Ever use the Haynes or Chilton books?

[M.D. Holloway]

I picked up a Haynes for an old pick-up I had. I thought it was poorly written. Have any of you ever used either? Impressions?

[A930Rocket]

I've used both but it's been years. Just starting out working on my cars, it was a help.

[osidak]

Haynes was pretty good - chilton was horrid - they had procedures on how to test spark plugs on a diesel engine

[john70t]

They both have online catalogs if you need info fast.

Also online and a step up there is:
Mitchell 1 Secure eCommerce: PRODEMAND Online Repair & Estimating $160/1yr. yikes
ALLDATAdiy.com :: Buy Your Subscription Today $27/1yr. Cheaper than a starbucks while waiting at the dealership.

Saw this: Free Auto Repair Manuals - FreeAutoMechanic
Just submit the vehicle information you want and we will email it to you. We can not, of course, send you a full blown copy of a repair manual due to copy right laws and published disapproval. But, we can send you specific sections or parts of the manual.

[fanaudical]

I have found the Haynes manuals to be much better than the Chilton's. I consider the Haynes manuals to be the "Reader's Digest Condensed" version of the real shop manual. Enough info to make you dangerous (and get out of trouble) if you know what you're doing.

[Baz]

They can both be good or not depending on what vehicle.

They are so inexpensive I like to have both to use a references for my cars....along with other service manuals/books that are appropriate.

[Gogar]

Haynes is a good outline. If I'm doing something I'm really worried about though, I'll look at the Haynes and a clymer and chiton and hen get 7 internet opinions, and go with the majority.

[LakeCleElum]

Both are a general guide most of the time.

I know what GOGAR means by "7 internet opinions".....You really have to be careful of some of these Utube How To videos.....Sometimes, the author has no clue what he/she is trying to demo......

[chapo]

Used to back before the net and YouTube, always hated the reassemble as taken part note. Really? No sh&@$

[Arizona_928]

I consider them obsolete with the introduction of the internet, and well say Forums.
I have a collection of Haynes from every vehicle I owned. They collect dust, and bring back memories. That's about it.

I will inherit my father's Mitchells manuals if I like to or not. I only find the labor guide worth anything. As it's fun to see what shops rate the time, and to see if I can beat it, or not.

[speeder]

I have the Clymer's manual for BMW airhead motorcycles and it's pretty good. It's about the size of medium-sized city's phone book from the old days.

[Noah930]

I've had some Haynes and Clymer manuals. They're a nice basic reference--very much in the Reader's Digest form as mentioned above. And they can be useful for finding out specific torque figures when you put things back together. Factory service manuals aren't always easily comprehensible. Sometimes they seem to be written for people who already have a finer understanding of engine disassembly & reassembly. (I don't.) And sometimes they don't seem to be written in English, even when the text is printed as such; Lego instructions are better-written. Fortunately, today you can flip through a Haynes, download the factory manual online, read through your vehicle's equivalent to Pelican, and watch 3 different You Tube videos--each performed differently--before you have to tackle something you've never done before.

[speeder]

YouTube is a massive asset as long as you can tell the difference between a real mechanic and a butcher.

[James Brown]

Motors manuals are the best

[Bill Douglas]

If I'm doing a certain job I can have three workshop manuals out at the same time and glean some information from each and all of them.

[Scuba Steve]

I have a Chilton manual for my truck. It covers roughly 1964 to 1987. All engine, transmission and body styles. The book really isn't good for much. Ford-trucks.Com is much better.

[Oh Haha]

I've bought Haynes manuals for every car I've owned but with the internet you can pretty much find a video of nearly anything that needs repair.

When I did the timing belt on the Honda I cued up a great video and kept it open whilst doing the work. Much better for me than just reading.

Of course, 101 Projects and this website was invaluable for work on the 911.

[masraum]

I haven't used either in years. I've never used Haynes, but back in the 80s and 90s, I used Chiltons pretty extensively.

[flatbutt]

I am not good with mechanical stuff but know enough to do easy tasks. I have found those manuals to be helpful when combined with basic skills for just the easy tasks. They also helped me identify those tasks that could only be completed with a checkbook.

[Scott Douglas]

Don't have much use for them now, but I do have a few up on the shelves of my work bench.