Haynes is putting its motor manuals online and enabling customers to pay to download chapters to keep permanently or rent out for a certain period.

Haynes Publishing produces over 300 UK car manuals and technical manuals in print and over 130 motorcycle manual titles, plus an equivalent range of US titles and a range of French and Swedish language titles.

Using software called dotEncrypt, from the Business Systems Group Ltd, customers will be able to get instant access to Haynes' motor manual materials on its site and repair the car in minutes, choosing specific chapters and downloading them immediately at any time.

Ian Mauger, UK business development director of Haynes Publishing, said: "At a time when motoring costs have been spiralling upwards there has never been a greater need for motorists to understand their vehicles and make value judgements that can save them hundreds of pounds. dotEncrypt technology will help us to give the consumer a preview of our manual products and enable us to provide a wide range of new services to help both the motorist and hard pressed independent garages."