin spatula, etc.) between the cluster and the gauge pod on the edge near the center of the car. Very gently pry the cluster out far enough so that you can access the wires on the back of it.
5. Disconnect the three electrical connectors that go to the back of the cluster. The connectors are released by pressing the tabs down where they connect and pulling the wires out. Move the cluster to your workbench and lay it on a soft towel.
6. Replace the two odometer bulbs by turning and pulling them out of the instrument cluster and installing the new ones. Use a small screwdriver to help twist in the new bulbs. The odometer bulbs are beige. All of the other bulbs are black.
7. Place the instrument cluster back in the dash pod and connect the three electrical connectors. Carefully slide the cluster back into place and tighten the two Torx bits. Enter the radio code if needed and reset the clock.

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How to Check the Transmission Fluid Level in a 1998 Audi A6

1. Park the 1998 Audi A6 in a safe and level work environment. Set the emergency brake.
2. Jack up the front of the 1998 Audi A6 and put the jack stands under the designated front jacking points on both sides of the car. Then, lower the Audi onto the jack stands. Pull the jack out.
3. Move the jack to the rear of the Audi and jack it up in the air. Place the jack stands under the designated rear jacking points on both sides of the Audi. Then lower the car onto the jack stands. The whole car has to be on jack stands so that you will be able to get an accurate transmission fluid reading.
4. Crawl under the driver side of the Audi near the driver side door. Locate the transmission pan on the bottom of the transmission. Then, locate the transmission fluid fill plug on the very front of the transmission pan.
5. Slide the fluid catch pan under the transmission fluid fill plug on the front of the transmission pan. Then, remove the fill plug with the 1/2 inch drive ratchet and socket by turning the fill plug counter clockwise. Pull the fill plug out of the pan.
6. Crank the engine and let it run for about two minutes to heat up the transmission fluid. Keep the engine running while checking the transmission fluid level.
7. Stick you finger inside the fill hole and locate the fluid level. The transmission fluid should be either coming out of the fill hole when you remove the fill plug or the fluid level should be at or near the plug hole with the engine running.
8. Put the fill plug back into the pan and tighten down with the ratchet and socket. Remove the fluid catch pan from under the car. Turn the engine off and reverse the steps for jacking up the Audi to remove the jack stands.

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How to Replace a BMW Speed Sensor

1. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Loosen the clamp nut with a wrench and pull the cable off.
2. Lift one corner of the BMW up with a jack. Place a jack stand under the BMW and lower the vehicle onto the jack stand.
3. Remove the lug nuts from the tire with a lug nut wrench. Pull the tire off.
4. Remove the black box behind the wheel column. Loosen the mounting bolts with a socket wrench and pull the box out.
5. Pull the tabs on either side of the speed sensor. Pull it out and disconnect the wiring harness underneath it.
6. Connect the wiring harness to the new BMW speed sensor and put it in place of the old speed sensor in the black box.
7. Reattach the black box with the socket wrench. Put the tire back on the BMW and secure it in place with the lug nut wrench. Use the jack to lower the vehicle to the ground. Repeat for all tires that need to have the speed sensor replaced.

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How to Replace a 1.8T Thermostat

1. Allow the 1.8T engine to cool for several hours so that you don't risk burning yourself. Then lift up the front end, using the jack, and put the car on a pair of jack stands. Put the drain pan underneath the front of the radiator and open the petcock on the radiator. Let all of the coolant empty into the drain pan.
2. Unbolt the thermostat housing from the bottom of the engine using a 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and socket. Pull the housing off of the engine, then make a mental note of the orientation of the thermostat. Pull the thermostat out of the housing and discard it.
3. Pull the o-ring out of the housing and install the replacement. Then install the replacement thermostat in the housing in the same orientation as the original. Bolt the housing back to the engine using the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and socket.
4. Open the radiator cap. Fill the radiator with the 50-50 prediluted coolant. Lower the car off the stands using the jack. Start the car and let it run for 15 minutes with the heater set on high. Turn off the car and let it sit for an hour. Open the radiator cap and top off the radiator with the 50-50 prediluted coolant.

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How Do I Program a 1998 BMW Fob?

1. Close all of the doors, trunk and hood. Open the trunk lid and then sit in the driver's seat and close the door. Insert the key in the ignition. All of these steps must be completed within 45 seconds.
2. Cycle the key in the ignition from the 'Off' position to the 'Almost Start' position five times. This sequence must be completed within 10 seconds. Open and close the driver's door.
3. Locate the BMW remote. Press the large button and then the small button. Press and hold the large button until it flashes once and then press and hold the small button until it flashes once.
4. Open the driver's door. Without closing the driver's door, exit the car and close the trunk lid, then close the driver's door.
5. Test the newly programmed remote. Everything should function properly if the steps above were performed correctly.

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How to Change Headlights on C230 Mercedes

1. Open the hood and pull down on the plastic tab on the backside of the headlight housing.
2. Pull the housing cover off of the back of the headlight.
3. Unplug the electrical power connector from the back of the headlight.
4. Squeeze the tabs on the retaining clip together on the back of the headlight with needle-nosed pliers and pull the clip off the back of the headlight.
5. Pull the headlight out of the back of the headlight housing.
6. Insert a new headlight into the housing. Be careful not to touch the glass bulb on the headlight or the oils from your fingers could cause catastrophic failure of the headlight.
7. Replace the retaining clip.
8. Plug the electrical power connector back into the headlight.
9. Snap the plastic cover over the back of the headlight assembly.

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How to Replace the Brake Pads on a BMW 528i

1. Park the BMW in an area that will allow you to work on both sides of the vehicle. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with the tire iron. Place the lifting jack beneath the frame on the left side of the vehicle. Lift the vehicle and place jack stands under the frame.
2. Turn the steering wheel to the right. This will allow for easier access to the caliper bolts on the left brake.
3. Unscrew the lug nuts and remove them. Pull the left wheel off the wheel bolts.
4. Remove the two caliper bolts with the 7-mm hex socket and ratchet. Pull the caliper from the rotor. Do not allow the brake caliper to hang freely; the tension from the weight of the caliper can disconnect the brake line. Rest the caliper on the removed tire, laid flat near the wheel well.
5. Remove the metal clips on the top and bottom of the caliper by prying them from the caliper with a flat screwdriver.
6. Remove the brake pads from the inner sides of the caliper. Inspect the rotor for scoring.
7. Place the C-clamp onto the piston and the outer edge of the caliper. Screw the clamp to force the piston into the side of the caliper. (The piston is the ring that sticks out from the inside of the caliper wall.)
8. Place the brake pads onto the inside of the caliper walls. Replace the metal clips on the top and bottom of the caliper. Squeeze the clips against the caliper until they snap into place, connecting to the caliper and locking the pads in place.
9. Place the caliper onto the brake rotor. Replace the caliper bolts and tighten them with the hex socket and ratchet.
10. Replace the brake pads on the left rear wheel as you did the front brake. (You will be unable to rotate the rotor on the rear brake to gain access to the caliper bolts as easily as on the front brake.)
11. Turn the steering wheel so that the wheels are pointed forward. Replace the left wheels onto the wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts.
12. Lift the vehicle with the jack to remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle and move to the right side of the BMW.
13. Place the jack beneath the frame, lift the BMW, and place the jack stands under the frame. Lower the vehicle onto the stands. Remove the lug nuts and wheels on the right side.
14. Turn the steering wheel to the left and replace the right front brake pads as you did the left side. Replace the rear brake pads.
15. Turn the steering wheel to the neutral position and replace the wheels and lug nuts on the left side. Remove the jack stands and lower the BMW to the ground.
16. Tighten the lug nuts on all four wheels with the tire iron.
17. Press the brake pedal slowly a few times, holding each depression for three seconds. This will replenish the brake fluid in the caliper piston that was displaced by forcing the piston open.

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