The Coffee Shop Mechanic

A weird thought crept into my mind just a while ago as I took a cab to work because I have yet to fix my 2008 Ford Taurus, and it has to do with this particular scene you see often, whether in real life or in fiction (films, TV series, sitcoms, even books and short stories). A lone writer is sitting inside a coffee shop (Starbucks, or some other) and he is writing on a notebook or working on his laptop (or netbook, or what have you) while a Venti-sized cup of caramel macchiato lies to his right. Cliché, right?

Well, here’s something that might not be so cliché. Picture the same scene, but this time, it’s not a writer that’s sitting there with his favorite caffeine source. What we have now is an auto mechanic, chilling as he browses through his online repair manuals to see what he has to do to fix a certain issue or to install a replacement component in place of a failed one.

See, that’s the wonder of technology—anyone with the will to learn can use it to make life better or easier. With our easy access to online auto repair manuals, anything is possible. You can even go to the can and take a dump with your laptop in tow. No time wasted!

Not that I’m saying you should troop down to the local coffee shop and leech off their broadband connection over Wi-Fi every time something goes wrong with your car; all I’m saying is that having 24-7 access to online repair manuals, online service manuals and other stuff afforded by your subscription is definitely something you can enjoy practically anywhere there’s an Internet connection.

Plus, the image of the DIY mechanic brushing up on his tech skills in a cozy couch sipping coffee is really quite nice, especially if you’re a mechanic like me who doesn’t really have a comfortable chair in his garage (not even a stool—which reminds me, I should get one when I have extra cash).

The Importance of User Interface in Online Repair Manuals

Just like all of the other types of computer applications, online auto repair manuals need to have a good user interface design. This is because the user interface, or UI for short, has a direct impact on the user experience and how easily the owner can use the manual for his or her benefit.

Usability is a primary component of user experience. Here’s how Wikipedia defines usability:

Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object. The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, or anything a human interacts with.

It’s all about how the user interacts with the software; in this case, it’s the online repair manual. Does it have the appropriate buttons or links where the user can easily see them? Are the menus clear and easy to navigate? Does the layout of the online repair manual work well? These are some factors that affect usability.

Of course, unless there are screenshots of a particular online repair manual, you likely won’t be able to know whether the one you get is user-friendly or not. I guess that’s where reviews come in. Usually, though, screenshots are included on most product pages. You can also try searching Google Images and see if there are any screenshots for the online car repair manual you want to research about.

Personally, I value accuracy of the content more than good user interface design. After all, you would certainly much rather have accurate information than a pretty manual. Still, having a good UI is really helpful, and it can certainly make the life of DIY mechanics much easier.

Manuals Definitions from Motor Era

One of my favorite web sites related to auto repair and cars in general is Motor Era (www.motorera.com). Aside from providing a history of certain automakers (Cadillac, GM) and car models (Firebird, Trans-Am, Corvette) and even Honda motorcycles, you can find one of the most comprehensive online glossaries that deal with auto parts.

I recently looked up the meanings of the various manuals as stated in Motor Era. Let’s have a rundown, shall we?


Owner’s Manual
http://motorera.com/dictionary/OW.HTM#Owners_Manual

Every new vehicle is supplied with a handbook which gives the basic\ instructions for operating the controls. It includes a maintenance schedule and Specifications such as the type and quantity of fluids. For instruction on repair work, you will need a Service manual which may be ordered from the dealership which sold you your vehicle.

Repair Manual
http://motorera.com/dictionary/RE.HTM#Repair_Manual

A book which details the procedure for repairing one or more components of a vehicle. Compare Service manual.

Service Manual
http://motorera.com/dictionary/SE.HTM#Service_Manual

A handbook published by a vehicle manufacturer or a specialized publishing company that contains instructions and Specifications for the maintenance and repair of a specific car. It may include Wiring diagrams and Troubleshooting guides. Most service manuals deal with only one make, model, or year, and nearly all are intended for professionals or the very experienced amateur.

Maintenance Manual
http://motorera.com/dictionary/MA.HTM#Maintenance_Manual

A book of instructions detailing routine maintenance.

Those are pretty much in line with our own definitions of these respective online repair manuals. Well, if you want to learn more and find out which part is which, you can head on over to the Motor Era dictionary of automotive terms by clicking here.

Going DIY vs. Hiring a Mechanic

There’s this age-old debate (well, is there really?) that pits the DIY route against simply getting your trusted mechanic to do a job for you when you need your car fixed. Well, both really do have advantages and they all mostly have to do with your situation.

The main advantage of DIY is the cheaper cost. Naturally, if you do whatever task has to be done by yourself, you won’t have to pay anyone any labor fees. Anyone who has had his car repaired can attest to the experience—nay, the shock—of finding a huge amount billed under labor after getting the receipt from the shop. That is eliminated when you do things the DIY way. Of course, that means you’ll still be spending on tools, equipment and replacement or upgrade components. Maybe you’ll also be shelling out a few bucks for subscriptions to reliable online auto repair manuals. Depending on how much you tune or modify or repair, you could end up either saving money or blowing more on parts.

If you only need to work on your car when something goes wrong, or if you don’t have time to study DIY auto repair, then it might be more practical to just go to the mechanic on the occasion that a component breaks down or something. DIY car care is no laughing matter, and you can’t just expect to wing it (unless you’re one of those geniuses with an inborn aptitude for mechanical work or affinity for vehicle systems).

The best thing to do is to weigh your options. Check out some general car care books or online repair manuals and see if the stuff discussed in their pages is the sort of stuff you’d be able to understand and eventually do by yourself. The choice is yours, and the power is in your hands.

Tell Us Your Online Repair Manuals Story!

It’s not everyday you get to hear about how online auto repair manuals have saved a person’s life (whether it’s in the literal or figurative sense). That is why we’re asking you for your stories that revolve around online car repair manuals!

It can be a loose anecdote that summarizes your experience dealing with car problems using your trusted online repair manual, a funny experience, some tips and tricks you might want to share regarding an online auto repair manual service, the works—there’s no holding back here.

If you want to share something, don’t hesitate to drop us a line by using the comments section. Commenting on any post will do, although preferably you will comment on this one.

So start typing those online auto repair manual stories now and get ready for the whole world to know your story!

Determining the Top Online Car Repair Manuals

You'll find a wide array of of online auto repair manuals on the Internet. To obtain really accurate and in-depth information, make sure you get an online auto repair manual that is specifically made for your vehicle's year, make and model. If not, you'll only end up throwing away your hard-earned cash on something that isn't really going to help you.

If you manage to secure an accurate online auto repair manual, then you've got a winner. This way, you'll be able to perform your repair and maintenance tasks confidently and with the minimal amount of errors. Always nitpick on the brand of online repair manual that you're going to get, because it is important that you secure access only from reputable brands and publishers. Reputable brands usually mean reliable content, and this will mean you will get accurate online car repair manuals.

If you see a site with samples that contain glaring errors and inconsistencies, better steer clear of that particular service. Don't bother spending money on those, as you'll only be getting substandard quality and unreliable information. You can even end up spending more on botched repairs since the info on those manuals won't help you at all. The best recourse would be to look for online auto repair manuals elsewhere.

By no means are the points we've stated above the only factors you'll need to consider to find the best online auto repair manual for your vehicle and for your needs. However, those points are excellent places to start. Getting an accurate and trustworthy online auto repair manual is an important part of DIY auto repair, so make sure you take the time to learn about the options available to you so that you can make informed decisions. That is how you guarantee that you spend your money wisely on a service that's worth the expense.

Cars Need Checkups, Too

I almost forgot that it was our company’s APE today. APE means Annual Physical Examination, which is the company’s way of ensuring it employs people who are well and healthy.

As I was getting all sorts of examinations done—blood chemistry, eye or vision tests, X-rays, the whole gamut—I realized that we are quite similar to cars in this way. People are just like cars, and vice versa. Once in a while, we need to be checked up on—much like the routine periodic maintenance of cars. Every so often, we need to be “fixed,” and so do cars.

While going through the entire APE process, I also thought that there are still many who don’t go out and do the necessary preventive maintenance on their cars. It’s like a physical exam; you check to see if everything’s in great shape, so you can also detect if there’s anything wrong. This way, you can do something about it before it becomes a pain in the butt.

So go check your online repair manuals now and see when your ride is due for its next “checkup.” Your precious ride needs that kind of care and attention so that you can always ensure that it is at its best condition. You’ll enjoy it more if you take care of it properly.