New guy says: Buy a manual!

I haven\\'t been here long, but I see many questions asked that could be answered by simply turning to the appropriate information in the service manual you went out and bought after reading this thread.
There are several available for most models of cars. For example; I have a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, so I can buy either of these manuals:





Either of them should be available at your local auto parts store, online, or perhaps your local library would have a copy you could check out.
A service manual is not just a book; it\\'s a tool, and one that is far less expensive than many of the chrome-steel tools you have in your toolbox, and less expensive by far than messing up a simple job and having to re-do the work.

P.S. I bought the Haynes manual.

Any one who buys a vehicle SHOULD get a manual for that particular vehicle, rather if its Chilton or Haynes. Or even the Official Shop Manual. Helms does make a comprehensive manual, but Haynes has just about the same in it. There are times when Chilton does lack some information.

And if you know what you are doing, you can usually find the missing info on the internet. There are enough Forums and Websites out there where this info can be found.

Even Google has gone through the progress of scanning several and making them available.

You just got to LOOK real hard!!

I disagree that people should look at a haynes manual first, and I gave this too much thought

#1 First off this site and many others are free. $15-$20 is a lot of money to me and perhaps too much for someone asking 1 question.

#2 if you see someone asking how to remove lug nuts off their crown vic you don't have to read it, and the vast majority of people are going to skip it, but someone will probably answer it.

#3 I personally like examples and personal experience with someone from the same year model. I've found out how to do a lot of beginner stuff from forums and google searches like this one where people have the same year, model, and issue.

#4 The crown vic is coming to an end and the vast majority of people here are going to be asking questions about their maintaining/repairing their aging and probably abused vehicle. This could become a vast repository of information on simple to complex repairs that would become more valued than a book with a few contributors.

#5 Last but not least, owners will become fewer and fewer as the vics become garbaged, so (as a new member too) we should welcome all mechanically challenged people to these forums to ask their simple, simple questions :].


My experience is that the manual wasn't very helpful and that was once too many. I checked it out at my local library by the way.

I disagree with your disagreement.
In the time it takes to Google 'Crown Vic forum', decide which one you like, join up, post a question, then wait for a CORRECT reply, the information could most likely have been found in a manual or elsewhere on the internet, or by asking your local friendly auto mechanic.
Frankly, if I have an issue with my car, truck, or motorcycle, I don't have time to wait for someone to respond to a question on a forum.
A manual, regardless of which one, is a wealth of knowledge. I have learned about my Crown Vic just by reading through the manual I purchased. I plan on using it later in the weekend to help me with a problem I'm having with my right rear power window mechanism.
If someone can't afford $15 to $20 for a manual, it can probably be checked out at the library. I can't imagine the purchase price of a manual being a deal-killer for someone who wishes to perform maintenenance on a modern vehicle, where knowledge is a valuable tool. I'd bet that anyone who has the capability of doing work at home has several tools that each cost much more than the price of a manual.
I appreciate you taking the time to chime in, and thanks for your input.

hi dude! i want to buy an auto manual for my car but i dont have any idea for the price of it. can you help me on this? thanks a lot.