How to Tow With a Mercedes ML320


1. Determine the towing capacity of your model and year of ML320. This information can be found in the owner's manual. Calculate the total mass of the trailer by adding the weight of the trailer to the cargo. The trailer's weight will be printed on the trailer data plate under gross trailer weight.
2. Determine if your Mercedes can tow the trailer by comparing the towing capacity to the total trailer mass. The trailer's weight must be less than the towing capacity for a safe trip.
3. Connect the trailer's coupler to the vehicle's hitch by lowering it on. Lock the coupler in place by lowering the latch and securing it with a hitch pin.
4. Fasten the right trailer chain to the left side of the vehicle hitch and the left trailer chain to the right side. The crossed chains will catch the trailer's tongue in the rare circumstance the two become disconnected.
5. Connect the trailer's electrical connector to the vehicle's electrical receiver by pushing the two together. If the connections do not match, an adapter can be purchased from a trailer store.
6. Drive slower than normal to compensate for the reduced braking and handling. Take corner's slower and wider than normal while still maintaining your lane. Remember, when changing lanes, you will need additional space to compensate for the length of the trailer.
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How to Troubleshoot a Volkswagen Jetta


VCDS
1. Check if your Volkswagen Jetta has an onboard diagnostic system that is compatible with the Volkswagen Car Diagnostic System (VCDS). According to Ross-Tech, a diagnostic software manufacturer for European automobiles, 'VCDS will work with most Volkswagen and Audi models sold worldwide 1994 through 2010.'
2. Activate the VCDS software on your computer. VCDS software only works on computers running Windows and that have serial or USB outlets.
3. Locate the VCDS cord outlet on your Volkswagen Jetta. The exact location will vary by model, but it should be under the front hood. If you have trouble finding it, consult your owner's manual.
4. Follow the program instructions to receive a coded report on your car's diagnostics. Check what the codes mean in the program's instruction manual to determine what is the problem with your Jetta.
OBD-II
5. Find the on-board diagnostic (OBD) outlet on your Jetta. The OBD-II system has been installed in every model of Jetta since 1996 -- previous models used the OBD-I system. The exact location of the OBD-II outlet will vary by model, but it should be under the front hood. If you have trouble finding it, consult your owner's manual.
6. Connect an OBD-II scanner to your car via the device's cord.
7. Turn the scanner on. Write down the codes it gives in the diagnostic report and check what the codes mean in the OBD-II's instruction manual to determine which component is not functioning correctly in your Jetta.
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How to Destroy an Electronic Car Key


1. Remove the lithium ion battery in the electronic car key by taking off the battery cover and prying up the battery.
2. Pull the two halves of the electronic car key apart by holding the front plate with one hand and pulling on the lip of the battery compartment with the other hand.
3. If you cannot pull the two halves of the electronic car key apart, insert a metal nail file into the groove around the edge to pry the two halves apart.
4. Locate the rectangular controller chip on the electronic circuit board. Pull the chip out with a chip puller or a pair of tweezers. Try snapping the chip in half or smashing it with a hammer.
5. Use a flat nose screwdriver to pry the transmitter from the electronic key card's electronic circuit board. Break any solder points on the electronic circuit board with a flat nose screwdriver or metal nail file to ensure that the circuits will not work.
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How to Change a Front Marker Lamp in a Mercedes C230


1. Turn the C230's headlight switch to '0.' Turn off the engine and open the hood. Inspect the area behind the front lighting case. Find the black front marker lamp access cover. It is the outboard cover, closest to the fender on either side.
2. Grasp the access cover handle and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew the cover. Attached to the other side of the cover, you'll find the front marker lamp. The cover doubles as the socket.
3. Pull the lamp straight out of its socket. Put on clean gloves and open the replacement lamp package. Insert it straight into the socket.
4. Attach the access cover/socket back against the rear side of the lighting case. Turn the cover clockwise to reattach it to the case. Close the car's hood.
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How to Manually Reset the Service Engine Light in a BMW 3 Series


1. Put the key into the ignition and turn the vehicle to the 'on' position but don't start the engine.
2. Find the diagnostic port under the driver's side dashboard near the pedals. Plug the computerized scan tool into this port. The battery from the vehicle will automatically power on the tool.
3. Find arrows on the faceplate of the scan tool and use them to scroll through the menu until you find the 'Read All Codes' command. Select this command.
4. Scroll through the menu again and find 'Clear All Codes.' Select this option then wait for the service engine light to shut off.
5. Turn off the vehicle and wait five minutes. Start the engine and verify that the check engine light is still off.
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How to Replace a 240D Hood Ornament


1. Open the hood by reaching into the grill slot and pulling the hood release toward you.
2. Locate the clip on the inside of the hood that holds the ornament in place.
3. Squeeze the two ends of the clip with your needle-nose pliers so that they come together. As you are squeeze, turn the clips slightly so that it is released from the slot.
4. Pull the bottom part of the clip straight out of the slot. As you do this, the ornament may simply fall off or it might stay balanced on the hood. If it stays connected into the ornament mount, use your hands to pull it straight up and off the hood.
5. Wipe the outside part of your hood with the cloth.
6. Place the ornament part of your hood into the hood mount.
7. Squeeze the clip into the hole where the old ornament clip used to be.
8. Press the ornament into the clip and turn both ends until you hear and feel them lock together.
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How to Reset the Oil Service Light on a 2003 BMW X5


1. Insert the ignition key.
2. Press, and hold, the odometer reset button on the instrument panel.
3. Turn the ignition switch to 'On.' Do not start the engine.
4. Release the odometer reset button after a few seconds when the oil service light comes on.
5. Press, and release, the odometer reset button, repeatedly, until 'Reset' appears on the display.
6. Press, and hold, the trip odometer reset button until 'End SIA' appears on the display.
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How to Locate the Oil Filter in a BMW 740


1. Open the hood.
2. Locate the upper radiator hose on the driver side of the engine bay.
3. Locate the top of the cylindrical oil filter housing located on top of the engine between the upper radiator hose and the valve cover on the left bank of engine cylinders.
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How to Remove a Mercedes 230C Radio


1. Disconnect the negative terminal from the car battery using an adjustable wrench. Do this to avoid the possibility of a short circuit or electric shock.
2. Insert the Mercedes radio removal tool into the slots on either side of the radio. Push the tools in until they click into place.
3. Pull on the Mercedes radio removal tools and the radio will be drawn out of the dashboard. Completely remove the radio.
4. Disconnect the wiring. Unclip the wire harness by pushing the tab on the side and pulling the connections apart. Unplug the radio antenna cable from the radio antenna port. Place the disconnected stereo to one side.
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How to Clean BMW Aluminium Running Boards


1. Wash the running boards when you wash the rest of the vehicle. Rinse off the running boards with water from a hose.
2. Wipe down the running boards with a rag and a mild automotive soap. Use a small detailing brush soaked in the soapy water to clean the edges where the rubber grip pads meet the aluminum.
3. Rinse the soap and water off the running boards. Dry the boards with a lint-free rag. Spray an aluminum cleaner onto the entire surface of the running boards. Wipe the cleaner off with a clean, dry lint-free rag.
4. Clean and treat any rubber areas on the running board with rubber and vinyl protectant. Use a rag to wipe the protectant onto the rubber parts. Wipe the entire surface of the running boards one last time with a clean rag.
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