Common Add-Ons that Some Auto Repair Shops Insist

Have you ever been talked into buying something, only for you to realize later on that you don’t really need that thing? That practice is common even in auto repair shops. Because shops want to earn as much as they can (who doesn’t want revenues, anyway?), some of them resort to sales talk, convincing customers that they need to replace certain parts in their vehicle.

Now how do you know whether your mechanic’s suggestion is valid, or if he’s only trying to talk you into spending more?

* Tire change. Some mechanics will offer to change all your vehicle tires for a discounted amount. Though you may think that this is a good offer, you need to be sure that your tires are really nearing their lifespan. What you need to check are the treads in the tires. Are the treads still within the prescribed limit? If they’re not anymore, then you can take on the suggestion of the mechanic. Otherwise, refuse to have the tires changed.

* Filter change. This is another common item that mechanics seem to have interest in. You’ll find different filters in your vehicle, and some mechanics will insist on changing a filter for safety purposes. Filters do help in keeping your vehicle in good working condition. But, know that they don’t actually require frequent replacement. If there’s one filter that you need to change regularly, that’s your oil filter. The ideal interval for replacing this filter is every oil change. Other than this, the rest of the filters don’t have to be replaced frequently. Check your manual for the correct replacement interval of each.

It’s so easy to be ripped off if you’re in the dark when it comes to the different parts of your vehicle. So, familiarize yourself with these parts and their replacement intervals so that you’ll be less likely to fall into fraud.

Contributions are Welcome!

The Internet is a very large place, so it would be impossible to know every nook and cranny of it (unless, perhaps, you’re a Google spider or something like that). That said, we’d like to let you all know that Repair Manuals Online is accepting contributions to be posted on our blog. This is your chance to give your own insights as well as share information you think others might find useful.

Perhaps you’ve seen an excellent web site or even an online message board that deals with online auto repair manuals. Or you could have found a treasure trove of online car repair manuals that are hosted on some file server or another site. Maybe you know of a friend of yours that’s about to upload scans of his or her repair manual or car care manual. Or you could even be wanting to start your own blog that showcases particular online repair manuals. If so, do let us know and we’ll make sure that the majority of people looking for online automotive repair manuals will be able to find the one that suits their needs and requirements.

Standard rules apply; make sure you send us an active link and a brief description. Just leave it in the comments section so we can note it down, after which we’ll check out the link before we post it on our blog. We’ll take care of the writing needed for the blog post, so don’t worry about doing some pro-bono writing work. Haha. Just kidding.

Thanks in advance to the helpful people who want to contribute to our effort in bringing the best and brightest online auto repair manuals to the forefront. There’s nothing like getting information straight from the people who really use these online car repair manuals and resources.

Merry Christmas from Repair Manuals Online!

We would like to greet everyone Merry Christmas!

The year has almost drawn to a close, but we hope that you continue to get your fill of online repair manuals right here at our blog. It's been one heck of a year, and we hope to bring you more news, more information, more tips and tricks for 2011. Of course, this is a Christmas post and not a New Year's post, so we'll leave the “what's in store for next year” bit for a later post.

Remember, you can always get into the spirit in this season of giving. So why not hop on over to your trusted online auto repair manual tool or site and gift it to your friends? You can get them a subscription, or you can buy them an online repair manual, or you can simply forward a couple of useful links. Heck, why not tell them about http://repairmanualsonline.blogspot.com/ in the process? You might even be able to chance upon some holiday deals or some yuletide treats if you're lucky.

Of course, a standard car repair manual in paper or book format will do nicely for anyone, too. As long as it helps get the job done and get the job done right, then we're sure that whoever you gift that manual to will be very appreciative of your present. It's definitely going to help any mechanic or DIY auto enthusiast happy, regardless if the one you get is a digital or a physical repair manual.

Anyway, we all hope you're well and warm this Christmas, surrounded by your loved ones and confronted by a welcome barrage of gifts and good wishes. And food. Let's not forget the food. May you have a bountiful feast, or at the very least a modest meal to keep your tummy happy.

Again, Merry Christmas to all!

Some Quick Safety Tips for Christmas Eve

Since we’re in the topic of general car care, and we’re feeling really cold this Christmas Eve, we thought we’d share some quick safety guidelines for each time you work on your ride. These are compiled from some of our favorite online repair manuals.

- Simply avoid smoking every time you need to perform a task on your ride. You don’t want anything catching fire or blowing up now, do you?

- Avoid getting chemicals into your eyes. These include cleaners and antifreeze. Make sure you wash your hands after using such stuff and store them in places where your kids or your pets will be able to access them.

- Make sure that your garage or workshop has adequate ventilation at all times. This won’t be a problem if you work outside your place; otherwise, try to keep those doors and windows open to provide proper ventilation.

- Jewelry doesn’t belong in the garage. Sure, you look all bad-ass with all that bling, but if your necklace or rings get caught in some car part, you can get in serious trouble or you might even get into an accident.

- If you have long hair, tie it at the back so that it doesn’t get in the way. This will also keep your hair from getting ruined or caught in certain openings in your ride’s parts.

- We can’t stress this enough: make sure that your ride’s parking brake is engaged when you work on the vehicle. You must also ensure that the engine is shut off and that the car’s gear shifter is in the Park position.

- Use some wheel blocks to prevent rolling. If you don’t have proper blocks, you can use makeshift wooden blocks or even some decent-sized rocks.

- Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies.

Anyone in DIY auto repair should keep those things in mind to prevent injuries and accidents. Remember: safety in the shop is the number one priority.

Advanced Merry Christmas, guys!

Things You’ll Find in a Generic Auto Repair Manual

Previously, we’ve already started discussing online auto repair manuals that have a generic approach. They help us get a good feel about the fundamentals of car repair and car maintenance, thanks to a complete selection of information about car parts and systems along with step by step guides on performing particular repair or maintenance tasks. But what exactly will you find in such types of car repair manuals?

First off, you get a dumbed-down approach to instructing about auto repair. That’s not a bad thing, and we shouldn’t be insulted. That approach will only help us better understand the contents. This serves as the primer to bigger and better things, the easy route to bridging the gap between understanding your vehicle and actually performing repairs and service on your ride.

In many ways, these generic auto repair manuals help establish the common sense behind how seemingly-complicated components work. You’ll know what it takes to get started, what you should know before you even pick up that wrench, setting up a toolbox, quick preventive maintenance tips, and other useful material for preparation.

Some car care manuals provide a per-system overview of general car maintenance and repair, plus some tips and tricks all about troubleshooting. You’ll also get some information about popular car care myths along with the secrets of your vehicle. Others offer glossaries that will aid in the understanding of the text itself. You get all of that in one practical package.

If you think that DIY car care and auto repair is very complicated and not very fun, then these generic auto repair manuals will be able to dispel those misgivings by letting you understand the inner workings of your vehicle using a language that most people will understand. Everyone has to start somewhere, and for most of us, we start with these kinds of manuals if we want to get a foot in the world of DIY auto repair.

Being at Peace While Your Car is in the Shop

Do you find yourself always worrying every time your vehicle is in the auto repair shop, especially when you leave it for a long time such as overnight? Do you always worry that the shop personnel will do something wrong with your ride or try to rip you off? Well, that feeling is natural. But, the good news is that there are some things that you can do in order to keep your worry away and to have peace of mind while you’re home and your car is at the shop.

Before Bringing Your Car in for Repair: Scout for Good Shops

As has always been said before, trusted shops are treasures that you would want to keep throughout your vehicle ownership. Nothing beats knowing that your vehicle is in good hands even while you’re away and your ride is in the shop.

When the Car is Already in the Shop: Keep Everything Clear with the Shop Personnel

Upon bringing your vehicle in, tell your mechanic what the problem is, tell him the symptoms, and tell him what you want done. Be clear about every single detail, and be clear about the fact that you don’t want any repair performed without your permission. If at all possible, leave your number so that they can call you if they need to do something on the car that you need to know.

After the Repair is Done: Be Prepared to Ask and Inspect

If you know what your car has gone into, you’ll be ready to face any problem that you may see after the repair is done. Car part not replaced? Service not performed? You should be aware of these possibilities and you should be ready to check what you need to check when the repair is done. Knowing what you must look for will ensure that you will not fall into deception, so you won’t have to worry.

Online Auto Repair Manual Reviews: Freeonlineautorepair.com

We’ve already provided a bunch of reviews centered on some of the preeminent paid or premium online car repair manual services on the world wide web, along with some posts pointing to a couple of free online repair manuals. Today, we’ll be setting our sights on a free online auto repair manual site, the aptly named Free Online Auto Repair web site over at http://www.freeonlineautorepair.com/.

The one positive that stood out for us is that the information at freeonlineautorepair.com is organized in a variety of ways. You can browse through listings like Common Diagnostic & Repair Topics, Quick Tips for cars and trucks, and an alphabetically arranged Repair Directory.

The Repair Directory is perhaps the most useful for many who are looking for something close to a repair manual specific to particular makes and models. Just click on the link to your vehicle’s make and you’ll be taken to a page that lists all the site’s entries featuring that automobile manufacturer. There are some active links for certain vehicle models, although it’s more of a hit or miss thing here. You can also find some pieces of general reference material that you can use, like tip and tricks for general automotive care and maintenance and a fancy online PDF glossary of car-related terms.

Perhaps the biggest drawback even with the seemingly numerous listings is that the information can be really limited. The coverage isn’t very comprehensive, with only a few entries included for some makes. Well, what can you do? It’s a free site. You’re in luck if you can find what you need in their listings.

When push comes to shove, freeonlineautorepair.com is not the best automotive repair resource on the Internet, and it certainly won’t be an alternative for premium auto repair manuals that you can use for comprehensive data. Still, there are some features on the site that you can use, albeit only a very limited amount.

Mitchell 1 DIY Offers Discounts for the New Year

There are always great deals in store every Christmas season, including sales and promos for gadgets, gaming consoles, computers, furniture and even clothing. New Year also brings inventory clearance sales and price drops. But did you know that you can also get premium online auto repair manuals at a cheaper price during this season? That’s just what Mitchell 1 DIY has in mind.

Here’s the official word on the Mitchell 1 DIY home page:

“Mitchell 1 DIY would like to help you keep that New Year's Resolution to repair the things on your vehicle that you have been putting off. That's why we're offering our One Week Subscription, regularly priced at $11.99 for $10.49.

Mitchell 1 DIY Online repair information features over 16,000 vehicles with more than 19,000 repair articles and thousands of technical service bulletins, including recalls, and millions of supporting graphics.”

Of course, this offer has been in place for quite some time now, and granted, it’s just $1.50 off. But hey! We’re not the kind to spurn any discount or slashed price. $1.50 off quality premium online car repair manuals is still a very good offer.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, you can check out our overview of the Mitchell 1 DIY service over at this link. And the pricing there is even updated to reflect the current discounted rate. Now is your chance to avail of detailed repair manuals online, with an extensive coverage when it comes to model years and vehicle makes.

What better way to spend some of that excess Christmas bonus money than to get a reliable online repair manual for you or your enthusiast friends? Plus, it’s discounted, too! Now that’s better value for your hard-earned moolah.

Happy Holidays!

Beware: Oil Change Rip Off

Oil change is one automotive task that DIYers like you can easily accomplish all by yourselves. However, there are certain instances when you really have to bring your ride to a shop for an oil change—instances such as when you’re too busy to do the job yourself or if you’re bringing in the car for another repair and getting an oil change together with the repair is a more convenient option.

You should watch out, though, because some shops practice rip-offs even in as simple a job as an oil change. How?

The most common oil change rip off is the failure of the shop to replace the filter together with the oil change. This filter is designed to trap the contaminants present in the oil so that the said particles will not cause clogging in any metal part. And, it must also be replaced every time you change your vehicle oil. Some auto mechanics will lead you to believe that they have replaced the filter when in fact they didn’t. And the result, the oil’s efficiency won’t last long and the old filter may become clogged soon, not letting enough oil to flow to important metal components.

Another form of oil change rip-off is the filling up on oil that’s lower in class than the oil that the customer has paid for. Automotive oil comes in different grades, with the higher grades being more expensive. Sometimes, you’ll pay for a higher grade of oil but the mechanic will use oil of lower grade without you knowing it.

Similar to all other types of rip-off, you must be vigilant and must be on the look-out for this kind of rip-off. Practice caution when dealing with auto repair shops so that you will not easily fall into fraud and deception.

Preventive Maintenance through Online Repair Manuals

If your vehicle has ever broken down on you while you sped through the highway, then you know how much hassle that entails. Basically, there’s only one proven way to prevent that from happening to you—the key is preventive maintenance, and you can accomplish this with any reliable online auto repair manual.

You’ll be able to find a wide selection of online car repair manuals that will give you the necessary information that you’ll need to carry out monthly inspections on your car. Spending a small amount of time under your ride’s hood each month is guaranteed to reduce the chances that your vehicle will break down on you some time or another. In fact, some repair manuals even say that as much as 70 percent of highway breakdown causes can be prevented by simply taking a mere 15 minutes to check up under the hood of your vehicle.

You have to check components that lose vital fluid, lose air, come loose or get damaged after some time in use. When the level of fluids like oil, coolant, brake fluid and others start to get dangerously low, you should refill the fluid back to their operational levels.

Make sure to inspect such components as your car’s radiator, the drive belts, the accessory belts, the air filter and even the car battery. Inspect the different hoses that you find under the hood as well. All of the electrical wiring should also be checked every month to guarantee proper function out of your ride’s various electrically-powered components. Lastly, make sure your ride’s tires are in good condition.

Once you’re done with your monthly vehicle inspection, you’ll be able to have peace of mind knowing that there is little chance your car will break down on you when you go out for a drive. You’ll also effectively prolong the service life of your vehicle’s parts and spare yourself the hassle of fixing your vehicle in the middle of the highway.

DIY Saturday: The Basic Tools that You Need in Your Garage for All Your Automotive Tasks

It’s DIY Saturday once again! Last week the topic was about the prevention of damage when the engine starts to overheat. This Saturday, it’ll be a little different – let’s talk about the tools that you need to do your own car repair inside your garage. There are some repairs that even the average Joe can accomplish, so there’s no need to bring your vehicle to the shop, pay hundreds of dollars, and suffer from a possible rip-off.

As long as you have the following tools, you can already accomplish a lot of basic tasks and save more dollars:

Screwdriver and Wrench Sets. These are basic tools for use when doing repairs in your automobile. Whichever system you’re working on, you’ll almost always find nuts and bolts to loosen or tighten, parts to torque properly, and these basic tools are important for these tasks.

Jack. If you’re doing some work on parts and systems underneath your vehicle, the only way to accomplish the task is by getting underneath your ride. And, you will need to lift the car to achieve that. A jack is also a safety mechanism—it will ensure that your vehicle will be securely lifted without banging down and possibly putting you in danger.

Creeper. This is the perfect partner for the jack. When doing under-the-car repairs, sliding and lying on your back and peering at the part to be repaired is best and most conveniently done with the help of a creeper.

Volt Ohm Meter. This tool is designed for diagnosing problems. This is used to measure voltage in a device, so it’s ideal for testing electrical parts.

With the help of these tools, it will be easy to perform basic automotive tasks, and even to diagnose problems before bringing your vehicle in for repair. This is especially useful for people who dread going to auto repair shops or to those who have little trust on shop mechanics.

Haynes: Our Online Auto Repair Manual of the Year

Since 2010 is coming to a close, I guess it is high time to give credit where credit is due. Thus, we present our 2010 Online Auto Repair Manual of the Year award to none other than Haynes Online. Although yes, you could make the case that Haynes is more like online ordering for actual auto repair manuals, it’s still an online service and we treat it as such.


We’re really impressed with the reach and the system implemented by Haynes. The company offers not just repair manuals for cars but also techbooks, ATV and motorcycle manuals as well as manuals in Spanish. Of course, what we really like the most is the process of actually producing the manual. Haynes tears down an entire vehicle (!!!) before rebuilding it.

This system allows for a thorough understanding of every system and component in the vehicle, as well as 100-percent accuracy when it comes to diagrams, layouts, positions and other particular pieces of information relating to a certain car model. These also help give users photos and illustrations of the actual car they need to work on. Of course, the drawback is that there has to be sufficient demand in order to make the manual you need available, but the Haynes coverage is pretty extensive anyway.

Of course, there were other strong contenders in 2010, as online repair manual services shored up their catalogs and even slashed prices on subscriptions. But then, you know what they say: there can be only one. This time, it’s Haynes. Who knows, next year maybe we’ll be able to see a different online auto repair manual service wearing the crown. There’s a lot of promise coming from some services, and maybe they’ll be able to break through in 2011.

Additionally, if you want more information about Haynes, you can go visit our review article on Haynes Online by clicking on this link.

Auto Repair Gone Bad: A Classic Example

A friend called me last week to tell me about her first negative car repair experience, a classic situation into which anyone can fall.

She bought her car to a shop because of a problem that has to do with the engine suddenly dying while she’s driving. There was nothing else together with this problem. The engine would just die all so sudden, with no warning whatsoever.

The mechanic told her to replace the fuel pump because it was not providing enough pressure for the fuel to reach the engine. After paying for the new pump and for labor, my friend brought her car home. The car was normal for a few days, until the same thing happened again—the car suddenly dying without any warning.

My friend returned the car to the shop and complained about the problem. The mechanic looked into it and then said that the regulator and the filter needed a replacement. My friend, who was growing a bit suspicious but was in dire need to have her car fixed, gave in.

But, the same thing happened—she got the car back and the problem returned. This time, she brought the car to another shop. Upon inspection, the shop found that it’s the inertia switch that’s failing. This switch is a component that shuts off the fuel when the car gets in an accident in order to protect the passengers from possible fuel hazards like fire. When the switch is damaged, it may prevent the fuel from reaching the engine.

True enough, when the mechanic pressed the reset button found on the switch, the car got back to its original shape. That was a temporary solution, though, and the switch had to be replaced. My friend agreed to the replacement, and the car ran fine since then.

According to the second mechanic, the old switch shows signs of wear that had most probably started for a long time, so there’s a great probability that it was the reason for the previous problems and not the fuel pump, regulator, and filter that have been replaced.

Diagram Illustrations: How Important are they?

In our previous entries about looking for the right kind of online auto repair manuals, we stated that there has to be some illustrations included to help the DIY mechanic do his or her task. When you talk about the bottom line, however, are illustrations really all that important for people?

This argument comes up because there are already detailed step by step instructions that come with practically all online car repair manuals. These texts are quite easy to understand, so people will be able to follow them without much of a hitch. Then again, sometimes even the most carefully stated thoughts can be a bit confusing to other people. That’s when illustrations are needed.

Sometimes, it’s just hard to know if you’re handling the correct part in a particular system. A clear picture provided in the manual will dispel any doubts you have, and you can approach the task with more confidence since you know you’re not removing the wrong part.

Besides, thanks to an influx of computer software, rendering high-quality illustrations is now a cinch for many publishers. Readers now get very accurate diagrams as well as clearly-illustrated depictions of systems and processes. Pictures now are more detailed, more graphic and easily more eye-catching. Some even provide 3D images or animated gif files that really show how something works. These come in handy when you find yourself uncertain about something.

Illustrations are found in our everyday lives. From the newspaper to the television, we are barraged with a wide variety of visual stimuli. That’s because the human brain can understand and internalize things easier with the use. The same goes for online car repair manuals. All of that exclusive jargon, complicated processes and the concepts that are seemingly hard to understand simply become clearer thanks to visual aids included in the manuals.

Transmission Repairs are More Susceptible to Rip-Offs

While it’s always advised that you watch out for possible rip-offs every time you bring your car to auto repair shops, that advise is especially important if you’re bringing in your ride for a transmission repair. Why is that?

Well, transmission repair is complicated. A lot of parts have to be dismounted and taken off. A lot of work is also involved. Because of this, it’s not easy to verify whether all parts indicated in your receipt have been installed, or whether the indicated service has been performed. Even if you’re good at DIY automotive tasks, you’ll need to tear down the transmission again just to check whether there’s really a new part mounted. Well, who would want to do such a thing like that? Nobody, right? Well, auto repair shops and mechanics know that, and those who plan to rip you off will use that knowledge to their advantage.

So, are you protected? All you can really do here is a sort of preventive protection. To ensure that you will not be ripped off, see to it that you bring your vehicle to a shop that you fully trust.

Ask for advice from friends who have had to have their transmission repaired. Ask for recommendations. This is the best means to avoid a rip-off—you’ll be sure that the shop is proven reliable.

Look up online and search for shops in your area. Once you find one, check the internet and then check with the concerned authorities for any possible previous complaint against the shop. If there’s any complaint at all, beware.

Also, insist on getting your old parts back after the repair. Although there’s no assurance here that no rip-off has been done if the shop returns the part, the shop mechanics will know that they’re dealing with someone they cannot easily rip off.

Generic Online Auto Repair Manuals

Sometimes, people don't really need information that is too detailed for their own good. This holds true for automotive repair as well, particularly when getting a new online auto repair manual. There are instances where you simply need a repair manual that offers an overview or a general approach.

When would such a type of online repair manual be useful? One situation I can think if is when you’re just starting out in the world of DIY automotive repair and maintenance. After all, you’ll need some time to learn the ropes and know all of the basics when it comes to cars and what makes them work. Having a good grasp of the fundamentals is an important part of any endeavor, so that’s where the general online repair manual comes in.

When I was just dipping my toes into the pool of DIY auto repair, there were books that helped me get on the right track. Things like Auto Repair for Dummies and even the Complete Car Care Manual from Popular Mechanics may not be as in-depth as many would like, but they do offer a complete overview that can help you understand the basics.

For me, the best thing about such manuals is that they are really intended to be read by beginners or those with low levels of automotive repair skill. That means the information is organized very well, the language is quite plain, and the step by step procedures are easy to understand overall. This way, they can provide an adequate stepping stone before you move up to the more detailed online auto repair manuals that are specific to the cars you work on.

Detailed, model-specific information is very useful, especially for unique models that don’t really match the systems or configurations of common vehicles. Still, if you want to first know all about the basics, it won’t hurt to go the general auto repair manual route.

A Look at Paint Protection

So far, the posts here have been about stuff related to auto repairs, negative practices by auto repair shops, and how you can avoid them. Today, let’s take a look at another practice not by auto repair shops but by auto dealers—a paint protection offer.

We all want our cars to remain good-looking for a long time—shiny, scratch-free, with zero blemishes. So, an offer for a complete car body protection may sound appealing. Some dealers would offer to provide the car with a coating that can protect its sheen against harsh weathers and damaging elements for a few thousands of dollars. Worth it? You may think so.

In reality, this is not a good idea. First, a car paint protection shouldn’t cost you that much. The real price of this is very cheap, so you shouldn’t be paying thousands of dollars for it. Besides, protecting your vehicle’s body paint is something that you can accomplish on your own. There are different kits offered today that you can use to apply coating to your vehicle body and keep its shine last for a long time. These kits are very cheap and will not bore a hole in your pocket.

If you really want to consider the offer but you want to be sure that you’re getting it without being ripped off, you can complain about the price. It’s natural for dealers to slash the price in half. If you can negotiate for a price lower than that, try. Also, check whether there’s anything in your vehicle warranty that says you need to bring your vehicle to the dealer every 2 months or 60 days to renew the protection. If you do, then you don’t need the one offered by the dealership. You’ll just waste money by spending on it.

Things to Look for in Online Auto Repair Manuals Part 2

In a previous post a couple of days back, we’ve already provided some aspects that we think should be major factors in your decision to go for one online auto repair manual service over the others. Of course, three aspects don’t make a full online car repair manual, right? So we’ve decided to add to the list of things and features you should consider when you finally get your own paid subscription to an online vehicle repair manual. Here they are:

Ease of Use

Make sure you check if there are any available reviews about your prospective online auto repair manuals. This way, you can find out if that particular service or program or site is easy enough to use. It’s not so much the system requirements as it is the way the user interface is designed. If the online repair manual is easy to navigate, you’ll be able to get your desired information much faster.


Clarity of Information

Without a doubt, all paid online repair manuals aim to provide as comprehensive a coverage as possible. Sometimes, though, the language they use to present that information just isn’t understandable enough for common folk and for DIY beginners. That can be a roadblock for some, since they won’t be able to use something they can’t understand.


Cost

This is a major factor that we didn’t include in the previous list, but it is definitely a major, major aspect of purchasing an online car repair manual. All of the other aspects figure into this consideration, because the more features the manual program or site has, the better value you’ll get for the cost. One online repair manual may be more expensive than another, but if the additional features and coverage you’ll get is extensive, then it might be worth shelling out a few more bucks.

Why Going for the Cheapest Auto Repair Shop is Not a Good Idea

We all want to save on our expenses. That is especially true when it comes to automotive repairs. However, while we all want to avoid more expenses and possible rip-offs, it’s also not a good idea to choose the cheapest shop in the area. You might not know it, but you might be ripped off even more by choosing a shop that’s cheap.

Why?

Well, recognize that no shop will want to get behind its competitors in terms of profit. So, you should be wondering why a particular shop offers a very cheap rate. Could it be that the shop’s mechanics are not certified, and no customers will entrust their cars to the shop if they will not offer a lower rate? Could it be that they’ve had problems with their customers before, and their customers are not returning to them again, thus the need to offer lower rates to attract new clients? These could be a few possibilities.

The best thing you can do here is to research on the current rates offered by auto repair shops in your area. If you see that the particular shop you’re considering offers a rate that’s way lower than that, be on guard.

Get feedbacks from its previous customers. Or, talk to shop personnel directly. Ask them why the rate is so low. If they are not keeping any secret, then there’s a good chance that they will be able to confidently give you with a valid answer. You can also ask if their mechanics have any certification (such as ASE) that can prove that they’re good at what they do. If they can’t show you anything, then you should know that something is going on.

If you don’t feel confident about the shop, then go to another one. It’s worth spending a few more dollars as long as you’re sure that you’re getting a good service and that you won’t be returning to the shop anytime soon.

Looking Forward to More Online Repair Manual Goodness in 2011

So it’s December 11 today. I just realized that in only a couple or so more weeks to go, we’ll be moving on to the year 2011. We’re inching closer to what many call the 2012 phenomenon—you know, last year of the Mayan Calendar, end of the world stuff. I’m not really a fan of that kind of talk. I’m a fan of, obviously, online auto repair manuals.

The Smart fortwo electric drive

This is why I expect a lot more goodies from the online repair manuals front next year. This means people uploading more free scans and information, and paid premium online car repair manuals shoring up their services and updating their vehicle-specific catalog to include newer vehicle makes and models.

Here’s a good example: more and more hybrid and electric vehicles are seeing use nowadays. You’ve got the most visible Toyota Prius and there are others coming or that have already arrived, like those amazing BlueEfficiency cars from the folks at Mercedes-Benz and the Smart fortwo electric drive, along with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Peugeot iOn that go on sale in January 2011. The market will definitely grab hold of more of these models, and there are already efforts to create more pieces of infrastructure to support such vehicles. I think we’ll see the need for more online auto repair manuals that can cover these vehicles and their green power plants.

Of course, automobile manufacturers are gearing for another year of release in 2011, as they try to build on solid growth in 2010 in terms of sales and revenue. The market looks to be recovering, but one thing remains: the public is aware that costs can be cut by performing DIY repair or maintenance tasks. That’s why online repair manuals will still be big in the upcoming year—if not bigger.

DIY Saturday: Engine Overheating

This section of my weekly post will now be devoted to some DIY procedures to help consumers perform some simple repairs without having to bring their vehicle to auto repair shops anymore. This will also discuss preventative ways to keep vehicles from getting completely busted. This will not only reduce your expenses but this will also save you from the likelihood of being ripped off.

And for today, let’s take a look at engine overheating. This is one of the most common dilemmas that drivers face, and this almost always results in having the vehicle towed to the nearest repair center. At worst, you may have to deal with a damaged engine and a huge amount of repair cost. So how do you deal? What should you do to avoid a costly engine repair?

Well, if there’s anything good about it, it’s that engine overheating doesn’t happen all at once. Before you finally get stranded on the side of the road, you’ll still be warned by the gauge in your dashboard—and you can still take steps.

If you start to see your gauge needle climbing to high, the first thing you need to do is to pull over. Shut the engine off as fast as you can. While you’re maneuvering your ride into a stop, turn your car heater in full blast. Once the vehicle is safely parked, open the hood to let cool air cool the engine compartment and allow hot air to escape.

Now you have to wait until it’s safe to tinker with the engine parts. You can also use water to cool parts so that they’ll be safer to touch. Then, check any possible source of the problem—very low coolant level, a leak, or a disconnected hose.

Once you have found the culprit, such as a ruptured hose that lets all the coolant escape, then you’ll at least know where to start. Remember, however, not to drive your vehicle again unless you have found the reason for the overheating and addressed it—you may just further damage the engine.

In case you really need help in diagnosing the cause of the problem, then that’s the time you call the tow truck and head to an auto repair shop.

Things to Look for in Online Auto Repair Manuals

So you’ve finally decided to subscribe to or buy a paid online car repair manual. Yet, there are a lot of choices out on the World Wide Web, and it is very important that you know absolutely what you’re getting before you go and hit that Buy button. That’s why we’ve come up with a few things that you might want to look into first before you spend your cash. Here are some of the things you should look for in your online auto repair manual:

Vehicle-Specific Manual

Unless all you’re after are generic auto repair tips and tricks, you’ll probably want an online repair manual that tackles issues, problems and repair tasks specific to your vehicle’s make and model. This way, you can make sure that you won’t encounter any troubleshooting or repair problems simply because your ride has a different setup or has different components compared to what the manual is talking about.

Manual Contains an Illustrated Guide

Illustrations are always helpful, and full-blown videos are even more helpful. It would be nice if the manual you got had these features, as these will make your task much easier. It’ll be like you have a teacher or a coach actually showing you what to do. Furthermore, illustrations can help prevent confusion on your part because you can see exactly what the directions are referring to.

Accessible

Certain online auto repair manuals have minimum system requirements. These are the minimum specs your computer or laptop must have in order for the manual to be viewed. Just make sure your computer has these specs or better. After all, it would be pointless to spend cash on a manual if you won’t be able to even view it, right?


So that about covers it. Now that you know what to look for in your online auto repair manual, you can pick the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Good luck!

Friday’s Advice: Water Pump Replacement

In relation to my post yesterday about repair and replacement, a friend consulted me about the suggestion of a mechanic to him to have the water pump of his vehicle replaced—when in fact he brought the vehicle in just for a timing belt replacement.

He was a little confused about the suggestion, given the fact that his vehicle’s water pump was in good shape and there was no problem at all in the cooling system of his car.

Now what’s the best thing to do?

The fact is, the suggestion of the mechanic is valid. Why? Well, replacing a water pump is a tasking work, and it involves the removal of different parts. You also have to take the timing belt off—this process involves almost 90% of the entire procedure.

This is the reason a water pump replacement is advised when taking the timing belt off. It’s so much of a hassle to repeat the complicated procedure just to replace the water pump a few weeks after replacing the timing belt. By replacing the pump and the belt together, you save on labor expenses and effort—much like hitting two birds with one stone.

The final decision here still lies on the vehicle owner, so I told my friend about the possibilities. One way to decide would be to determine how long the pump had been in the vehicle. Most pumps on average have the same replacement interval as the belt. If at all, they should be replaced before they reach 100,000 miles. Sure, I’ve read of pumps that last as long as 170,000 miles, but those are more of the exception rather than the rule.

Well, in the end, it’s a personal choice. My friend’s pump had actually exceeded the 100,000-mile mark. His pump had 115,000 miles on it. So, replacement was indeed a good option.

The Age-Old Debate: Free versus Paid

Online automotive repair manuals can be distinguished from one another depending on whether they are freely available and accessible or if you need to pay in order to have a subscription or to access the full version. Many are debating that the Internet contains a vast amount of information, enough to allow users to find whatever data they need to be able to do anything—and this includes automotive repair and maintenance.

Still, there’s the argument that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, even in auto repair. After all, if you really want the best, the most reliable and the most comprehensive information available, then you’ll have to pay up. Some paid online repair manual services have good claims about accuracy, since some of them do complete dismantling of particular vehicle makes and models in order to understand how the vehicle’s parts go together.

In the end, you’ll have to consider this: The bottom line is always your needs, and that’s where your decision will depend on. Do a quick search of the information that you require. If you can get answers for your question without having to pay a cent, would you still be in need of a premium online repair manual?

As we’ve said before, those who have some dough to spare should go ahead and subscribe to an online repair manual for their vehicle’s particular make and model anyway. After all, it’s not a question of “if” your car will break down or some of its components start to fail, only “when.” But since not everyone can afford to subscribe to good online car repair manuals, free online repair manuals and sometimes even those message boards are really useful and offer good alternatives for those who can’t or won’t shell out the money for the paid versions.

When to Go for Repair and When to Go for Replacement

Don’t know whether to take on your mechanic’s suggestion to replace a particular part in your ride? There may be instances when a shop mechanic will tell you to replace a specific part even when it isn’t damaged or has not failed completely yet—for one reason or another. Well sure, your mechanic may be just asking this so that he can earn additional dollars from you. But, this may not always be the case.

The basic rule is this: if the part is already damaged, replace it; if it can still be repaired, repair it. There are instances, however, that are not as simple as this. There are certain exceptions to this given rule.

Some of these are as follow:

* Leaking fluid containers. Is your vehicle’s radiator leaking coolant? The decision to repair or replace should depend on the hole of the radiator and the extent of coolant leak. If the hole is still quite small, the problem can possibly be solved by simply welding the damaged area. If, however, you have a serious and a big leak, then you might as well replace the said part.

* Damaged body panel. Fender benders are common road accidents. And although a damaged body panel will not affect your driving performance or safety, it will affect your driving appeal. So, fixing the problem is a must. If the panel is bent, then you may simply have it repaired. In fact, you can do the task on your own. There are tools that you can use to get a bent panel back in shape. If, however, the damaged area is large, it may be better to replace it.

These two examples are common dilemmas that vehicle owners have to face regularly. By knowing when to repair and when to replace, you can easily make a decision without letting the mechanic of an auto repair shop persuade you into accepting his offer.

We Love Online Repair Manuals

As you can probably tell from the very name of this blog, we here all love online auto repair manuals. What can best explain this profound, unapologetic affection for online car repair manuals?

Well, it’s not really one thing or another, but rather something that has gradually crept up into my consciousness as a DIY enthusiast and a fanboy of cars and customization (and yeah, having done quite the number of repair tasks as well over the years also has a lot to do with it).

See, most people know things thanks to experience. It’s the same way with mechanics and enthusiasts. Having worked on vehicles for years, you get to have a certain idea or maybe even a feel for your car, so you’ll have some kind of instinct when something goes wrong. But what if you’re just starting out? Or even if you’re experienced, but you’re performing a repair job on a new car or some model that you’ve never had the chance to work on before?

This is where online repair manuals come in. They offer something like the ABCs of vehicle repair. They give us instructions to follow, tell us the probable reason why something is not working, and there are even some nifty pictures that make it easier for many of us.

What’s better than online repair manuals? Well, that can be none other than FREE online auto repair manuals. If you’re only going to use something once or twice, why pay for it? So long as you have some decent research skills using Google, Bing or whichever search engine you prefer, you’ll be able to find one in no time. And you don’t have to spend a single cent.

So those are just some of the reasons why we love online repair manuals. There are plenty more, but we don’t want this to be a tl;dr post or anything. Besides, a lot of us still have some early Christmas shopping to do, right?

How to File a Complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repair

So what’s your auto repair complaint? Have you been ripped off by an auto repair shop? Has the shop charged you for a service it has not actually performed? Or has it done anything to your car that’s not within your agreement? If you have already talked with the mechanic and the manager of the shop, to no avail, it’s probably time you file a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

The task may seem like a huge inconvenience, and you may not feel comfortable with all that you may have to go through once your complaint is already being processed. But, remember that you have to do it if you want your issues to be resolved.

Now the question—how do you file a complaint with the agency? Well, there are two ways to do this: by sending them a complaint by mail or by filing the complaint via the agency’s main site. The latter can be done in easy steps. If you’re doing it by mail, however, you will need the forms that you have to fill up. You can request the said forms from the agency.

The process goes like this… Upon receipt of your complaint, the agency will inform you and the complaint will be assigned to a representative to handle it. The representative will investigate the case, visit the repair shop in question, and then review the case later on to make the right decision.

Note that the process can take a long time, but don’t lose hope. Also, keep in mind to keep your complaint comprehensive. Include all the necessary details that will help the agency see what really happened.

Knowing that you have a backup when it comes to automotive repair disputes, you’ll be confident in dealing with problems and issues with auto repair shops. 

Sharing and Giving, Online Repair Manuals Edition

Well, it’s only a couple more weeks until Christmas. Here at Repair Manuals Online, we’re in such a festive Christmas-y mood that we just want to doze off and take advantage of the comfort given by the cold weather. Then again, we still have a lot of things to write about and share with you guys.


Since it’s the season of giving and sharing, we’ll share with you one way to get your hands on premium online auto repair manuals without having to shell out the full cost of a particular manual. This is contingent on you finding other people who own the same car as you do. This is especially beneficial to forum members that have a shared interest or that all own the same car models.


What you can do is to divide the cost of the online repair manual, whether it’s a one-time ordering price or a year-long subscription. Sharing the cost of a paid online car repair manual is an excellent way to get detailed information without spending so much. Plus, more people can benefit from the purchase because the whole group can access the information, guides, tips and other stuff.


Another way you can go about it is to just gift access or subscription to your friends. If you’ve got a close club of make X model Y owners, isn’t it an excellent idea to purchase one for the greater good? It’s something that can be appreciated by all sorts of car enthusiasts and auto repair DIY mechanics.


There are many ways to spread the love this Christmas, and as seen in the ideas above, you can even include online repair manuals on your list of gift ideas. Not only do you make someone smile this yuletide season, you also make auto repair much easier for your pals (and maybe for yourself as well)!

A Look at the Bureau of Automotive Repair

If at all possible, it is a better idea to settle any disagreement pertaining to auto repair between the auto repair shop involved and the customer who is complaining. There are problems, however, that may not be easily resolved by dialogue, and there are instances that require the involvement of higher authorities that handle auto repair disputes.

If you’re in California and you think that your complaint with the shop is not getting anywhere and your issues are not being addressed properly, there are institutions from which you can ask help with regards to your problem. One of these institutions is the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR).

The said entity is an organization designed to protect consumers from auto repair fraud and other auto repair problems. All auto repair shops in California are required to register with the BAR for a license, so all of them are under the agency’s wings, so to speak. If you have a complaint against any particular auto repair shop, all you have to do is to file the said complaint with the BAR—with all the details included down to pertinent dates.

Once the complaint is filed, the agency will conduct its own investigation—carefully checking each of the details included in the complaint in order to find the right resolution to the problem and the appropriate settlement between the parties involved. The institution is very active at combating any form of fraud or rip-off practiced by auto repair shops, and you can expect it to look into any complaint you file.

So, if you’re in any dispute with auto repair shops, remember that you have allies at your side. All you need to do is to familiarize yourself with the correct way to file a complaint with the BAR—and that’s the topic I’ll talk about in my next post.

The Best Things in Life aren’t Free

We know; the saying actually goes “the best things in life are free.” The fact is, that’s not true a lot of times. When you consider the context of online auto repair manuals, it can hold true for some, and not for others.

Sometimes, it depends on how diligent and crafty you can get when it comes to your Google search terms. Sometimes, it depends on how lucky you are that someone somewhere decided to scan his or her copy of an automotive manual or a car repair guide and uploaded it to the Internet. Sometimes, you won’t even have to go through all that trouble because your good ol’ local library has auto repair manuals (whether it’s a book or a CD-ROM) in their catalog. Sometimes, your trusted mechanic will have all the answers and—if you’re really lucky and friendly—he might give you the info and advice for free.

Still, there are times when you just won’t be able to find free online repair manuals for your particular vehicle, or the one you find just doesn’t explain your current troubles and issues. In such cases, the best recourse is to just buy the repair or service manuals off licensed retailers or from online repair manual providers.

Subscriptions to or orders for online car repair manuals are worth the investment, though—especially if you see your vehicle as more than just a vehicle. The price you’ll pay for a book or an annual subscription to an online repair manual is definitely small compared to the hefty repair and maintenance fees you might have to pay if you don’t want to do such tasks on your own.

So, yeah, sometimes the best things in life simply aren’t free. That doesn’t mean they’re not worth spending on, however. If you’ve got enough left on your car budget and you really want to save on mechanic fees, try checking out your online repair manual options now and hopefully come to a decision on which one to subscribe to.

Online Repair Manuals: Bikes and ATVs

Cars, SUVs and trucks aren’t the only ones that have online repair manuals. If you own a bike or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), you can also avail of many online vehicle repair manuals for your specific machine.

While online repair manuals for motorcycles and ATVs may not seem as common as those of their more illustrious counterparts, but the truth is that there are many sites out there that you can use to gain information on various topics relating to the repair and servicing of your bike or quad.

Just like with automobiles, you can also find free online repair manuals for your motorcycle. These bike repair manuals and ATV repair manuals offer a good resource for your DIY and repair efforts, and the best part is you don’t have to pay a single cent to access the manuals via subscription or to download PDF files of actual manuals. An example here again is a web site that we’ve discussed before: FixYa, which has a motorcycle category.

While bikes and quads may have systems that are less complicated compared to cars, some issues can still be tricky to figure out and solve. That’s where online manuals come in. Just grab your laptop or turn on your PC, then log on to the Internet and you’ll have ready access to troubleshooting procedures and suggested fixes.

Whether you’re driving a top-of-the-line Harley or going off-road on your ATV, getting an online repair manual is a great way to ensure that any future repair or maintenance tasks can be accomplished easier, faster and with less hassle. With reliable workshop manuals and repair manuals to guide you and help you in tough situations, going the DIY route can prove to be much more fun and fulfilling. Plus, you get to shave off all those expensive repair costs by doing tasks yourself.

Auto Repairs? But I Am A Woman!

Auto repair rip-offs can happen to anyone, but women are more likely to be victims of these rip-offs. Most mechanics think that women know nothing about their cars. So, it’s easier to deceive them.

If you’re a woman who has started to dread auto repairs because of the possibility of a rip-off, you must learn to prepare and arm yourself when dealing with auto repair shops and mechanics. Face it: as long as you have a car, you can’t avoid them much as you like. The solution? Learn to deal with them.

1. Find a reliable mechanic and shop. If you’re a woman, the need for a dependable and trustworthy mechanic is even greater. You can ask for referrals from people you know so that you’ll be sure that the mechanic who will look into your vehicle can be trusted.  

2. Be active. Don’t just rely on what the mechanic will tell you about your ride. Even if you’re a woman, you must have active participation in the repair process, if only to describe the problems you’re experiencing to help the mechanic in performing the service. You must also do your research before you bring your vehicle to auto repair shops.

3. Don’t tolerate negative treatment. Some mechanics think that they can easily brush you off—your demands and complaints, for instance—just because you’re a woman, you can’t possibly know anything about cars. Show them that you won’t put up with negative treatment. If you think you’re not being heard or if the people at the shop are being rude in any way, you have all the right to bring your vehicle to another shop.

If you know what to do, you won’t be easily ripped off by auto repair shops and car mechanics. This way, you also won’t have to worry every time you need to bring your car in for repair.

Online Auto Repair Manual Reviews: Mitchell 1 DIY

One of the newer online auto repair manuals available is Mitchell 1 DIY. The service is running on its sixth year now, and it has built up quite a sizeable database of online repair manuals over that short span of time.

Here are some of the pros: Mitchell 1 DIY contains a wide range of information, and the database covers nearly all domestic and import cars with model years from 1983 to 2009. You get general repair information such as basic troubleshooting and resetting procedures, along with more detailed instructions for electrical, engine or transmission work. Maintenance information such as lubrication, inspection and servicing schedules are also part of the service.

Mitchell 1 DIY also has a lot of credentials to back its claims up. It was given the Blue Seal of Excellence award by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (otherwise known as the ASE), which also provides certifications for auto repair and service professionals. In addition, the editorial staff for the Mitchell 1 auto repair manuals includes Master Technicians and Quadruple Master Technicians also certified by the ASE. Now that’s what people mean when they look for credentials.

Subscriptions start at $10.49 for a week-long subscription. Now, that can be a bit pricey especially if you can get access to other vehicle-specific manuals at $14.95 for a whole month’s access. Mitchell 1 costs $16.99 for one month, and its annual subscription will cost you $29.99 (compared to Chilton’s $24.95 annual fee). Of course, for the excess cash, you’ll be getting material backed by certified professionals. Paypal and major credit cards are accepted forms of payment.

With an extensive coverage in terms of vehicle year, make and model as well as comprehensive information, Mitchell 1 DIY is an excellent option for auto enthusiasts that are willing to shell out some money for a reliable and certified resource. If you have the money, do try it out.

Car Manufacturer’s Manual: Your Ultimate Buddy Against Car Repair Rip Offs

In my previous post, I mentioned about one possible way to deal with a problem with auto repair shops—by asking for a refund. Here, I’ll talk about another way to avoid a possible rip-off, with the help of the manual that came with your vehicle.

This manual contains everything that you need to know about your car, from basic data to such things as fundamental automotive knowledge. By familiarizing yourself with all the information contained in the manual, you’ll know about the problems you might encounter in your vehicle and you’ll also have an idea about how to address these problems. Some of the benefits that you’ll get from the manual are the following:

* You’ll be familiar with the parts in your ride. The very least you can do is to be able to identify parts—know how they look like and where they are mounted. This way, you know that you’re being deceived when your mechanic tells you that he found the brake rotors damaged when he only inspected the engine compartment.

* You’ll be familiar with the different symptoms that will indicate damage of particular parts. If a mechanic tells you that a specific part is damaged, you can ask why you’re not experiencing symptoms associated with the said damage.

* You’ll be familiar with the correct repair interval of parts. Your car manual will tell you when the correct replacement interval for such parts as the belts, filters, and other components are. This way, you can argue with your mechanic when he tells you that one of the filters in your vehicle already needs to be replaced when it has only spent half its life before a replacement is needed according to your manual.

You never know how much help your car manual will be for you unless you read it. No matter how little your interest in automotive, you can avoid rip offs by auto repair shops by reading the contents of the said manual.