How to Reset the Oil Sensor on a 525I BMW


1. Insert the key into the ignition. Do not start the engine.
2. Press and hold the trip odometer reset button. Turn the 525i on without starting the engine.
3. Release the trip odometer reset button when 'Reset' is displayed on the control panel.
4. Press and hold the trip odometer reset button until the 'Reset' message starts to flash on and off.
5. Press and release the trip odometer reset button while 'Reset' is flashing. The oil sensor resets.
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How to Repair a 1997 C230 Mercedes Benz Windshield Wiper


Repair catching arm motion
1. Set your wiper arm in the twelve o'clock position and turn your car off.
2. Open the hood and remove the top plastic cover of the wiper arm. Hold it firmly and pull the cover up and away from the arm.
3. Depress the two retaining tabs on the side of the main cover by pressing them with your fingers or a screwdriver. Pull the cover off when the tabs release.
4. Brush a silicone based lubricant on the drive shaft and sliders that move the wiper arm. Replace the main cover and top cover and close the hood.
Bent arm
5. Grip a bent arm below and above the bend with two crescent wrenches or pliers.
6. Push the arm back into its original position.
7. Verify that the fix worked by turning the wiper arm on and ensuring that it moves from its original to end position in one swift motion.
Broken arm
8. Mix equal portions of a double-tube hardening epoxy together. One tube contains the epoxy or resin and the other a hardening agent. When mixed they form a strong bond.
9. Generously brush the two mating surfaces on the broken arm with the mixed epoxy.
10. Hold the broken arm in place for the length of time required on the packaging so that the arm bonds correctly.
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How to Buy a BMW With a Salvage Title


1. Locate the Vehicle Identification Number that is engraved on the car's surface. On a BMW, the VIN will be located on the left side of the dashboard or the right inner fender. Use the VIN to run an online vehicle history report to reconfirm the car's salvage status.
2. Repair the car to roadworthy condition. Make sure that the owner pays for everything, because BMWs can be particularly expensive to repair and the car is still in the owner's name. Make sure the owner keeps the repair receipts, especially for the purchase of parts, because this will be needed to apply for rebuilt title.
3. Navigate to the website maintained by the state office that issues rebuilt titles--the department of motor vehicles or similar agency usually does this. Note the address of a state-certified salvage vehicle inspector in your area, and print both a salvage vehicle inspection report form and an application for rebuilt title (called a 'reconditioned title' in some states).
4. Tow the BMW to the state-certified salvage vehicle inspector for an inspection. Bring the salvage vehicle inspection report form. The inspector will fill out the form, sign it and return it to the owner.
5. Fill out the application for rebuilt title, and have the owner sign it. Mail the inspection report, the salvage title, repair receipts and the application for rebuilt title to the nearest state office that handles rebuilt titles. A rebuilt title will be mailed to the owner within few days to a few weeks depending on the state.
6. Pay the purchase price for the car and draw up a bill of sale. Sign the title and have the owner sign it and fill in the odometer reading. Present the rebuilt title along with the bill of sale and an application for new title to the state motor vehicles office; you will be required to pay a small fee. A new title will be issued in your name with the notation 'rebuilt' affixed.
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How to Increase Power on a BMW


1. Install a performance exhaust system. There are a number of options from third-party manufacturers such as Borla and Dinan as well as a system from BMW. A new exhaust system will raise the car's peak horsepower by 5 to 10 horsepower and 3 to 5 foot pounds of torque, depending on the system and the car. An exhaust system also has the added benefit of increase the volume and quality of the vehicle's engine noise.
2. Install an air intake system. Again, these are readily available from a variety of sources. An air intake system will increase the airflow to the engine to generate more efficient combustion. Generally, power gains will range from 3 to 5 horsepower and 3 to 5 foot pounds of torque. Air intake systems can also increase your gas mileage, giving you a slight increase in fuel economy.
3. Install a performance software upgrade. A software upgrade, in the form of a performance chip, will improve engine performance across the board. This is especially useful if you use other upgrades such as exhaust and intakes because the new software will optimize their performance.
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How to Replace a Fuse in the BMW 325


1. Remove the contents of your glove compartment.
2. Remove by hand the two plastic screws holding the rear panel in place, and remove the rear panel to reveal the fuse box. Turn over the rear panel to view the fuse diagram.
3. Pull the red, plastic fuse puller from the fuse box and use it to remove the fuse you want to change and to insert the replacement fuse. Replace the fuse puller and reattach the rear panel.
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How to Change the Battery in a Mercedes Key


1. Turn your Smart Key over, and push down the backup key locking tab.
2. Slide the backup key away from the edge of the Smart Key. Insert the backup key into its storage compartment; slide the key toward the locking tab to unlatch the battery storage compartment.
3. Pull the battery storage compartment out when it pops up. Remove the batteries from the compartment.
4. Insert the new batteries. Line up the positive side (+) with the contact clamp (face up). Reinsert the battery storage compartment into the Smart Key.
5. Replace the backup. Slide the backup key's arm into its mount; push it down to secure it.
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How to Replace the Comfort Access Battery on a BMW 535XI


1. Turn the comfort access key over to view its backside. On the top edge, near the key chain loop, you'll see a series of ridges. This is the manual key release button. Push it and pull the top edge of the key outward to remove the manual key. Set the manual key to the side.
2. Pry off the top-rear cover using your fingernail or a screwdriver. The cover comes off easily. You'll now see the battery.
3. Lift the battery out of the comfort access key. Insert the new battery with the '+' side pointing up.
4. Push the cover back into place firmly to snap it on.
5. Push the manual key back into the comfort access key. Push it down firmly to attach it.
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Mercedes ML320: How to Change the Oil and Filter


1. Park the car on a flat, level surface. Set the parking brake.
2. Locate the oil pan underneath the car. The oil pan is located at the bottom of the engine. Slide a drain pan underneath the engine to catch the used oil.
3. Unscrew the drain plug with a socket wrench. The drain plug requires a 13mm socket. Allow all the oil to drain from the oil pan (allow at least 10 minutes for all the oil to drain adequately). Tighten the drain plug to the oil pan with the socket wrench.
4. Open the hood to access the engine compartment. Locate the oil filter cap at the front of the engine. It will be positioned directly in front of the oil-fill cap.
5. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Pull the oil filter out by the cap. Ensure you have a pan to catch the excess oil dripping from the filter. Pull the old filter off the end of the stick, using an old rag--this will prevent from making a mess.
6. Insert a new filter onto the stick, pushing it in until it stops. Insert the filter/cap back into the oil filter housing. Screw the cap tight by hand.
7. Unscrew the oil cap located directly behind the oil filter housing. Pour in seven quarts of engine oil. Pull out the engine oil dipstick located by the oil-fill cap. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick back in to the tube. Pull out and verify the level. The level should be between the 'minimum' and the 'maximum' marks on the dipstick. If the level is below either of the marks, add additional oil in half-quart intervals. Check the level each time you pour the oil.
8. Start the car up and allow it to idle for five minutes. Turn the car off and let it sit for an additional five minutes. Check the oil level once more. Add more oil, if necessary.
9. Log the number of miles driven and the date the oil change was completed. Reference this for the next oil change interval.
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How to Install a Hitch on a Mercedes Ml320


1. Pry open the three plugs in the bumper cover that conceal the screws that hold the bumper cover on. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws.
2. Remove the safety cable for the rear mud flaps if your ML has mud flaps. Pull the bumper cover off by carefully sliding it straight back and set it somewhere where it won’t get scratched or damaged.
3. Install the guide bushings that came with the bumper hitch into the guide holes in the ML’s frame. The frame already has holes for the bushings. Install the trailer hitch braces by inserting the supplied bolts through the brace and the guide bushings. Tighten the nut onto the bolt with a ratchet.
4. Bolt the supplied spacers to the bumper. There is one spacer for each side of the trailer hitch and the holes are predrilled from the factory.
5. Pry open the plastic cover on the driver’s side of the ML located at the inside rear of the car to access the wiring harnesses for the rear end. The wiring harness plug should be visible once the cover is removed.
6. Locate and remove the rubber plug on the inside of the bodywork that covers the hole for the trailer hitch wiring harness. Guide the supplied wiring harness through the hole. Install the supplied rubber plug in the hole along with the wiring harness.
7. Disconnect the ML’s main wiring harness, turn signal indicator and brake module and plug them into the plugs that are on the new wiring harness. Replace the plastic cover that conceals the wiring.
8. Install the trailer hitch onto the bumper, using the predrilled holes in the bumper and the supplied hardware that comes with the hitch. Use a torque wrench to tighten the trailer hitch bolts to 118 ft. lbs.
9. Install the wiring harness bracket onto the predrilled holes in the bumper. These are small and may appear to be covered in paint but are there. Install the wiring harness onto the bracket. Install a 25-amp fuse into the slot numbered “F18” on your fuse box.
10. Use an X-Acto knife to cut a hole for the trailer hitch in the plastic bumper cover. The hitch will come with dimensions and directions for the proper hole size. Reattach bumper cover by sliding it over the guides and then installing the screws that hold it on. Reinstall the rubber caps that conceal the screws.
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How to Upgrade an Audi A6 4.2 to an Audi S6


1. Upgrade the A6 engine to 5.2-liter V-10 levels of performance, 435 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 398 ft-lb of torque at 3,000 rpm. As previously mentioned, sourcing an Audi V-10 is near impossible as they are not sold as crate engines, so the only feasible path for an engine swap is to buy it secondhand, which is also near impossible given the rarity of S6s in America. Europe and now China, have the greatest number but after shipping, the cost can be as much as the A6 itself. Realistically the only way is to upgrade is to flash the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to S6 levels of performance, though this will also require upgrades to the air-intake and exhaust.
2. Flash the ECU with upgraded software; this is available from a number of vendors. To reach 435 hp the engine will need to be turbocharged and the exhaust replaced. Flashing the ECU is the easiest with most options just involving hooking up a software module to the diagnostic port though some must be hardwired into the ECU itself. If the flasher needs to be soldered on then an auto repair shop should install it given the danger of permanent damage.
3. Turbocharge the engine; preferably with the turbochargers that are used on the Audi RS6 but there are universal turbochargers that will give similar levels of performance, these just take longer to install. The highest level of the 6 platform is the RS6 which uses the same V-8 engine as the A6, but turbocharged. These turbochargers are somewhat easier to find but there are also third-party vendors that offer turbochargers as well. This installation should be done by a professional auto shop, preferably one that specializes in high-end European imports.
4. Upgrade the exhaust; if possible use the exhaust off the S6 or RS6 but there are many vendors that supply exhaust systems for the A6. Borla and Remus are the most popular options and again require an auto shop to complete as the header work alone can take a week.
5. Swap badges; Audi tends to be less prolific than other car companies in their love of badges however they still need to be replaced if the transformation is to be complete. The real badges are expensive and somewhat rare, however there are fake badges that are mirror images and cannot be told apart exceptt by an Audi technician. The S6 badges are needed on the outside and the S6 speedometer facing will need to be placed.
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