Haynes or Chilton?

[Miramonti]

Which repair manual is better? I need one for a 2000 Accord.

Haynes
Chilton


(/edit: forgot we have a 'garage' forum. )

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've always preferred the Haynes manuals. Better illustrations and easier to follow IMO.

 

[Miramonti]

Thanks. I've had one haynes and it was definitely helpful, altho I've never had a chilton to compare.

 

[nakedfrog]

I've pretty much always heard that Haynes > Chilton

 

[jwells777]

If you plan to do any serious car work, I highly recommend buying the Honda service repair manuals. They are a bit more expensive (I think I paid $30-40 on ebay for my 95 Accord manuals), but they are worth every penny.

 

[Mucho]

Chilton is worthless.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: jwells777
If you plan to do any serious car work, I highly recommend buying the Honda service repair manuals. They are a bit more expensive (I think I paid $30-40 on ebay for my 95 Accord manuals), but they are worth every penny.

Thanks for the tip.

I'd say that all I do on the car I take very seriously, altho can't say that I'll necessarily be doing seriously involved mechanical work on it now or in the future.

 

[5to1baby1in5]

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: jwells777
If you plan to do any serious car work, I highly recommend buying the Honda service repair manuals. They are a bit more expensive (I think I paid $30-40 on ebay for my 95 Accord manuals), but they are worth every penny.

Thanks for the tip.

I'd say that all I do on the car I take very seriously, altho can't say that I'll necessarily be doing seriously involved mechanical work on it now or in the future.

The manufacturer's service manuals can be found at the bigger libraries in the reference section. Some let you check them out, but photocopies are cheap too.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: 5to1baby1in5

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: jwells777
If you plan to do any serious car work, I highly recommend buying the Honda service repair manuals. They are a bit more expensive (I think I paid $30-40 on ebay for my 95 Accord manuals), but they are worth every penny.

Thanks for the tip.

I'd say that all I do on the car I take very seriously, altho can't say that I'll necessarily be doing seriously involved mechanical work on it now or in the future.

The manufacturer's service manuals can be found at the bigger libraries in the reference section. Some let you check them out, but photocopies are cheap too.

Cool, good to know. I'll probably get one of these cheaper one's to have around for convenience, and to just learn more about the car here and there, but if I do get involved in something, there's nothing like multiple sources (and perhaps an even better one) explaining the same thing.

 

[Miramonti]

I was always under the impression Chilton's > Haynes, but I probably got that impression due to brand recognition and maybe their advertising than actual word of mouth.

 

[tfinch2]

I only buy Haynes.

 

[Gibson486]

I remember i had a Chiltons Nissan Altima book. It was horrible. Lots of times, they assume nothing changes model year after model year.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: jwells777
If you plan to do any serious car work, I highly recommend buying the Honda service repair manuals. They are a bit more expensive (I think I paid $30-40 on ebay for my 95 Accord manuals), but they are worth every penny.

Thanks for the tip.

I'd say that all I do on the car I take very seriously, altho can't say that I'll necessarily be doing seriously involved mechanical work on it now or in the future.

Believe me, you can get by with the Haynes manual for most stuff. I bought one of those OEM service manuals once and it was a huge waste of money. It's so freaking technical and it's difficult to find exactly what you're looking for half the time because you are pouring through a 1000 page manual trying to find one bit of information.

If you are an auto mechanic by trade yeah, I'd say get the Honda service manual. If you're a shade tree mechanic who just wants to do simple repairs like brake jobs, tune-ups, general maintenance, replace water pump, timing belt, etc. get the Haynes.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Between Haynes or Chilton it seems to be by model with some going each way, on average Haynes=Chilton. But the factory repair manuals are definately greater than either

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: jwells777
If you plan to do any serious car work, I highly recommend buying the Honda service repair manuals. They are a bit more expensive (I think I paid $30-40 on ebay for my 95 Accord manuals), but they are worth every penny.

Thanks for the tip.

I'd say that all I do on the car I take very seriously, altho can't say that I'll necessarily be doing seriously involved mechanical work on it now or in the future.

Believe me, you can get by with the Haynes manual for most stuff. I bought one of those OEM service manuals once and it was a huge waste of money. It's so freaking technical and it's difficult to find exactly what you're looking for half the time because you are pouring through a 1000 page manual trying to find one bit of information.

If you are an auto mechanic by trade yeah, I'd say get the Honda service manual. If you're a shade tree mechanic who just wants to do simple repairs like brake jobs, tune-ups, general maintenance, replace water pump, timing belt, etc. get the Haynes.

haha, that describes it pretty well. I love cars but at this point am really not interested in getting too technical with this car. Not that I am anticipating any problems soon either - I've never had to have anything done beyond maintenance so far (altho I know the day will eventually come.)

 

[SuperNaruto]

I have the honda manual.. well worth it... what section do you need ? i can probably scan some for ya

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: SuperNaruto
I have the honda manual.. well worth it... what section do you need ? i can probably scan some for ya

Thanks but I'm not in need of doing anything particular at this point. I just want to have a manual around to learn a bit about the car, perhaps the maintenance procedures, maybe replacing the interior air filter, general stuff.

I would however love to be able to PM you in the future should I need to get a copy of some more instructions on something specific.