Auto Service and Repair

I enjoy automobile repair and spend a great deal of my time learning about and performing repairs. I seem to have ended up responsible for the maintenance of a fleet of six vehicles traveling approximately 80,000 miles annually, so I get at least a little practice. I've found a few things on the internet that I like to use as a supplement to my older service manuals. As a gearhead, this stuff also makes interesting and enducational reading.

	Popular Mechanics Online- This is my favorite source of repair information. They have all the Car Clinic articles from the last four years posted. Car Clinic is a monthly feature where the expert staff mechanics diagnose problems sent in by readers. Topics vary from transmission service, to rock chips, to computer diagnosis. Many of the Saturday Mechanic articles are also available. These describe how to perform some more basic diagnosis and repairs that seem to be omitted from many service manuals. I like the presentation style and think these guys really provide some good information.
	AllData Information Systems- As with many sites these days, the best stuff is available by subscription only. However this site is a good place to look for TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for your car. They have some that are available to the public. They also have a section where visitors can submit questions to the staff mechanics, but I don't find it as helpful and interesting as the Popular Mechanics pages. It is still worth a visit.
	Rinda Technologies- These folks manufacture a tool that interfaces the control computer on the car with your home PC. This seems more useful than a handheld scan tool since it gives you more options as far as data recording and viewing and the full size computer screen makes a nicer display than the small LCDs that scan tools have. The only disadvantage is that this instrument only works with GM and Chrysler vehicles at this time. If you are looking for a scan tool. be sure to stop by this site.

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