# Free online auto repair manuals?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 20, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742 "2010-01-20T21:10:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742/1 "2010-01-20T21:10:45Z")
Has anyone come across this sort of resource? It could be for just a few or for many procedures. It seems like something like this must exist, but I haven’t found anything great thus far.
Specifically, I am interested in repair manuals/procedures for an older (1994) Ford Ranger, but feel free to share other relevant sites as well; they may be useful to others or to me at some point in the future.
---
### Author:  [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742/2 "2010-01-20T22:19:05Z")
I would use Google to try and find a message board dedicated to Ford Ranger enthusiasts. I bet you’ll find manuals either posted there and if not, at least links or directions on where to find them. I have two different vehicles and have access to both service manuals through the forums I’ve joined.
Also, I think sometimes public libraries have service manuals.
---
### Author:  [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742/3 "2010-01-20T22:22:45Z")
There are online instructions for various specific repair procedures. For example, you could Google on _1994 ford ranger how to (whatever)_ and get a site like this: [http://wiki.answers.com/Q/FAQ/599](http://wiki.answers.com/Q/FAQ/599). As far as actual repair manuals (something that covers most procedures on a given make/model), I don’t know of any free ones.
---
### Author:  [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742/4 "2010-01-20T22:55:07Z")
There’s a YouTube channel that covers a wide range of self-repair topics. I don’t think there are any that are make & model-specific, though.
---
### Author:  [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742/5 "2010-01-21T00:10:33Z")
Autozone’s website ([www.autozone.com](http://www.autozone.com)) has them. I think you need to do a free registration thingee to get them now. Otherwise a lot of public libraries have them through a service called EBSCO, but you’ll have call your local branch to get the password.
The manuals available from those two sources are about as good as a Haynes or Chilton’s book (in fact, I’m pretty sure it’s the exact same as one or the other), which will be very broad, especially for a truck like yours where they’ve made them for about 25 years. If you can find a factory manual posted on a message board or something that deals with your year specifically you’ll be much better off.
---
### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2010, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742/6 "2010-01-21T04:58:49Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#):
>
> Autozone’s website ([www.autozone.com](http://www.autozone.com)) has them. I think you need to do a free registration thingee to get them now. Otherwise a lot of public libraries have them through a service called EBSCO, but you’ll have call your local branch to get the password. […]
Thanks! We could have used this last month, and I’m sure we’ll need it again.
---
### Author:  [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-online-auto-repair-manuals/525742/7 "2010-01-21T05:33:38Z")
> [@misterW](#):
>
> It seems like something like this must exist, but I haven’t found anything great thus far.
The manuals are **copyrighted** by their makers, who sell them for high prices to auto repair shops. If they appeared for free online, the owners would invoke their legal rights and have them removed posthaste.