Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)

Smart home mechanics use all the information available to
diagnose problems with their vehicle. Below you will find the
two most valuable sources of data available today. Most people
know nothing about TSBs, but they should. Both of these
excellent resources are available online from websites like
AllData.com Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs): TSBs are issued
by vehicle manufacturers to help automotive technicians diagnose
and repair problems reported by consumers and repair shops. It's
amazing how many fixes are found in these bulletins that can't
be found anywhere else. Car manufacturers issue thousands of
bulletins every year. TSBs contain up-to-date factory fixes for
difficult to diagnose problems such as rough idles, intermittent
stalls, hard starts, and all kinds of "shakes", "rattles" and
"clunks" that can sometimes drive you nuts. TSBs describe
service procedures that may improve performance, reduce future
breakdowns, or show a factory authorized modification for your
vehicle. This information can be valuable to the home mechanic
when trying to troubleshoot problems with his or her car. Most
times the manufacturer gives detailed instructions on how to fix
the problem with part numbers included. You can choose to fix it
yourself or take it to your mechanic and alert him to the TSB.
Recall Notices: Automobile manufacturers issue Official Safety
Recall Notices to inform vehicle owners of car defects that have
come to the manufacturer's attention. Recalls also suggest
improvements that can be made to improve the safety of a
particular vehicle. Oftentimes your car dealer can perform this
recall work for free. Knowing what recall notices have been
issued on your vehicle helps you keep your vehicle in the best
and safest working order. The best way to keep your family safe
is to check for recalls issued for your vehicle every 1 - 3
months. Not all recalls are serious enough to warrant the
manufacturer to contact owners, so it's up to you to check for
yourself.