How Do I Replace the Fuel Filter on a 2001 BMW 330i

1. Open the glove box. Open the fuse box by turning the two white tabs on either side of it. Remove the #54 fuse, which controls the fuel pump. Remove the gas cap. Start the engine and let it run until it stalls from lack of fuel.
2. Raise the BMW with a floor jack. Lower it onto jack stands at all four corners. Remove the fuel filter protective panel, which is located under the car just to the front of the drivers seat. The panel is held on with four screws that are removed with a Phillips screwdriver.
3. Remove the metal clamp that holds the fuel filter in place using your hand. Loosen the six hose clamps that fasten the fuel lines to the fuel filter. Place a container under the filter to catch spilled fuel. Pull the hoses off of the filter. You may need to twist the hoses with pliers to get them off of the filter.
4. Drain the excess fuel from the filter into the container. Discard the filter. Install the new fuel filter in the same orientation as the old one. Slide the fuel lines onto the new filter. It is recommended to replace the BMW hose clamps with conventional hose clamps that can be tightened with a screwdriver, as the original clamps require a special tool to tighten easily. You can also use a pair of pliers to tighten the original hose clamps a little at a time.
5. Reinstall the clamp that holds the filter in place. Reinstall the oil filter protective panel. Lower the car back to the ground. Reinstall the #54 fuse. Put the fuel cap back on. Start the car and check for leaks.

How to Change the Shock Absorber on a BMW

1. Park the vehicle in a well-lit area that is also flat and level. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheel that has the shock you will be replacing. Lift the car using a floor jack and lower it onto jack stands. Finish removing the wheel and set it out of the way.
2. Spray degreaser where the lower part of the strut is bolted to the suspension and wipe it down with a rag. Disconnect any lines that are fastened to brackets on the strut housing. Depending on the model, this can include the brake line and the brake wear sensor line. Remove the wheel speed sensor for ABS-equipped cars. This is held on with a small bolt. The sensor slides out of the back of the hub.
3. Remove the large bolts holding the brake caliper to the strut housing. Slide the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper while you work. Remove the bolts where the steering arm attaches to the strut. These are generally accessed from below. Disconnect the sway bar from where it bolts to the strut housing.
4. Open the hood. Remove the three nuts that fasten the upper strut to the chassis strut tower. Slide the bottom of the strut assembly away from the suspension and down from where the studs on the top of the assembly go through the sheet metal.
5. Move the strut assembly to a work bench. Place a spring compressor on the spring, ensuring that the hooks for the spring compressor are directly across from each other. Carefully compress the spring until the tension against the top of the strut housing is relieved.
6. Remove the rubber cap over the nut that secures the strut bearing. Carefully loosen and remove the nut, ensuring that the tension on the spring is completely relieved. Remove the nut, washer and any spacers. Slide the upper strut bearing and the spring off the strut housing.
7. Transfer any pads or spacers at the top and bottom of the old strut to the new strut. Leaving the spring compressed with the compressor still fastened, slide the spring over the new strut. Slide the upper strut bearing onto the strut. Install and tighten the nut that holds the upper strut beating on. Carefully loosen the spring compressor, ensuring that the spring seats correctly in the top and bottom of the strut assembly.
8. Reinstall the top of the strut first by sliding the studs at the top of the assembly up and through the holes in the sheet metal in the cars upper strut tower. Loosely install the nuts to hold it in place. Slide the bottom of the assembly into place. You may need to press down on the suspension and steering components to get the bolt holes to line up. Reinstall the lower bolts. Tighten the upper and lower bolts.
9. Reinstall the sway bar, the brake line and other lines on their respective brackets and reinstall the ABS speed sensor, if applicable. Reinstall the brake caliper. Replace the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lower the car to the ground and finish tightening the lugs nuts.

How to Adjust the Sunroof on a Bonneville

1. Turn the Bonneville on. Insert the key into the ignition and turn to the On position.
2. Press and hold the Sunroof switch back to the first position. The sunroof switch is located in the overhead headliner between the sun visors. The first position opens the sunshade and glass panel.
3. Press and release the switch back to the second position to open the sunroof to the comfort stop position. This position opens the glass to a position that is designed to reduce noise and allow air into the car that is comfortable for passengers.
4. Press the sunroof in any direction when opening and the sunroof immediately stops at that position.
5. Press and hold the sunroof switch for more than one and half seconds and the sunroof opens all the way.
6. Press and hold the sunroof switch forward to close the sunroof.
7. Push the sunroof switch upward to open the sunroof glass to the vent position. The sunroof must first be all the way closed. The vent position opens the sunroof by tilting it.

How Do I Open the Convertible Roof on a BMW 318i

Semi-Automatic Roof
1. Place your car in park or depress your brake pedal. The roof will not open or close if you do not do this.
2. Locate the latches on the inside of your BMW where the convertible top meets the windshield and release them.
3. Push and hold the button that has a picture of a side window and a top on it. This is located on the lower part of your dash, near the heated seats and traction control button. Give the roof a little push to help it start folding. Keep holding this button while the side windows lower slightly and the convertible top tucks under. When the side window goes back up, you can let go of the button.
4. Look to see if the button is flashing. If the button is not flashing, the top is properly tucked away. If it is flashing, push it down again so the top will complete the folding sequence.
Fully Automatic Roof
5. Put car in park or push on brake pedal. This will signal that the car is ready to open the roof; it will not open until it is in this position.
6. Find the button on your lower dash that has a picture of a side window and top on it. Push and hold this button as the side windows go down slightly and the roof folds back.
7. Release the button when the side windows go back up. If the light on the button starts to flash, push it down again until the roof folds back completely and locks.

How to Install a Thermostat on a BMW 323ic

1. Remove the radiator hose from the thermostat housing by loosening the retaining clip that secures the hose onto the housing with the screwdriver. Pull the hose off the thermostat housing and hold it vertical so the antifreeze goes back into the radiator. Push the hose off to the side to make accessing the thermostat housing easier.
2. Remove the 10 mm bolts that hold the thermostat housing onto the intake manifold of the BMW with the wrench and then pull the thermostat housing off the intake manifold.
3. Remove the old thermostat and then place the new one into the intake manifold. The thermostat sits on a machined lip that is located below the level of antifreeze. The thermostat should be properly seated to ensure it works correctly.
4. Pull the old thermostat gasket off the intake manifold and place a bead of RTV gasket sealer in its place on the intake manifold. Place the paper thermostat gasket on top of the RTV gasket sealer. Place a small amount of RTV gasket sealer on the bottom of the thermostat housing and then bolt the housing back into place.
5. Place the radiator hose back onto the thermostat housing and secure the retaining clip into place.
6. Start the engine and allow it to warm up. Inspect for leaks where the thermostat housing is bolted to the intake manifold and where the radiator hose connects to the housing. If the radiator hose leaks, replace the retaining clip with a band clamp. If the area where the housing and the manifold bolts together leaks, tighten the housing bolts more.

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 vehicles 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 vehicles 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 friends house.

How to Turn on Headlight Washers in an Audi TT

1. Start the engine of your Audi TT. Turn on the headlights.
2. Pull the windshield washer lever toward you and hold it. The wipers on the windshield will engage and will engage the headlight wipers as well.
3. Release the windshield washer lever. Turn the headlights off to disable the headlight wipers.

Instructions on How to Install a CD Player in a Car

1. Remove the old car stereo. The majority of factory-issued car stereos are locked in place by tabs located on the side of the unit. Owners can buy custom keys from car audio retailers or directly from the manufacturer. The clips can also be released by using bent coat hangers or a flat head screwdriver pushed into the tabs to unclip the lock. Gently pull out the old stereo once the clips are released.
2. Disconnect the old stereo. Pull out the black radio antenna from the rear of the old stereo. Push the tab on the side of the wire harness that has all the connecting wires for the power, CD changer and speakers and pull the connection apart. Set the old stereo to the side.
3. Install faceplates if necessary. Some factory-issued car stereos come in customized designs and shapes. Aftermarket stereos are a standard size, and faceplates are available to fit them into the space vacated by a customized radio shape. These faceplates are specific to the car model and available from car audio retailers. Follow the manufacturers instructions to attach the faceplate. Most faceplates will click into the holding slots for the old stereo.
4. Connect the aftermarket CD player to the car. Make sure that all of the wire connections extend through the faceplate portal. Connect an aftermarket wire harness adapter to the wire harness of the car. Wire harness adapters are specific to car models and available from car audio retailers. Connect the other end of the wire harness adapter to the wire harness of the CD player. Make sure that all connections click into place. Connect the black radio antenna cable to the radio antenna port on the rear of the CD player---check the device instructions---and ensure it is secure.
5. Test the connections. Turn on the CD player. Establish that a signal is being sent to the car speakers by using the unit features one-by-one.
6. Secure the CD player into the dashboard housing. Push the wire connections first into the portal then slide the CD player unit into the dashboard housing. Push it in until it is secure in the housing. If it is replacing a standard-sized unit, it will slide into the clips used by the previous unit.

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.

How to Replace the Lens on a BMW 325

Removing and Replacing
1. Pull the lever located near the foot pedals on the drivers side of your BMW 325 to unlatch your hood. Face the hood of your vehicle and pull the hood-release lever located in the grille of your car to fully open the hood.
2. Shine your flashlight to the lower right or left corner inside your hood to find the interior part of your corner turn lens. Locate an oval-shaped hole behind the corner turn lens.
3. Push down and outward on the plastic clip within the oval hole with your flathead screwdriver to release the corner turn lens. Continue to keep your screwdriver in place within the oval hole while pulling the corner turn lens out with your free hand. Set the corner turn lens aside for re-installation. Removing your corner turn lens makes the headlight lens accessible for removal.
4. Lift up on the three tabs located on the top of the rubber trim that surrounds your headlight lens with your fingers. Remove the trim to loosen your headlight lens. Set the trim aside for re-installation.
5. Move your fingers around the top of your headlight lens and pull up on the three tabs that secure the headlight lens in place. Repeat this procedure on the bottom of the lens. Pull one tab out from each side of the lens. Pull the lens towards you once all tabs are released.
6. Align your new headlight lens in place. Push it with slight force to snap it into place. Push the rubber trim back into place snapping the connected tabs down. Push the corner turn lens into its original position until it clips back in.
7. Repeat Steps 1 to 7 to replace the headlight on the opposite side of your BMW 325.

How do I Put Down the Convertible Top on a 1987 BMW 325i

1. Lower both the driver- and passenger-side windows. You may damage your windows or your soft top if you skip this step.
2. Unlatch both of the two locks above the rear-view mirror. This allows you to lift the top from the front of the car.
3. Unlatch the storage compartment for the soft top using the handle on the left rear of the cars interior. Open the storage compartment cover by using the safety catch.
4. Raise the cover from the front of the car and pull it backward. Place it in the storage compartment using neat folds. Pay careful attention not to scratch or break the rear window, because it folds with the rest of the top into the rear compartment. The entire window and soft top are one piece.

How to Change Struts on a BMW 323i

1. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels, place the car on a set of jack stands at all four corners and remove the wheels. The rear jack can go at the control arm mounting point.
2. Disconnect the leveling sensor (if the car has Xenon headlights) to prevent damaging it during spring removal. This sensor is located on the passenger side behind the sway bar end-link and shock, and is held on with a 10-mm nut.
3. Disconnect the swaybar end-link with a 16-mm box wrench on the back and a 16-mm socket on the front. Push the end-link out of the way. Next disconnect the shock and the control arm with an 18-mm socket and an extension. You may need a breaker bar to get the bolt loose. Support the control arm when the bolt is removed with a box so the brake lines are not damaged. Remove the three 10-mm nuts at the top of the shock and pull out the shock and spring. Repeat on other side.
4. Move to the workbench or an open area to install the spring compressor to remove the spring from the shock assembly. Place the spring compressor hooks on either side of the spring and alternately compress each side until the hat at the top of the spring is loose. Use a 21-mm socket to remove the hat. Install new the shock and begin to loosen the spring compressor, taking care to properly seat the spring against the hat in the corresponding notches for the spring. Tighten the nut on the hat. Inspect everthing and then reinstall in the car.
5. Reinsert the control arm onto the shock body with a jack pushing up the control arm. Put the swaybar back on and reinsert the top three bolts for the strut. If applicable, reconnect the Xenon sensor.
6. Move on to the rear. Fold down the rear seats and remove the plastic tab underneath the leather or cloth trim. Remove the two plugs that allow access to the shock bolts. Place a jack on the control arm and jack up the shock a little until the tension is released. Remove the top bolt. Move to the bottom of the shock and remove the bolt there. The shock should now come out.
7. Install new shock and replace the bolts. When retightening the top bolts, make sure there is pressure on the shock. Hold the shock piston with a small wrench when you tighten this bolt.