Lesson 7a: Auto Repair Reference Center

The date tab goes back to 1954 but doesn't have such makes as Chrysler (currently 5-7% of today's market), which is what my parents drove from the 1950s to well into the 1990s.

Today's makers that might be found in the US and should be listed for all years even if no info on them!

Acura
Audi (USA)
BMW of North America
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Eagle
Ferrari
Ford
General Motors Corp.
Global Electric Motorcars, LLC
GMC
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar (USA)
Jeep
Kia Motors America
Lamborghini
Land Rover of North America
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Mazda (USA)
Mercedes-Benz (USA)
Mercury
Mitsubishi Motors USA
Nissan USA
Oldsmobile
Peugeot
Pontiac
Porsche (USA)
Regal (Buick)
Saab
Saturn
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota (USA)
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volvo of North America

Having watched Dukes of Hazards and played with the model cars with my brother, General Lee was a Dodge Charger (1969) used by the Dukes of Hazard brothers, considered a muscle car.  It had two doors, known as a coupe, and had a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission.  While approximately seventeen still exist, over 250 were used to film the series (various sources - 256 to 321 total used).  Over time, the car changed styling somewhat to keep up with the Chrysler styles, but kept the same colors.  This caused extreme amounts of fan mail, but was thought to be okay because that meant people were watching both the movie and the tv show.  (Google search - variety of sources)

Next I tried one from the list (The 50 Most Famous Cars Of All Time), the car from Back to the Future (1985) that when traveling 88 mph could time travel.
That was a DeLorean DMC12.
Again, DeLorean is not listed as a make in 1981, 1982, 1985.
I could find with a Google search the following info:
It is considered a sports car, two doors, a coupe, has a V6 engine with a 130 HP and 2849 cc displacement.  It came with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission.  It was only produced in 1981 and 1982 by the DeLorean Motor Company.
Noel Wien has a book on John DeLorean and several other books on cars that mention this car.


My car, a 2001 Chevy Suburban 1500, shows up with a V8 engine, 5.3. liters (inside the cylinders) displacement, fuel injected and uses gas.  Tech bulletins and recalls include:
Vehicle - General (105)
Accessories (102)
Body (108)
Brakes (23)
Drivetrain (72)
Electrical (1)
Engine (110)
HVAC (30)
Restraints (12)
Steering (15)
Suspension (53)
The problem with this listing is that it doesn't necessarily apply to my car.  Might be any models made:
Subject: Cold Engine Idle Misfire Or DTCs P0171 P0174 - keywords 4.8 5.3 6.0 air cold crack hesitate idle intermittent internal intake leak lean misfire miss P0171 P0174 P0300 power rough surge vacuum #PIP3232B - (02/07/2007)
Models: 2002-2005 Cadillac Escalade
1999-2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer
1999-2005 GMC Savana, Sierra, Yukon
2003-2005 Hummer H2

Generally, I think if you were looking for something specific, e.g., lifter noise, or air conditioner, or fuel pump, you could hunt for that.  I've received recalls in the past and taken the car in.  At this point, I don't get them.  It's too old of a vehicle.


My husband drives a 2009 GMC Sierra SLE pickup.  It has a V8 engine, 5.3 liters displacement in the cylinders, is has a flex fuel capability which means it takes gasoline or ethanol.
It had all of these listed for technical bulletins and recall notices:
Automatic Trans, Coolers, Torque Converter (28)
Aux Equip, Phone, Jacks, Trailer Hitches, Towing (42)
Brakes, Power Brakes, Traction Control (5)
Chassis Electrical, Wiring, Fuses & Breakers, Wipers, Motors (8)
Chemicals, Antifreeze, Additives (3)
Cooling, Water Pump, Drive Belts, Pulleys (1)
Diesel Engines (2)
Drive Axles, Shafts, U-Joints, CV-Joints (3)
Electronic Devices, Computers, PROMS, Sensors (22)
Emission Controls, Vacuum Hoses (1)
Entertainment: Stereo, Radio, Cassettes (29)
Exhaust System (5)
Finishes, Body Structure, Frame, Bumpers (10)
Fuel Sys, Driveability, Filters (Air & Fuel) (9)
Gasoline Engines (24)
Glass, Doors, Hood, Decklid, Tailgate, Liftgate, Locks (5)
Heating, A/C, Ventilation, Defogger (5)
Identification, Models, Labels, Etc. (4)
Instruments, Dash Cluster, Warning Lights, Mirrors (10)
Labor Times, Manuals, Warranty, Aids (40)
Lighting, Horns, Turn Signals, Steering Column (5)
Manual Trans, Clutches, Linkage, MTX (1)
Seats, Belts, Interior Trim, Carpets, Air Bags (17)
Starting, Charging, Battery (9)
Steering, Suspension (7)
Tools, Equipment (4)
Wheels, Tires, Wheel Bearings, Seals, Hubs (20)

Many of these relate to 2008 models, rather than a 2009 model.  Seems like maybe GMC figured out there were problems and fixed them when making 2009 models.

This is certainly a useful database, assuming you find the car you're looking for!