Haynes or Chilton?
- Thread starter pbm
- Start date
- Status
For my truck, they are both the same: word for word; page for page. I think it says Chilton in the Haynes manual or Haynes in the Chilton manual. I can't remember which.
Haynes use to be better when they were separate entities.
Haynes use to be better when they were separate entities.
Check out the DVD manuals on ebay. The one I got for my Caravan was a genuine Chrysler DVD with copyright, etc..
The ones for your car seem too cheap to be legit, but the sellers seem to have 99%+ approval rate.
A factory type manual is SO MUCH better. You can trust the torque specs, etc.. Not so on the Haynes and Chilton. Often they leave out steps or mix up procedures on variations of the same model.
See if you can determine how legitimate the ebay ones are. Most have $ back guarantee and its no great loss ($20+/-) if you get burned.
The ones for your car seem too cheap to be legit, but the sellers seem to have 99%+ approval rate.
A factory type manual is SO MUCH better. You can trust the torque specs, etc.. Not so on the Haynes and Chilton. Often they leave out steps or mix up procedures on variations of the same model.
See if you can determine how legitimate the ebay ones are. Most have $ back guarantee and its no great loss ($20+/-) if you get burned.
It depends, and you won't know without looking through the manual for your car.
Haynes manuals used to be excellent, thirty years ago, maybe not so much now.
If you really intend to keep the car and do everything yourself, a factory manual (maybe a DVD these days) is well worth the money.
Haynes manuals used to be excellent, thirty years ago, maybe not so much now.
If you really intend to keep the car and do everything yourself, a factory manual (maybe a DVD these days) is well worth the money.
Your public library might have a Mitchell on demand subscription. You can probably get into this from home with your library card and the library's website.
I've had bad manuals from both. Abridged, photos of them doing something to a different car. "Increase engine speed to 300 RPM" (not 3000).
Most of the time they are shrink wrapped in the store. You can't check out how bad/ incomplete the wiring diagrams are in this condition.
I've had bad manuals from both. Abridged, photos of them doing something to a different car. "Increase engine speed to 300 RPM" (not 3000).
Most of the time they are shrink wrapped in the store. You can't check out how bad/ incomplete the wiring diagrams are in this condition.
I've always found, Haynes has more pictures, Chilton's has more verbage. Chilton's pictures aren't always as good. But if you're better and retaining info by reading vs. seeing, Chilton's is good.
years ago i used Motors Manual. i dont even know if its made any more.
Factory service manual, hands down. You can buy PDF versions of the factory manual for most cars for $25 or less.
I've bought two factory manuals on CD from ebay.
I've bought two factory manuals on CD from ebay.
"Haynes or Chilton." IF there's a significant difference between the two -- and at least one person here has suggested there isn't these days -- I say BOTH. I'm guessing that both the manuals combined might equal an hour's work at current mechanics' rates. So if you end up being "saved" by one of the manuals during a tricky repair -- because the other manual didn't cover that topic well -- you've covered your costs. If either of these were truly comprehensive or "factory" type manuals, one good manual should do. But they're not all that comprehensive or in-depth. There's only some much shelf real estate an auto shop can offer a wide range of titles, so by definition, I suppose "smaller" repair books are almost a necessity (and also allowing for a low www.AllData.com subscriptions.
Chiltons is published by Haynes
like stephen9666 said factory manuals, generally best. i have about 25 chrysler manuals and 20 Motors Manuals. both 50s-60s. i even have a 1957 chrysler new yorker, it has the info on the chrysler 392 hemi engine.
Ebay and factory manual. The downside on factory for my MDX is everything mentions the Honda/Acura shop computer. However the mechanical items are quite detailed.
The factory shop manual for my Legacy GT is wonderful. It is specific to turbo Legacy/Outback.
The factory shop manual for my Legacy GT is wonderful. It is specific to turbo Legacy/Outback.
Factory manual are the way to go if you can afford them. Years ago when I bought my 98 chevy truck and 98 Pontiac GP, I bought the factory manuals for both at a cost of around $100 each. On used vehicles I go to Ebay and usually find them there for a fraction of the cost. Alldata.com's info is the same as a factory manual so you can go that route also.
I also have haynes and chilton's manuals for all my vehicles because sometimes their info is found a lot quicker and they have actual pictures of some things. I usually prefer the Haynes manuals over the chilton.
Wayne
I also have haynes and chilton's manuals for all my vehicles because sometimes their info is found a lot quicker and they have actual pictures of some things. I usually prefer the Haynes manuals over the chilton.
Wayne
Get into a forum for your car type , and ask question their, that how I alway get info to fix my car
I have the factory manual 5 volume set for my truck. It is a little disappointing. It is about 1/3 filled with completely useless information. It also doesn't breakdown individual components. It doesn't tell me how to take apart my transfer case, and doesn't give me any information about its internal workings. It also doesn't give any information about the internals of my transmission. It is just a remove-and-replace manual. I guess you are suppose to take the individual units to someone else.
My factory 1957 Chevy manual was awesome. It told you how to turn the generator stator contact surfaces on lathe. My 1973 Chevy C-20 manual was also awesome.
My factory 1957 Chevy manual was awesome. It told you how to turn the generator stator contact surfaces on lathe. My 1973 Chevy C-20 manual was also awesome.
Last edited:
" It is about 1/3 filled with completely useless information. " it is very interesting what the factory thinks is important, and what isnt.
- Status
