Autos Books

I bought this book to learn more about the hybrid systems in this car, which is becoming more or less ubiquitous here in San Francisco. Who knows, someday I might even have one. The cover of the book even says, "Includes essential information for today's more complex vehicles."

Unfortunately, the chapter covering the hybrid systems (ch. 5) is a scant seven pages. Service on these parts is limited to removal and replacement on a module by module basis. (Wearing thick rubber gloves, for insulation.)

Still, it's interesting info, and if you own a Prius, you'll want to have a copy of this book for when your car goes out of warranty.

By the way, there is zero info on "hacks", if that's what you're looking for.

Otherwise, this is a typical Haynes book. It's only about half an inch thick, and I'd expect a factory manual to be 2-3 times that, so, you can bet it's both simpler to understand and missing a few details.

This manual fills a critical need for Prius owners. From those who do not like being helpless at a repair center or dealership to those who like to do their own maintenance and repair this is a simple well-photographed description of almost all jobs to be done on the Prius. The only thing it lacks are the exploded diagrams that made the earlier Haynes manuals the state-of-the-art resources to which many of us "shady-tree" mechanics were accustomed . Photographs are acceptable, but due to focussing, printing and labeling limitations are just not as good. The instructions are concise, logical and well-written and include appropriate safety information. Having priced the Prius shop manuals at over $700.00 the reasonable price (about $15) makes it a bargain. It is a good book even for the average owner for it goes a long way toward demystifying Prius characteristics such as the hybrid system and regenerative braking. I still miss the exploded diagrams though....

Seems that it was the first after market service manual for the Toyoto Prius for which I am grateful as the factory manuals cost rip off prices. I have felt helpless owning a car for three years with no manual although there have been no problems not even a burned out light bulb. The paper could be better. I wish that manuals were printed on greasy finger resistant paper.

For under $20, this might be an ok repair manual, but it has glaring omissions, as is usual with Haynes. For example, when replacing the spark plugs on the Prius (a typical DIY procedure that you might expect to have thorough coverage in this type of repair manual), the torque value for the plugs is provided, but the torque value for the individual coil hold-down bolts (a critical connection for environmental sealing and ignition electrical ground) is not provided, or even mentioned as being important to check.
I'd wait until the Bentley manual is published and take a look at it first before buying this manual.

It appears that the majority of scheduled maintenance on a Prius consists of fluid and filter changes. Why give hundreds of dollars to an indifferent repair shop when you can perform such relatively elementary service yourself for a few dozen dollars? And know that the job was done right.

I'm not interested performing complicated repairs, just maintenance procedures like changes of coolant, transaxle fluid, oil, and filters. While the Haynes manual is OK, it doesn't provide as much detail as I would like to have before starting a job on a complex vehicle that I've never worked on before. For example, when draining coolant the text discusses 4 drain points - one being the engine block drain plug. However, this plug is NOT labeled on the undercarriage photo provided in the manual.

I returned the book and pre-ordered the Prius Repair manual prepared by Bentley (a more expensive book) in the hope that such details will not be left out. The Bentley Prius manual is not due out until June or July 08, so I have no comments to relay on its merits or shortfalls.

Its good couse the information enough for beginner and intermediate in mechanic world. Thanks

For those of you who are looking for more than the typical Automotive Magazine information regarding automotive electronics – this book is a GOLDMINE. It is the best technical reference I have ever seen and the information is accurate. The author James E. Duffy knows more about modern automotive electronics than anyone else that I have found does. This book impressed me so much (after I had borrowed a copy) I searched it out on the net to purchase my own copy. Mr. Duffy covers the electrical systems in depth, all the ins and outs of computer control in the Big Three plus more. What interested me the most of the practical hands on approach to testing sensors and the specs of devices used. Want to know they typical outputs of Oxygen Sensors so you can test them with a handheld digital meter rather than buy some $$$ outdated tester? This is the book for you. Another example – one concise page covers pulling the trouble codes from GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles. The garage charged my son $$$ to pull the codes on his Neon and said the results were inconclusive. I was able to pull the codes using the steps in this book and trace it to the EGR Solenoid. Starters, alternators, injection, it is all here in one book, you can throw away all the Fix- It books sold in auto parts stores which have maybe one chapter at the back covering eight model years of changes on three pages. I don’t think you will find anything better than this book. Good Luck.

I felt the book was outdated. Much of the content seems to be from much earlier editions and not relevant for todays more sophisticated automotive electronics. It would be more suited for an enrty level mechanic. The preview for the book is somewhat misleading, makes you feel it offers more than it really does. Therefore it did not meet my needs and I am returning it.

I purchased this book for my husband. I did so thinking it was trhe actual text book, but it turned out to be the study guide for the text book! I was not pleased when I recieved the book. NO WHERE on the ad for the book did it stsate it was a study guide. I didn't return it because he can use it for the class he will be taking. But, I still am not happy I was mislead.
This will not stop me from buying books from Amazon, I have bought some since then, I just want you to be aware of the misleading ad.

It has 1) How to extract the code 2) Code Number/Cause chart, but NO chart mapping the flashing light to the CODE NUMBER!!!!!!!!!! There's no mention of any other book to referece either. I can make my little light flash but this book gives me no stinkin' clue as to what it MEANS!!!

I use this book almost daily,it gives very good information to testing components and how to retrieve trouble codes for vehicles,although the code definitions are only the meanings of the codes,it supplies you with enough info to be able to know what to start looking at,and there are places on the web to get more help once you have the codes,so for as inexpensive as the book is,it should be in every do it yourselfers toolbox.

The book has too much info on the history of OBD, who cares. It needs more troubleshooting help. Like decision maps. It has some vehicle specific info, but again not enough. It is somewhat helpful for the beginer to OBD.

This book gives you the most bang for the buck. More complete information than many of the more expensive books. Easy to read and comprehend. Well organized for the weekend mechanic or professional.

It's the book, but what a chip papper

sistem mechanic chevrolet blaze

This manual has some really basic infomation. It is nothing like an acutal repair manual for my specific vehicles (1990 Suburban or 1972 C20). I have the Chevy repair manual for the C20 and it breaks down diagnostic and repair steps for just about every componant for the truck.

This one is pretty generic. Again, it is worth having if there is nothing more specific for your specific model/year.

This book is helpful but does lack information on replacing parts that are common replacements on Suburbans. Also sometimes pictures do not have arrows specifying which part it is actually showing. Since this is the only book I have found that covers Suburbans, it is helpful but I hope someday someone will do a complete teardown and use better pictures and/or drawings.

Lots of good stuff, needs to be more obvious about each model.

Love the book, however the different models are not differentiated well, so you really must read carefully.

i like the use of this manual its easy. any one could under stand it even a female like I. I myself can repair most stuff. thanks selina

the rare repair manual that i got was a big help the pages wasnt bent

A good service manual for the money on the 3 cylinder Geo Metro / Suzuki Sprint. Complete with wiring diagrams and a master index. An OEM manual is more detailed, but costs way more if you can even find one.

There is little troubleshooting help here. If you need a walk through on a tune up, this will show you how. If you want to go beyond that, go somewhere else. Try looking up an ignition problem (personal experience). Or replacing fusable links. It mentions that they exist, but not much beyond that. And the index is nothing less then a poorly organized, frustrating mess. At best, this makes for a particularly ugly coffee table book.

I am looking for help in finding a repair manual for my 1996 Geo Metro. It's 4 cylinders, automatic transmission, 2 door hatchback. The newest year I've found is 1994 but these only cover cars with 3 cylinders. Can anyone help ??

This repair manual is the best for the Geo Metro series. It explains many aspects of the vehicle that the Haynes manual only briefly covers or ignores completely. It goes through diagnostics explanations clearly, provides every aspect of electrical maps, and has dozens of helpful illustrations and photographs. If you want information on Ameicas top fuel-saving car, this book covers it all.

i needed to rebuild starter motor but no have information on i

I bought the book for help in changing the serpantine and power steering belts on my Sebring JXi. The instructions were very clear and the diagrams excellent. This is one of the better Chilton's manuals

I have a '98 Cirrus with 2.5 engine. I bought the manual for guidance in changing spark plugs. The removal & installation section on page 1-39 and 1-40 only addresses the front 3 plugs. It is obvious by looking at the engine that something (the intake manifold plenum) must be removed in order to get to the back 3 plugs. By going to pages 3-23 & 3-24, the engine repair section, removal of the plenum is discribed. Is all of this necessary if the ultimate goal is just changing the plugs? Can the fuel line and the throttle body stay connected while the plenum is moved to one side? Maybe trial and error with provide the answer.

These manuals are a "must have" for me. I've always had one for all of my cars, and they've helped me with belts, radiators, electrical diagrams, alternators, suspensions, etc. The book pays for itself by letting you do it yourself instead of paying someone else.

The main reason I purchased the manual was to find out how to replace the 3 sparkplugs at the rear of the 24 valve 3.0 liter engine. You cannot even get a hand on them because the intake manifold is right above them. The instructions in the manual said only - 'the sparkplugs are accessible thru the valve covers'. This was no help at all. I think you either need to remove the intake, or have special tools. I would like my money back.

The book was packaged in plastic at an automotive store.
I have seen some sad efforts over the years but this one was a pleasant suprise. There were lots of clear photo's and clear
wiring diagrams. Spec's and maintenance information for the weekend mechanic were satisfactory. Most of the content was
directly related to this model. My last ford shop manual was
a 2 star effort so this was a good value for me.

I have read Clinton's book before that shows only pix and how to disassemble. So I haven't exepect much. ( You may read some review on that book. ) However this book explains which part and how to check it. For instancem using multimeter( voltage ). So the reader may find where is the problem by himself. I have read only part of this book ( where my car has problem ) , I am sure this will help a lot. I strongly recommend to the person who want to find the problem and repair it by himself.

For a beginner in auto mechanics, I found this book very helpful with it's lists of tools, photos and labels of parts. However, my biggest complaint about the book itself is the year models it represents. On the Taurus, for example, the body design changed in 2000, and you can no longer change your own rear turn signal light bulb, the manufacturer has it sealed off with access panels and silicone. This simple process/ repair has to be taken into a dealer to be repaired. This is something the book does not mention because it is talking about 1999 or previous body models. It would just be helpful if the book information represented the exact model years, so there's no confusion. Thanks. -S.L.

doesn't have everything in it. needs to be more specific

fascinante el mundo de la reparacion de automovile

a simple thing - I needed to see a construction of a body and chassis in order to identify how rain water drains, and where is AC drain - could not find it. I think the authors should revise the manual, and make it more complete.

This book has a fair amount of information about the car, but lacks quite a bit also. Many things you look for in it you can't even find because they didn't cover the topic. Things like fuse diagrams and simple things like what bulbs are used in the car are not even in the book. Get a Chiltons.

I found this book simplistic and of little truly useful information. Yes simple is great for a total beginner but this far from enough to actually carry out a complete interior from nothing. The examples (which were few) were not even really custom, but just plain jane chevy. And just where was the restoring part of this book?

I have found this type of book is just basically a teaser for the larger more pricier books. So save your money and purchase something with more substance behind it.

This is a great book.A comprehensive guide on how to customize your auto interior.This book guides you through the planning,choosing materials,advice,a step by step guide(the green pages section)to reupholstering a bucket seat,door panels and much more.These "Motorbooks Workshop" series of books are the best books as they are detailed and in shown with colour photos throughout.Even though the book shows various hot rods the book is about customizing any vehicle interior.Its Great value.

I would also recommend this book:
"Custom Auto Interiors",By Don Taylor and Ron Mangus.

I really like these Motorbook workshop series. These guys are taking automobile how-to books to a new level. This one is really good and ranks up there with those written by Don Taylor on upholstery/interior subject matter. I found this and his books make a strong basis for doing upholstery for the do-it yourselfer. I needed these books for my airplane, but the process is pretty much the same for an auto and these are really the only things out there.

This book is really good and I belive it is a complement and fills in the blanks where Taylors books left off. For example I found Taylors books great on Armrests, Panels and sewing tips, but then this book is great on seats and especially foam work. Taylors explains panels really well, but this goes onto discuss painting them too, if thats what your into.

You can't go wrong buying all these books as a set and at $40-50 for all of em, thats small peas compared to the price of taking a chance on the 3-7 video series that exisit out there on trying to explain what these books do.

If your working on a homebuilt or ceritfified GA aircraft these are really your only choices, do not think even the EAA has courses on this subject, althouhg your homebuilt manufacturer may have something.

What I would really have liked to have seen is a 1-2 page discussion of foam and ergonomics in car seating. Using tradition poly foam vrs some of the more exotic confor or memory foam would be nice.

I bought this book because of the high ratings. However, compared to other books available, this one is just OK, three stars at best. There are lots of large photos, some of which convey little information and seem to serve only as filler for what would otherwise be a very thin book.
The book is well written from the point of view of an "observer" but lacks the depth and insight which would be expected had it been written by an experienced upholsterer.
A much more comprehensive treatment of the subject can be found in Custom Auto Interiors by Don Taylor and Ron Mangus.