Introduction
It's been said, "we don't know everything, but we should know where to find it." This is very true when it comes to automobiles. Equipped with the proper information and you can be well on your way to making the right decision concerning your vehicle.
Below you'll find links to automotive information that can help you. In Section F you'll find technical information that the automakers must provide to the general public by law for a nominal charge. You can get authentic repair information that the dealership technicians receive which you can copy without having to purchase the complete Factory Repair Manual along with a host of other information specific to your vehicle.
A. New & Used Car Purchase / Vehicle Research
It's been said, "we don't know everything, but we should know where to find it." This is very true when it comes to automobiles. Equipped with the proper information and you can be well on your way to making the right decision concerning your vehicle.
Below you'll find links to automotive information that can help you. In Section F you'll find technical information that the automakers must provide to the general public by law for a nominal charge. You can get authentic repair information that the dealership technicians receive which you can copy without having to purchase the complete Factory Repair Manual along with a host of other information specific to your vehicle.
A. New & Used Car Purchase / Vehicle Research
1. https://truecar.com (Purchase new cars)
2. http://www.kbb.com (Kelly Blue Book™ new/used car prices)
3. http://www.edmunds.com (Used car prices, research)
4. http://www.cars.com (Used car classified ads)
5. http://www.carmax.com (National used car franchise)
6. http://www.ebaymotors.com (Online car auction)
7. http://www.autotrader.com (National used car classified)
8. http://www.nada.com (Used car prices, research)
9. http://www.autobytel.com (Overall Automotive Resources)
10. http://www.autotempest.com (Used car multiple sites in one site)
11. http://www.carsdirect.com (Buy/sell new & used cars)
12. http://www.craigslist.org (Used cars, free classified ads)
1. http://www.carcomplaints.com (Car complaints database)
2. http://www.autozone.com/video/video.jsp (Car repair videos)
3. http://www.iatn.net (Car knowledge database)
4. http://www.identifix.com (Staffed by 45 master techs)
5. http://www.faxonautoliterature.com (Used repair/owner’s manuals)
6. http://www.helminc.com (Repair/owner’s manuals)
7. http://www.cartalk.com (Automotive radio talk program)
8. http://www.aa1car.com/library.htm (Automotive repair library)
9. http://repairpal.com/estimator (Repair cost estimator)
(Location of Check Engine light connector to connect code reader to vehicle)
1. http://www.nhtsa.gov (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) (Variety of vehicle information, statistics, laws)
2. http://www.safercar.gov (Recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, complaints, crash test ratings, child car seats, safety technologies.)
Once there, go to vehicle owners, select your model year, make, model, click Go then select the tab you want (eg. Recalls, Investigations, Complaints.)
3. http://www.edmunds.com/carmaintainance/guide-page.html (TSB’s)
NOTE: A very good free source of vehicle repair information, recalls, and technical service bulletins (TSB) is your local city or county online library.
D. Vehicle History/Title Info/Vehicle Quality
1. http://www.carfax.com (Vehicle history)
2. http://www.autocheck.com (Vehicle history)
3. http://www.vehiclehistory.gov (Title history)
4. http://www.autos.jdpower.com (Quality, durability, reliability reports)
5. http://www.fueleconomy.gov (Fuel economy guide)
6. http://www.carmd.com (Check engine light resource)
1. Acura http://www.acura.com
2. Aston Martin http://www.astonmartin.com
3. Audi https://www.audiusa.com
4. Bentley https://www.bentleymotors.com
5. BMW http://www.bmwusa.com
6. Buick https://www.buick.com
7. Cadillac https://www.cadillac.com
8. Chevrolet https://www.chevrolet.com
9. Chrysler http://www.chrysler.com
10. Dodge http://www.dodge.com
11. Fiat http://www.fiatusa.com
12. Ford http://www.ford.com
13. Honda http://www.honda.com
14. Hyundai https://www.hyundaiusa.com
15. Infiniti http://www.infinitiUSA.com
16. Isuzu Cars http://www.isuzu.com
17. Jaguar http://www.jaguarUSA.com
18. Jeep http://www.jeep.com
19. Kia http://www.kia.com
20. Land Rover http://www.landroverusa.com
21. Lexus http://www.lexus.com
22. Lincoln https://www.lincoln.com
23. Maserati http://www.maseratiusa.com
24. Mazda http://www.mazdausa.com
25. Mercedes Benz http://www.mbusa.com
26. Mini Copper http://www.miniusa.com
27. Mitsubishi http://www.mitsubishicars.com
28. Nissan http://www.nissanusa.com
29. Porsche http://porsche.com/usa
30. Rolls-Royce https://rollsroycemotorcars.com
31. Saturn https://www.gm.com/owner-assistance/saturn.html
32. Scion https://www.scion.com
33. Smart http://www.smartusa.com
34. Subaru http://www.subaru.com
35. Suzuki http://www.globalsuzuki.com
36. Toyota http://www.toyota.com
37. Volkswagen http://www.vw.com
38. Volvo http://www.volvo.com/us
The cost of genuine factory repair manuals often comes in multiple volumes and is not cheap. These are the books the professional technician use in a service environment.
The genuine factory manuals are ideal to have if you intend to do significant work. However, new factory repair manuals are expensive; therefore, you can purchase them used on ebay.com or craigslist.org™
You can also obtain specifications and repair procedures free from your local library online e-resources automotive section (a very good deal.)
You can also obtain temporary access to the digital repair manuals from the manufacturer. Below is the web address for all of the car manufacturers that sell vehicles in the United States.
Digital Repair Manuals, Wiring Diagrams, and Owner’s Manuals
Access Cost: $10.00-$30.00 for 1-3 days at various manufacturer websites.
1. Acura http://www.ServiceExpress.Honda.com
2. Aston Martin http://www.astonmartintechinfo.com/home
3. Audi https://erwin.audiusa.com
4. Bentley https://erwinusa.bentleymotors.com
5. BMW http://www.bmwtechinfo.com
7. Cadillac https://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/home
8. Chevrolet https://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/home
9. Chrysler http://www.techauthority.com
10. Dodge http://www.techauthority.com
11. Eagle http://www.techauthority.com
12. Fiat http://www.techauthority.com
13. Ford http://www.motorcraftservice.com
15. Honda http://www.ServiceExpress.Honda.com
16. Hyundai http://www.hyundaitechinfo.com
17. Infiniti http://www.infiniti-techinfo.com/home.aspx
18. Isuzu Cars http://www.isuzutechinfo.com
19. Jaguar http://www.jaguartechinfo.com
20. Jeep http://www.techauthority.com
21. Kia http://www.kiatechinfo.com
22. Land Rover http://www.landrovertechinfo.com
23. Lexus http://www.techinfo.lexus.com
24. Lincoln http://www.motorcraftservice.com
25. Maserati http://www.maseratitechinfo.com
26. Mazda http://www.mazdaserviceinfo.com
27. Mercedes Benz http://www.startekinofo.com
28. Mercury http://www.motorcraftservice.com
29. Mini http://www.minitechinfo.com
30. Mitsubishi http://www.mitsubishitechinfo.com
31. Nissan http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/home.aspx
32. Plymouth http://www.techauthority.com
33. Pontiac https://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/home
34. Porsche https://techinfo2.porsche.com/PassThru/user/ShowInfo.action
35. Rolls-Royce http://www.rrtis.com
36. Saab http://www.epsiportal.com
38. Scion http://techinfo.toyota.com
39. Smart http://smartkinfo.com/SmartTek/
40. Subaru http://techinfo.subaru.com
41. Suzuki http://suzukipitstopplus.com
42. Toyota
43. Volkswagen https://erwin.vw.com
44. Volvo http://www.volvotechinfo.com
Below are additional repair publications that cover years, makes, models and can be used for maintenance and repair information but are not in-depth and specific to each year make and model as compared to a factory repair manual.
G. Additional Repair Information
1. Chilton Repair Manual - https://www.chiltondiymanuals.com/repairmanuals
2. Motor Auto Repair Manual - on (www.Amazon.com, www.eBay.com)
3. Haynes™ - http://www.haynes.com/print
5. Car clubs, automotive forums, the internet, and the online section of your city/county library.
Conclusion
There you have it, information at the click of a mouse. In addition, I would like to invite you to purchase and download a copy of my eBook ($7.99) entitled: "How to Own a Car on the Cheap (without sacrificing quality)" which is well worth the money to give you additional information.
Here's the purchase link: https://payhip.com/b/A9i2
Conclusion
There you have it, information at the click of a mouse. In addition, I would like to invite you to purchase and download a copy of my eBook ($7.99) entitled: "How to Own a Car on the Cheap (without sacrificing quality)" which is well worth the money to give you additional information.
Here's the purchase link: https://payhip.com/b/A9i2
