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Why is Haynes so slow to put out new manuals? - READ ONLY

20 messages,  Last post on Jun 30, 2003 at 10:12 PM

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Messages Page 2 of 2

#11 of 20 by 0patience

Jun 30, 2003 (5:46 pm)

bottgers,
What manual do you get updates every year??
 
Sounds pretty cool, but having to pay $24.95 every year would get a bit pricy.
Well, let's look at it this way......
A factory manual runs in the neighborhood of $100+, then you pay for annual updates for TSB and recall information. So, it is a wash.
No matter what you buy, if you want the full deal, you pay annually.
These folks who think they are getting any kind of information from a $20 paper manual are fooling themsleves.
A case in point, there are several TSBs and "special pollicies" on Chevrolet diesels. None of the paper manuals cover the TSBs and recalls. So folks with the paper manuals may go thru the diagnostics several times and still have the problems, when if they had the full deal with TSB and speical policy information, they would save alot of steps and headaches.

#12 of 20 by bottgers

Jun 30, 2003 (5:56 pm)

I don't know what TSB's are, but I've used nothing but Haynes manuals for my last several vehicles and I've never had a problem using any of them.
 
I just found out from Alldata their system runs about 1 to 1 1/2 years behind any particular model year. Their service manual for the 2003 MPV won't be posted on their site until next year. I guess the only option is to buy a factory manual unless I want to wait. It doesn't look like a $20 manual will ever be available for the MPV.

#13 of 20 TSB = Technical Service Bulletins by swschrad

Jun 30, 2003 (6:17 pm)

also known as "oops, we found something interesting here...". if you've ever had something that couldn't get fixed, and couldn't get fixed, and COULDN'T get fixed... and then all of a sudden the dealer fixes it... odds are a TSB was issued on a bad part, screwed-up policy, Test From Hell, etc. that covered it. sometimes the TSB will implement a recall, other times it's just stuff they learned as time goes by.
 
if you fix stuff for a living, TSBs make it more reliable a living with less negative referrals.

#14 of 20 Besides by tboner

Jun 30, 2003 (6:32 pm)

The alldata only costs 24.xx for the first year, I believe renewals and additional vehicles are only $14.95.
 
That's what I paid to add my 2000MY MPV to my existing account.
 
TB

#15 of 20 by bottgers

Jun 30, 2003 (7:34 pm)

I didn't notice that. If that's the case, it may be worth it to subscribe. The other problem is that they don't have the info for the '03 MPV posted yet. I suppose I could subscribe using the the '02 model's info as the two model years are almost identical.

#16 of 20 tboner by bottgers

Jun 30, 2003 (7:48 pm)

Have you used other maintenance manuals? If so, how does Alldata DIY compare? Are the procedures explained well? Is it complete, meaning does it cover every possible type of maintenance that could be performed on the vehicle?

#17 of 20 by 0patience

Jun 30, 2003 (8:01 pm)

Don't get me wrong, the DIY manuals are fine, if you are just doing basic stuff.
In this day and age, there really isn't much "basic" stuff left.
Look at the cheaper manual's wiring diagrams sometime.
Look for test procedures and see what you get.
There are very few publishers that print or provide factory information in a package that the DIYer can afford.
Helm and Bentley and other factory information is updated quarterly.
AlldataPro and Mitchell1 are updated continually.
AlldataDIY is updated quarterly.
 
One thing to consider, if you buy a manual, in a year, tehre will may be 100 pages that have been updated to different procedures.

#18 of 20 That's another dilemma I'm dealing with by bottgers

Jun 30, 2003 (8:22 pm)

Almost everything I do on a vehicle is minor stuff, i.e. fluid and filter changes, removing and reinstalling brake parts, rotating tires, changing plugs, etc. You'll never find me in the garage changing timing belts, tearing down an engine, or troubleshooting a major electrical problem. I just don't have the tools, or the time to get that involved. That's why the $20 manuals are ideal for me. It's not worth it to me to spend $100+ on a factory shop manual just for changing fluids and filters.

#19 of 20 bottgers by tboner

Jun 30, 2003 (8:52 pm)

I like the alldatadiy better. I ordered to get the electrical information for my 87 LeSabre when I installed a remote start. The 24.95 saved me hours trying to find the information.
 
I never lose the manual, and I can print the pages and then throw them away after my greasy little hands have perused the pages.
 
Hope this helps.
 
TB

#20 of 20 by 0patience

Jun 30, 2003 (10:12 pm)

tboner brought up a very good aspect of the on-line manuals. No book to get in your way, print out the page you need, tape it to the hood and if it goes with the vehicle, you're not out anything.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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