Featured Resource
Auto Care & Repair Database
- Chilton Library (Chilton's Auto Manuals)
- Available to members of Thrall. Automotive repair procedures, engine diagrams, diagnostics, vehicle maintenance information, recalls. Access information by specifying make and model of a car.
Web Resources
Auto Care & Repair - Maintenance, & Services
- Auto Repair Basics
- Topics include: How to Choose a Repair Shop, How to Choose a Technician, Repair Charges: Unlocking the Mystery, Preventive Maintenance, Protecting Your Auto Repair Investment, Warranties, Heading Off Problems, and Troubleshooting. From the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- AutoZone Video Library
- Videos on various repair and maintenance procedures. Topics include: Battery and Battery Accessories, Belts and Hoses, Brakes and Traction Control, Climate Control, Collision, Body Parts, and Hardware, Cooling and Heating, Drivetrain, Electronics, Engine Management, Exhaust, Filters, Fluids, Chemicals, and Misc. Additives, Fuel Delivery, Ignition Lock Cylinders, Ignition and Tune Up, Internal Engine, Lighting, Motor Oil and Oil Additives, Paint and Body, Performance, Powertrain, Routine Maintenance, Safety and Security, Sealants and Adhesives, Starting and Charging, Suspension and Steering, Tire Repair, Tools and Equipment, Wash, Wax, and Interior Care, and Wiper Blades.
- Car Maintenance Articles
- From Edmunds.
- Cars How To
- Topics include: 6 Car Sounds You Should Not Ignore, Drying Out Your Flooded Car, How to Buy Auto Parts Without Getting Screwed, How to Change a Car's Air Filter in 5 Easy Steps, How to Change a Car Fuse in 8 Easy Steps, How to Change a Flat Tire in 11 Easy Steps, How to Change a Tire Step-By-Step, How to Clean Leather Car Seats, How to Jump Start a Car, How to Paint a Car the Right Away, How to Repair a Windshield, How to Wax Your Car, The Tools You Need to Diagnose Your Car, and more. From Popular Mechanics.
- Car Repair for Dummies
- Topics include: Troubleshooting a Car That Won't Start, Checking Your Tires for Wear, Reading a Tire Sidewall, Checking Your Car's Air Filter, Considering a Few Aero Add-ons for Your Car, Keeping Your Mod Legal, Preparing an Emergency Car Kit, Choosing Oil for Your Vehicle, How to Troubleshoot Brake Problems, How to Raise Your Vehicle's Hood, How to Safely Jack Up Your Vehicle, How to Check Your Vehicle's Air Filter, How to Check Your Car Battery, How to Check a Vehicle's Brake Fluid, Maintaining Your Wipers and Washer Fluid, What to Carry in Your Car Toolbox, Items You Should Always Keep in Your Vehicle, How to Tell Whether Your Vehicle Needs a Tune-up, How to Remove Hard-to-Reach Spark Plugs, Tips for Washing Your Car's Body, How to Change Your Car's Air Filter, How to Safely Check the Fluid in a Vehicle's Coolant System, How to Check and Add Liquid to a Radiator, How to Flush Your Vehicle's Cooling System, How to Dispose of Motor Oil Safely, How to Check a Vehicle's Transmission Fluid, Troubleshooting Strange Sounds Coming from Your Automobile, and more.
- Know Your Rights in Auto Repair
- "Smart Shopping for Auto Repairs. You can help avoid trouble with an unreliable or dishonest repair shop by following these tips." From the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Other Web Resources
Auto Shows
- Auto Show News
- From Road and Track.
- Auto Shows
- "Watch LIVE coverage, see videos, read news, and view photos from every famous international auto show annually." From Motor Trend.
- A Car Shopper's Guide to Auto Shows
- "Find Expertise, Information and Even a Test Drive" From Edmunds.com.
- Chicago Auto Show
- "The largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent."
- New York International Auto Show
- North American International Auto Show
- More commonly known as "The Detroit Auto Show."
Best Car Lists - Vehicle Rankings / Ratings / Reviews
- Best and Worst Fuel Economy Vehicles
- List and ratings from FuelEconomy.gov and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory.
- Best Car, Truck, and SUV Rankings
- From U.S. News and World Report.
- Best Cars Lists
- Includes new, used, most popular, consumer favorites, lowest costing, and more. From Edmunds.
- Best Safety Rated Cars
- "Whether you're looking for a small car that gets 40+ mpg or a larger vehicle with room for people and cargo, safety is always a main concern. These Top Ten lists will tell you the brands and vehicles that have the best safety ratings." From Kelley Blue Book.
- Car Safety Information
- From Consumer Reports. See also their New Cars section for Best and Worst ratings.
- Car, Sport/Utility and Truck Of The Year Winners
- "The Motor Trend magazine of the Year awards are the magazine's signature annual events that crown the best of the best in the Car, Sport/Utility and Truck segments. Every year, the newest and hottest cars, trucks and SUVs are put through an extensive battery of testing and evaluation, but only one will be crowned the winner of the sought after Golden Calipers." From Motor Trend. Also check out their Car Reviews / Road Tests section.
- New and Used Car Ratings
- From NADA guides.
- Road Test and New Car Test Drive Reviews
- From Car and Driver.
Buying, Leasing, or Selling a Vehicle
- Auto Leasing: the Art of the Deal
- From LeaseGuide.com.
- Buying a Car
- Topics include: Buy a New Car; Buy a Used Car; Video: Vehicle Financing; Car Safety Information; and Car Rental and Car Sharing Services. From USA.gov.
- Buying a Used Car
- From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Buying and Owning a Car
- "Having a car can be an expensive proposition. Read tips on buying vs. leasing, negotiating the best deal, financing, getting the most out of warranties and service contracts, using gas efficiently, and avoiding repossession." Topics include: Auto Loan Modification Scams, Auto Repair Basics, Auto Service Contracts and Warranties, Auto Trade-ins and Negative Equity, Auto Warranties & Routine Maintenance, Buying a New Car, Buying a Used Car, Buying Gas, Car Ads, Renting a Car, Saving Money on Gas, Understanding Vehicle Financing, and Vehicle Repossession. From the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Buying and Selling Cars
- Includes: How to Buy a Car, Selling Cars, How Kelley Blue Book Works, How Car Financing Works, VINs (Vehicle Identification Numbers), Car Insurance Tips, Leasing, How to Read a Car Window Sticker, How to Buy a Fuel-efficient Car. From How Stuff Works.
- Consumer Guide Automotive
- Includes "New Car Buying Tools" (Research New Cars, Compare Cars, Reviews, Local Dealers, Buying Guides) and "Used Car Buying Tools" (Research Used Cars, Local Listings, Trade-In Evaluation, Certified Pre-Owned, Prices, Ratings / Reviews, Vehicle History Reports, Sell Your Car). From ConsumerGuide.
- How to Buy a Used Car
- From Edmunds.com.
- New & Used Car Buying Guide
- From Consumer Reports.
Driver Licenses & NYS DMV
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- New York State. See also their Local DMV Offices page.
- General Information about Driver Licenses
- From the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
- New York State Driver's Manual and Study Guide
- "New drivers, prepare for your NYS learner permit test and your road test. Veteran drivers, brush up on the rules of the road. This online version of the New York State Driver's Manual contains the information from Part 2 of the printed Manual (Chapters 4 through 12). Chapters 4 through 11 include the material you must read and understand to pass the written test for a Class D, DJ or E learner permit. Each of those chapters has an interactive quiz that includes actual DMV written test questions." From the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
General Information about Automobiles
- Car Talk
- Tips, advice, and troubleshooting. Blog and audio programs. From National Public Radio (NPR).
- Cars.com
- "Visited by more than 10 million car shoppers each month, Cars.com is the leading destination for online car shoppers, offering credible and easy-to-understand information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. With comprehensive pricing information, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and a large selection of new- and used-car inventory, Cars.com puts car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions."
- FuelEconomy.gov
- From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Find and compare cars and their energy consumption and environmental impact scores. Sections include: Alternative Fuel Vehicles, New Fuel Economy Ratings, Find Your Car's Energy Impact Score, Energy Efficiency, EPA MPG Ratings, Hybrid Vehicles, Gas Mileage Tips, Gasoline Prices, Videos, Where Can I Buy Ethanol/E85/Flex-Fuel Vehicles?, News.
- From How Stuff Works:
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- Auto Basics Library
- "The Auto Basics Channel offers detailed, accurate articles about cars and educates you on auto terminology. For fun, get to know how car crushers and car washes work or which 33 cars are named after animals." Includes: How Automobiles Work, How Car Crushers Work, How Car Washes Work, How Automotive Production Lines Work, Glossary of Automotive Terms.
- Auto Racing
- Includes: NASCAR Drivers History, Jobs, Quizzes, Race Tracks, Racing, Season Recaps.
- Automobile Parts and Systems - Under the Hood
- Sections include: Aftermarket Accessories and Customization, Auto Manufacturing, Car Part Longevity, Car Trends and Innovations, Cost of Car Ownership, Dignosing Car Problems, Engines, Exhaust and Emissions, Motorcycle Parts and Accessories, Options, and more topics. From HowStuffWorks.com.
- Car Models (types of)
- Includes: Classic and Collectible, Concept Cars, Exotic Cars, Hybrid Cars, Luxury Cars, Modern Cars, Muscle Cars, Race Cars, Sports Cars, Unusual Cars.
- How Car Engines Work
- Includes: Basic Engine Parts, Internal Combustion, Engine Problems, Engine Valve Train and Ignition Systems, Engine Cooling, Air-intake and Starting Systems, Engine Lubrication, Fuel / Exhaust / Electrical Systems, Producing More Engine Power, Engine Questions and Answers, How 4-cylinder and V6 engines differ, and a Car Engines Library.
- How Motorcycles Work
- Includes: Chassis, Driving a Motorcycle, Engines, Future, History, Motorcycle Types, Transmissions.
- Plug in America: Links and Resources
- Links for information on the electric car and other alternative transports, as well as on its history. Provided by an advocacy group promoting electric cars.
- Road Show
- "Car technology reviews, GPS, bluetooth, hybrid car tech, and more." From CNET.
History of Automobiles
- America on the Move
- This onilne exhibit "explores the role of transportation in American history." From National Museum of American History / Smithsonian.
- Automobile in American Life and Society
- Topics include Design, Environment, Gender, Labor, and Race. From the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
- Automobiles
- From History.com
- Electric Cars and History
- From the Edison Tech Center.
- Encyclopedia of Detroit
- Includes many articles about the history of the car industry in Detroit. From the Detroit Historical Society.
- GM Heritage Center: Reference Collection
- "The General Motors Heritage Center Permanent Reference Collection is the permanent home for the company's collection of historic literature. Our permanent reference collection documents the history of General Motors as a corporation and cultural entity. It also documents the wider automotive industry as it relates directly to General Motors. Materials that relate to any of General Motors' current and historic North American brands as well as its global partners fall within the scope of the collection." Topics include: Featured Innovations; Historical Brochures; GM Media Archive; Vehicle Information Kits; and Videos.
- Great Achievements: Automobile
- Topics include Timeline, Early years, Assembly line, and Continuing developments. From the National Academy of Engineering
- The History of Durant-Dort Factory One
- Includes a timeline. From General Motors Factory One.
- History of the Automobile
- "The inventions and inventors that led to the modern day car." From ThoughtCo.com.
- In Search of the Canadian Car
- A timeline from the 1800's to the 21st century. From the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
- Vehicles on the Register
- Photos and links to "This Car Matters" videos. From National Historic Vehicle Register.
- 10 Women Who Shook the Auto Industry
- Who Invented the Automobile?
- From the Library of Congress.
- Women & Their Contributions to the Auto Industry: Then & Now
- From MotorCities National Heritage Area.
- Women at the Wheel
- A timeline of "automotive history highlights, design and technological firsts, that put American women in the driver's seat.
- Women's Automotive History Highlights
- A PDF from the Antique Auto Museum. Document archived at Archive.org.
Motorcycles
- Buying a Used Motorcycle
- American Motorcyclist Association
- "The mission of the American Motorcyclist Association is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling."
- AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
- Get a Motorcycle Value
- From Kelley Blue Book.
- Motorcycle and Powersports Prices
- From NADA.com.
- From Total Motorcycle:
-
- Total Motorcycle Maintenance Guide
- Total Motorcycle Model Guides Index
- 46 years of models from 1970 to 2016; 39 manufacturers and tens of thousands of motorcycles."
- Used Motorcycle Buyer's Guide
- An Introduction to the World of Motorcycling
- Other topics: How To Start Riding Motorcycles; Road Riding & Touring; and Getting Started in Street Bike Riding. From the American Motorcyclist Association.
- Motorcycle Buying Guide
- From Consumer Reports.
Please note:
- Middletown Thrall Library cardholders have access to the full Consumer Reports here
- After logging in with your library card, find Motorcycles in All Products A-Z.
News
- Autoblog
- From AOL (America Online).
- Car News
- From Autoweek.
- Car News
- From Car and Driver.
- Car News
- From Edmunds.
- Car News
- From Kelley Blue Book.
- Automobile Design
- Automobile Technology
- Automobiles
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Owners Manuals (Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, and Other Vehicles)
- Acura
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet (Chevy)
- Chrysler
- Ford
- GMC
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Lexus
- Lincoln (via Ford)
- Mercury (via Ford)
- Up to 2011.
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Volkswagon
- Volvo
Popular Magazines / Periodicals
- Automobile
- Also available in the RCLS library system.
- Car and Driver
- Also available in the RCLS library system.
- Motor Trend
- Also available in the RCLS library system.
- Road and Track
- Also available in the RCLS library system.
Terminology
- Alphabetical Glossary of Automotive Terms
- From Edmunds.
- Automobile Insurance Terms
- From FindLaw.
- Automotive Glossary
- Described as "a glossary of common automotive innovations, some of which may not have existed the last time you bought a vehicle." From ConsumerGuide.
- Car Buying and Leasing Terminology
- From Smart About Money by the National Endowment for Financial Education.
- Classic Car Club of America: Related Links
- Topics include: Automotive Museums; Libraries; Automobile Clubs; Professional Associations; Publications; and Forums.
- Classic Car Glossary
- "This is a glossary of some of the more common terminology used to describe types of car body design, and equipment fitted thereon. It is by no means the last word, just a guide to help you through." More detailed descriptions included in this list. From BuyClassicCars.com.
- Glossary of Automotive Terms
- From AntiqueCar.com.
- Glossary of Definitions
- From Americans Well-Informed on Automobile Retailing Economics (AWARE).
- Guide to Classic Car Terminology
- "Even the most seasoned car enthusiasts, don't always see eye-to-eye when it comes to the terminology we use while enjoying our hobby. Here is our list of the most commonly used terms, but we may have missed some..." From the Classic Car Restoration Club.
- Twenty NASCAR Terms You Need to Know
- From NASCAR.
Vehicle Safety, Inspections, & Recalls
Inspections
- Find a DMV Regulated Business
- Types of businesses include: Public Vehicle Inspection Stations, Motor Vehicle Repair Shops, Dealers, and Businesses That Deal in Junk and Salvage Vehicles. Search by county or zip code. From the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Inspection Requirements
- From the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- New York State Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspection Program
- Brochure from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Includes a list of "Items Inspected on Cars And Light Trucks" and details about emission inspections.
Safety Issues - Awareness, Recalls, Safe Driving, Roads & Highways
- Car Driving and Safety Channel
- Includes: Automotive Accidents and Hazardous Conditions, How Crash Testing Works, How DUI (Driving Under Intoxication) Works, How Odometers Work, How Road Rage Works, How the Jaws of Life Work, How Traffic Works, Rollover Accidents Explained, Top 10 Car Summer Maintenance Tips, Top 10 Car Winterizing Tips, What if I threw my car into reverse while I was driving?, Winter Driving Tips. From How Stuff Works.
- Car Safety
- Articles and advice from Edmunds.
- Car Safety
- From Ready.gov.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- Rates automobiles for safety, has consumer brochures and videos.
- Motor Vehicle Safety
- Topics include: Child Passenger Safety, Seat Belts, Teen Drivers, Older Adult Drivers, Impaired Driving, Distracted Driving, Pedestrian Safety, Motorcycle Safety, Global Road Safety. From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Motor Vehicle Safety
- Information and articles on driving impaired and other topics related to driving safely. From MedlinePlus.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Crash test results, recalls, auto safety hotline, and more.
- Recalls Look-up by VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- "NHTSA's new search tool lets you enter a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to quickly learn if a specific vehicle has not been repaired as part of a safety recall in the last 15 years." You can also browse Recalls, Investigations, & Complaints by Vehicle (year / make / model). From the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Safety
- Topics include: Accident Reduction Factors, Motorcycle Safety Awareness, Roadway Driving Safety, Safe Summer Driving, Safe Winter Driving, Safety Regulations. From New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).
- Safety on the Road
- Topics include: Child Safety Seats and Booster Seats, Children in and around Vehicles, Defensive Driving , Driver Safety, Employer Traffic Safety, Impaired Driving, Important Terminology, Mature Drivers, Public Education, Seat Belts, Speeding, State Laws, Technology Solutions. From National Safety Council (NSC): "Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council relies on research to determine optimal solutions to safety issues."
- SaferCar.gov
- "The nation's premier source of vehicle safety information from the government." From the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Sections include: Defects and Recalls, Crash Test and Rollover Ratings, Become a Safer Driver, Tires, Air bags and safety, Buying a Safer Car, New Car Assessment Program.
- TireWise
- "Because safety is our top priority, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation want to make sure you have the tools to avoid being in one of those 11,000 crashes. TireWise is your resource to help you make smart decisions to keep you and your family safe, whether you're in the market to buy new tires or want to extend the life and safety of the ones on your car or truck. TireWise is also a resource for tire manufacturers, sellers and other partners to provide essential information to consumers for choosing and caring for their tires."
- Vehicle Safety Tips
- Covers Sever Weather; Flooding; Winter Weather; Heat; and Wildfire. From the National Weather Service.
Specialty Cars
- Hot Rod A-Z: the Ultimate Hot Rod Glossary (We Think)
- From On All Cyclinders.
- ow to Speak Muscle Car: a Glossary from AAR to Z/28
- From HotRod.com.
Vehicle Values (New, Used, Trade-in) & Price Guides
- Edmunds
- Estimate new or used prices. Also includes buyers advice, carfax history (based on VIN #) for a particular vehicle. See also Edmunds' Best Cars Lists, which includes new, used, most popular, consumer favorites, lowest costing, and more.
- Kelley Blue Book
- Estimate new or used prices for autos, mororcycles, snowmobiles, and more based on condition and various options / features / models. Includes a "lemon check" feature.
- N.A.D.A. Guides
- Estimate new car prices, used car values, reviews, buying guides.
