CARSON, Calif. – US Auto Parts, an online provider of aftermarket auto parts and accessories, today announced the launch of AutoMD.com, a new subsidiary that the company describes as the “most complete and unbiased free online automotive repair resource designed to empower car owners with the best and most affordable way to repair their vehicles — whether they’re heading to the shop or doing it themselves.”

According to AutoMD, the new site allows both car owners and DIYers to diagnose car problems; know how much car repairs should cost; understand the steps needed and the time it should take to make the repairs; and also find the right local shop at the right price for their issue.

"Until today, car owners have not had access to a truly unbiased and comprehensive free auto repair resource that operates both as an advocate to assure that they’re not over-paying for repairs and are finding the best, most affordable shop for their needs — and as a DIY guide providing them with the information they need to do it themselves," said Shane Evangelist, president of AutoMD and CEO of US Auto Parts.

Evangelist noted that online information has long been the car shopper’s trump card to a better deal. This is the cornerstone of AutoMD, which is designed to do for car owners what sites like Edmunds.com and KBB.com (Kelley Blue Book) have done for car shoppers.

How it Works:

AutoMD is designed to be easy-to-use and seamless , the company says, walking consumers through vehicle diagnosis, repair price estimate, how-to-fix-it and/or finding the right repair shop at the right price.

1) AutoMD Auto Repair Diagnostic Tools:
Car owners can diagnose their vehicle’s problems through a series of questions that ask things like "What does it smell like? What does it sound like? What area of the vehicle is the problem located in?" With each answer, car owners narrow down the problem to help ensure the correct diagnosis. AutoMD also provides a step-by-step visual inspection guide, as well as possible reasons for each problem, to reinforce the diagnosis.

2) AutoMD Fair Price Auto Repair Cost Estimates:
AutoMD’s “Fair Price” estimates are formulated for more than 10 million possible jobs using specific average labor costs for each zip code, hours to complete and parts pricing data — down to engine size and sub-model. AutoMD also provides Do-It-Yourself costs, including tools needed and parts pricing.

3) AutoMD Right Auto Repair Shop Finder
AutoMD has made it its business to provide geo-specific information on capabilities and hourly rates for more than 400,000 repair shops across the country and has already spoken directly to more than 100,000 shop-owners (and counting) to validate their information. Unlike sites that provide generic yellow-pages listings, only shops relevant to a consumer’s specific repair issues and zip codes are listed with each listing detailing average hourly labor costs, contact information, shuttle and payment information, maps and directions and consumer reviews and ratings.

4) AutoMD DIY Auto Repair-apedia
The AutoMD DIY Repair-apedia is a robust and detailed library featuring more than 100,000 step-by-step “How-to-Repair” guides with difficulty ratings, tools needed and estimated length of time for each job, as well as hundreds of DIY videos, and thousands of user postings. AutoMD’s Repair-apedia is seeded by professionals and perfected by the community.

AutoMD is backed by a team of automotive data specialists and certified auto mechanics who are advocates for the car owner.