Chiltons or Haynes

[eschoendorff]

Which is your favorite? Obviously I would go to the factory service manual at Helminc.com, but I don't need to spend that kinda $$$$ on a car I'm only gonna keep another year.

So, which do you like better?


BTW... This is for a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GT...

[wythors]

I'd hit up eBay for a factory manual. I've bought several different ones on there at an average price of about $40. In my experience, Haynes and Chilton's are best suited for soaking up spilled oil.

[ARAMP1]

I'll never buy another Chiltons or Haynes manual. They just leave too much out.

[RAYJAY]

I'd hit up eBay for a factory manual. I've bought several different ones on there at an average price of about $40. In my experience, Haynes and Chilton's are best suited for soaking up spilled oil.


yep thats about soaks it up in general..........


either go to e-bay and find your factory manual or look for a factory cd rom with your car on it.or
try this web site

http://www.factoryautomanuals.com/

prices some time are better than e-bay

if any one needs ford service manuals try this web site

http://www.fordcds.com/

Jeff

[Coach James]

The parts stores here only carry one brand for each make and model so there is no choice. I have the Chilton for two vehicles and Haynes for the other.
Coach

[SuperKid]

Don't waste your money on either of them. Reading the ingrediants on a can of soda will help you fix a car better than one of those. Just buy a used FSM.

[l_bilyk]

I think they're both crap. Service manuals, on the other hand, are nice to have.

[W-Cummins]

You can go to www.alldata.com and from there is a link to DIY access to their manuals (factory manuals) that you can subscribe to for online access ( some they will sell you on a CD)

It's not a bad deal I signed up for 2 of them over the years

William....

[eschoendorff]

You can go to www.alldata.com and from there is a link to DIY access to their manuals (factory manuals) that you can subscribe to for online access ( some they will sell you on a CD)

It's not a bad deal I signed up for 2 of them over the years

William....
Huh... hadn't thought of that. See, this is why I ask these questions!!!:beer:

[Gregdoo]

Our local library subscribes to AllData and Auto Repair Center databases, so I can get computer access from home with just my library card for free (well, for the cost of my taxes). In the library they also have quite a few Mitchell manuals, which are written for the pros. You might want to check your local library.

[kartracer55]

Even Alldata leaves stuff out. Its better than nothing, but you cant rely onit to be the holy grail because I have found that with many cars/trucks you can go through and make all your selections on the vehicle but even so nothing will match up EXACTLY to what your working on

Jim

[wythors]

As a dealership parts guy, I can tell you that most of my shop customers refer to it as "No-data".

[Fast Orange]

Usually when I've needed a manual,I haven't had the luxury of time to hunt down and get the book of my choice-whatever I can get quick that might have the info I need will have to do. All of the currently available manuals will have torques,basic wiring diagrams and procedures toget you started-it's up to the guy doing the work to fill in the blanks.There are going to be steps ommitted in every write-up no matter what book you use-that's where common sense,experience and ingenuity come into play. It's kinda like the directions you get with IKEA furniture-

George

[Wile1Coyote]

Library if you aren't keeping the car.

[junkman104]

As a dealership parts guy, I can tell you that most of my shop customers refer to it as "No-data".

That might be but it sure beats haynes and chilton. I have the Alldata on-line version at work and use it every day.

[mleichtle]

my vote, lesser of the two evils= Chiltons. They have a little better illistrations. But its been a while since Ive had one. Haynes are all that readily available around here, and thay have steered me down the wrong path to many times.

[joenero]

Hmm, when some manuals get to around the 10+ year age I usually see dealerships start to throw them away.
So keep that in mind as well.