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VEHICLE MAKERS PROVIDE ONLINE REPAIR INFORMATION
February 2, 2004 - As part of the agreement between several not-for-profit organizations (ASA, AAM, and AIAM) and the vehicle makers, all non-emissions and emissions service information and training was to be made available to all independent repairers. This has been accomplished, the links are available and are listed below. Beneath each link is a brief description of each site along with a list of the system requirements for each. The web site descriptions also note if there is collision repair information available. Please be aware when going through the sites that collision repair information is not quite the same as body repair information. Body repair focuses on removal and installation of bolt-on parts such as trim, mirrors, instrument panels, bumpers, restraints, etc. Collision repair information typically addresses how to repair, section, or straighten outer body panels and the vehicle structure.
Vehicle Maker Web Sites
Some of these sites are provided free of charge and some are pay sites which may have several subscription options.
Audi
http://www.audi.ddsltd.com (Free site/ purchase information)
This Audi link connects the user to the Audi Technical Literature Ordering Center which provides information for ordering documents such as shop manuals, owner's manuals, parts catalogs, and certain training materials for Audi products. The products are available in printed form or on CD-ROM. Users can either purchase the materials by calling an 800 number or following the online ordering procedures.
http://erwin.audi.de (Free site/purchase information)
This second site from Audi provides online information to the repairer. This information includes workshop manuals, technical specifications, maintenance, body repairs, collision repairs, etc. The manuals are purchased individually and downloaded as a PDF file. Subscriptions may be purchased for a specific document. The subscription to a document allows the user to download any updates without having to purchase a new manual. System requirements include Internet Explorer 5.0, SealedMedia plugin, and Adobe Acrobat reader.
BMW
http://www.bmwtechinfo.com (Pay site)
The BMW site provides information on vehicle service, technician training, bulletins, etc. Subscription rates are available for one day, one month, or one year. The system requirements for the web site include Windows operating system with Netscape 6.0+ or Explorer 5.0+.
Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Plymouth
http://www.techauthority.com (Pay site)
This DaimlerChrysler site provides information on diagnostics, service, training, and technical bulletins. The site requires a Windows operating system with Internet Explorer 5.5 or later. Subscription rates are available for one day, one month, and one year. In addition to purchasing information online, service manuals can also be purchased by calling 800.890.4038.
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Figure 1-Ford provides a link to the pay-per-view section of their web site to view service information on all their late model vehicles.
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Ford
http://www.motorcraft.com (Pay site)
This Ford site provides information on mechanical repair such as OBD II, diagnostic tool support, technical training, and body repair manuals (see Figure 1). The body repair manuals are accessed through an online subscription. Users have the option of subscribing for 72 hours, 31 days, or one year. Currently, body repair manuals are available for the 2002/2003:
- Explorer/Mountaineer
- Focus
- Explorer Sport Trac
- Ranger
- Excursion
- Aviator
- Taurus/Sable
- Thunderbird
- Lincoln LS
- F-Super Duty
- Expedition/Navigator
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Figure 2-General Motors provides a link to a free section that has information on collision repair of their late model vehicles.
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General Motors
http://service.gm.com/index_en-US.html (Pay site)
This General Motors web site provides technical information on mechanical repair, bulletins, diagnostic tools, body repair, and collision repair. Users have the option of subscribing for one day, five days, one month, or one year. The subscription covers all makes and models for GM including Hummer, Isuzu, and Saturn.
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/
gmgoodwrenchjsp/gmspo/index.jsp (Free site)
This General Motors web site is devoted to providing technical collision repair information for a number of late model GM vehicles (see Figure 2). Note that the information on this site is from the NACE publications and are not maintained.
Isuzu
http://www.isuzutechinfo.com (Pay site)
The Isuzu site provides access to Isuzu products and services, service manuals, training materials, bulletins, tools, etc. The subscription options are for one day, one month, or one year. The system requirements include Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP with Internet Explorer 5.5 or above, Netscape 6.2 or above, and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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Figure 3-Kia provides free information on the service of all their vehicles.
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Kia
http://www.kiatechinfo.com (Free site)
The Kia site provides information on OBD II, service manuals and wiring diagrams, technical service bulletins, tools and equipment, etc. (see Figure 3). The recommended system requirements include Windows 98 or greater, Internet Explorer 5.5 or later, and a 128K Internet connection or faster.
Land Rover
http://www.landrovertechinfo.com (Pay site)
The Land Rover site provides information on diagnostics, service information, service bulletins, body repair manuals, electrical troubleshooting manuals, training, etc. The subscription allows the user to choose from three different options: one model for one year, one model for all years, or all models for all years. Each of these options can be purchased for a day, a month, or a year. The system requirements include Windows with Netscape 6.2 or later or Internet Explorer5.5 or later.
Mazda
http://www.mazdatechinfo.com/home/ESIcatalogTopCatagory.asp (Pay site)
The Mazda site provides information on electronics, diagnostics and programming, service tools and equipment, obtaining printed manuals, etc. The online service information subscriptions are available for one day, 30 days, six months, or one year. It includes all models from 1996 to present for service manuals and 1990 to present for all technical service bulletins (TSBs).
Mitsubishi
http://www.mitsubishitechinfo.com/epacarb/ (Pay site)
The Mitsubishi site provides service manuals and TSBs and information on scan tools, technical training materials, OBD II, etc. Mitsubishi offers a one day, seven day, 30 day, six month, and one year subscription. The web site is best viewed in Internet Explorer 6 or Netscape 7 with the monitor set at a resolution of 1024 x 768.
Nissan
http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissan/ (Pay site)
The Nissan and Infiniti web sites provide information on training, body repair, Electronic Control Module (ECM) program data, and related publications. The site provides links for purchasing printed material, CD-ROMs, or online information. Nissan offers a one day, 30 day, and one year subscription for the online material.
Saab
http://www.saabtechinfo.com (Pay site)
The Saab site provides information on special tools, training, service information, etc. Saab offers a one day, 30 day, three month, and one year subscription for the online material.
Subaru
http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/index.jsp (Pay site)
The Subaru site provides service manual information, owner’s manual information, TSBs, video training, tech tips, etc. Subaru offers three day, 30 day, and one year online subscriptions. The system requirements include Windows 2000 or later, 1024 x 768 display resolution, Internet Explorer 5.5 or later, and Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5 or later.
Suzuki
http://www.suzukitechinfo.com (Pay site)
The Suzuki web site provides information on training, tools and equipment, service, collision (which is included in the service manual), etc. The information is available either in an online PDF file or as printed material. To receive unlimited online access to all vehicle information, subscription rates are available for one day, one month, six months, and one year.
Toyota
http://techinfo.toyota.com (Pay site)
The Toyota web site provides information on purchasing online information regarding service, parts, tools, training, collision repair, etc. Also included is the procedure for purchasing printed material as well. The system requirements include Windows 98 or 2000, NT, or XP. Also required are Internet Explorer 5.5, Adobe Acrobat, and Macromedia Flash player. Subscriptions are available for one day, one month, or one year.
Volvo
http://www.volvotechinfo.com (Pay site)
The Volvo web site provides information on service, parts, tool information, owner’s manuals, training, etc. Items are purchased either as printed material, downloadable Acrobat files, or as a subscription to specific documents. Volvo offers three day, 31 day, and one year subscriptions. The system requirements for this web site require Internet Explorer 5.0 and Netscape Navigator 7.0 or higher. Macromedia Flash 6.0 and Adobe Acrobat reader is also required.
Volkswagen
http://www.vw.ddsltd.com (Free site, purchase materials)
This Volkswagen link connects the user to the Volkswagen Technical Literature Ordering Center. This page provides information for ordering documents such as shop manuals, owner's manuals, parts catalogs, and certain training materials for Volkswagen products. The products are available in printed form or on CD-ROM. Users can either purchase the materials by calling an 800 number or following the online ordering procedures.
http://www.erwin.vw.com (Free site, purchase materials)
This second web site by Volkswagen provides online information to the repairer. This information includes workshop manuals, technical specifications, maintenance, body repairs, collision repairs, etc. The manuals are purchased individually and downloaded as a PDF file. You can also purchase subscriptions to a document. The subscription allows the user to download any updates to the manual without having to purchase a new manual. System requirements include Internet Explorer 5.0, SealedMedia plugin, and Adobe Acrobat reader.
Conclusion
The information and navigation for each vehicle maker site varies. While some sites offer free information, most offer information for a fee. In most instances, the free information is limited and additional information can be purchased in a similar method to the pay sites. Information is often available in all formats - print, CD-ROM, and online. Collision repair information still appears to be a rare occurrence on most sites, but the trend may be changing as more and more vehicle makers delve into this area of repair.
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