Am i the only one who actually reads the owners handbook when i buy my new (to me) car?

OK, i skim through it, rather than read it from cover to cover, but every car does things very slightly differently.

Don't you think its useful to know what all those buttons actually do, what that warning light that has come on means, what the tyre pressures should be, or simply what oil the car should run on?

There are an increasing number of threads appearing asking the most basic of questions that are all covered in the handbook, some even sell the car without realizing the car is capable of doing lots more than they thought.

So got a question?

1. RTFM!, then

2. if you are still unsure, by all means do a SEARCH before you

3. post a new thread.

I know not every used car will still have the manual, but they are well worth reading .............. you will even learn something new, i know i do.

i read mine when the dealer kindly let me have the manual a day early, but then i was confused what the car had and didnt have!

I reach for mine when I want to know something

These learned manuals have failed to keep up. I accuse the makers of still producing books that are hard to understand and often confusing. Most things I have learnt on here. I was not even aware of the 1000 mile running in, which the deaker never mentioned and was noticed the evening I got home with a Fabia. The makers need to bring the manuals up to modern day standards. I am also critical of the speedo which is marked 60 / 80 etc not 70. The maxidot does not give the speed which is also a shame.

I flicked through mine and it had updates inside for later revised models and specs.

i dont think the maxi dot in the vw's do speed either.

The manual for my octy was written by someone with an interesting approach to english and a complete inability to count. The index is somewhat indicative when it comes to page numbers too.

we didn't get a manual with the Furby. Long story :(

Csn you buy the manuals as a set?

Not sure as a set, but certainly you can get them individually.

Be careful of eBay though, as they tend to sell for more than a new one from a dealer (i even sold an E30 M3 one for £33.50 !! - although they had been out of print for a few years)

The silliest thing in the manual for my car is a guide on how to make "2 beds" by removing the front headrests, pushing all the way forward, and reclining the seats all the way back. Interesting to know you can do it, but not sure I would describe the result as a bed.

The Handbook for my 65 1000 MB , Started off " Thank you people for buying this very nice car" It also refered to the headlamp flasher as the " Light Hooter" I think they have a better command now!!

we didn't get a manual with the Furby....

Csn you buy the manuals as a set?

A Fabia Owner's Manual (handbook) only costs circa £5 from a Skoda dealer. The official workshop manuals are available but the price for a set is prohibitive.

I must admit I do find it extremely annoying when someone registers and their first post is along the lines of 'Hello, I've just bought this and it's got a fault and I've done a search but it turned up nothing...' then goes on to describe one of the cars common faults. Why do these people lie? They haven't run a search at all and haven't even bothered trying to look through a few of the technical areas before posting. If they had, the would have found the relevant fix! It's just pure bloody laziness on their part and it does tick me off. That and crap spelling and 'text-speak'... Grr...

lol, how about i cant get the car started but ive found a nice place for the keys to sit behind the sunvisor once im in the car. any suggestions

haha the manuals images are funy in the fabia it looks like there throwing the baby out of the window in one of them!

its good to have a flick thru just before bed if you got nothing else to do!

With an ever increasing number of threads asking, what oil to use, or what does this warning light do? etc, i think this needs bringing back to the top.

FFS, RTFM

:+1:

Although occasionally if you buy a car second hand the owner may not have been as careful with the manual as might you or I and people may not have a manual.

Although occasionally if you buy a car second hand the owner may not have been as careful with the manual as might you or I and people may not have a manual.

Granted, that's why i included:

I know not every used car will still have the manual, but they are well worth reading .............. you will even learn something new, i know i do.

When SHMBO bought her last car the manual was missing, so she went and bought one from the dealers, it cost all of about £4 IIRC.

The way I look at it is as follows:

1. Read the manual... if still confused then

2. Search the net... if still stumped then

3. Ask!

PS Hi "anewman"! aka hotukdeals!!