DIYer's and NOOBS - MUST READ
 

After browsing the forum for the last few weeks it has come to my attention that a lot of members here don't have the foggiest idea how to fix their own car, or where to begin. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, as I myself was like this at one point in my life, so I thought I would create a post for all you DIYer's and NOOBS out there who don't know where to start.

If you've ever been in the auto repair industry or worked as a mechanic, there is a 99% likelihood that you know about AllData. And if you've never worked in this industry, you probably don't have a clue what AllData is.

Every car manufacturer writes an in-depth comprehensive repair manual for each car they make that their technicians have access to. This manual gives them step-by-step instructions on how to fix the car, including drawings of the engine, parts, etc... to help you identify what you are working on. It also provides the torque specifications on various bolts, tightening patterns, tolerances, ohm ratings, etc...

As private car repair facilities are not linked to Subaru, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, etc... where they have direct access to these manuals, they go to a third party source like All-Data to get what they need.

AllData is a company that works directly with the dealers to create a single, massive library of nearly every car on earth with every factory manual ever created. They tell you exactly how to fix your car, how to diagnose it, how to test it, etc... And BEST OF ALL - they now offer their services to individuals, not just repair shops. Also - AllData is WAY easier to navigate than the factory repair manual posted as a sticky to this very forum.

For only $26.95 you can purchase a 1-year subscription to AllDataDIY which gives you full access to the factory data for 1 vehicle. Additional vehicles can be added for about $18, and you can get a 5-year pass for just a little bit more than the 1 year. Think back to the Chilton's Manuals you used to buy at the auto repair store - this is nothing like that - it's a complete professional guide rather than an amateurs guidebook.

Whenever I have a problem or need guidance in doing a repair, AllData is my #1 go-to place for information. There is nothing magical about learning to be a mechanic, there is simply the desire to learn. So if you have that desire I highly encourage you to spend the $27 and purchase your own subscription - you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

I am not affiliated with AllData in any way - I simply love their service and used it when I was both a mechanic and a service writer in the repair business. It's an amazing tool that nearly all professional mechanics use, so if you want to repair your car like the pros then bite the bullet and buy it. It's a purchase you will never regret! :D

No 2016 FR-S listed yet :[

Oh great... Another subscription.. another monthly/annual recurring charge on my credit card for something I've done my whole life without. Great job capitalism.

Everytime we turn around another company is offering a subscription to something, or worse, forcing us into a subscription to do the same thing we've done for decades without one... Death by a thousand cuts. Or more accurately.. "Poverty, by a thousand charges."

I like AllData, but I can't make the financial argument and convenience for 1 or 2 cars vs having a proper OEM repair manual that I can quickly reference without needing a computer in my garage or an internet connection

Edit: the complete Scion FRS service manual is hosted here somewhere.. I know I already have it on my computer. You can find most official service manuals online for free or close to it without having to incur a monthly charge. I've been able to do this with a Toyota Matrix, Ford Expedition, FRS and every Honda I've ever owned.

Basically what @rice_classic said. Everything I've done on my car, I've found a guide for online. I bring my laptop out to the garage, find out what tools I need, line them up and then grab a beer and get to work. I understand the merit behind this, but really, if something goes wrong that I need an in depth repair manual, I'll just take the car to the dealer since it's still under warranty.

Once that warranty goes out when I have a problem, I'll do the troubleshooting, do my research and decide if it's something I want to/can do myself or I'll take it to my mechanic, where parts are at cost and labour is cheap. I don't think he's made any money off my family in years.

This post is for people who are their own mechanic, rather than relying on someone else to do the work for them. Because that person is almost always going to be using AllData... Even the guys at the dealer use AllData. So if you want to upgrade from being an Amateur, or having to search through pages upon pages of an online PDF then get what the PROS use.

And I'm not a pro, by any means. I know what my skill limits are. No point in paying for something that I won't use, or something that I can get for free. Also, you don't need to search through pages upon pages in a PDF. Control-F is your friend.

Some people likes to have online access to the manual everywhere (this is only one "pros" IMO to the Online AllData version). I prefer to use off-line fully downloaded version of AllData and Mitchell Od. (Mitchell On Demand is another one good manual)