Auto info sources
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Auto info sources
** If this post violates some guidelines, plese delete it. This is a serious question, and not an attempt to knock any company
**
What does everyone find helpful for sources of tech info? I'm pretty frustrated with most of them. (Maybe it's me) . My impressions are listed below.
Haynes/Chilton -- spotty coverage. And Haynes always says -- "based on a complete teardown and rebuild" fine, but that's seldom the issue. Even engine rebuilders say that the market is declining. I generally want to know more general info.
Motor -- even more spotty since they generally cover all cars or trucks for a particular year. Sometimes have very good info on certain items.
Alldata (home version) often hard to navigate. Also, spotty. Often includes only the time a repair should take. Also, sometimes provides generic info although subscription is for a specific vehicle.
Factory -- hard to navigate (Often several manuals, not necessarily coordinated). Also, assumes that you are a dealer tech-- i.e. you have had special training and have access to special tools.
Mitchell -- used to find these at the library. Often had a lot of good info on specific topics. Apparently available online now -- curious about cost.
I'd appreciate any commentford2go
**
What does everyone find helpful for sources of tech info? I'm pretty frustrated with most of them. (Maybe it's me) . My impressions are listed below.
Haynes/Chilton -- spotty coverage. And Haynes always says -- "based on a complete teardown and rebuild" fine, but that's seldom the issue. Even engine rebuilders say that the market is declining. I generally want to know more general info.
Motor -- even more spotty since they generally cover all cars or trucks for a particular year. Sometimes have very good info on certain items.
Alldata (home version) often hard to navigate. Also, spotty. Often includes only the time a repair should take. Also, sometimes provides generic info although subscription is for a specific vehicle.
Factory -- hard to navigate (Often several manuals, not necessarily coordinated). Also, assumes that you are a dealer tech-- i.e. you have had special training and have access to special tools.
Mitchell -- used to find these at the library. Often had a lot of good info on specific topics. Apparently available online now -- curious about cost.
I'd appreciate any commentford2go
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
None of them are complete. They are written for different levels of mechanics. The OEM manuals are written for factory trained mechanics and assume they know the basics. The Alldata home versions are a joke, I had one of those but they shortly decided not to support it making it worthless & would not return the purchase price. The professional version is also designed for the professional mechanic that knows the basics. AFAIK the Haynes and Chilton are the same now, Chilton bought Haynes. They used to be written for two levels but anyone needed both of them. Haynes were for novice mechanics and Chilton were for "shade tree" mechanics. I have not seen a new Motor, Petersens, or Mitchel for years
