How to Change Oil in a BMW


How to Change Oil in a BMW
1. Drive your BMW onto the car ramps in order to give yourself plenty of room under the car. Put the vehicle transmission in park and place a 4 inch by 4 inch wood block behind one of the rear tires to keep the vehicle from rolling backward.
2. Pull the oil dipstick out of the tube and lay it aside so the oil can drain freely from the bottom. Place a drain pan underneath the engine, directly below the oil filter.
3. Turn the nut on the top of the oil filter cap underneath the motor counterclockwise, using the crescent wrench. Be careful of oil draining from the filter when you loosen the cap.
4. Place the oil filter cap aside and pull the filter from the housing. Locate the drain plug on the back side of the oil pan under the engine and place the drain pan underneath the plug once the oil filter housing has been drained.
5. Unfasten the oil drain plug with an open end wrench and remove the plug, allowing the oil to drain out of the engine completely. Once all the oil has been drained, screw the drain plug back into the oil pan and tighten it with the open end wrench.
6. Place the new oil filter inside the filter housing and screw the cap back on using the crescent wrench to tighten the cap. Slide the dipstick back into the tube and verify that it is secure.
7. Detach the oil cap from the top of the intake manifold and place a funnel in the opening. Add between 4 and 7 quarts of oil to your BMW depending on the size of the engine.
8. Take the funnel out of the top of the intake manifold and secure the oil cap to the top of the manifold. Remove the wood block from the back tire of the BMW and the car off the car ramps.
9. Turn the engine off and dispose of the drained oil at your local recycling center or automotive supply store.
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Troubleshooting a Mercedes Transmission


1. Check your valve hoses. The valve hoses in the Mercedes engine are located in a small black box on top of the valve cover. Check the tops of the valve covers to make sure they are not worn out; if they are, you will need to replace them.
2. Look at the color of the transmission fluid. Transmission fluid needs to be flushed and changed frequently, and the fluid is a deep cherry red in color. If it has become black or turned a dark gray, there could be an internal oil leak that is affecting your transmission.
3. Look at your transmission oil pan. A mechanic may need to remove this for you; if there is metal at the bottom of your transmission oil pan, the transmission will have failed.
4. Check your vacuum modulator. This part is responsible for telling the transmission when to shift. If it is not adjusted properly, you may experience an 'early shift' or 'late shift.' Shift slips can be adjusted by turning the modulator clockwise to increase the pressure and initiate a later shift, or counterclockwise to lower the pressure and initiate an earlier shift.
5. Change your throttle pressure. Another way to adjust how the transmission shifts is by increasing or decreasing the tension of your throttle pressure cable. Make the slide shorter to make the transmission shift later, or make it longer to make it shift earlier.
6. Listen to the engine while it idles. An unstable idle or 'growling noise' could be a sign of a poor intake air temperature sensor, bad engine coolant temperature sensor or a dirty throttle body. Make sure all these components are working properly to prevent transmission damage.
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How to Install a Stereo in an Audi A5


1. Loosen the bolt on the negative battery cable with the wrench. Lift the cable from the battery and set it aside.
2. Slide the two Audi/VW stereo keys into the slots at either corner of the stereo. Push the tools into the openings until they lock into place.
3. Place your fingers into the loops at the ends of the tolls and pull the stereo from the dashboard stereo dock. Disconnect the stereo wiring from the back of the unit and unplug the antenna cable.
4. Slide the installation sleeve included with the aftermarket stereo deck into the vacant stereo dock. Pull the two stereo wiring connectors and antenna cable from the back of the dock to the front of the dashboard. Plug the stereo wiring connectors into the wiring harness adapter leads.
5. Connect the wiring harness adapter lead connectors to the corresponding outlets on the rear panel of the new radio. Insert the antenna cable lead into the antenna input on the back of the aftermarket stereo deck. Slide the unit into the sleeve (inside the stereo deck) until it locks into place within the dash.
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How to Get Rid of a Check Engine Light


1. Open the fuse panel on your vehicle. Most vehicles have a fuse panel under the steering wheel.
2. Plug the electrical connector from the diagnostic reset tool into the open port made for the connector on the fuse panel. There will only be one port large enough on the fuse panel to accommodate the diagnostic tool.
3. Turn the diagnostic reset tool on, using its power switch.
4. Turn the ignition key to the 'II' position and wait for the light on the diagnostic tool to go out or stop flashing. This will get rid of the illuminated check engine light on the dash.
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How to Maintain Convertible Tops on a Mercedes Benz


1. Clean your Mercedes Benz soft top only with products designed for use on convertible soft-top fabric and windows. Chemical cleaners that are not designed for use on these fabrics and plastics can discolor the top and may obscure visibility. Mercedes Benz convertible tops are normally made from German Sonnenland canvas, so you will need to use a cleaner designed to safely clean canvas.
2. Avoid getting your vehicle's soft top dirty, if possible. Mud, sand and other debris will scratch and abrade the soft top. Dirt can also get trapped in weather stripping on the top and affect the seal that is formed when the top is raised. An improper seal will cause the top to leak.
3. Do not drive your Mercedes convertible through an automatic car wash. The high-pressure blast of the water can seriously damage the fragile top, weaken seals between the weather stripping and the vehicle and will normally get your interior wet in the process, which can lead to mold.
4. Store your Mercedes convertible indoors or under a car cover to reduce the likelihood of the top being damaged by bad weather or falling debris such as tree limbs in a storm. Soft tops are not difficult to puncture.
5. Use discretion when putting your vehicle's top up and down. The more you raise and lower your convertible top the more wear and tear you put on it. Avoid putting the top down only to raise it five to 10 minutes later. Purchase a car cover and carry it with you if you want to cover your vehicle in a parking lot or a friend's house.
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Removing an E30 BMW Transmission


1. Use the jack to elevate the front of the BMW and stabilize the vehicle with the jack safety stands.
2. Pop open the hood and remove the negative and positive battery cables.
3. Locate the starter positioned between the transmission and engine and use the wrench to unbolt it.
4. Detach the drive shaft from the differential and then from the transmission. After removing the bolts, pull the drive shaft from the differential.
5. Use the wrench to disengage the nut at the end of the speedometer cable and shift linkage located on the left side of the transmission. Set the bolts and nuts aside.
6. Turn the crankshaft pulley to expose all of the transmission-to-flywheel bolts. Remove the bolts with a socket wrench.
7. Locate the transmission bell housing and remove the bolts that attach it to the cylinder block.
8. Position the transmission jack beneath the transmission, and place the wood block between it and the transmission to help distribute the weight of the transmission for removal.
9. Locate the transmission's cross-member that is attached to the frame and use the wrench to remove it.
10. Pull the transmission out slowly.
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How to Install Dual Exhaust Systems


1. Select parts that are sized properly for your car. Higher-quality exhaust systems take advantage of mandrel-bent pipes and mimic the look of the original car parts. Your local auto shop may build custom dual exhaust systems, but they are probably created with generic parts and fit poorly.
2. Pick a kit that includes all clamps, hangers and hardware, so you will not be searching for pieces to complete the installation.
3. Stop blowing gaskets by using a steel donut gasket when connecting the manifold. The steel resists heat better than other gaskets, while sealing the pipe and manifold together.
4. Position exhaust pipes to clear both the floorpan and the driveshaft by at least 1 inch. When finalizing the setting, remember that the shaft moves up and down with rear axle, and the pipes must clear it completely.
5. Use factory muffler positioning to make most exhaust systems a simple bolt-on installation. If you place your muffler differently, the pipes may need to be bent accordingly. Hanging mufflers higher may require you to drill into the floorpan to hang them.
6. Mount tailpipe hangers near the frame rail to prevent the pipes from noticeably rattling. Brackets should face the front of the car in most cases. Your exhaust kit should come with the proper hangers, but you may have to have a few self-tapping bolts on hand.
7. Check the clearance before completely tightening all bolts. Things move as you attach other parts, so make sure there is still a 1-inch clearance. Rotate the rear axle to make sure the driveshaft doesn't rub against the muffler.
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How to Access the FM Antenna in Your Benz


1. Shut off your vehicle.
2. Locate the antenna. Its position might vary according to the exact model of your car, but this is fairly simple because there are standard locations in which the FM antenna is placed, such as the roof, trunk or hood.
3. Remove the screws that are used to secure the base of the FM antenna. Usually there are one or two screws connecting it to the outer fender. Alternatively, unscrew the antenna if you have the screw-on type.
4. Remove the base assembly of the FM antenna until it is completely detached from the outer fender.
5. Cut the wire located at its base.
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How to Test Ignition Coils on a BMW 328


1. Open the hood. Remove the cabin microfilter cover by turning the three knobs that hold it on 90 degrees. Lift the cover out and set it aside. Remove the cabin microfilter and disconnect the wiring harness from the filter housing. Remove the four T30 screws that hold the filter enclosure in place. Set the enclosure aside.
2. Pry the small, round plastic plugs from the top engine cover and that conceal the screws for the engine cover. Remove the 10-mm nuts that hold the engine cover on with a socket. Set the engine cover aside.
3. Unscrew the oil cap on the lower engine cover. Pry out the plastic covers. Remove the 10-mm nuts with a socket. Set the cover aside.
4. Locate the coils. These are in a row down the engine and are bolted to the tops of the spark plugs. They each have a wiring harness going to them. Remove the two small bolts that hold the coils onto the spark plugs. You can then pull the coil up and off of the spark plug.
5. Examine the end of the coil where it fastens to the spark plug. There will be three contacts. The outside two are the primary contacts. Using an electric ohmmeter, test the contacts. Place the ends of the ohmmeter testing cables on the contacts to see how many ohms the coils are producing on the readout. According to BMW, the acceptable range is 0.4 to 0.8 ohms.
6. Replace the coil if the ohm reading is not within the acceptable range. It is recommended to change all of the coils at the same time, since one failing may be a sign that the others may be failing soon as well.
7. Reinstall the coils by sliding them back over the spark plug. Reinstall the two small bolts with a socket. Reinstall the upper and lower engine covers. Reinstall the cabin filter enclosure, the cabin filter and the lid for the enclosure.
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How to Change a BMW 335i Transmission to Sport Mode


1. Turn your engine on, put your foot on the brake and depress the button on your gearshift.
2. Move the gearshift down to "Drive" (D); continue to hold your foot against the brake.
3. Push the gearshift one notch to the left to enter Sport Mode.
4. Release your foot from the brake pedal and begin driving. Tap the gearshift selector up to shift into a higher gear; tap it down to shift into a lower gear.
5. Return to Normal Mode by tapping the gearshift to the right (back into "D").
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