Trump signs memo making it easier for Americans to fix own vehicles

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum ‌on Monday supporting Americans' ability ‌to repair their own vehicles.

While Americans are generally ​free to repair their own vehicles, federal law prohibits tampering with emissions-control systems, and automakers have long restricted ‌independent mechanics' access ⁠to diagnostic software, repair information and specialized tools.

Right-to-repair advocates argue ⁠that those restrictions make repairs more expensive and limit consumer choice, ​while automakers ​say they are ​needed to protect ‌vehicle safety, cybersecurity and emissions compliance.

Trump said the action was a continuation of a similar order he signed earlier this year covering farm equipment ‌and non-road machinery, adding ​it was prompted by ​reports that ​people faced legal consequences ‌for repairing their own ​vehicles.

"It's really ​common sense," Trump said, adding that many Americans are better at ​fixing their ‌own cars than mechanics.

(Reporting By ​Jacob Bogage and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing ​by Sanjeev Miglani)