More Online Owner’s Manuals via Edmunds.com

Since we upped that post about the interactive online manuals for the Mercedes-Benz SLK and then the Tesla Roadster, we thought it would be nice to compile all of the online repair manuals information concerning these valuable resources.

There’s only one problem. Edmunds.com has already beat us to the punch. They already have a listing for practically every vehicle make along with the links to those makes’ respective web sites. Edmunds has also conveniently provided answers to questions like “is my car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) required?” or “do I have to pay to access these online car care manuals?” They have also provided info on which model years you’ll be able to find a manual of.

It’s really a great list, and we applaud the writers for making the effort to track down all of those sites and all of those links just to provide a comprehensive list of online manuals for a wide range of car owners.

If you’re not in the mood to use your computer when you need to find some information about a particular part or system inside your vehicle, you can always order a printed owner’s manual. Ordering information is usually provided in the manufacturer’s site, or you can get one online via car repair manual retailers.

Want to see the list? Just click here to jump on to the Edmunds index of online owner’s manuals.

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.