How to Reset a BMW Service Reminder


1. Open the fuse panel cover by turning the knob on the fuse panel counterclockwise and pulling down on the cover.
2. Plug the electrical connector on the OBD tool into the matching input on the fuse panel.
3. Turn the ignition key to the "II" position and wait for the service reminder light to go out.
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How to Replace the Steering Wheel on a BMW


1. Park the car on a flat, level surface with the steering wheel pointed straight. Disconnect the battery cable that goes to the negative terminal.
2. Remove the center horn button/pad on older BMW models that are not equipped with air bags. Carefully pry the pad off with a flat-head screwdriver without scratching the trim. Disconnect the horn button wires from the horn button and set it aside.
3. Remove the air bag on newer BMWs that are equipped with air bags. Loosen and remove the screws on the back of the air bag that hold it to the wheel. The screws will likely be star-shaped Torx bits, so use the appropriate bit to remove them. They also may be recessed into the wheel.
4. Carefully support the air bag as you remove it so it does not fall. Disconnect the wires that go to the back of the air bag and set it aside.
5. Remove the large center nut that holds the steering wheel to the steering column. Use a socket and ratchet with an extension on the socket so that it can reach into the recess in the steering wheel. Set the nut aside.
6. Carefully pull the steering wheel off it. Disconnect any wires that go to the back of the steering wheel.
7. Plug any wires in to the back of the new wheel. Install the new wheel by sliding it onto the steering column if you are installing a different BMW factory wheel. If you are installing an aftermarket wheel such as a Momo, slide the hub adapter that you bought for the wheel onto the steering column.
8. Install the center nut and tighten it, whether you are installing a factory or aftermarket wheel. Install an aftermarket wheel onto the hub with the Allen bolts that come with the steering wheel. Connect the horn wires to the horn button. Press the horn button into place.
9. Plug the wires into the back of the air bag. Install the air bag onto the new wheel (if installing a factory wheel) with the Torx screws. Reconnect the battery.
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How to Improve a BMW#039;s Gas Mileage?


1. Fill your gas tank with fuel with the correct octane rating. Many BMW's need premium unleaded; your owner's manual will tell you what fuel is best for your model BMW.
2. Accelerate slowly whenever moving from a stopped position.
3. Anticipate stops ahead. By taking your foot off the gas and coasting for as long as you can before you start braking, instead of accelerating to stoplights and stop signs, you can save considerable amounts of gas.
4. Reduce weight by removing items from your trunk and passengers seats. Increased weight is increased burden on your engine and increased burden means that your car's engine must use more gas to move the car.
5. Maintain the recommended tune-up schedule for your car. This will help your engine run better and use less fuel.
6. Replace your BMW's electronic control unit (ECU) with one that is tuned to be more economical. These can be bought from aftermarket BMW parts dealers and will tune your BMW's engine to use less gas. This change will negatively impact your car's speed, but the improvement in gas mileage may be a worthwhile trade-off to you.
7. Make sure your tires are always properly inflated and have adequate tread. Proper inflation levels can be found on the sidewalls of your tires and tread should be more than 1/16th-inch deep.
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How to Test 4Matic Diagnostics


1. Locate the OBD (onboard diagnostics) port in your Mercedes by referencing the owner's manual. Typically, the ODB port is located underneath the steering wheel.
2. Insert the plug coming from your code reader tool into the OBD port, then turn your Mercedes' ignition to the 'Accessories' position so that the stereo and associated electronics are activated.
3. Allow the code scanner to automatically scan for any codes that will be outputted once the car's electronics system is activated.
4. Take note of the codes that are displayed on the screen of your code reader as you will need to reference this list.
5. Contact your Mercedes Benz dealer or an authorized mechanic and request a translation of the error codes. Alternatively, many auto parts stores carry books in-house that will allow you to determine what the codes mean and which parts of your 4Matic system are failing.
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How to Check the Oil Level in a BMW K 1200 LT


1. Wait at least ten minutes after operating the K 1200 LT.
2. Place the motorcycle on its center stand so it is level.
3. Check the oil by looking in the inspection glass, located on the lower-right side of the engine. The upper and lower ring markings on the glass represent the maximum and minimum oil levels, respectively.
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DIY: Air Filter Replacement on a BMW 3 Series


1. Lift the hood and prop it open.
2. Unclip the spring clips on the sides of the air filter compartment. The air filter compartment is a black rectangular box next to the engine.
3. Pull the upper housing off of the lower housing to expose the air filter.
4. Lift out the old filter and discard.
5. Wipe the inside of the air filter housing with a clean cloth.
6. Insert the new air filter into the lower housing.
7. Replace the upper air filter housing. Make sure the upper and lower housings are mated correctly.
8. Fasten the spring clips to hold the housing together. Close the hood.
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How to Install Headlight Bulbs on an Audi A4 2000


1. Remove the rubber protector from the back of the headlight assembly by pulling it off. The protector is designed to keep water out of the headlight assembly. You will see the electrical connector plugged into the headlight bulb once the rubber protector is removed.
2. Pull the electrical connector off the headlight bulb.
3. Squeeze the two ends of the metal retaining wire and rotate it to the side. The retaining wire holds the bulb in place in the headlight assembly.
4. Slide the old headlight bulb out of the headlight assembly and discard it.
5. Insert the new headlight bulb into the headlight assembly, taking care to line up the tabs on the bulb with the slots in the headlight assembly.
6. Push the retaining wire back over the headlight bulb. You will hear a click when the retaining wire is properly installed over the headlight bulb.
7. Plug the electrical connector into the back of the headlight bulb and press the rubber protector back onto the headlight assembly.
8. Repeat Steps 1 through 7 to replace the other headlight.
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How to Install Magnum Headlight Bulbs


1. Open the hood to access the Magnum's engine compartment. Inspect the area behind the driver's side headlight case to find the black air filter box.
2. Remove the screw on the hose clamp on the rear side of the air filter box. This clamp connects the air filter hose to the air filter box. Pull the hose away from the box.
3. Push down on the tabs along the edge of the air filter box lid. This frees up the cover. Lift the cover and the air filter inside the box.
4. Remove the two bolts securing the air filter box to the Magnum. Lift the air filter box out and move it to the side. This gives you enough room to install the headlight bulbs on the driver's side.
5. Locate the headlight bulb you need to replace on the back of the headlight case. The bulb closest to the center of the grille is the low-beam bulb. The outboard bulb is the high-beam bulb.
6. Unplug the electrical harness from the back of the appropriate bulb socket. Twist the socket counterclockwise to release it from the case then pull it straight back. Dispose of the old bulb.
7. Insert the replacement bulb into the holder and turn it clockwise to lock it in place. Plug the electrical harness into the new bulb.
8. Position the bottom half of the air filter box back into place. Insert and tighten the two bolts.
9. Lay the air filter inside the box. Replace the cover and push up the tabs to lock the cover in place.
10. Attach the hose to the air filter box. Tighten the hose clamp screw with the screwdriver then close the hood.
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How to Remove the Front Seat in a 1983 Mercedes 300D


1. Open the door of the car all the way to allow access to the seat. Slide the seat all the way to the front position. Locate the mounting brackets and adjuster slides under the seat.
2. Locate the two rear retaining bolts that run through the mounting brackets and into the floor. Remove both bolts with a socket and ratchet, setting the bolts aside in a safe place.
3. Slide the seat all the way to the rear position on the seat track. Locate the retaining bolts on the front of the seat, where the brackets meet the floor. Remove the two front bolts from the floor and brackets with a socket and ratchet, setting them aside for reuse later.
4. Lift the front of the seat, tilting it back so you can access the underside. Locate the electrical connector on the underside of the seat and depress the locking tab to release it. Separate the wiring harness on the seat from the harness on the car.
5. Lift the seat and remove it from the car through the door opening. Set it aside in a dry spot to avoid any damage while it is out of the car.
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How to Connect Subs to the Factory Stereo in a BMW


1. Lift the BMW's hood and loosen the bolts that secure each of the battery cables to their respective battery terminals with a 10 mm wrench. Lift the negative battery cable from the battery and set it aside to prevent shorting the system during the installation. Lift the positive battery cable from the positive battery terminal. Slide the ring terminal from the amplifier wiring kit onto the positive battery lead. Place the positive battery cable clamp on top of the ring terminal and tighten the bolt on the clamp with the wrench.
2. Remove the fuse from the fuse holder on the ring terminal. You will need to insert the fuse as a final step so keep it handy. Insert the power supply cable (included in the amp wiring kit) into the end of the ring terminal. Route the cable through the BMW's firewall (separating the engine compartment from the passenger cabin). Move to the inside of the vehicle.
3. Pry the trim panel that spans the length of the BMW's dashboard away from the dash with a trim panel removal tool. Remove the panel and set it aside. Remove the screws beside the stereo assembly with the Phillips-head screwdriver. Remove the panel that surrounds the stereo and climate controls. Remove the two screws on either side of the stereo bracket with the screwdriver.
4. Slide the stereo from the BMW's dashboard stereo dock and disconnect the stereo wiring connectors from the back of the unit. Press the release mechanism on each stereo wiring connector before pulling them from the outlets on the rear panel of the stock stereo. Connect the stereo wiring connectors to the wiring harness adapter leads. Plug the adapter's leads into the appropriate outlets on the back of the head unit.
5. Plug the RCA adapter into the amplifier leads of the wiring harness adapter. See the wiring harness adapter's User's Manual for proper connection locations or follow the color-coding or other indicators on the leads themselves. Plug the RCA patch cables into the RCA adapter. Feed the cables through the back of the BMW's stereo mounting dock and down to the floor of the vehicle on the passenger's side.
6. Slide the stereo back into the stereo dock. Replace the screws and trim panels onto the dashboard. Route the RCA patch cables along the passenger's side of the vehicle to the rear cargo area (the trunk). Lay the power supply cable from the driver's side of the BMW to the trunk.
7. Place the powered subwoofer in the trunk. Connect the grounding wire from the grounding point on the sub to a bolt or screw in the trunk of the vehicle. Any bolt or screw less than 18-inches from the subwoofer and directly connected to the frame of the BMW will suffice. Plug the signal and turn-on lead cables into the corresponding outlets on the powered sub. Insert the power supply lead into the power input on the subwoofer. Return to the battery.
8. Place the negative battery cable clamp around the negative battery terminal. Tighten the cable's bolt with the wrench. Slide the fuse into the fuse holder on the ring terminal and close the BMW's hood.
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