1. Locating Service Information and Specifications
Chapter 5

2. Objectives Describe the types of service information available
Locate repair information in shop manuals
Locate repair information in a digital information library
Use a service information library to estimate the time it will take to perform a repair task

3. Introduction Important concepts
1965: Mechanics needed to read about 5000 pages to be knowledgeable about automobiles
1974: 250,000 published pages on auto repair
1993: 1,251,016 published pages on auto repair
Today: 1.6 billion pages and growing
Service information for one make of vehicle
Consists of more than one manual
Digital information
CDs, DVDs, and Internet

4. Service Literature
Service literature gives written repair instructions
Written for experienced technicians
Considerations
Label parts for reassembly
Each vehicle has a vehicle identification number
17 digits: each identifies one vehicle characteristic
Identification numbers are also found on engines
Vehicles since 1972 have an underhood emission control label

7. Manufacturer’s Service Manuals
Shop manuals include three types of information
Diagnostic or troubleshooting information
Step-by-step repair information
Specification charts

8. Generic Service Manuals
Types of generic manuals
Mechanical repairs
Fuel, emission, ignition, and air conditioning
Using service manuals
Section included for each make of car
Front of manual contains an index of service operations
A few pages of each section is devoted to specifications

11. Lubrication Service Manual
Sections
Lubrication and maintenance information
Instructions, diagrams, and specifications
Vehicle lift points and maintenance intervals
Capacities
Cooling system capacities, system air bleed locations, wheel and tire specifications, etc.
Underhood service information
Instructions and diagrams
Specifications for engine tune-up and mechanical, electrical, and fuel systems

12. Owner’s Manual and Owner’s Workshop Manuals
Supplied with a new car
Contains information on operation and accessories
Features and safety usually covered first
Describes service intervals
May contain do-it-yourself information
Owner’s workshop manuals
Often sold in parts stores
Cover several years of one model of car
Commonly available back to 1940

14. Electronic Service Information
Computers are the predominant storage system for service information
Subscriptions to computer-based libraries are easy to use
ChiltonPro covers vehicles since 1940
Mitchell On-Demand goes back to 1984
Vintage system goes back to 1960
Flat rate information
Available as part of the electronic subscription services or in a parts and time guide

16. Technical Service Bulletins
Monthly technical service bulletins (TSBs)
Published by AERA and ATRA
Members report trial and error experiences
Manufacturers contribute information

17. Vintage Engines
Before computers, manufacturer service manuals were published each year
Each service operation was listed in detail
Covered only one year and model of vehicle
Microfiche has become uncommon
Small plastic film card magnified by a reader
Many readers had copying capability

18. Hot Line Services
Services that provide answers to service questions by telephone
Manufacturers help technicians by telephone in their dealerships
There are subscription services for independent shops
Some manufacturers use the Internet to transmit computer information from the vehicle
Automotive Technicians Network (IATN)
Shares diagnostic tips via the Internet

19. Hot Line Services (cont’d.)
Hollander Interchange Manuals
Interchange manual used by salvage yards
Lists part that interchange from one vehicle to another

20. Trade Magazines Professional magazines Manufacturers
Many include information from service bulletins
Many include a mail-in reader service postcard
Manufacturers
Many offer their service information on a subscription or per access fee basis