OBJECTIVES Discuss the importance of vehicle history. After studying Chapter 8, the reader will be able to: Discuss the importance of vehicle history. Retrieve vehicle service information. Read and interpret service manuals and electronic service information. Describe the use of the vehicle owner’s manual.

VEHICLE SERVICE HISTORY RECORDS Whenever service work is performed, the record of what was done is usually kept on file by the shop or service department for a number of years.

OWNER’S MANUALS Most owner’s manuals contain all or most of the following information: How to reset the maintenance reminder light Specifications, including viscosity of oil needed and number of quarts (liters) Tire pressures and standard and optional tire sizes Maintenance schedule for all fluids, including coolant, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, and differential fluid How to program the remote control as well as the power windows and door locks How to reset the tire pressure monitoring system after a tire rotation

LUBRICATION GUIDES Lubrication guides, such as those published by Chek-Chart and Chilton, include all specifications for lubrication-related service including: Hoisting location Lubrication points Grease and oil specifications Capacities for engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant for cooling systems, and differential fluid

SERVICE MANUALS Factory and aftermarket service manuals contain specifications and service procedures. Included in most service manuals are the following: Capacities and recommended specifications for all fluids Specifications including engine and routine maintenance items Testing procedures Service procedures including the use of special tools when needed

SERVICE MANUALS FIGURE 8-1 Many service manuals include diagnostic information as well as specifications and repair procedures.

SERVICE MANUALS The typical factory service manual is divided into sections. General Information Maintenance and Lubrication Information Engines Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Electrical Systems Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Engine Performance (Driveability and Emissions)

EXPLODED VIEWS FIGURE 8-2 An exploded view of an engine as shown in a time and parts guide.

ADVANTAGES OF HARD COPY VERSUS ELECTRONIC SERVICE INFORMATION All forms of service information have some advantages, including:

DISADVANTAGES OF HARD COPY VERSUS ELECTRONIC SERVICE INFORMATION All forms of service information have some disadvantages, including:

LOOK FOR SEVERE SERVICE TIMES Many time guides provide additional time for vehicles that may be excessively rusted due to climate conditions or have been subjected to abuse. FIGURE 8-3 Extra time should be added if work is being performed on a vehicle that has excessive rust or other factors as stated in the time guide.

TYPES OF SERVICE INFORMATION Various hard copy manuals are available, including: Wiring diagrams Vacuum hose diagrams Electrical troubleshooting and/or schematic manuals Electrical component location guide

TYPES OF SERVICE INFORMATION FIGURE 8-4 Often wiring diagrams and vacuum diagrams are combined into one manual.

TYPES OF SERVICE INFORMATION FIGURE 8-5 Typical vacuum diagram as shown in a factory service manual.

TYPES OF SERVICE INFORMATION FIGURE 8-6 A typical electrical wiring diagram manual.

TYPES OF SERVICE INFORMATION FIGURE 8-7 Typical factory service manual wiring schematic.

TYPES OF SERVICE INFORMATION FIGURE 8-8 A component locator manual is a helpful manual to have, especially if work is being performed on a vehicle with which you are not familiar. FIGURE 8-9 A component location guide typically shows the location of components in words and in figures.

LABOR GUIDE MANUALS Labor guides, also called flat-rate manuals, list vehicle service procedures and the time it should take an average technician to complete the task. FIGURE 8-10 Some guides include labor information only.

LABOR GUIDE MANUALS FIGURE 8-11 A typical time guide showing the times specified for the replacement or reconditioning of components.

HOW TO USE HARD COPY MANUALS The most efficient way to find information in a manual is to look at the table of contents in the front of the book first. FIGURE 8-12 The wise service technician starts to look for service information at the front of the manual in the table of contents.

HOW TO USE HARD COPY MANUALS Next, go to the page (or pages) where the desired information is located. FIGURE 8-13 Many pages are numbered with the section, as in this case 11, followed by the page number 27 in that section.

HOW TO USE HARD COPY MANUALS If bulb information or location of a component is needed, check the table of contents for the location of this information. FIGURE 8-14 The component location section of a service manual is very helpful, especially when working on an unfamiliar vehicle.

HOW TO USE HARD COPY MANUALS Service information and testing procedures should be closely followed including any symptom charts or flow charts.

TABLE 8-1

TABLE 8-1 CONT

ELECTRONIC SERVICE INFORMATION There are many programs available that will provide service information for the automotive industry. Sometimes the vehicle makers make information available online. However, many shops choose to purchase software from an aftermarket supplier. ALL Data and Mitchell On-Demand are commonly used software programs that include service information for many vehicles.

HOTLINE SERVICES A hotline service provider is a subscription-based helpline to assist service technicians solve technical problems. Often, the technician hired by the hotline services specializes in one vehicle make and is familiar with many of the pattern failures that are seen by other technicians in the field.

SPECIALTY REPAIR MANUALS Examples of specialty repair manuals include unit repair for assembled components, such as automatic transmission/transaxle, manual transmission/transaxle, differentials, and engines.

AFTERMARKET SUPPLIER’S GUIDES AND CATALOGS Aftermarket supplier’s guides and catalogs often include expanded views of assembled parts along with helpful hints and advice.

SUMMARY Vehicle history records are sometimes very helpful in determining problems that may be related to a previous fault or repair. The vehicle owner’s manual is very helpful to the service technician because it includes the procedures for resetting the maintenance reminder light (oil change light), as well as how to reset the tire pressure monitoring system after a tire rotation, and other important settings and specifications. Lubrication guides provide information on the specified oil and lubricants needed along with the capacities and the location of lubrication points.

SUMMARY Factory service manuals or electronic services include information that is vehicle and year specific and very detailed. Other types of service information are labor and parts guides, vacuum hose and wiring diagrams, component locator manuals, specialty manuals, and aftermarket supplies guides and catalogs. Hotline services are subscription based and allow a technician to talk to an experienced technician who has many resources.

REVIEW QUESTIONS What is included in the vehicle owner’s manual that could be helpful for a service technician? Lubrication service guides include what type of information? Explain why factory service manuals or factory electronic service information is the most detailed of all service information. Explain how flat-rate and parts guides are useful to customers. List additional types of service manuals that are available. Describe how hotline services and Internet sites assist service technicians.

CHAPTER QUIZ What type of information is commonly included in the owner’s manual that would be a benefit to service technicians? Maintenance reminder light reset procedures Tire pressure monitoring system reset procedures Maintenance items specifications All of the above

CHAPTER QUIZ 2. Two technicians are discussing the need for the history of the vehicle. Technician A says that an accident could cause faults to occur after the repair due to hidden damage. Technician B says that some faults could be related to a previous repair. Which technician is correct? Technician A only Technician B only Both Technicians A and B Neither Technician A nor B

CHAPTER QUIZ 3. The viscosity of engine oil is found where? Owner’s manual Factory service manual or service information Lubrication guide All of the above

CHAPTER QUIZ 4. Wiring diagrams are usually found where? Owner’s manuals Factory service manuals Unit repair manuals Lubrication guides

CHAPTER QUIZ 5. What type of manual includes time needed to perform service procedures? Flat-rate manuals Owner’s manuals Factory service manuals Parts guide

CHAPTER QUIZ 6. Component location can be found in _____. Factory service manuals Owner’s manuals Component location manuals Both a and c

CHAPTER QUIZ 7. Aftermarket service information is available in what format? Manuals CDs or DVDs Internet All of the above are possible source formats

CHAPTER QUIZ 8. Hotline services are _____. Free Available for a service fee Available on CD or DVD format Accessed by the Internet

CHAPTER QUIZ 9. Aftermarket parts catalogs can be a useful source of information and they are usually _____. Free Available by paid subscription Available on CD or DVD Available for a fee on a secured Internet site

CHAPTER QUIZ 10. Which type of manual or service information includes the flat rate time and the cost of parts? Parts and time guides Factory service manuals Component location guides Free Internet site

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