Of course, minimal knowledge is essential here, but don’t worry. Interested? Read on to find out how a service and repair manual can save you money and make you a better DIYer.Ī car service manual is a handbook issued by the manufacturer or a specialized company that contains instructions and guidance for the maintenance or repair of a specific vehicle. Hence, you won’t be searching the internet for piston ring clearance or piston skirt diameter, relying on undependable sources on random forums anymore.Īnd, that’s not all-a car service manual can even let you diagnose the issue using troubleshooting charts, just like professional mechanics do. Most importantly, a repair manual for cars contains reliable information and life-saving electrical diagrams, since it comes from the manufacturer itself. With this handy book, you can find the recommended manufacturer specifications when rebuilding an engine, and even a step-by-step guide on how to do the job. But with a proper car service manual to help you out, you can fix pretty much anything. Each model requires different steps, even for some simple things like changing a light bulb. But what if you have the knowledge and tools to repair your beloved car yourself? In that case, it might be much cheaper, sure, but you won’t be doing a proper job without a car service manual.Īt the end of the day, that’s what every single professional mechanic uses when doing repairs on any vehicle.

Servicing or maintaining any vehicle can be very expensive nowadays-the parts are already costly, but labor rates hit rocket high. In third place is Kelsey's offering - this publication makes a complex subject simple in an entertaining way, and paves the way for more challenging jobs.Here’s How a Good Car Service Manual Could Save your Life It may be aimed at younger motorists, but the layout and style is superb. The company's Definitive Guide to Car Modifying is a worthy runner-up in this test. A logical lay-out means this is a perfect guide whether you're carry-ing out serious repairs or just simple servicing. VerdictĪt just under £15, Haynes' standard manual has to be our Best Buy. There's a massive choice, so which is the best format for you and your car? We raided the bookshelves to find out. And even if you're not up to rectifying serious faults, basic servicing alone can save around £200 a time - making the £20 or so spent on a manual a good investment. Sophisticated electronics aside, most tasks on a modern motor are within the abilities of a DIY mechanic. While a 1969 Mini Cooper required no less than 26 jobs for its 60,000-mile check, today's BMW version needs only 10. Many motorists believe today's hi-tech cars are beyond home servicing - but they're wrong.

Best repair manual for cars