Summary: Top sources for auto repair manual information covered by a master auto technician. Paper automotive repair manuals are quickly becoming outdated. Professional car repair shops use on-line versions of repair manuals that are constantly updated. On-line versions for do it-yourselfers can help save money and time by enabling them to do many repairs themselves. Information includes maintenance schedules, step by step procedures, torque specifications, belt diagrams, firing order and TSBs. Available on-line with no waiting for a fraction of the cost that repair shops pay for all vehicle coverage. Affordable on-line subscriptions are accessed for current and future projects with easy to search data.

With today’s complex systems in cars, auto repair manuals are a necessity when servicing, diagnosing or repairing vehicles in an efficient manner. Very few auto mechanics prefer paper books anymore because they understand that in order have the most up to date information, an on-line version makes the most sense because it is constantly updated. Sure it’s nice to have paper that can be taken to the car while doing certain procedures. That’s why most mechanics prefer printing torque procedures, belt routing or other information that they can take to the vehicle and not have to worry about getting the pages dirty. I’ve been in the automotive repair business long enough that I remember when thick repair manuals were the ONLY reference we had! I can honestly say that web based programs are much better hands down. One of the main advantages that comes to mind is the ability to search just as you would on the Internet. Try that with a paper manual. Below I’ll briefly cover two of the most popular and widely used on-line repair manuals. You might be surprised to see which large companies own them. This is further testament to the quality and backing that the featured repair information companies have. There’s no wrong choice, both sources below provide much of the same information, after-all most of the info is provided by the car manufacturers. Read on for more information.

Mitchell 1 On Demand - Owned by the Snap On corporation and have been a popular choice for automotive repair information for many years. Auto repair shops use Mitchell’s information including repair procedures, torque specifications, TSB’s (Technical Service Bulletins) and auto repair tips. Mitchell offers the DIY information available online, branded as eAutoRepair with subscriptions starting out as low as $11.99. The online repair information company, eAutoRepair offers a subscription for the DIY at a much lower cost than automotive repair shops pay. Each subscription is for one vehicle and works out great for the DIY’er that needs to access automotive repair information and would like to get it instantly through the Internet. As mentioned above Mitchell1 is a division of Snap-on and has been the leading publisher of car repair information for professional auto mechanics for the last 90 years. Anyone with Internet access can sign up and log-in to print the same diagnostic, repair, technical service bulletins, recall and maintenance information from the convenience of any computer.

ALLData - Owned by Auto Zone and is another very popular choice for automotive professionals. Like Mitchell, repair information that is provided by the car manufacturers is made available to the auto technician or car owner. Recall information, wiring diagrams, timing belt marks, trouble code information and much more. ALLData has made their products available online for the DIYer at ALLDataDIY with an easy to use database. Alldata’s slogan is ‘More than a printed manual” and it really is! ALLDATA is the leading source of professional diagnostic and repair information used by more than 70,000 auto repair professionals. More than a manual and updated regularly, ALLDATAdiy provides the same information as the professional mechanics and body men receive in a convenient “vehicle specific” access to ensure accuracy. To meet diagnostic needs, they provide diagnostic flowcharts, diagnostic trouble codes, repair procedures, factory service bulletins, updated procedures, testing info, inspection information and more.