One point we’ve been trying to completely drive home is that you’ll be able to perform a wide variety of DIY automotive tasks with the help of online auto repair manuals. We’ll constantly keep “reminding” you of this as we go along, no matter how many times we need to repeat and repeat and repeat it. As long as it works, right?
There’s no need to be afraid of DIY Auto repair as long as you have the tools you’ll need to do the job (and as long as it is within the capacity of the DIY mechanic to pull off; after all, there are certain tasks that simply call for the help of an auto repair shop that has the kind of heavy duty equipment that most DIY mechanics simply don’t have and can’t afford).
Knowledge is one of the most important things here. You may start out with zero skill, but if you take the time to read up and gain the knowledge you need to perform your own repairs and maintenance tasks, you’ll be able to learn the ropes eventually. Just make sure you put in the work; there’s no use subscribing to an online auto repair manual service if you’re not even going to try and read it or understand the text.
Additionally, simply getting an online auto repair manual isn’t enough. You need to make sure that what you have contains quality and accurate information. Otherwise, you’ll just be stumbling like a blind man. If you go for the free online repair manuals, make sure you check them for quality and accuracy. For paid subscriptions, make sure you carefully pick a service that has all the stuff you’ll need and require.
Once you have the tools, the rest should follow—and you’ll be well on your way to a happy DIY mechanic experience.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Cool VW Super Bowl Spot: The Force
Okay, so this doesn't really have anything to do with online auto repair manuals, but it's just too cool not to post!
Oh yeah, by the way, congrats to all the Green Bay Packers fans reading this online repair manuals blog. That was a great game; Aaron Rodgers was very, very good and the team really deserved the Super Bowl win. Too bad for the Steelers; I used to be a Ben Roethlisberger fan, but now I don't really get to follow football all that much.
Friday, February 4, 2011
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 usually not enough to truly gauge how effective a particular online repair manual’s UI design is. Still, it lets you have a feel or at least an inkling of what you’ll be seeing if you ever choose that certain online service.
Usability and user interface design definitely a big part of the consideration for which online repair manuals to subscribe to. Who’d want to use something that operates in a clumsy and clunky manner, right? So, the next time you look for a good online car repair manual for your DIY endeavors, make sure you try to find some images of how the program actually looks like.
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 usually not enough to truly gauge how effective a particular online repair manual’s UI design is. Still, it lets you have a feel or at least an inkling of what you’ll be seeing if you ever choose that certain online service.
Usability and user interface design definitely a big part of the consideration for which online repair manuals to subscribe to. Who’d want to use something that operates in a clumsy and clunky manner, right? So, the next time you look for a good online car repair manual for your DIY endeavors, make sure you try to find some images of how the program actually looks like.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
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).
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).
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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
Repair Manual
http://motorera.com/dictionary/RE.HTM#Repair_Manual
Service Manual
http://motorera.com/dictionary/SE.HTM#Service_Manual
Maintenance Manual
http://motorera.com/dictionary/MA.HTM#Maintenance_Manual
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.
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.
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