Mercedes Puts Up Online Manual for SLK Class

If you're one of the few fortunate individuals to own a Mercedes-Benz SLK, then you'd be glad to know that you won't have to flip through the contents of your precious vehicle's online repair manual just to find some info about your car. That's because Mercedes-Benz already put up an interactive online owner's manual on its web site for your convenience.

Of course, even if you don't really own an SLK, it's still going to be pretty neat browsing through an owner's manual for a dream car such as this one. This is probably the closest most of us can be to actually owning a high-end Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

Take note, however, that the specs included in the online manual is for the German edition of the car and will refer to regulations in Germany. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz makes it clear that the online version of the manual isn't a direct replacement of the printed owner's manual you'll get when you actually do purchase an SLK from the dealership. SLK owners are advised to contact their dealer to get a printed copy of your ride's manual.

To check out the online manual for SLK vehicles, just point your browsers to this link and browse away.

DIY Saturday: A Look at Check Engine Lights

Check engine light - it’s just a very small light found on your dashboard, but it can cause panic and a lot of worry among car owners every time it illuminates, so much so that some drivers rush to the nearest mechanic shop whenever they see this light come on. Some drivers associate this light with engine trouble, and they can be correct in some degree. But, understand that the most innocent car owner can be ripped off because of this check engine light. This is especially true if you do not know anything about this light. The mechanic can easily tell you that the light means a huge repair and a lot of replacements, which mean more dollars for you.

But what is this light, really? Well, the check engine light is a simple indicator that will tell you when your vehicle computer notices a problem that it cannot fix on its own. But, understand that the said problem doesn’t always have to be critical or one that will cause engine breakdown. In fact, as simple as a loose fuel cap can cause the check engine light to come on. To find out what the exact problem is, auto repair shops use a scan tool. But, you should know that you can also DIY the code finding because there are available code readers that you can buy. The code will point you out to the specific issue.

Once you know the problem, you can take a look at the other symptoms until you determine which part is acting up. Once you already know that, you’ll be able to determine whether you can DIY the repair or replacement or whether you will need to bring your vehicle in for repair. By being sure of the problem, you can ascertain the cost and your risk of being ripped off will be reduced.

Haynes Star Trek Manual

Do check out this nifty little video about a special edition Haynes Manual, from one of the most prominent providers of online auto repair manuals. It's an Owner's Workshop Manual for the U.S.S. Enterprise, or that space ship in the Star Trek universe if you're not familiar with it.

It's not exactly an online auto repair manual, really, but I think it's fun that Haynes is recognized enough that it gets to produce an official licensed product like this one because of course it is a widely known publisher of manuals and similar reference materials.

The official info states that it took two years to make the manual, so there really was a lot of work put into this to make it look like a legit manual. The manual was released last November 2, 2010, and it is available in both e-Book and hardcover print formats. The manual contains detailed technical information about the different fictional spacefaring vessels that bore the name Enterprise, along with cutaway internal views, interior focus, and key system information. The book has been authorized in full by CBS as well as Michael Okuda, the technical consultant that had been part of the team that worked on the TV series Star Trek for 13 years.

You can find out more information about the manual in this link: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Ben-Robinson/78112754?mcd=vd_youtube

Friday’s Advice: Asking the Three Questions You Dread

If you’ve ever had a car repair rip-off experience in the past, chances are you almost always think you’ll be ripped off every time you bring your car to the mechanic for repair. But, a one-time rip-off experience doesn’t actually need to stand as a representation of all mechanics and shops out there—your previous experience doesn’t really have to happen again.

And, you have control over that. There are certain things that you can do to be able to avoid a future rip-off, and one of these things would be being upfront with your mechanic when it comes to issues that you want clarified. Yes, there are issues that are a little awkward and a little uncomfortable to discuss with your mechanic, but these issues are better left out in the open from the start so that they won’t cause trouble later on.

It’s good advice that you already ask certain questions and clarify some things with your mechanic the first time even before you have to bring your car in for the actual repair. One, ask about the shop’s use of “used parts.” Ask whether it installs used parts in vehicles and how it charges customers for used parts mounted. Once this is clear, the shop will have no need to hide you the fact that a used part is mounted in your car should it fail to find a new part as replacement sometime soon. Two, ask about warranty before any job is started. Ask what kind of warranty it provides to its repairs, and if there are warranties from manufacturers for all parts mounted in your car (in case the shop is the one that provides the replacement). Have the warranty in writing to back you up in case you need to file a claim later on. And three, ask about supply charge. Ask what the shop includes in the supply charge and how much it usually costs.

In all of these questions, it’s easy to gauge whether a shop can be trusted or not, not only according to its answer but as well as to the way it delivers that answer. The shop should be direct and should not appear as if it is hiding something. Once all the issues are clear, you’ll be at peace during the car repairs.

Online Auto Repair Manuals of the Future

Okay, please be warned: This will be a crazy, left-field, out-of-this-world post.

Still reading? Okay, here goes. I just re-watched Minority Report for the nth time today, so I'm still reeling from all the future stuff that I'm imagining or thinking about. One thing I'm always wondering about is how online auto repair manuals will be like 10 or maybe even 20 years from now.

Will we have some of them downloaded directly into our brains a la The Matrix? Or will they come in the form of robotic mechanics that actually help or assist us in doing our repair, maintenance, or servicing jobs? Maybe it'll be like having your own C3PO or R2-D2 aiding you as you tune up that engine or replace your ride's old and clogged air filters. It may be the stuff of science fiction now, but eventually, these will all be reality.

I believe mobile phones will have a big role to play in the evolution of online car repair manuals. After all, apps are getting more popular these days, aren't they? Pretty soon, we'll have every piece of info we need available at the touch of a finger. It's all a matter of technology, and we've seen it evolve exponentially over this past decade. Pretty soon, I'm sure we'll be seeing some very awesome stuff—and that includes some pretty awesome online auto repair manuals for sure.

Okay, now I guess it's time to stop daydreaming. I remember I still have to fix that busted catalytic converter on my pickup truck.

Refilling with the Wrong Fuel: How Dangerous?

There are some vehicle problems that drivers have already learned to tolerate, and there are also others that can cause instant panic among drivers. You have engine overheating as an example of the latter. Another panic-inducing problem (more like a mistake) that a driver can encounter is refilling the gas tank with the wrong kind of fuel.

There’s diesel fuel, and there’s petrol fuel, and each car is built to run using only one fuel type. So, you can’t refill your car with just about any type. But, there are instances when mistakes happen—you’re distracted, perhaps, or if you’re in a hurry and you overlook that fact. You run a few miles and you suddenly hear your engine sputtering and you realize with horror: you filled up with the wrong fuel!

The tendency for most drivers here is to panic and have their car towed to the nearest auto repair shop. And why not, we’ve all heard about complete engine damage and thousands of dollars for repair brought by this simple mistake. And, some auto mechanics take advantage of your fear and panic to rip you off.

Well, before you start to worry and panic, there are some facts that you must know so that you can avoid getting ripped off. One, refilling with the wrong fuel doesn’t ALWAYS lead to a damaged engine. And two, there are instances when a simple draining can already solve the problem.

The biggest factor that affects the outcome of this is the distance you have traveled after filling in with the wrong fuel. As long as you don’t start your engine after refill, in case you realize the problem immediately, you’ll be on the safe side. In case you have already driven your car, you can still be safe provided that you have only driven for a short distance. In this case, simply drain the tank and then refill with the correct fuel type.

[Video] Mitchell 1 DIY CM

Here's an online video for Mitchell 1 DIY (eAutorepair.net) if you want a more visual (albeit brief) guide on how that particular online auto repair manual looks like and feels like to use. It's more of a commercial, really, but hey, perhaps you would like to watch it after reading our own review of the Mitchell 1 DIY service.

Don't hesitate to hit up the link, watch the video, visit the site after you consider our review. It's really a solid service, although you might also want to check out our other takes on the different online repair manual services available out there.

Revealing Too Much May Work to Your Disadvantage

Many of my latest posts have been about effectively communicating with your mechanic in order to avoid possibilities of rip-off and to ensure the success of any auto repair. We’ve talked about what not to tell your mechanic and what questions not to ask your mechanic to avoid giving him a chance to rip you off.

In connection to watching what you say and not say to your mechanic, it’s very important to remember that you shouldn’t reveal too much details to your mechanic—whether it’s about your car or about your life in general.

I’ve mentioned in one of my posts before that it’s not a good idea to mention your own assumption about a problem to your mechanic because he can use that assumption to rip you off. He could just take on that suggestion and build up on it, and you may well spend a lot more than you should simply because of your suggestion or “idea.”

It’s always important that you give your mechanic the space to make his own diagnosis and observation, and let him find out the real problem. All you should do is to help him in the diagnosis by pointing out symptoms that you have observed.

Other than this, you shouldn’t also clue your mechanic in on your activities and on the amount of money that you can and are willing to spend on the repair (more on this next week). Yes, it’s important to build a good relationship with your mechanic. But, while you have not built that up just yet, stick to the basics of the conversation and simply observe. Only when the mechanic has already proven his honesty and only when you have already developed trust on the person should you take the relationship farther than the work level.

More Online Repair Manuals

Competition is always a good thing. While we already have a wide array of online auto repair manuals and vehicle maintenance manuals, I think there is still a need for more service providers to come into the fray.

Take, for instance, the notion that most people already have Haynes in mind when you talk about or even mention automotive manuals. Well, that somehow tells us that Haynes barely gets any challenge from many of its competitors. This includes even those that are close to it in terms of renown, such as Alldata and Mitchell 1 DIY.

Or maybe we don’t even need a totally new online auto repair manual service provider now. Maybe we just have to see some of the mid-major type providers evolve and grow into a serious contender for the title. This means stepping up in a wide variety of ways in order to maximize the potential of the service and make it as palatable for consumers as possible.

We’ll see what happens as the market develops. There’s always the demand. It’s how the providers supply the products that will meet these demands that will dictate the direction that online auto repair manuals will take in general.

Most Common Victims of Rip Offs

Auto repair rip-offs can happen to anyone, but there are people who are more prone to rip-off than others. If you are included in these categories or if you get into the situation mentioned here, you must be doubly careful when dropping your car off to a shop for an auto repair.

Check below for the most common kinds of people who fall into a rip-off:

1. Those who don’t know anything about their car. People who are not familiar with their vehicle are easy to see—in the way they act and in the things they tell their mechanic. These people are very easy to deceive because they’re clueless. Sometimes, they also get intimidated, so they have the tendency to simply say “yes” to everything the mechanic says.

2. Those going on a trip. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. Don’t tell your mechanic when you’re going on a trip because he may just get ideas knowing that you’re concerned about your car’s condition, your safety, and your convenience—and you’ll more likely to agree when the mechanic sells you stuff related to these.

3. Those who are only visiting the area. Again, don’t let your mechanic in on the fact that you’re not from the area and are only visiting. Translation: This is your first and last time in the shop. So, even if the shop rips you off, there’s little chance that you’ll go after it.

4. Those who are not involved in the repair process. This includes people who are careless about their car, those who do not really care that much about how the process goes as long as it’s done. If the mechanic suspects this, he could use this to rip you off.

5. Women. Need I say more? Many mechanics think that women are easier to rip off. So if you’re a woman, always be on the lookout.

Better Comprehension of Online Repair Manuals

You don’t have to be a genius or a rocket scientist or even a highly experienced DIY mechanic just to understand online auto repair manuals. After all, these are tools that are intended to aid even those who are just now venturing into DIY auto repair and maintenance, a proper tool that will help inform and guide newbies and experts alike.

If you feel like you’re having a hard time grasping some concepts or remembering some of those very specific terms, you might just be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information that you have to absorb and everything isn’t really sinking in. The best thing to do in this instance would be to take a break and just move on to other things in the meantime. Then, when your mind is freshly rested, you can proceed from where you left off. Without a doubt, you’ll be able to comprehend things faster and easier now.

Consuming the info inside each and every online auto repair manual will definitely take some serious time away from doing anything else, so you’d better be prepared to make the investment. Add some more time to your estimates if you think you’ll be having a difficult time understanding the manual that you have. Anyway, the key here is to set a pace that’s just right for you—it shouldn’t be too fast that you don’t let anything sink in, nor should it be too slow that you won’t be getting any actual DIY repair or maintenance done within a reasonable time frame.

Better comprehension of the various online auto repair manuals requires a balance of your time so that you get enough work done. Don’t hesitate to adapt your schedule to suit your comprehension. In the long run, getting the right dose will prove instrumental in your growth as a DIY auto mechanic.

DIY Saturday: Testing the Radiator for a Leak

A coolant leak might not be a serious problem at first. When neglected, however, this can lead to serious and expensive engine damage. Therefore, it’s very important to pay attention to leaks. If you notice that your coolant level is always low, there’s a very good chance you have a leak somewhere. Check your garage floor underneath the car to see whether there’s a pool of coolant, especially in the morning after you leave your car there overnight. If there is, the radiator is one of the parts that you must inspect.

Do a visual inspection of the radiator to see whether there is any visible sign of damage, crack, hole, or even coolant leftover from which it leaked. If you can’t see any of these, you can resort to water testing. What is this? Well, you will need to fill the radiator with air—employ a pressure test kit for this and refer to the cap as to the amount of air needed. Then, you will have to immerse the radiator in water and see whether there is water getting into the radiator through holes. From outside, you’ll see this because air bubbles will escape as water gets through any hole in the empty radiator.

When you notice this, you can go for any of the three solutions available. One, if the holes and cracks are very small, you can simply plug them using specific additives that you simply pour into the radiator for self sealing. If the holes are larger, then you may need to solder these to seal them off. Meanwhile, if you have a serious radiator defect, you may want to simply discard the worn radiator and get a new one. Sometimes, this is better than fixing the said part and then having to deal with damage sometime soon.

Finding Repair Manuals Never Used to be So Easy

The Google culture has made it possible to find practically anything on God’s green earth. From your old grade school classmates to the details on how you can survive an impending zombie apocalypse, everything is searchable using our beloved and preferred search engines. Even finding a specific online auto repair manual for your vehicle can be relatively easy nowadays.

Back then, when the Internet was never so omnipresent and indispensable, you’d really have to go out and order a printed manual for your vehicle. Getting a manual the manual way (no pun intended) is a bit tough, as you’re dependent on the suppliers and publishers as well as the available stock that they have.

With online auto repair manuals, there’s no wait needed most of the time. Just sign up, pay with your card or bank account or PayPal, and fire up the program after downloading. Voila! You have your information at the ready.

Of course, if you have a newer vehicle, you might have to wait until your vehicle’s year is covered by the manual service. Some, especially those who rely on complete teardowns and rebuild jobs to get accurate info, will really take a lot of time to get your ride’s info done. But hey—the tradeoff is a super-accurate online auto repair manual that you can really depend on for nearly any task.

So yeah, it’s almost too easy nowadays to find an online auto repair manual for your needs. Let’s not take this for granted and enjoy the convenience that comes with it, alright? Anyway, it's time to go. That's all for now. Look forward for more tips and tricks in the upcoming weeks.

Friday’s Advice: Questions Not to Ask Your Mechanic

In my post last Friday, the discussion was about the things that you shouldn’t say to your mechanic if you want to avoid a rip-off. It’s important to watch out what you tell your mechanic, especially if you don’t have full trust on him just yet—what you say could be all that your mechanic has been waiting for to rip you off.

Other than what you tell your mechanic, it’s also important to think about the questions that you ask him. Your questions could be dead giveaways that could make you vulnerable to a rip-off or fraud. Here, let’s look at a couple types of questions that you shouldn’t ask your mechanic.

1. Very general questions. I’ve mentioned this in my last Friday’s post. Questions like “what does my car need?” could be the opening lines that your mechanic has been waiting all along, opportunities that will allow him to suggest parts more than what your car really needs. Instead of asking your mechanic this question, you can first do a research yourself and then narrow down the problem so that you’ll have an idea about the parts that your car may need—no need to completely rely on your mechanic.

2. Dumb questions. These questions are what you would really consider as dead giveaways about your lack of knowledge regarding your car. As a vehicle owner, it is your responsibility to know when certain procedures and services are already needed—that’s what your car manual is for. If you have to ask such questions to your mechanic, it will be like “hey, I don’t know anything about my car and I’m at your mercy.” Your mechanic will know that he can suggest anything and you’ll believe him.

Knowing all these, you must be careful about what you ask your mechanic. Do your job and familiarize with your car so that you’ll know how to deal with your mechanic when you come in for repair.

Online Car Repair Manuals for Everyone

We’ve seen Mercedes-Benz do it with their cars—you know, all those fancy browser-based online interactive owner’s manuals. I don’t see how manufacturers can still not provide owners and mechanics with online car repair manuals that are specific to each vehicle. They’re even holding out important error code information that can help DIY mechanics or even professional auto shop mechanics diagnose problems accurately.

In this aspect, I think it’s high time that vehicle manufacturers make online car repair manuals available to everyone. Or at least provide them for vehicle owners so that they get an added advantage and so that they will be able to perform some of the tasks themselves to save money.

How can people master DIY car care and auto repair if the automakers won’t help them? Sure, they could always subscribe to paid manual providers that offer info from build-from-scratch methods, but I believe it would still be better if the manufacturers themselves provided this kind of information right from the get-go. Shouldn’t vehicle owners be entitled to information they’ll need to keep their car working properly?

Well, they do provide owner’s manuals, but a dedicated repair or maintenance resource could also be given to the millions of car owners out there. Then again, perhaps people won’t be investing in paid online auto repair manual subscriptions if they had this information available in the first place. But I can’t help but think that people still have to pay for things they should be given for free.

What do you think? Should automakers provide detailed online car repair manuals for their customers? Or should customers only opt to subscribe to paid third-party providers so they only need to decide when they actually need the subscription or the product? Anyway, we’ll leave you with that thought to ponder for tonight.

Asking for Warranty and Putting it in Writing

Our previous discussions here have revolved around auto repair secrets and how some auto repair shops resort to fraud when dealing with customers, employing several techniques that rip off people who bring their car in for repair. But, added to these, we have also discussed means by which we can avoid being a victim to these scams and how we can avoid being ripped off.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the importance of asking a warranty during a repair. Yes, you don’t only ask a warranty when you get your car from the dealer. During a car repair, you should also pay attention to the warranty provided by the shop that conducted the service or repair. A warranty will serve here as an assurance that the service performed is efficient, and that your car will remain in top shape for a specific amount of time.

There are two kinds of warranty that you can ask from a shop: warranty on labor and warranty on parts (in case the part is from the shop). Asking for a warranty will deter any mechanic from performing inefficient or loose work on your car, because they’ll still be the one to do it should it fail before the warranty is up—and you’re not going to pay them.

When asking for a warranty, however, remember that you don’t simply ask for the word or the assurance of the mechanic. Have the warranty placed in writing as your proof someday should you find the need to go back to the shop early on due to a problem with the service performed or due to the premature failure of the part installed.

This is especially important in cases when a shop tells you that it has installed a brand new part when in fact it didn’t. A written warranty is your shield against a rip-off.

Updated Online Auto Repair Manuals

Even casual observers can see that automotive technology is evolving at unprecedented speeds. New features and tech come out each year. Just take that nifty new Magic Sky Control on the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK (it’s basically a sunroof that allows the driver to switch between transparent and opaque moods to suit his or her whim or mood).

That said, it is definitely important to have online auto repair manuals that are always updated (or at least periodically updated) so that pros and DIY mechanics alike can have access to the latest information. With all these advances in technology, it can be pretty easy to lose sight of all the developments and get lost in the midst of trying to troubleshoot ever-complex car components.

Keeping in step with the latest in automotive tech will empower DIY mechanics when it comes to performing repairs on even the most advanced of vehicle systems. When you’re confident that your online auto repair manual provider has you covered, you won’t have to worry too much even if there’s a complex part that you encounter a problem with.

Most vehicle model-specific online car repair manuals deal with particular problems encountered on those cars, and you shouldn’t have any problems when it comes to content since they do cover the stock systems that came with your car. This means that, unless you modified components or add some complex parts, you’ll find what you need in your manual.

Online repair manuals offer a wide range of information. Some of them are updated with new info when it’s available, so if you want to stay on top of things, better choose a repair manual online that has the option of being updated with current info. This way, you won’t lose track of the developments particularly when your vehicle is concerned.

Paying with a Check or Credit Card for Car Repair

Auto repair rip offs are so common nowadays, so you always have to look out for mechanics and shops out to trick you into spending more than you should. As an added level of protection, you must familiarize yourself with and practice some ways that will keep you away from rip off. Do you know that many people advice paying check or credit card to an auto repair shop when you bring in your vehicle for a service?

Why?

Well, it’s very easy to pay cash to your mechanic for a repair and then forget about it afterwards. But, should you encounter a problem, should you realize later on that you’ve been ripped off, you will have no way of getting back the cash that you threw away.

When you pay check, on the other hand, you can simply cancel the payment should a rip off occur. Meanwhile, when you pay using credit card, most credit card companies offer automatic protection against fraud. When the shop personnel know that you’re paying through check or credit card, they might be deterred to rip you off.

You have to be sure, though, that the shop accepts credit cards or checks. Before you authorize the shop to do any repair or service, you must have a clear agreement with the shop manager as to your mode of payment.

Some drivers relate instances when a shop refuses credit card after the repair, asking cash instead even if the initial agreement was to pay using credit card. To avoid something like this, try to get your agreement into writing even before the job is started. This way, the shop won’t be able to refuse you and you’ll have something to hold on to in case problems occur and you find the need to file a complaint. By doing this, you’ll have an edge over the shop.

Online Repair Manuals Out of Focus: Dealerships vs. Independent Shops 2

We’ve discussed the debate about which would be better to get your car serviced or repaired if your DIY skills simply can’t get the job done. There wasn’t really any conclusion, especially since we’re mostly concerned about online auto repair manuals in this blog.

We’ve mentioned that it is way cheaper to go to independent repair shops for periodic maintenance, servicing and repair. Why? That’s because the mechanics at independent shops charge much less when it comes to labor costs. The rates, according to an AutoMD.com study, are around 20 percent lower at independents on average.

What you get with the higher cost of labor at dealerships is expertise. The mechanics and staff at dealerships know their $#!+. Aside from intensive brand-specific training, they also have access to the complete range of OEM info for the manufacturer’s vehicles. Plus, dealerships are currently privy to some exclusive error codes that will be essential in the diagnosis and troubleshooting of certain problems.

Of course, many people prefer the personal contact they get when dealing with their mechanic of choice. It’s true that you only get to talk to receptionists at dealerships in most cases, so you might want to get the personal reassurance from your mechanic when something goes wrong in your vehicle.

The thing here is that both independent repair shops and high-priced dealerships have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. It’s really up to you to choose where you want to get your car serviced or repaired when you can’t do the task yourself. We still prefer DIY, of course, but sometimes you really have to go get some professional help. When that happens, we hope you consider all your options carefully so you can decide on the best route to take.

Dealing with a Shop for the First Time

The first step to avoid an auto repair rip off is to find a mechanic and shop that you can trust. Ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations. Check forums and get feedbacks from other car owners. But, remember as well that while this is the ideal, there might be times when you may find yourself needing to take chances with a shop or mechanic that you have never tried before. What if you’re new to a place and you don’t know a mechanic in the area? Who do you trust? How do you deal with a new shop or mechanic?

Well, it is advised that you never bring your car to a new and untrusted shop for any major repair. If you’re new in an area and you have to try out a particular auto repair shop, start with small automotive tasks and repairs. This is the time to check out the new shop, look into its surroundings, have a feel of its staff and mechanics, and see how they treat their customers. It’s the best time to have an overall assessment of the shop.  By starting out with a small automotive task, you don’t take such a huge risk. Even if the shop proves out to be inefficient and bungles the repair, or if it proves out to be one that observes fraudulent acts and rips off their customers, you won’t have such a big problem. The smaller the repair you had, the less your headache in case problems occur. Once you have already tried the shop and saw that it can be trusted, only then should you go for it on major automotive works.

When dealing with an auto repair shop for the first time, you have to look into all the aspects of their service. From the main job to their customer service to their rates, check all of these out. Should you find the shop good and honest, then you have discovered one great partner in auto repair and maintenance.

Online Repair Manuals Out of Focus: Dealerships vs. Independent Shops?

DIY efforts are all good—you have your garage, your tools, your shiny new aftermarket auto parts and accessories, and your trusty ol’ online auto repair manual. Still, there will come one task that eventually stumps you and leaves you unable to solve the problem. When that happens, you will have to have your ride fixed by someone else.

When do you decide, and which one should you pick? Do you really go all the way to the dealership where you got your ride or do you leave it in the hands of a (hopefully trusted) mechanic. Did you know that 7 out of 10 vehicle owners prefer to go to independent repair or service professionals instead of to their dealer even if their cars are still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Of course, there’s a law that ensures that dealers will still honor the warranty in most cases even if you opted to have your car serviced and repaired at places other than the dealership. Just keep in mind that you stick to repairs and maintenance that won’t really cause a voided warranty. You’ll need to know the specific warranty terms on your car so you’ll know what to avoid. That’s where the owner’s manual comes in. After all, the manual—online or printed—is the one thing that can show you every detail about your car, including important warranty coverage information.

Dealers do have something going for them: they sometimes have access to exclusive info and you are sure that your car will be serviced by trained professionals. This training is specific to your dealer, so the dealer’s technicians and mechanics have more insider info and knowledge about your particular vehicle. This should make up for a steeper labor charge.

So, deciding between independent shops and your designated dealer should be done with care. Know all the facts, and don’t hesitate to consult your manuals.

DIY Saturday: How to Change a Tire

A flat tire is one of the most common things that car owners and drivers encounter every now and then. And while your first impulse during a flat tire incident may be to have your car towed to the nearest auto repair shop, you’ll be glad to know that changing a tire is very simple. As long as you have basic tools, and a spare tire of course, you’ll have no problem doing the task.

Things you’ll need:

·        Spare tire

·        Jack

·        Lug wrench

Some reminders:

·        Park your car in a flat surface before beginning the job and engage the parking brake.

·        Familiarize yourself with the area in your car where you can place the jack to support your car up. You can find this in your owner’s manual.

1. Once your car is already parked and stable in place, check whether it is equipped with a wheel lock, hubcap, or wheel cover. You will need to take these off. You can use the lug wrench for taking off the cover, or you can pry it off with something like a screwdriver.

2. Then, loosen the lug nuts using the wrench (in a star pattern as advised). There are cases when the nuts will not budge at once, in which case you can step or stomp on the wrench until the nuts are loose. Do not remove just yet, though.

3. Then, support and lift your vehicle with the jack (slowly). Safety is of utmost importance here, so be sure your car is stable when lifted.

4. When your car is already lifted, you can now remove the lug nuts (be sure you keep them where you can easily retrieve them afterwards), and remove the flat tire.

5. You can now install the new tire. Align it with the bolts, and then replace the lug nuts.

6. Let your car down and then tighten the nuts. Put back the hubcap and you’re all set, ready to drive again.

Seek Quality Info from Paid Online Repair Manuals

Like all references and source material, online auto repair manuals aren’t made equal in terms of the amount of content and the quality of that content. Some are more detailed and thorough, while others take a step back and look at the bigger picture with a more generic take on the subject matter as compared to their competitors. See, that’s the deal when it comes to paying for an online auto repair manual subscription—you have to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth in when it comes to content quality and coverage.

There’s nothing like shelling out a big chunk of money every month for a substandard product. It just makes you want to punch somebody in the face. That’s exactly what you’ll feel when you subscribe to an online car repair manual provider and you find that its contents are not what you’re looking for or that the content doesn’t really provide what you need to perform even some common DIY tasks on your vehicle. You have to be more vigilant when you look at these online manuals and their sites. Don’t be taken in by marketing pitches alone. That’s why there are reviews, so you can make an informed decision after considering a lot of major and minor factors.

Content is still king—at least when it comes to online car repair manuals. That’s what you have to keep in mind the next time you Google for an online repair manual service and even think about entering your credit card information and hitting the checkout button on that online vehicle repair manual subscription. Be an informed consumer, even if you have to spend hours deciding on which service to patronize. It’s your money, after all—and you’ll be the one regretting if you don’t get the content your money is worth.

Friday’s Advice: Things Not to Say to Your Mechanic

In my previous post here, I mentioned some things that you should and should not tell your mechanic when you bring in your car for repair. In this post, we’ll expound more on the things you shouldn’t tell your mechanic if you don’t want to give him any chance to rip you off.

As I have mentioned before, some mechanics are on the lookout for indications that you may fall into a scheme easily, and when they see that, they grab the chance to pull their tricks on you. So, never allow them to see any opportunity to rip you off. One way to ensure this is to watch what you say to your mechanic and what you say around him.

1. I have to prepare my car for a travel. This means you want everything in good shape, and that you want to be safe in your travel, so the mechanic can rip you off by telling you there are problems with your car parts such as the brakes – you don’t want to travel with busted brakes, after all.

2. What does my car need? Don’t ask as general a question like that, because you’re giving the mechanic a huge door into which he can enter and rip you off. (More on asking questions on my post next week)

3. Any plan involving money – car related or otherwise. For some mechanics, the first criterion that will categorize a person as a candidate for rip off is the fact that he has a lot of money to spend. So, don’t give your mechanic a clue.

4. Do everything you have to do to fix the problem. Again, you’re opening a wide door for rip off. (More of this here.)

5. Give me the cheapest option available. Though this may sound valid, it isn’t. (Find out why here.)

Mastering DIY Using Online Manuals

For people who are going to engage in DIY tasks for repairing, maintaining or modifying their vehicle, having trusted online auto repair manuals is essential. While it is not required, we’ve said over and over again what a great boon these online manuals can be to your efforts.

Online car repair manuals don’t just offer a breadth of automotive, often vehicle-specific, information for you. There are also illustrations that will help guide you, and some online services even provide some videos for extra value and to make your job a bit easier.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, as they say. The same thing can be said for a DIY mechanic’s skill set and knowledge. You’ll need to build up know-how and experience as you go along, and online automotive repair manuals are excellent tools that can really help you get the job done.

Reading up on your ride’s particulars will allow you to know its ins and outs, and this will help you better deal with problems when they arise. That’s the beauty of having the convenience of online car repair manuals, because you can brush up on your technical know-how anytime you want as long as you’ve got a decent access to the Internet.

It’s not hard to master DIY auto repair if you have a good source material, and one such source that will really be able to contribute to your growth and mastery is a good online auto repair manual. Don’t hesitate to look for one that you can use for your ride’s specific model year and model because it will really prove its worth in the long run. Even if you go the paid subscription route, you’ll find that it is money well spent because you have access to detailed info that you can use for practically any DIY task.

Auto Part Conditions that Require Immediate Attention

Yesterday, we elaborated on immediate car repairs and repairs that you can postpone for later, looking at specific systems such as the suspension and the brakes. Today, let’s take a look at specific parts instead. And instead of discussing the two types of condition mentioned in my last post (those that require immediate repairs and those that don’t), let’s focus only on conditions that necessitate immediate attention.

TIRES:

It is advised that these components be replaced every 6 years, but that’s not the only measure. The real criterion to check would be the tread of the tires. If they have gone too thin (the given figure here is 1.6mm or less), then that is a great indication that the tire is already nearing its lifespan.

BELTS:

Belt damage and failure is not easy to detect, mainly because it doesn’t manifest any symptom. So, the only preventative maintenance that you can do to ensure that it won’t break is to replace it before or on the given period interval. You will find this in your manufacturer’s manual. Once the belt reaches its replacement period, you should get a new one immediately. Otherwise, when it breaks, you’ll be facing a more serious trouble as this can lead to a damaged engine.

LIGHTS:

Whether it’s your headlights, tail lights, or signal lights, they need to be replaced at once when damaged—not only because of the safety threats that they pose but as well as the road regulations being imposed today. A damaged lens could be tolerable for a while, but a completely busted bulb spells trouble.

Automotive problems in general have to be addressed at once. But, there are more important problems that should be addressed now as may be suggested by your mechanic. By familiarizing yourself with these problems, you’ll know how to deal with repair suggestions.

DIY is easier with Online Auto Repair Manuals

One point we’ve been trying to completely drive home is that you’ll be able to perform a wide variety of DIY automotive tasks with the help of online auto repair manuals. We’ll constantly keep “reminding” you of this as we go along, no matter how many times we need to repeat and repeat and repeat it. As long as it works, right?

There’s no need to be afraid of DIY Auto repair as long as you have the tools you’ll need to do the job (and as long as it is within the capacity of the DIY mechanic to pull off; after all, there are certain tasks that simply call for the help of an auto repair shop that has the kind of heavy duty equipment that most DIY mechanics simply don’t have and can’t afford).

Knowledge is one of the most important things here. You may start out with zero skill, but if you take the time to read up and gain the knowledge you need to perform your own repairs and maintenance tasks, you’ll be able to learn the ropes eventually. Just make sure you put in the work; there’s no use subscribing to an online auto repair manual service if you’re not even going to try and read it or understand the text.

Additionally, simply getting an online auto repair manual isn’t enough. You need to make sure that what you have contains quality and accurate information. Otherwise, you’ll just be stumbling like a blind man. If you go for the free online repair manuals, make sure you check them for quality and accuracy. For paid subscriptions, make sure you carefully pick a service that has all the stuff you’ll need and require.

Once you have the tools, the rest should follow—and you’ll be well on your way to a happy DIY mechanic experience.

Car Services That Can Wait and Car Problems that Need Immediate Attention

I had a previous post discussing an overview of the categories of repairs that your mechanic may suggest when you bring your vehicle to the shop for repair, namely immediate repairs and repairs needed as preventative maintenance. Today, let’s talk about the car services that you can pass up when your mechanic suggests them, services that you can schedule for next time, and those that you need to perform ASAP.

BRAKES

Problems with brake parts almost always require immediate attention, simply because brakes are safety components. Pads that have lost their friction materials, calipers that stick, and rotors that are damaged should be repaired immediately because failure to do so could lead to life-threatening accidents.

SUSPENSION

When to say yes to repair: When the suspension problem is causing extensive wear on other components or when your handling is already affected. Sometimes, suspension problems accelerate such things as tire wear, and neglecting them can lead to more expenses in the end.

When to pass up: If the repair is suggested only to improve your ride quality, make it smoother and make your ride experience more convenient, then it is not an urgent need.

IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, and INTAKE

These three systems are directly concerned with the amount of power that the engine generates. Fuel, air, and spark are the primary ingredients in combustion, and it’s important that the systems handling them be in top shape at all times. Problems encountered in these systems require immediate attention, or your engine’s performance may be affected—sometimes, even your vehicle’s gas mileage.

The next post will be a continuation of this post, but we’ll be looking at individual components rather than entire systems, and then focus on conditions that should not be ignored once they are observed in order to avoid further problems in the future.

We're taking a break from all the online auto repair manuals once again in order to showcase another cool commercial from Super Bowl XLV:

Lesson: Don't Mess with Pugs! Hahaha

Enjoy! :D Don't worry, we'll be back to regular programming next post :p

The Power of Communication When Dealing with an Auto Repair Shop

When you bring your car to an auto repair shop, you expect it to be fixed—nobody expects problems or rip-offs. Do you know how important proper communication is if you want the repair or replacement process to be accomplished fast and successfully? By communicating with your mechanic well, you get down to real business smoothly. Now the question: what is the proper way to communicate with your mechanic when you bring in your vehicle for a diagnosis and fix of a problem?

Be factual.

First off, don’t panic about the problem. And don’t rant. The problem’s already there; you can’t do anything about it. What you should do is tell your mechanic what you’ve observed about your car when the problem occurs. Enumerate the symptoms. Don’t exaggerate. You want as accurate a diagnosis as possible, so be factual and objective down to the last detail.

Be direct.

Tell your mechanic what you want done. If there’s anything not clear with you, ask. Don’t beat around the bush and don’t avoid any detail that you feel may not be received by your mechanic well but can help in the diagnosis. And don’t hold back: your mechanic will need your help in diagnosing the problem.

Be honest.

In relation to the last pointer, it’s important that you be honest (a more elaborate discussion is posted HERE) when dealing with your mechanic. If you have any part in the damage that happened to your vehicle, say so. The mechanic can even help you in avoiding a similar incident in the future.

You never know how much hassle you can avoid and how much time you can save on repairs by communicating with your mechanic well. By being factual, direct, and honest with your shop technician, repairs become smoother and faster to accomplish.

Cool VW Super Bowl Spot: The Force

Okay, so this doesn't really have anything to do with online auto repair manuals, but it's just too cool not to post!

Oh yeah, by the way, congrats to all the Green Bay Packers fans reading this online repair manuals blog. That was a great game; Aaron Rodgers was very, very good and the team really deserved the Super Bowl win. Too bad for the Steelers; I used to be a Ben Roethlisberger fan, but now I don't really get to follow football all that much.

DIY Saturday: How to Replace Your Oil Pan

The oil pan in your vehicle serves as the storage container of the oil used to lubricate the engine as it works. It is the main oil reservoir, so it’s carefully placed underneath your ride to secure the oil inside it. There are instances, though, when the pan gets damaged and leaks. And during these instances, it’s but normal for drivers to panic and come running to their trusted mechanic for a replacement. After all, an unattended pan that’s damaged could cause more serious damage on the engine.

But, before you think of going to an auto repair shop, you might want to know that you can actually replace the pan on your own—the process is easy if you have the right tools. Check these out:

You will need:

* The new oil pan and gasket

* Wrenches for removing the oil pan plug and the oil pan bolts

Procedure:

1. Gain access to the oil pan and drain all the oil in the said container by removing the oil pan plug.
2. Once all the oil has drained, it’s time to remove the pan. Remove all the bolts that connect the pan to the engine using the wrench.
3. Clean the engine surface and remove any remaining gasket before preparing the new pan and gasket for installation.
4. Carefully line up the gasket with the oil pan.
5. Line up the pan (with gasket) with the engine, and replace the bolts in their proper location.
6. Fill with oil and inspect for leaks.

The process is easy and does not take a lot of time to finish. And with the basic tools needed, it’s one task that you will have no problem doing in your garage. All you need to spend on would be a high-quality replacement pan and gasket.

The Importance of User Interface in Online Repair Manuals

Just like all of the other types of computer applications, online auto repair manuals need to have a good user interface design. This is because the user interface, or UI for short, has a direct impact on the user experience and how easily the owner can use the manual for his or her benefit.

Usability is a primary component of user experience. Here’s how Wikipedia defines usability:

Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object. The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, or anything a human interacts with.

It’s all about how the user interacts with the software; in this case, it’s the online repair manual. Does it have the appropriate buttons or links where the user can easily see them? Are the menus clear and easy to navigate? Does the layout of the online repair manual work well? These are some factors that affect usability.

Of course, unless there are screenshots of a particular online repair manual, you likely won’t be able to know whether the one you get is user-friendly or not. I guess that’s where reviews come in. Usually, though, screenshots are usually not enough to truly gauge how effective a particular online repair manual’s UI design is. Still, it lets you have a feel or at least an inkling of what you’ll be seeing if you ever choose that certain online service.

Usability and user interface design definitely a big part of the consideration for which online repair manuals to subscribe to. Who’d want to use something that operates in a clumsy and clunky manner, right? So, the next time you look for a good online car repair manual for your DIY endeavors, make sure you try to find some images of how the program actually looks like.

Friday’s Advice: Things to Do before Rushing into an Auto Shop for a Repair

You’re ready to go to work and you head to the car inside your garage, whistling your favorite tune in your head. You open the door, get in front of the wheel, insert the key, turn on the ignition, and none—the engine wouldn’t crank. Panicky thoughts run in your head, and your first impulse is to reach for your phone to call your local auto parts shop to have your car fixed.

Wait! Not so fast! An attitude like that is an invitation to a rip-off. If you’re getting panicky, with stress mounting up and with your “do what you can to fix my car” attitude getting in control, it’s so easy to throw away money even when you don’t have to. So, before you let your panic overwhelm you, focus your energies first into these things:

Look for symptoms. Okay, your car won’t start. Are there other symptoms that you can observe? Does your car crank, only to die right after? Or does it remain dead no matter how many times you turn the key? Check for other symptoms as these can help in diagnosing the problem later on.

Look into possible problems. After you’ve taken note of the symptoms, you can now do some research about the possible problems. In case of a starting issue, one possible reason would be a spark plug failure. It could also be your battery. Look into all the other possibilities and narrow down from there depending on all the other symptoms that you can observe. You can also do some DIY tests if you’re familiar with the process so that you can pinpoint the problem.

Research on repair rates and repair shops. Check the ongoing repair rates or replacement prices online. This way, you’ll have a rough idea of the amount you need to spend when you bring your car for repair. Plus, it pays to have something to compare to when the shop already gives you an estimate. And if you don’t have a trusted shop yet, it’s time to look around.

The Coffee Shop Mechanic

A weird thought crept into my mind just a while ago as I took a cab to work because I have yet to fix my 2008 Ford Taurus, and it has to do with this particular scene you see often, whether in real life or in fiction (films, TV series, sitcoms, even books and short stories). A lone writer is sitting inside a coffee shop (Starbucks, or some other) and he is writing on a notebook or working on his laptop (or netbook, or what have you) while a Venti-sized cup of caramel macchiato lies to his right. Cliché, right?

Well, here’s something that might not be so cliché. Picture the same scene, but this time, it’s not a writer that’s sitting there with his favorite caffeine source. What we have now is an auto mechanic, chilling as he browses through his online repair manuals to see what he has to do to fix a certain issue or to install a replacement component in place of a failed one.

See, that’s the wonder of technology—anyone with the will to learn can use it to make life better or easier. With our easy access to online auto repair manuals, anything is possible. You can even go to the can and take a dump with your laptop in tow. No time wasted!

Not that I’m saying you should troop down to the local coffee shop and leech off their broadband connection over Wi-Fi every time something goes wrong with your car; all I’m saying is that having 24-7 access to online repair manuals, online service manuals and other stuff afforded by your subscription is definitely something you can enjoy practically anywhere there’s an Internet connection.

Plus, the image of the DIY mechanic brushing up on his tech skills in a cozy couch sipping coffee is really quite nice, especially if you’re a mechanic like me who doesn’t really have a comfortable chair in his garage (not even a stool—which reminds me, I should get one when I have extra cash).