Vehicle repair manuals: an overview
SFPL maintains an extensive repair manuals collection that covers most (but not all) popular automobiles, trucks and motorcycles, as well as many collectibles.
Most of the manuals are for reference in-library use only. Paper manuals are kept at the 4th floor paging desk, and microforms are at the Business, Science & Technology Center desk. A valid California driver’s license or California ID must be presented to use items in this collection.
No single source is comprehensive; one sometimes needs to consult more than one book to find all the necessary information.
The shop manuals fall into two basic categories:
Model-specific manuals: These include factory manuals in paper and on microform, and a variety of aftermarket manuals by publishers such as Chilton, Clymer, and Haynes. The latter are written for the amateur repairer and often have special tips and simplified procedures. However, they don't always have sections for professional level service, such as air conditioning and transmission repair. Wiring diagrams are not always included in older editions.
Annual shop manuals such as Motor, Chilton and Mitchell cover a variety of makes and models. Chilton and Motor manuals are good for general tune-up, periodic maintenance, basic repairs and specifications. Motor is particularly useful for model and engine identifications. Neither the annual Chilton nor Motor has wiring diagrams.
The annual Mitchell manuals are published specifically for professional auto and truck shops. Each year, Mitchell prints general domestic and import manuals, with separate books for air-conditioning and transmission repair. SFPL has also purchased special wiring diagram, electrical component locator, emission control, and vacuum diagram books for certain years. A degree of expertise is assumed, so not all procedures are detailed.
Other Sources for the Restorer or Repairer
Hollander Interchange Manuals, These manuals give VIN breakdowns and engine ID numbers. The Interchanges list all vehicles that can use the same parts and have many casting and stamping numbers that identify parts or assemblies. Some body components are included.
Mitchell's Mechanical Parts & Labor Estimating Guides have VIN breakdowns; model identifications; major mechanical component part numbers with original prices; and estimated labor times to replace the components. There are no body parts.
Finding Repair Manuals
Finding vehicle repair books at SFPL can be confusing because of the many title and content changes in publications as they evolve over the years. You can find these manuals by using the online catalog or one of our repair manual databases.
Finding Repair Manuals in the Library catalog
- Subject search
Enter the make and model and click subject.
Example: "HONDA CIVIC"
This will retrieve books that have that subject heading. - Keyword search
If nothing shows up in a subject search, try entering the make and model, and clicking keyword.
Example: " KAWASAKI NINJA"
This will find all books with those two words anywhere in the record. This is more comprehensive than a subject search but can be more tedious due to unrelated hits.
Finding Repair Manuals in the Automobile Repair Manual Database
Use the Automobile
& Truck Repair Manual Database to find repair manuals for a
specific year, make and model of automobile.
To narrow your search to Mitchell
Manuals only, type "ALL" in the Model box.
Finding Repair Manual in the Motorcycle Repair Manual Database
Use the Motorcycle Repair Manual Database to find repair manuals for a specific year, make and model of motorcycle.
Do not hesitate to ask a librarian for assistance.
Road tests: an overview
Road tests for automobiles and motorcycles appear in a number of magazines. You can find recent road tests using our electronic magazine databases, which usually include the full text of the review or road test. For older road tests (roughly 1980s and earlier), you’ll need to use an index to locate the road test you want, then obtain a print copy of the article from our magazine collection.
Print indexes useful for finding road tests include:
Readers Guide to Periodical Literature. / LOCATION: Magazines & Newspapers
Department
Auto Index. / LOCATION: REF 629.12
Au815 / Note: Picks up indexing 1973-1993
Consumers Index to Product Evaluations & Information
Sources. / LOCATION: REF 339.4 C7667
Online indexes include:
EbscoHost Magazine Index
InfoTrac General Reference Center
And the following index resources…
Automobile Road Test Index: 1959-1976 (database)
The Automobile Road Test Index database covers car magazines from the
sixties and seventies. It is not a complete index to the editorial content
of the magazines. Only articles containing vehicle reviews/road tests are included.
Magazine Coverage
• Car & Driver / June
1963-December 1976
• Car Life / February 1963-May l979
• Motor Trend / June 1959-December
1976
• Popular Mechanics / January
1964-December 1969
• Popular Science / January 1964-September 1969
• Road & Track / March 1960-Decebmer 1976
• Road Test / July 1961-December 1976
• Sports Car Graphic / June 1963-June 1971
Motorcycle Road Test Index: 1963-1988
The Motorcycle Road Test Index includes road test articles from Cycle, Cycle World, and Motorcyclist magazines. It is not a complete index to the editorial content of the magazines.
