Chapter 3 Brake Tools, Shop Equipment, and Service Information 47 Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. frequently occurring problem. Subscriptions to these bul- letins are also available through various services. Manufacturer Hotlines To further assist service personnel, various vehicle and aft er- market equipment manufacturers have established direct telephone links with service personnel. Th ese telephone links are usually called hotlines or technical assistance cen- ters. Th ese hotlines connect with central information banks. Dialing one of these central information banks connects the technician to persons with access to troubleshooting and service information, or to computer memories called databases. Th e various types of hotlines refl ect their purpose. Vehicle manufacturer hotlines are usually installed in dealerships handling that manufacturer’s vehicles, and are intended for use only by the dealership service personnel. Some aft ermarket part and equipment manufacturers pro- vide toll-free numbers for technicians in need of diagnosis or service information. Aft ermarket hotlines are available to any technician and are provided as part of the marketing and advertising strategy of the aft ermarket manufacturer. Th ese numbers are available from the local outlets handling that brand of parts or equipment. Training Materials Training materials include basic sources of automotive information and update information. Basic information sources include this textbook and related materials, such as workbooks and videotapes, which allow the student to learn about automotive systems and how they operate. Update information is supplied to working technicians to keep them informed of changes that occur as vehicles or their parts are redesigned and improved. Much of the best update informa- tion is supplied by vehicle manufacturers and aft ermarket (non-factory) parts suppliers. Internet Resources Th e Internet has become a valuable source of automotive repair information. Many manufacturers have websites that contain a great deal of technical information. Organizations such as the International Automotive Technicians Network (iATN) provide a way for technicians from around the world to help each other by way of e-mail, Figure 3-41. Care of Service Information Unlike other tools, most service information is in the form of printed pages and, therefore, can be damaged by grease, dirt, or rough handling. Always store service manuals and other service information in a clean, dry, and oil-free envi- ronment, not on top of the workbench where they can be ruined quickly. To prevent scratches, handle CDs carefully and return them to their sleeves or cases immediately aft er use. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 3-41. A wealth of automotive service information is available through the Internet.