DIY: Infiniti QX4 Reverse Light Bulbs

How to replace reverse light bulbs on an Infiniti QX4

Access to the reverse light bulbs is not direct on the QX4. You must remove the back lift gate panel for access.

• Locate the rear lift gate handle and pop open the two small panels on each side with a small flat tip screwdriver.

 

•  Remove the two 10mm bolts that secure the handle to the lift gate.

 

• Carefully pry the plastic panel away from the lift gate. I highly recommend using KINGLAKE® Portable 4Pcs Auto Car Radio Door Clip Panel Trim Dash Audio Removal Installer Pry Tool 

• Removing the panel can be done without any tools, just work very slowly and make sure you do not break any of the plastic pieces. This may be unavoidable as the plastic prongs may be brittle after many years.  
Pry the panel so you have enough clearance to access the bulbs. I did not completely remove panel. 

 

•  Locate the right and left bulb sockets. Twist counter-clockwise and pull the socket and bulb out. Space and wiring is very tight so it may take a lot of wiggling to get the socket out. 

• Removing the wires from the plug may be helpful. Trace the wire from the socket to the plug and un-clip.

 

• Install new reverse bulbs. I used Cutequeen LED Car Lights Bulb White T15 1206 68-SMD 906 579 901 904 908 909 912 914 915 916 917 918 920 921 922 923 926 927 928 939 (pack of 2). I went with LED bulbs because OEM is too dim at night. The difference in light and range with the Cutequeen LED bulbs is amazing.

• Installation is the reverse of removal. 
• Reinstall the bulb sockets 
• Clip the wire plug back in if removed. 
• Press the plastic panel back into the lift gate
• Install lift gate handle

 Notes:

• Use Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease, 3 oz. Tube to prevent corrosion on the bulb socket. 
• Wear gloves when handling the bulbs.

BMW Active Blind Spot Detection & Lane Departure Warning

BMW Active Blind Spot Detection and Lane Departure Warning

The detection system alerts the driver with yellow illuminated triangles on the side view mirrors.
When no car is detected in the blind spot area, the triangle is not illuminated.

The pictures below are from a F30 328i  

When a vehicle is in the blind spot, the triangle is yellow.

I find the Active Blind Spot Detection useful, especially in a low car like the 3 Series with the sport suspension.

For more information check out this video: BMW Active Blind Spot Detection

Pictured below is the lane departure warning lights between the speedometer and tachometer.

The steering wheel will vibrate if the car is too close to a solid line.

To activate and deactivate these features, press the desired buttons below the headlight dial.

BMW N20 & N26 Expansion Tank

BMW N20 & N26 Expansion Tank

The expansion tank for the BMW N20 and N26 turbocharged straight 4 engines looks like a golf ball or radome.

I think it looks pretty neat with the white round plastic over the E90's black square expansion tank. The reservoir in the picture below is from a F30 328i.

 

The part number for the OEM expansion tank is (17-13-7-642-158). Mike Miller recommends changing the expansion tank at 90,000 miles.

BMW F30 LED Headlights

BMW F30 LED Angel Eyes, Halos, Corona DRL

2014 328i pictured below.

  

Give your E90, E92, E93, the LED halo look of a BMW 3 Series F30.

BMW F30 vs. E90 iDrive Controller Comparison

BMW E90 LCI is equipped with the iDrive Professional Navigation (CIC)

 

The E90 LCI iDrive features quick navigation buttons and updated controller wheel. Resolution, hard drive space, and processing speed has been increased compared to the previous iDrive generation. The most notable change is the menus and display which is much more efficient and requires less button clicking and navigating.

BMW F30 comes with the iDrive Professional Navigation (CIC-HIGH)

 

The F30 iDrive has the same navigation buttons as the E90, but has a larger controller wheel. The controller wheel has a smoother feel and does not click when twisting.

Processing speed and hard drive storage have improved to allow more detailed navigation maps.

I prefer the F30 iDrive because it does not have the plastic chrome trim that bubbles up on the E90. If you look at the first picture, the trim is bubbling on my E90 iDrive controller and it drives me crazy. I have sliced my fingers several times and have to be careful when using iDrive, otherwise I will bleed on the controller and my steering wheel. The bubbling in the trim is caused by oils from your fingers and BMW will not cover it under warranty because it is 'wear and tear'.

The F30 controller feels very fluid and is much smoother than the E90's, probably due to its larger size. I really enjoy using the F30 iDrive and I can't think of any negatives. 

BMW F30 320i Bare iDrive

 

The BMW 320i comes with the bare iDrive controller standard. There are two fewer shortcut buttons and movement is limited to left and right. The wheel is much smaller so there is no touch pad like the iDrive equipped with navigation. 

I believe BMW made the right decision in providing a basic iDrive as standard in their 3-series sedans.

DIY: Infiniti QX4 & Pathfinder Air Filter 2001-2003

How to remove and reinstall engine air filter for the Infiniti QX4 & Nissan Pathfinder R50

May apply to earlier model years. 

Steps:
Pop open the hood and locate the engine air filter box. The box is behind the driver side head light assembly.

Locate the clips and pop them open. Pull the tray holding the air filter out. Clips are highlighted in red.

Remove the air filter and put in the new one. The filter goes in one way with the rubber seal facing the driver.

 

Dirty air filter removed. 

 

Dirty and clean filter comparison.

Check your filter with every oil change and see if it is dirty and clogged. A dirty air filter results in lower performance and MPG loss. Changing the filter is super quick and a cheap way of making sure you get the most performance out of your car. 

K&N 33-2031-2 High Performance Replacement Air Filter is the best air filter you can buy. The K&N Air Filter can be cleaned and re-used which saves a lot of money in the long run.

Purolator PA24278 PureONE Air Filter is pretty good if you don't want a re-usable filter.
 

DIY: BMW E90 Power Steering Reservoir Gasket

How to change the power steering reservoir cap gasket for BMW vehicles.

The power steering reservoir tends to leak up top because of two main reasons.

• The reservoir is made out of plastic and there is a crack where the two halves come together. 
• The reservoir cap gasket has deteriorated, lost its elasticity, etc. I have heard the gasket is not compatible with the Pentosin hydraulic fluid and the gasket deteriorates over time.

Luckily the reservoir is cheap and so is the gasket.

Below is a picture of what the power steering reservoir looks like in almost all modern BMWs. 

  

BMW started using Pentosin CHF 11S Synthetic Hydraulic Fluid - 1 Liter power steering fluid after '06 with their E9X models. The Pentosin fluid is not compatible with ATF! Do not mix the two. The required fluid is stamped on the top of the reservoir cap as shown below.

 

 To replace the power steering reservoir:

• Remove the cap and suck out all the power steering fluid using a turkey baster
• Remove the two nuts and bolts holding the power steering reservoir in place
• Break the two clamps holding securing the hoses to the reservoir at the bottom. 
• Part number for clamps: 07-12-9-952-109
• Part number for hoses built after 09/01: 32-11-6-750-155 and 32-41-6-796-390
• Part number for hoses built before 09/01: 32-41-1-095-526 and 32-41-6-796-390
• Installation is the reverse of removal. Install the clamp and install the two nuts and bolts securing the power steering pump reservoir. Fill the reservoir with the appropriate steering fluid up to the max fill line. 

The reservoir part number can be found and purchased here: BMW Power Steering Pump Fluid Reservoir Tank + Cap Hamman OEM Qualit 32411097164. If your reservoir requires Pentosin I would keep your old cap and put it on the new reservoir. 

To replace the power steering reservoir cap gasket:

• Remove the cap
• Remove gasket by using a scribe, pick, or small screwdriver. Be careful not to damage the cap
• Lube the new gasket with the hydraulic fluid and place into cap
• Install cap
• Below is a picture of where the gasket is located and the fill lines on the cap
 

DIY: Clean or Replace MAF Sensor on R50 Pathfinder or QX4

Steps: 

-Remove the 10mm nuts and bolts securing the air box filter. Red Arrows
-Remove the two plastic hoses on top of the air box. One of the hoses attaches to a metal nipple at the end of the air box. Blue Arrows.
-Loosen the MAF clamp with a Phillips screwdriver. 

-Remove the four 10mm bolts holding the MAF to the rear of the air box. Red Circles.
-One of the plastic tubes on top of the air box plugs into the metal nipple circled in blue. It may be difficult to remove the tube and will take some time. Be careful not to bend or clamp the metal nipple.

-Remove the electrical plug from the MAF sensor. Circled in Red.

-Remove the air box assembly and then remove the MAF. I had difficulty removing the MAF without taking out the air box assembly. I was worried about damaging the intake boot which is why I removed the air box assembly first.

-Once the MAF is removed, you can take out the sensor by removing the two bolts holding it into place. Red Arrow.

-Use CRC 05110 Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner - 11 Wt Oz. to clean the MAF sensor. Do not touch the sensor or wipe it with a towel, let it air dry. Spray the cleaner directly onto the sensor highlighted in green.

Installation is the reverse of removal. Pretty simple.

I suggest using Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2), 3 oz Tube on the hose that attaches to the back of the air box for easier installation and removal.

Now is also a good time to replace the air filter if it is dirty and clogged. I use K&N 33-2031-2 High Performance Replacement Air Filter because of its high performance and re-usability.

Why clean your MAF sensor? 
Dirty MAF sensor results in poor gas mileage, loss of power, difficulty starting, engine stalling, and lean or rich idling. If the MAF sensor is extremely dirty, you may get a check engine light.

Take the time to clean your MAF sensor on a periodic basis, it only takes a short amount of time and will save you money at the pump.

Note:
If the mass air flow sensor meter is cracked or warped, you need to replace it. I recommend buying this one.

If the sensor itself is damaged and cleaning does your fix your issues, you need to buy a new sensor. I recommend the Delphi AF10163