It can be quite expensive to have your car in a mechanic's garage these days. Even fees for oil changes and tire rotations have increased dramatically over the years. One way to save money on these types of expenses is to buy the parts and tools needed and do the maintenance or make the repairs by yourself.

The owner's manual that came with your vehicle can tell you everything you need to know about how to operate your vehicle. It may also tell you how often general maintenances should be performed, how many pounds of air to put in your tires, etc. However, these manuals do not usually explain how to perform the service requirements or how to replace broken parts. In order to become an expert do-it-yourselfer, you will need to buy a service and repair manual for your specific car or truck.

Manuals such as these can be found all over the Internet. There are websites that boast of being factory-authorized distributors that carry only the manufacturers' manuals. Other websites offer manuals that group the vehicles by model, year, and/or make. Some are even classified between imported and American made automobiles. It really doesn't matter which type of manual you purchase, just as long as it is for the vehicle you need to repair.

These manuals come in two different formats. Some car owners prefer the standard book format because it can be taken right out to the vehicle being repaired. This allows the information and diagrams to be right at your fingertips. The possible problems with using the book format are that the book may be bulky to handle, or it could get increasingly dirty or oily with each subsequent use. If these are concerns of yours, the manuals are also available on Compact Discs (CDs). The benefit of this format is that you can look up specific information on the CD and print out exactly what you need at that moment. After the repairs are made, the printed instructions can be thrown away.

Either form of manual will be extremely helpful in explaining anything you need to know about how your car works, or how to work on your car. The price for a new manual in either book or CD format varies according to the model of your vehicle; however, it is possible to find used ones online for a little less money. Of course, purchasing a used book for car repairs is kind of like buying a used textbook. If the person who owned it before you knew what they were doing, the notes in the margins could be very helpful. But, if the past owner was a complete idiot, you are better off ignoring the "tips" he left behind. The trouble is, how do you know the difference if you don't know anything yourself?

These manuals cover topics ranging from how to replace your windshield wiper blades to how to rebuild your engine. They can help with troubleshooting and diagnostics, engine performance, fuel systems, and even body parts. If you have always wanted to be your own mechanic, this type of do-it-yourself manual may be all you need to get started.

There are a couple of things to look for before settling on a particular service and repair manual. One of the most important things to find out is who wrote or put together the manual. You want to make sure whoever it was, had plenty of prior experience working on cars, such as an independent repair shop owner or certified technician. The second thing to look for is pictures and diagrams. Some people can learn just by reading the information, but being able to see what the parts look like and how they fit together is going to make things much easier for the do-it-yourself person.

Even if you don't plan on servicing your own vehicle or making your own repairs, a service and repair manual can come in very handy. It is always good to have some idea of what things are and how they work, especially before taking your car in to be worked on by someone else. If the repairs are expensive, you will understand why. If someone is trying to rip you off, you may actually be able to figure it out before that big check is written.

Knowledge is a beautiful thing. When you have the right information at hand, you can make educated and informed decisions. The knowledge that you gain by having a manual for your particular make and model of vehicle could realistically save you the expense of the repair manual in very short order. If the information that you learned by reading your manual prevents you from being ripped-off, or it helps you to make one repair on your own, it can easily pay for itself the first time you use it.