Here are the answers to some of the most common questions I get asked about using online repair manuals to fix your car. Most people have figured out by now that you can buy repair information online. But the idea of using digital repair info as a replacement for old paper service manuals raises several interesting questions.
Question: Will the online product eAutoRepair, RepairSurge, AllData, or ChiltonDIY work on my computer?
Answer: Each of these brands works on any Windows PC from Windows 95 through Windows Vista. The system requirements are relatively low, so even users of older computers should have no problems.
Question: Which brand do you recommend the most?
Answer: It depends entirely on what your needs are; no one product fits every person. Each product has its own list of features. Different products are geared towards different consumers. For example, the less expensive internet-based brands are geared towards the do-it-yourself mechanic, while the significantly more expensive Mitchell OnDemand5 subscription or DVD set is designed for professional repair shops.
Question: Are the digital repair manual products a software download or an online subscription?
Answer: This varies depending on the brand. To find out more about a particular product, you can check out each brand's website. These websites can provide you with information about how their product works and what vehicles it covers.
Question: Do Chilton's electronic products contain the same information as their traditional books?
Answer: For the most part, yes. In some cases, modifications may have been made between the time the book was published and its release as a digital product. In addition, Chilton's is far from the cheapest online product available nowadays.
Question: I don't spend much time on the computer. Are the digital products difficult to use?
Answer: These products are as easy to use as a traditional paper repair manual. In fact, due to the search features and on demand availability the digital format provides, they may be easier to use in some cases.
Question: Which format is better, paper repair manuals or digital service information?
Answer: If you have internet access in your home or repair shop, then I recommend going digital. However, I also spend a lot of time using traditional service manuals, and they aren't going away any time soon. In most cases, you will have your choice of formats, so pick whichever works best for you.
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