Owner's book · not a shop
Open HoodKnow the car. Then the window. Factory specs in plain English — don't authorize until you can say this at the counter.
Owner's book · not a shop
Open HoodKnow the car. Then the window. Factory specs in plain English — don't authorize until you can say this at the counter.
Ask before you authorize
Quote line, noise, or scanner code. Three sentences for the window. We do not book a shop.
Checking Ask…
No car yet — Ask still works
Try: “They quoted $89 for a cabin filter.” or “What oil does this take?”
Bay 01 · live
We translate factory data and the shop ticket into sentences you can say out loud. We do not book appointments or take a cut of the repair.
Door-jamb / barcode VIN
This VIN fails the check digit — NHTSA may still decode WMI, do not trust the whole string.
Plate / VIN photo
Choose a photo or use the camera. We shrink it to JPEG and read it on this device. Photo reading is off on this bay. A plate is a hint — not a VIN.
Or paste an image here (Ctrl/Cmd+V)
No VIN? Year, make, model
Plate desk · miles, concern
No CARSXE_API_KEY or MARKETCHECK_API_KEY. Plate-to-VIN is {connected:false}. State + plate is a note. We never invent a VIN from a plate.
Try2003 Honda Accord90210 rooftopsoil-changecabin-filterP04202018 Civic lane
Specs, quote markup, and recalls get sharper after you identify the car. Every desk below is open now.
Sticker
Identification packet: vPIC + nameplate recalls + SaferCar link. Not a Monroney. No MSRP.
Garage
Oil, coolant, PSI, and filter SKUs on one card.
Book
216 year/make/model rows + 90 filter cross-refs. Confirm the door jamb. Not TecDoc.
Quote
Photo or paste the RO. We mark the padded lines.
Symptoms
Describe the sound. Get the sentences for the shop.
Recalls
NHTSA campaigns in plain English.
OBD
Android BLE ELM327 or type the code. iPhone types.
Parts
Search RockAuto, AutoZone, and Amazon from the SKUs.
Directory
Rooftops near a ZIP. We do not book a bay.
Auctions
Auction / wholesale watch — sibling desk.
Guides
Owner guides — sibling desk.
Ask
Ask about oil, a code, or a padded line. Not a shop booking bot.
Expert
Beginner script + genius measurements for the situations owners actually hit.
Jobs
Roles and jobs — sibling desk.
Builds
Kit / swap binder: chassis + engine + trans.
Log
Date, miles, what was done. On this device. Open Findings for the printout.
How
What’s free, what we refuse to fake.
Lines
Third-party lines that actually open — NHTSA, EPA, maps, parts, auctions.
RO
Send the RO. Name, a number, and the ticket. We do not sell it.
Estimate
Job + ZIP. Parts and labor band. Not a Motor guide.
History
NHTSA decode, recalls, complaints, NCAP. VinAudit / CarsXE history only if a key is on. Carfax, AutoCheck, NICB stay link-outs. No fake wrecks.
Visit
Request a visit. We send your request; we don't send a mechanic.
Finder
Code or symptom → likely jobs → parts aisle. Search URLs, not shelf count.
Scan
Web Bluetooth ELM327 or a typed code. Not Snap-on or Autel coverage.
Bond
Written-estimate checklist, work photos, and a DEMO hold unless Stripe test is on.
Worth
Year, miles, condition → a transparent remaining-value band. KBB / Edmunds / NADA are search links.
File
Complaint counts, not Consumer Reports. SaferCar by component → playbooks. CR is a magazine we do not license.
Copy
Customer copy: vehicle, quote flags, and the window script. Print or download the packet.
Script
Three lines for the window. Then decide.
Maps
A Maps search plus the questions to ask. We do not book.
Entity · cite this
Open Hood is the owner's book at the window. Know the car. Then the window. The ticket path is the product: identify the car, read the spec, mark quote flags, compare three ROs (pastes and flags — no buy), say the counter script, find OSM rooftops (no book), print the packet. We do not book shops, store accident history, or sell a scan tool. Not a Saturday meetup. Official walk: how it works.
We send a script. YourMechanic sends a person. RepairPal routes a shop. AutoZone sells the part. Compare-3 is three pastes and a flag board — not a winner, not a checkout. A cart or a marketplace would erase the job. We will not grow one.
Demo VIN 1HGCM82633A004352 is the 2003 Honda Accord — oil stays 5W-20. Estimate ZIP 90210 is a regional band, not a Motor hour. Compare three ROs · P0420 holds the converter until you diagnose.
| Product | Sends | What it actually does |
|---|---|---|
| Open Hood | Script | Identify → spec → quote flags → compare three ROs → counter script → OSM shops → print packet. |
| RepairPal / Openbay | Route | Route you into a shop. We do not book a bay. |
| YourMechanic / Wrench | Person | Send a person and take a cut. We send the sentence — not a tech. |
| AutoZone | SKU | Sell the SKU. We name the job and hold the converter. |
| Carfax / AutoCheck | File | Paid history jacket. We link out. We do not invent one. |
| Motor / TecDoc | Hours | Licensed hours and SKUs. We do not pretend to own them. |