In the mounting excitement of receiving my SM within the next 6-7 weeks, I have been studying the owner manual that I downloaded recently. It occurred to me again, as has been the case with every new car that I have owned, that it is a ridiculous game of guesswork knowing which features are actually on your vehicle, since the manual includes every possibility (and, I suspect, a few impossibilities).

Surely in this modern age it would be simple for a car-specific manual to be printed off from a master file, if the model and option codes were fed in either at the factory or at the dealership? And if it were in a loose-leaf/binder format, then any relevant updates could be automatically sent to individual owners(by email, even)?

Well in America if you buy a Hyundai Equus - their super expensive Lexus equivalent - you get your own iPad with what I hope is a car specific manual. Though in saying that, like Lexus, everything is standard on an Equus so they are all the same. BUT that would be the way forward: have a digital manual that resides in the Bolero/Columbus with a car specific online version you can access on the Škoda website at your own profile. Job done. You save a few trees and can actually press "Search" to find something much quicker. I prefer using the PDF manual on my iBooks on my iPhone as I can do exactly that, press the magnifying glass and search for any keyword. Easy. I think I've opened my real manual maybe once!

There are probably too many permutations to make it practical in real print. By having all the options covered in the manual, there is some sort of CYA involved to protect the company from being sued.

The next step should really be that the manual is on the internet and the Columbus or similar can access it over WIFI - my new Sony TV does that, but uses the LAN in the house.

Well,well this just crossed my screen:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/25/dodge-releases-smart-phone-apps-that-include-digital-owners-man/

Dodge in America will now give you an app on your smartphone for your owner's manual AND keep it up to date with changes. Neat.

But what happens if you don't have a tart phone? :S

But what happens if you don't have a tart phone?

Well in the future you won't be able to buy a car if you don't have one! heheeh Or they will charge you £350 for a made-from-precious-trees version!

Well,well this just crossed my screen:

http://www.autoblog....tal-owners-man/

Dodge in America will now give you an app on your smartphone for your owner's manual AND keep it up to date with changes. Neat.

Are you listening Skoda/VW?

Mike

But what happens if you don't have a tart phone? :S

I love my Tart Phone.

The iPhone rocks

Mike