Why Automotive Repair Manuals are Important to Owners
Have you read the repair manual for your car lately?
If you haven’t, you’re probably in one of two situations. One, you may already be well-versed and highly skilled in the specifications of your vehicle to the point that you don’t need to read the manual anymore.
Two – and which is where most vehicle owners fall under – you jumped right into your vehicle and learned about its proper usage and technical specs along the way.
While most automobiles these days are easy to maneuver and generally user-friendly for an average driver, some important things may get lost in the excitement of it all. As a result, the vehicle may already be experiencing unintentional wear and tear without you knowing it, such as carbon buildup or transmission problems.
In this article, let’s rediscover the existence of the repair manual and see why you need to consider it your friend on the road.
Reasons Why You Need The Repair Manual
At this point, take a few minutes to say hello to your car owner’s manual.
Now that you’re acquainted, here are some of the biggest advantages of reading the car manual:
DIY Troubleshooting
Probably the best use of the auto repair manual for any vehicle owner or driver is the troubleshooting guide. This set of pages lists down common car-related problems and concerns, as well as the best solutions to address them.
Imagine having your vehicle come to a stop on the road without you applying the brakes or turning off the engine. By checking the car repair manual, you can pinpoint the most likely cause of the issue based on the signs and symptoms that you observe.
Awareness of Dashboard Signals
Speaking of signs, the dashboard is your greatest ally in checking the vehicle status while driving. Every basic but important detail that you need to monitor while on the road can be found on the dashboard signals.
Things to Expect on the Dashboard
Vehicles may have variations of dashboard designs, but these signs are almost always present in any car dashboard:
- Speedometer
- Fuel gauge
- Tachometer
- Temperature gauge
- Mileage
- Light signals
Recommendations for Maintenance Schedule
Another value of the car manual is that it recommends a regular maintenance schedule for your vehicle. By reading the document, you will know the best time and frequency to change oil, clean the AC filter, or do a system tuneup.
Technical Specifications
This section of the manual may be too advanced for most drivers, but the list of technical data can help you determine the best course of action for any car trouble. Car service technicians always refer to the manual to make sure that the parts and accessories that they install are compatible with your vehicle.
What Does An Repair Manual Contain?
You may not look too much into it, but a standard vehicle owner’s manual has a lot of important information that you need to know. Here are some of its most pertinent contents:
- Initialization instructions
- Parts and accessories, including dashboard warning signs
- Technical specifications of the vehicle (engine data, recommended tire pressure, fuel requirement, among others)
- Instructions for regular vehicle checkup and maintenance
- Troubleshooting guide
- Driving and car usage tips
Just by looking at these items, it’s clear why car owner needs to read the manual.
Final Tip: The Repair Manual Reminds You of Responsibility
Everything on the manual points to one main mission: You are responsible for the maintenance and performance of your vehicle. Aside from technical data and troubeshooting steps, the owner’s manual also contains instructions and recommendations on how to use the vehicle the right way.
On top of this, the Federal Trade Commission highly recommends to follow what the car owner’s manual says. After all, you definitely want to enjoy your car for a long time.
Now that you know the value of the owner’s manual, isn’t it time to get it out of your glove compartment and start reading it?
References
White, Steve. “Dodge Durango Repair Manuals.” 911 Manual, 10 Jan. 2018, https://www.911manual.com/dodge-durango-repair-manuals/
“Dodge Durango.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Apr. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Durango
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