Interior color photograph of the inside of a SmartCar. EBSCO partner MOTOR has released a new platform brings additional coverage and an improved user experience to Auto Repair Source. The new Auto Repair Source platform offers: Responsive design for desktop, laptop and tablet displays, Enhanced search experience that allows you to look up vehicles by VIN, YMME…
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New Web Resources
Starting July 1, the library welcomes a line up of new additions to our roster of great web resources! Newspapers website access: Don't be stopped by firewalls! You can now get access to the websites of the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal with your library card. Both these sites require registration, but access lasts…
Auto Repair Source
Find up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of cars and trucks — at the library! Know how much car repairs cost BEFORE you head to a mechanic. Find technical service bulletins and recall notices for thousands of cars and trucks. Find maintenance schedules and estimated labor times for common vehicle repairs. Find step-by-step diagnostic…
Appointment required for some DMV services
Many services at local DMV’s, including Des Plaines and Schaumburg, now require an advance appointment. In order to cope with COVID-19 backlogs, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office announced procedure changes for some services. At some facilities, make an appointment in advance for:*Behind-the-wheel road tests*Applying for or renewing REAL IDs*Applying for standard Driver's License/Identification Card. For some services, a visit to…
Insurance Calculators
ValChoice, an independent data analytics company focused on the U.S. insurance industry, is offering our patrons unlimited access to online calculators, insurance company ratings, tutorials and “how-to” videos, worksheets, and other tools designed to help users understand how insurance—such as car and home insurance—is priced, and how to decide on policies based on their age,…
Leasing vs. Buying a New Car
Will you be needing a new car in the near future? Have you wondered what the advantages are to leasing a new car? Consumer Reports just published an article comparing and contrasting both approaches as well as a specific example that compares the financing details between buying and leasing a 2017 Honda Accord. There are pros…
EPA Emissions Testing Notices
Due to the budget crisis in Illinois, the Illinois EPA has suspended the mailing of emissions test notifications. If you have plates expiring at the end of March 2016 you'll be the first group of drivers who do not receive a mailed notification for the emissions test. The EPA encourages drivers to get their emissions test…
Vehicle Sticker Renewal Notices
Many of you may have heard, but please be aware that the Secretary of State is no longer mailing out vehicle registration renewal notices due to the state budgetary issues. The last group of paper notices was mailed out in early September for those who had stickers expiring in October. If your sticker expires in November or…
Roads of Yesterday
Summertime in most areas of the United States heralds road construction season. But what was it like for automobile drivers 100 years ago? This video prepared by the Ford Motor Company shows how the Model T was built and what it was like to drive in those early days of the automobile age. Most roads…
Summer Driving
The U.S. Department of Energy has a site for fuel economy information which many drivers may find helpful in saving money, finding the right car, and checking EPA ratings. Please take a look at www.fueleconomy.gov.
