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TCPL Home > Adult Reference Services > Subject & Research Guides > Motor Vehicle Information
Motor Vehicle Information (Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Airplanes): Ratings, Reviews, Repairs, Buying and Selling
Find up-to-date information on new and used vehicles. If you need help, please contact the reference department.
Databases
Are you looking for a specific magazine, such as Consumer Reports. Click here to find titles by using the search box in the top left corner of the page.)
Searching the Catalog
You can find books and magazines at the library and request them from other libraries in the Finger Lakes Library System by using the Polaris online catalog. Search by: keyword, title, author, subject, general notes, publisher, genre, series, etc. The Advanced search page lets you combine terms and set limits to your search. If you're not sure which search terms to use, try "browsing" by title, author, subject, series, or call number. Suggested subject headings for motor vehicles are listed below:
Reference Librarians are happy to show you how to search the catalog and to suggest titles. Be sure to stop by the Reference Desk or contact us anytime you need help.
Books
This list highlights a few of the library's titles on the subject of motor vehicles, including repair, maintenance, careers, and purchasing.
- Car Buyer's and Leaser's Negotiating Bible by Bragg, W. James (William James). Call Number: 629.222 Bragg
Tips on car buying and leasing, including web searching and tricks.
- Chilton's Auto Repair Manuals. Call Number: 629.287
(Depending on year, you'll find these manuals in the regular Non-fiction, Oversize and/or Reference sections of the library.)
If you want to see a complete list of what editions we have, try searching the catalog for "Chilton's" in the "Title."
- Dare to Repair Your Car: a Do-it-herself Guide to Maintenance, Safety and Minor Fix-it's (2005) by Sussman, Julie.
Call Number: 629.2872 Sussman
Here is a basic car care and safety book written by women for women ... and men, and new teen drivers, and senior drivers. Okay, it's for every person who dares to drive a car. Filled with detailed illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, Dare to Repair Your Car will help you shift gears and get you moving in the direction of maintaining your car-yourself.
- Clymer Powersport Vehicle Blue Book. Call Number: INDREF 629.22 Clymer
Information on snowmobiles, personal watercraft, transport trailers, and motorcycles, and manufacturer's addresses. Look for it at the Consumer Information Desk (behind the Adult Reference Desk.)
- Edmund's New Cars & Trucks, Buyer's Guide. Call Number: INDREF 629.22
Annual editions provide information on top-rated and fuel efficient models, including comparison charts, ratings, and safety information, reviews, etc. You can also check Edmund's Website for the most current information.
- Edmund's Used Cars & Trucks, Buyer's Guide. Call Number: INDREF 629.22
Detailed model histories, photos and buying advice (including "how to buy a car online" and "Used Car Best Bets"). You can also check Edmund's Website for the most current information.
- How to Restore and Customize Auto Upholstery and Interiors (2005) by Parks, Dennis. Call Number: 629.277 Parks.
This book provides detailed coverage of upholstery and interior options, including the variety of materials, projected costs, tools used, and more. The information is complemented by sequences of step-by-step, how-to photography. The information and photos will prove highly valuable to hands-on builders as well as car owners who hire professionals for their projects.
- NADA Official Older Used Car Guide. Call Number: DESKREF 629.22 N
Ask for this at the Adult Reference Desk. For online information, check the NADA Website.
- NADA Official Used Car Guide. Call Number: DESKREF 629.22 N
Ask for this at the Adult Reference Desk. For online information, check the NADA Website.
- New York State Commercial Driver's Manual : Class A, B & C Licenses. Call Number: TEST 351.076 Commercial 1998
This book is located in the "Test" area of the library. For availability, check the library's Polaris catalog.
 Look for new items on the "New Nonfiction" shelves near the front of the library. When searching the Polaris Catalog for recently acquired items, use the "Sort by" menu and select "Publication date."
Magazines
Current issues are on the display in the library's north reading area. Lift the display case covers for past issues (within the year); older back issues (up to 3 years) are shelved in the green storage boxes on the shelves. To search for and within magazines online, follow this link to the Magazine and Databases Navigateway. Use the search box in the top left corner of the page.
- Auto Week - available in print for the past three years in the adult periodicals section of the library. Available electronically from 1996 to the present through the library's magazine databases (select MasterFILE Premier) .
- Car and Driver - available in print for the past three years in the adult periodicals section of the library.
- Consumer Reports - available in print and electronic forms. The April issue contains the latest rankings and ratings of vehicles: ask for it at the Adult Reference Desk. Also, check the Consumer Information table directly behind the Reference Desk. Full text articles are available through the databases from 1991 to the present (3 month embargo).
- Hot Rod - available electronically through the library's magazine databases and on cartridge (1980 - 3/1997).
- Motortrend - available in print for the past three years in the adult periodicals section of the library. Available electronically from 2003 to the present through the library's magazine databases.
- Popular Mechanics - available in print for the past 3 years.
- Road and Track - available in print for the past 3 years in the adult periodicals section of the library.
Materials in other formats (Audiobooks, VHS, DVDs, CDs, microfilm and/or microfiche)
- ABC's of Maintaining Your Vehicle. Call Number: DVD 629 "S".
Using close-up video with detailed explanations, this instructional presentation shows how to check and maintain a vehicle. Jim Lockhart covers: air filters, batteries, belts & hoses, body, bulbs, changing flats, fluids, fuses, leaks, tips, tires, and wipers.
- Mitchell Manuals on microfiche provides information for selected, imported and domestic cars, trucks and light vans as far back as 1966. The microfiche cabinets and readers are located at the back of the library. Contact a reference librarian for help finding these materials and/or using the microfiche machines.
Internet Resources
- CarPrices.com, http://www.carprices.com/
Research car specs, ratings, price quotes, rebates and incentives, buy and sell your car, crash ratings, virtual showroom, and owners guide information.
- Cars.com, http://www.cars.com
Sell your car, advice and services, used car values, search for used cars, get a price quote from a dealer, car reviews, car repair, finance and insurance information.
- Edmunds, http://www.edmunds.com
Determine True Market Value, see what others are paying for new and used vehicles in your area, find new and used prices and reviews, best car lists, become an informed consumer, comparison shop, and read complete advice on how to buy and sell a vehicle.
- Invoice Dealers, http://www.invoicedealers.com/
Use the InvoiceDealers system to choose your new vehicle quickly and conveniently This service puts you in touch with an InvoiceDealers Certified Dealer in your area, who will contact you within 24 hours with a firm Internet price and vehicle availability.
- Insure.com, http://info.insure.com/auto/index.html
This website offers help and advice on buying auto insurance and choosing a safe car.
- Kelly Blue Book, http://www.kbb.com/
Get blue book used car trade-in and private party values, new car previews, new car pricing, motorcycle, personal watercraft and snowmobile trade-in and retail values, buying and selling tips, and tools, tips and buying guides.
- Lemon Laws, http://www.autosafety.org/lemonlaws.php
Find out what the state and federal lemon laws are and what assistance is available.
- Librarians' Index to the Internet (LII)
Search LII's index of websites relating to cars -- from "air bags" to "winter driving."
- NADAguides.com, http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx
Get new and used car prices, (as well as motorcycles, boats, and recreational vehicles.) Build your dream car with all the options, compare models side-by-side, get MSRP and invoice pricing, find a local car dealer, or calculate loan and lease payments. Read the latest new car reviews and previews.
Contact Information:
- Adult Reference Services (607) 272-4556
- Youth Reference Services: (607) 272-4557 x276
- You can submit your question via the web to: Ask-A-Librarian
Do you have a suggestion or suggestion for further pathfinder topics? Let us know! Send comments or suggestions to jwheatley@tcpl.org.
Updated 12/15/07 by jw
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