Chilton vs Haynes

[punishercb]

Just as the title says, which one do you guys prefer? I'm lookin for one that doesn't have weird directions or horrible pictures.

 

[blackGSX2g]

I'd get the backup manual on CD. I got mine off of eBay for like $4 and it has all the factory manual specs for any DSM. It also comes with VFAQ on CD as well as Mitsu's CAPS program. It has exploded diagrams of every nut and bolt and how they go together. Priceless tool.

 

[punishercb]

Thanks for the info man. I'll definately look into that. But i'd also like to have a manual that i can look at in my garage. That way I can look through the book with greasy hands and not care.

 

[IHeartTurbo]

I've never liked how Chilton's was set up. I prefer Haynes.

But the factory manuals kick ass. Or if you can somehow get your hand on some Mitchell or Alldata that would be good, too.

 

[punishercb]

Mitchell? I've never heard of that. Is that like chiltons or haynes? Can you pick one up at an auto store?

 

[ECLIPSE95]

I like my Haynes book..but only one problem they mismarked the drain plug on the 420a engine but other than that they have good diagrams and great instuctions besides the fact you have to keep flipping back the chapters it refers you to when your doing one simple thing...

 

[IHeartTurbo]

Mitchell? I've never heard of that. Is that like chiltons or haynes? Can you pick one up at an auto store?

Mitchell? No. I believe it's a dealer only thing. Don't quote me on that tho. We have it at UTI, but rarely use it because we can just use Alldata or Shopkey on the computers.

 

[punishercb]

Oh, I see. So has anyone ever used a Chiltons? I have a Haynes for my dodge avenger and it's okay. I was just wondering if Chiltons was any better.

 

[UofACATS]

I use Chiltons, I wouldn't say it's any better. You know, sometimes it skips steps/things are slightly wrong (as mentioned above) but its no big deal. The only thing that I dislike is that mine covers all years, all models. No matter which year/model you have, half the book is worthless. The pictures seem decent, my Chiltons always "gets the job done" so...

 

[pianoman]

I have a haynes and they do they same thing where they skip stuff, or stuff is misprinted. The best thing to do, is to do what I did. Call Chrysler, and order the service manual for your car. They were farily cheap, 40 bucks I believe for both books. Theres 2 books, drivetrain, and electrical. They beat Haynes and Chiltons hands down. The only downside is that the pages are real real thin paper, so make sure your hands arent too greasy or oily when using them.

 

[punishercb]

Cool, well thanks for the replies. I just bought the service manual for my computer off of ebay. I think I'll probably stay with Haynes because I have one of those for all the other cars in my family. It's hasn't let us down yet so I'll probably stick with haynes.

 

[9d2TSi]

I personally don't care for either one. The factory service manuals are the only way to fly.

 

[Defiant]

Haynes have always been meant for guys at home, and they've always been some of the best ones out there. I especially loved in the 510 book where in the tools section they advise to "make sure to get a large screwdriver that will be robust enough to not break when you mis-use it as a chisel and prybar." They knew what goes on out here.
But they really dropped the ball with the 2G/3G book. Mixing the two was a pain in the ass, which is the problem the Chilton's books have- "If your car is the 90-94 model, skip to step 15" -crap. It's also -for the first time I'd seen in a Haynes book- printed on cheesy newspaper like the Chiltons are.
The factory manuals show up on eBay for as little as $20 a set (Volume One is mechanical, Two is Electrical, and there are also a Body manual, a Fuel Injection manual, and a Transmission manual) for the Talon/Laser, but when the Eclipse manuals show up, they often pull $150.
I also have five or six factory training books which were meant for the mechanics when the cars were introduced, and salesman information booklets, press binders, a factory parts catalog and scads of sales brochures. All from eBay.
Don't hesitate to repair an Eclipse with the Talon manuals.

 

[slow4G63]

I love my haynes manual!!! good pictures and easy to understand! got it for $15 at autozone!