Free Owners Manuals for Automobiles. And Online Auto Repair Information Through Your Library and Autozone

Edmunds, the company that connects you with information about many automobile things, like price, also provides a valuable link to free online owner's manuals via the manufacturers.  They don't provide the manuals, just a single place to find many of the links to manufacturers.  With some links, you can get the manuals scot-free.  With others, you may have to register, and input the VIN (vehicle identification number) of your car.  If you care to, you may be able to find other links simply by trying Google, as Edmunds instructs.  This results in hits like Chevrolet (1993-present), General Motors (1993-present),  and Ford.  If, on the other hand, you can't find a freebie, you can go to Bishko, the auto literature site, and see if you can buy one.  Usually, you only have to do this with really old vehicles.

Also, check out the free online videos courtesy Auto Zone on fixing various parts of your car.
And if you sign on as a member (give them your email, etc), you can gain access to free car repair information for models between 1950-2007.

How about more free online auto repair?  What many people don't know is that they may be able to get this through their public library.  Many public libraries subscribe to Chilton, Alldata, or Mitchell's auto repair online publications. The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library makes Chilton's available in-home for free to all their library patrons.  If you live in Ohio, you can get a library card and PIN number that allow you to access Chilton's in your home or office. Call 419-259-5209 for the details.  TLCPL also makes Mitchell's available to in-building visitors.  Other cities may have the same subscriptions, or may subscribe to Alldata, another car repair online service.  Call your local library, or check out their research databases.  Depending on where you live (and how much money you local library has for online subscriptions), you may already have access to 24/7 car repair information over the internet, already paid for via your tax dollars.

Rebate Money to Buy Mobility Equipment for New Cars

Awhile back, I wrote an entry on a program that helps disabled veterans buy adaptable vehicles.  However, many automobile manufacturers have programs of their own to make it easier to put mobility equipment into their cars and vans.  Most have a program that will give rebates of up to $1000 cash back for the cost of installing adaptive equipment.  These include Toyota, Ford, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Chrysler, General Motors, Mercedes Benz, Hyundai, Jaguar, Volvo, and Scion.  Volkswagen and Kia do not have a companywide program, but individual dealers might.  Ask a dealer if he or she does.   

Here’s two good websites on buying adaptive equipment.  One is from the National Mobility EquipmentDealers Association on where to find equipment dealers and other possible sources of funding, and one from Disaboom on how to choose equipment.

Sorry, but the TMACOG Program for Cars for the Needy is Done

The Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) once ran a program to help low-income parents obtain a reliable, used car if they needed it to get between work and home.  Sadly, I called TMACOG earlier this month and found the program had ended due to funding cuts--the federal money that supported it was not renewed.  I am not aware of any other auto program like this in the Toledo area, but will post one if I find it.  For programs in other cities, see this post, and check this out for Detroit/Southeast Michigan.

Adaptive Equipment and Housing for Disabled Veterans

There are some special grants available for disabled veterans from VA.  One is for a car with adaptive equipment, or the adaptive equipment itself.  To qualify, you must lose both hands or both feet, or the use of them, or suffer some impairment of vision in a service-related disability.  The grant for the car itself is up to $11,000, and is one-time only, and the adaptive equipment grant can be obtained more than once.  For more information, call 1-800-827-1000.

Besides the adaptive housing help I outlined before, the VA also has a program for veterans who are disabled due to a service-related injury.  This can include blindness, severe burns, or loss of the use of the upper or lower body.  Currently, the amount is about $68,000 (to purchase a house), or over $12,000 to adapt a house currently owned.  Also, veterans are eligible for smaller grants to help retrofit the home of a relative with whom they live.   For more information, call 572-272-0091.

Car Programs for the Needy

Heard the urban legend about free cars for the poor? So has everybody. The truth is a little more complicated. The federal government, and lots of local groups who work with the poor, realize the importance of having good reliable transportation in holding down a job and getting a hold on a better financial future. So TANF (temporary aid to needy family) money has gone to financing local programs to help poor people get a running car. Not a new, fancy car of one’s choice, just something that will reliably work every day. The local groups getting the money can create a lot of different programs with that money: some have chosen to fix up broken-down cars owned by the poor person until they are in running order, or work with buyers to purchase donated, fixed-up cars. Some nonprofits have gone the IDA route, and helped match the savings of a poor person so that they can buy a used car.

While I cannot find a comprehensive list, there some national listings I can find, and they aren’t really exhaustive: one is at Working Cars for Working Families.  There is also Vehicles for Change. There's also Free Charity Cars, in which you put your need for transportation up for a vote.  Really.  Another is Charity Cars.  Also, the LA Times printed a national list of organizations that help the poor get cars, so check each list.

The secret is finding a program in your community. Some programs are administered through the local human services office (what was once called the welfare office), which can go by many names. If you can't find a program through the sites above, see this link to identify your state human services office, and they can give you the local contacts. Even if they don’t run a car program themselves, they may tell you who does in your area. Here's a word of advice: the qualifications for eligibility will differ from one local program to another.