FCPL Curated Content: Consumer Resources: Product Research

Tools to Help with Product Research Before You Purchase

Learn about and compare products before you buy.

Automobiles
- Cars.com
  Research new or used car and truck reviews, prices, specifications and options.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  The IIHS website includes their own vehicle ratings on crashworthiness and crash avoidance. They also offer advice on purchasing new or used vehicles, and more.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  NHTSA provides vehicle safety ratings. It also offers information on safety issues and recalls on vehicles, car seats, tires and equipment, and more
- Prices and Values for New and Used Vehicles
  - J.D. Power — NADA Guides
    Covers cars, classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreation vehicles and boats. You can also research and compare new and used cars and trucks.
  - Kelley Blue Book
    Covers cars and trucks. Also provides reviews and research tools.
Common Sense Media
Reviews products to help you find age-appropriate movies, books, apps, TV shows, video games, websites and music for children.
Recalls.gov
One-stop shopping for information on U.S. Government recalls of consumer products, motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, cosmetics and more.
SaferProducts.gov
Search complaints for thousands of unsafe products or file your own report. From the Consumer Product Safety Commission

The resources below require a library card for use outside the library:

Auto Repair Source
Provides updated service and repair information from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to help users diagnose problems, and repair and maintain most makes and models of vehicle as far back as 1974, including step-by-step instructions, maintenance schedules, parts information and prices, labor time and cost estimates, technical service bulletins and recalls, specifications and standards, and diagrams. (Formerly AutoMate)
Consumer Reports
Serving to inform and protect consumers, this website companion to "Consumer Reports" magazine offers informative articles and research alongside unbiased ratings and reviews for products and services.
Home Improvement Reference Center
Browse or search through this comprehensive collection of books, magazines, images, and videos for help with home maintenance, remodeling, electrical work, plumbing, home decorating, gardening and outdoor improvements, and wood projects.
Small Engine Repair Reference Center
Provides repair and maintenance information for all types of small engines, with a full collection of Clymer repair manuals and other full-text reference books with images and illustrations for over 25 years of engine models, including air-cooled engines, boat motors and personal watercraft, ATVs and motorcycles, and outdoor power equipment and generators.