Repair Manuals - Which is better?

In article <lom2g2l3u4a5hk3odupc3mq2gr2hu4ra5e@4ax.com>,
admin@snoman.com says...

Well I certainly appreciate all of the opinions. Sounds to me like the
Chilton guide is favored over the Haynes manual but the genuine OEM
manual is still the best way to go. I'll have to go see how much the
2003 Silverado manual is and if not too much more just spring for that
over the Chilton guide. Thank again guys!

Take care,
Kevin

Manuals are like tools. As long as they're useful, you can't have too many.
Also, get multiple years, makes, etc. of manuals.

Try getting both tools and manuals used from various sources, such as
garbage sales, ebay, craigslist.org swap meets, etc. Sometimes you can get
tools or manuals for a buck at garage sales.

Both are full of omissions, and too general.

Get the genuine factory manual.
http://www.books4cars.com/

Some specialized tools listed in any of these manuals may not be needed in
some cases. Though, a pair of pliers and a couple of screwdrivers won't cut
it either. Buy tools in sets by kind. One at time will nickel and dime you
to death.
--
Jonny

After having owned about 8 vehicles and doing work on each one with
Haynes and Chilton as my guides... I have to support the Chilton
manuals... Seems like they have better photo details that are more
cleverly thought out. I've also noticed them to have more raw data on
various odd things like gear ratios or tank capacities or Cubic Inch
displacement. I DONT REMEMBER ALL THE DETAILS, SO DONT FLAME ME
ANYONE!!! Heh heh...

Haynes are easier to find. So I am usually lazy and get them. But I can
remember two times when I was specifically disappointed... went out and
found the Chilton... and was impressed.

Now I wont buy anything else but Chilton.

You asked for an opinion...

But, I do have an uncle who owns a Shop and he stocks Mitchell manuals
as well as some subscription-based online download product that
apparently has line drawings of every part of every car ever made...
but I think the subscription price is in the thousands per year.

Between the two cheapies... Chilton all the way.

KC

After having owned about 8 vehicles and doing work on each one with
Haynes and Chilton as my guides... I have to support the Chilton
manuals... Seems like they have better photo details that are more
cleverly thought out. I've also noticed them to have more raw data on
various odd things like gear ratios or tank capacities or Cubic Inch
displacement. I DONT REMEMBER ALL THE DETAILS, SO DONT FLAME ME
ANYONE!!! Heh heh...

Haynes are easier to find. So I am usually lazy and get them. But I can
remember two times when I was specifically disappointed... went out and
found the Chilton... and was impressed.

Now I wont buy anything else but Chilton.

You asked for an opinion...

But, I do have an uncle who owns a Shop and he stocks Mitchell manuals
as well as some subscription-based online download product that
apparently has line drawings of every part of every car ever made...
but I think the subscription price is in the thousands per year.

Between the two cheapies... Chilton all the way.

KC

To sum up what others have stated, both are the Dr. Seuss of
auto-repair. There's a lot of words and nice photos, but very little
specific content :-P

I have yet to get all the factory manuals for my truck, but the Chevy
Wiring Manual was a lifesaver whereas the Haynes manual fell severely
short.

~jp

I agree that Factroy manuals are very good but sometimes not too
clear. I have both Factory manuals for my vehciles and Chilton
professional series going back from present to 76 and they play well
together.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

In article <lom2g2l3u4a5hk3odupc3mq2gr2hu4ra5e@4ax.com>,
admin@snoman.com says...

Well I certainly appreciate all of the opinions. Sounds to me like the
Chilton guide is favored over the Haynes manual but the genuine OEM
manual is still the best way to go. I'll have to go see how much the
2003 Silverado manual is and if not too much more just spring for that
over the Chilton guide. Thank again guys!

Take care,
Kevin

Manuals are like tools. As long as they're useful, you can't have too many.
Also, get multiple years, makes, etc. of manuals.

Try getting both tools and manuals used from various sources, such as
garbage sales, ebay, craigslist.org swap meets, etc. Sometimes you can get
tools or manuals for a buck at garage sales.

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2 20th August 10:24 unknown External User Posts: 1	Repair Manuals - Which is better? Manuals are like tools. As long as they're useful, you can't have too many. Also, get multiple years, makes, etc. of manuals. Try getting both tools and manuals used from various sources, such as garbage sales, ebay, craigslist.org swap meets, etc. Sometimes you can get tools or manuals for a buck at garage sales.

3 20th August 13:37 jonny External User Posts: 1	Repair Manuals - Which is better? Both are full of omissions, and too general. Get the genuine factory manual. http://www.books4cars.com/ Some specialized tools listed in any of these manuals may not be needed in some cases. Though, a pair of pliers and a couple of screwdrivers won't cut it either. Buy tools in sets by kind. One at time will nickel and dime you to death. -- Jonny

6 20th August 16:34 jon r. pickens External User Posts: 1	Repair Manuals - Which is better? To sum up what others have stated, both are the Dr. Seuss of auto-repair. There's a lot of words and nice photos, but very little specific content :-P I have yet to get all the factory manuals for my truck, but the Chevy Wiring Manual was a lifesaver whereas the Haynes manual fell severely short. ~jp

7 20th August 16:34 snoman External User Posts: 1	Repair Manuals - Which is better? I agree that Factroy manuals are very good but sometimes not too clear. I have both Factory manuals for my vehciles and Chilton professional series going back from present to 76 and they play well together. ----------------- TheSnoMan.com

9 20th August 21:47 unknown External User Posts: 1	Repair Manuals - Which is better? Manuals are like tools. As long as they're useful, you can't have too many. Also, get multiple years, makes, etc. of manuals. Try getting both tools and manuals used from various sources, such as garbage sales, ebay, craigslist.org swap meets, etc. Sometimes you can get tools or manuals for a buck at garage sales.