Frequently Asked Questions
Why did you build Dipstick Alerts?
Service bulletins helped me find repairs that were covered under my own extended warranty, but regularly searching through the source records was tedious. Dipstick Alerts grew out of that experience. Read the full story on the About page.
Where does the data come from?
Vehicle names, recalls, and manufacturer communications come from records made publicly accessible by NHTSA. Dipstick Alerts processes those records and uses automated tools to create plain-language summaries for many service bulletins. See the complete Data Sources & Methodology page.
Why not just use NHTSA.gov?
You should still use NHTSA—especially its VIN recall lookup. NHTSA makes recall and manufacturer communication records publicly accessible, but many of the service-bulletin records are dense, technical PDFs.
Dipstick Alerts makes those records easier to follow:
- Choose a year, make, and model instead of digging through thousands of manufacturer documents.
- Read short plain-language summaries created with automated tools, then review the linked manufacturer source before acting.
- Discover repair programs, warranty extensions, and updated repair procedures worth asking a repair shop about. Actual coverage depends on the source terms and your vehicle.
- Receive an email after our daily review finds a new matching record.
What is the difference between a recall and a service bulletin?
Both appear in Dipstick Alerts search results, but they have different meanings:
Safety recall
A recall addresses a safety or regulatory problem. The manufacturer generally provides the recall remedy without charge, regardless of warranty status. Confirm whether your individual vehicle is affected using NHTSA’s VIN lookup.
Service bulletin
A service bulletin, sometimes called a TSB, is manufacturer guidance about a known condition, diagnosis, repair procedure, updated part, or policy change. It does not by itself entitle you to a free repair. Coverage depends on your warranty, an extension program, goodwill, or other circumstances.