I know this is going to make me look even dumber than I really am, but could someone help me figure out which holes to use to secure the bracket onto the front bumper. The two-page instruction in the owners manual is clear as mud on this, and while I could wait and have the dealer install during my first oil change, I would rather me take the care to line up and position the thing correctly. The problem I am having is that there are three sets of holes in the bracket - two sets that positioned fairly close to each other (these are the holes that have slots for the "j-clip") and a third set a bit lower down on the bracket. The instructions are clear as to which to use for what step, and obviously you want to use the correct ones if you are drill 10mm holes in your bumper.

I am guessing you need to use one of the two sets of holes that have the slots for the j-clip, since the third set does not appear large enough in diameter for the white plastic screws that you need to use to fix the bracket to the bumper (these are the pastic "screws" that you need to rotate 90 degrees that appears to spring out behind the bumper like a toggle bolt).

So between the two remaining sets of holes (the two sets with the slots for the j-clips) one pair of holes is the correct width for the upper holes in the license plate. So those obviously need to be used for holding the license plate in place.

But the instructions then refer to the need to get screws no longer than a certain length to secure the license plate to the bracket.

So my questions... (1) which set of holes do I use to mark the holes I need to drill? (2) Do I use the same set of holes that I drill into the bumper to also secure the license plate to the bracket (using the set of screws that come in the package)? (3) Do I use one set of holes to secure the bracket to the bumper and a second set of holes to secure the license to the bracket (and thus need to get a second set of screws to do so?)?

I live in Texas, so we do need the darn front license (and yes, I have driven cars w/o front plates without getting pulled over). I just don't want to be hassled about it since I am finding that I drive this car a bit faster than previous cars I have owned.

 

You are on the right track. The 2 holes located near the center of the bracket are for mounting to the bumper. The 4 holes near the top portion of the bracket (2 sets) which you said appeared to be for the j-brackets are indeed for the j-brackets. There are 2 sets so you can fit plates with different mounting holes. For example: on a Texas plate, you use the angled j-bracket mounting holes. You can easily tell by holding your plate up to the bracket and aligning the holes prior to mounting.

You will need some short mounting screws to mount the front license plate. The hardware that came with your mounting bracket is only for the bracket. No license plate screws were included. The reason you need short screws is the limited space between the mounting bracket and the front bumper. If your license plate screw is too long, it will hit the bumper before it tightens down. Make sense? I found some perfect stainless steel screws at our local hardware store. Just take j-bracket with you to make sure you get the right threads. You can also take a small ruler and see just how short they will need to be once you test fit the bracket.

The 2 center holes are indeed for mounting the bracket to the bumper. These are the holes you use for marking and drilling, and then mounting. Go out and test fit the bracket to your bumper and it will all make sense.

 

Thanks Mnotx! Now that I think about it (and thanks to your message) the sets of holes all make sense. I confused myself thinking the white plastic "screws" had to go through the bracket... but its obvious they only go in the bumper and then the screws (that come in the package) go through the bracket and into the while plastic things. I am such a dolt!

Since I already embarrassed myself, can I ask another dumb question? Seems the instructions tell you to line up the top of the bracket with the vertical piece that you see in the lower center of the chrome grill. I think the instructions also tell you to line the two horizontal extensions on the bottom of the bracket with "tabs" that are found somewhere under the bumper. I looked all over, but didn't see any tabs. Is there something I am just not seeing to line those extensions with? I measured and marked the center of the bracket and lined up with the center of the grill (using a level). Seems the two horizontal extensions on the bottom of the bracket just rested up against the bottom of the bumper. is that correct, or am I missing something?

Again, thanks for the help!

 

You've got it right. Just line it up on the center, then lift it up until the two tabs on the bottom of the mounting bracket rest against the underside of the bumper. These two tabs just give it some stability and helps level it. There are no tabs on the bumper, just the two on the mounting bracket. When you mount the bracket, just remember to lift up on it and make sure the tabs are snug against the bottom of the bumper when you tighten the screws. It ends up making a pretty good mount when you're done. But the instructions lack quite a bit.