When I was a kid the Haynes manual was the go to source for shade tree diyers. Anyway I would like to get one, but I don't know how those different brands of manuals, and any other new or old publishers, compare. Notwithstanding factory service mechanic manuals, which brand do you prefer or have had good experience with lately ?

Depends on the car manufacturer, the brand.
A Factory Service Manual (FSM) is always the #1 source for doing things yourself.
If no FSM is available, then specialty publishers like Bentley are the closest thing (for BMWs).
Chilton and Haynes are okay, but nothing goes as in depth as a FSM if you can source it.

Between Haynes and Chilton I preferred Chilton.
At autozones website if you register you can access Haynes manual repair help. You can access specific instructions and wiring diagrams for most cars and trucks.

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I have used both extensively through the years.
Haynes is better for the whole vehicle IMO.
Chiltons for individual stuff like transmissions and engine.

If you can get it the FSM is the best way to go.

I suggest not buying either. Instead, get a subscription to the consumer versions of Mitchell or Alldata for your particular vehicle(s). They don't cost much, if any, more than those books. I slightly prefer Alldata due to better instructions and illustrations for interior trim, while Mitchell has better wiring diagrams with the general location of connectors and grounds already on them.

When my kids got cars, I put a Haynes manual in each. In my opinion, both the Haynes and Chilton are bubblegum repair manuals, just enough information to either confuse or make dangerous, but enough for light work. For the wife and the kids, the brief troubleshooting guide at the front of the manual is a good place to start, even if taking the vehicle to a dealership or mechanic, when the mech tries to snow them with bullshit diagnosis.

These days, someone who wants to know something about their vehicle can find it on youtube and the web much of the time, and actually see the procedure or process. The manufacturer manual is the best source, although far too much information for most. The majority of people are going to change a filter, oil, thermostat, brakes. Simple, routine things for which a Haynes manual will suffice just fine. Replacing a radiator, starter motor, etc, are usually covered in enough depth that most people won't have much trouble, and all the quantities, fluids, torque values, etc, are there.

The problem I have with either the Haynes or Chilton is that much of the time their information is vague or directs an operation without an explanation as to where to find it, or how to do it. Unless someone knows the procedure and the part, they may be left in the dark. For vehicles having multiple options (several engine options, for example, often some variants are completely ignored.

In both cases, part numbers would have bee useful.

For general reference with just a little more utility than the idiot manual (owners manual), repair guides like Chilton and Haynes are okay. I make sure they're put in every vehicle, and prefer to have both.

As with the above posters, I can't recommend Haynes or Chilton anymore. Shame as I have a pretty decent library of them built up.

Bently and Factory manuals for me if I can't find the info I need online.

I only use Alldata. Much better info, and far easier to access.

I bought a Haynes for my JK Wrangler and was throughly underwhelmed. Ordered it on the strength of how they were in the past.

Information was minimal and poorly written IMO.

In these days of cost-free delivery, is there any good reason why manufacturers don't provide on-line access to their FSMs?

While I haven't used either one on over 20 years, I'd have to give the nod to the Haynes manual.

Largely due in part because they would have the wiring diagram.

The FSM is the way to go. Complete with component locations, harness pinouts, etc...

It also helps if you can get a factory scan tool, not just a code reader.

FSMs are far too expensive for driveway mechanic work. So it sounds like Chilton or Haynes. But now I need to know how far they go. I want to replace valve stem seals, timing chains and tensioners, and water pump on an xterra. Will either of those guys cover that ?

FSM for sure. Had one when I had my 2003 Corvette Z06 and the very specific things such as torque specs and sequence for the flywheel and pressure plate were details I wouldn’t have found in a Chilton or Haynes. The step by step diagnostic walk throughs were also invaluable.

I got the FSM I’m 2009 and it was about $150. It was 3 large volumes. I’m sure it’s increased in price these days as most stuff has.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
FSMs are far too expensive for driveway mechanic work. So it sounds like Chilton or Haynes. But now I need to know how far they go. I want to replace valve stem seals, timing chains and tensioners, and water pump on an xterra. Will either of those guys cover that ?

Both should cover it, but don't look for a lot of detail, and some functions like valve grinding, if you're doing that, won't be covered.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
FSMs are far too expensive for driveway mechanic work. So it sounds like Chilton or Haynes. But now I need to know how far they go. I want to replace valve stem seals, timing chains and tensioners, and water pump on an xterra. Will either of those guys cover that ?

Personally, I wouldn’t touch any of those procedures without a FSM.

Retired auto parts guy here. Hilton and Chaynes are owned by the same publishing company, and have been using the same basic info in their books for over two decades now. They don't publish titles that won't sell enough to cover their costs, many makes and models now have no volume available for them.

When they moved to dark pictures with no contrast instead of line art drawings things got much worse - it's hard to see what's being described.

For the most part they make errors in every volume I have owned since 2000. Disassembly in the wrong order - literally a mechanical impossibility - and some procedures completely unecessary. Taking the intake manifold off the Honda Fit to R&R the alternator isnt needed - you need a universal socket with wobble extension and it will get the bottom bolt off. The alternator slips in and out, no intake gaskets replaced, etc.

Change oil on a Buick Verano, do not remove the 27+ plastic retainers on the air plate unavailable at any auto parts store to get to the "hidden" drain plug. Nope, cut a mail slot in it and done. Cheap easy oil changes for life after that.

I buy a manual now expecting most of it to be close, double check online with that makes forum using search for the name of the repair. Like the 99 Subaru 2.5 automatic - you don't clock the torque converter onto the three concentric shafts and beat on it to engage. Just no. It will damage the locking clips. Nope. Take out the center shaft slightly, engage the one with its clips, then insert the assembly with slight rotations to engage the other two and done. If possible, never disconnect the torque converter at all, there is a opening on the upper passenger side to remove the four torque converter bolts.

You can buy a manual but it may well lead you astray. I always research online now with forums to see what actually works - a lot of flat rate hacks are out there where certain operations are bypassed - same as the dealer does.

R&R of upper control arms and inner tie rods on a 05 F150 requires removing the coils and shocks according to the book, I needed it done faster than groveling in the driveway. Took it to a shop, got it back in LESS time than flat rate and the shock bolts were never touched. As I expected.

Chilton/Haynes and the factory aren't always the best source. Look in forums where mechanics tell you their hacks.

I like the Haynes as they are laid out, BUT yes, they are very full of basic information over a variety of years and models.

I really utilize the torque information more than anything else.

Finding Information On newer Camrys online is tougher than Tacomas. Tacoma Forum has tremendous information relating to your Tacoma.

I am so thankful for youtube, BUT, I have found you need to watch multiple videos to find consistency, as many are just plain wrong.

Tough to not know what you don't know.

Watch enough, long enough, you can figure out who is legit, and who are tire kickers.

Alldata looks awesome, wish I knew about it sooner. Another win for Sigforum!

*Ford specific* If you go to this site you can get access to the same info the factory techs have. $22 for a 72 hour pass has saved my ass a couple of times.

ETA: I discovered this while looking up how to pull the upper intake manifold to do the spark plugs. Back then Haynes hadn't updated their manual to include the 2013 Mustang, and linked users to the Motorcraft Service page.

I've never been impressed with any brand of service manual other than the factory service manual and this has been over several vehicles and several manufacturers.

All of the aftermarket manuals I've seen have been a bit too generic, cover too many model years, and lack some of the in-depth troubleshooting for my tastes.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I suggest not buying either. Instead, get a subscription to the consumer versions of Mitchell or Alldata for your particular vehicle(s). They don't cost much, if any, more than those books. I slightly prefer Alldata due to better instructions and illustrations for interior trim, while Mitchell has better wiring diagrams with the general location of connectors and grounds already on them.

Am I missing something? I just looked at the Mitchell software and it was $174 a month. That was for the professional version, but I didn't see a more limited consumer version.