Do you own a boat, car, motorcycle, plane, husband, baby, bicycle, house, or commercial vehicle? Then you need a Haynes manual.
Haynes manuals have been around for 30+ years, and have provided help for mechanics and car owners alike for that time, with relatively simple step-by-step instructions on what you’re trying to do.
No matter what car or bike you own, Haynes are sure to stock a manual for it. The other manuals Haynes do (Boat, Plane etc.) are slightly more scarce, but you may get lucky!
Unfortunately, the car I own (Daihatsu Hijet) doesn’t have a Haynes manual for it, but this is a rare exception.
The newer Haynes manuals have numbers stating how hard the job you’re trying to do is. 1 is an easy job, say doing an oil change; and 5 is a hard job, say removing your big ends. To be honest, if you don’t really have much mechanical knowledge then tackling a job like the big ends would be too much, and best left to a qualified mechanic. Haynes manuals are designed to help, but they can’t give you the same skill as someone who’s qualified to do the work!
Haynes manuals are layed out in chapters. The first is normally engine and gearbox, the second clutch, the third fuel system and carburettor, the fourth ignition, the fifth the frame and forks, the sixth wheels and brakes and the seventh is the electrical system.
For most tasks there are pictures on the page designed to help you as you go, but I have found that some of the more fiddly jobs have none, and it gets a lot more difficult.
These manuals also contain just about every specification you’ll ever need, like tyre size; engine displacement (cc) and tappet size.
To be honest, most car and bike owners wouldn’t have a clue if it weren’t for Haynes. Each manual is based on a strip down and rebuild, so if they’ve done it it can be done.
As you’d expect at the back of the manual is an index, which is normally the best place to look first. Although just looking through the chapters will work. Some Haynes manuals also have a pull-out diagram of your vehicle, as well as an MOT checklist.
As my opening paragraph already said, Haynes do manuals on babies and men! These are obviously just novelty items, but may well be collectable in a few years time!
Doing a job like changing the spark plugs is easier than you’d think, and would only cost you the amount of the spark plugs with a Haynes manual!
Some of the earlier Haynes manuals are worth quite a lot now, as collectors items mainly though!
New, Haynes manuals are between 14.99 and 29.99 each, depending on vehicle.
To see if Haynes sell a manual for your vehicle, phone them on +44 (0)1963 442030.
Don’t forget, a manual for your car could save you hundreds in Mechanics fees! Stockists include Halfords, Autopart and Waterstones bookshops, and many local bookshops may well sell them too,
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Havent been around ciao in a while but remember reding a few of your reviews a while back, and am glad 2 say on reading this one your writing is much improved. still could do with a bit more detail and practical comparisions to draw from, but on the whole a lot better. dammit, im even gonna stick ya in my CoT... keep up the improvement xxx Roy ;o)
Calldean 16.10.2003 13:55
I must admit to being someone who likes to mess about and I've always wanted to mess about under the bonnet; think I might give these a try. Cheers!
Advantages: Cheap, easy to follow if you've got half a clue, saves you a fortune on labour charges. Disadvantages: Photos in black and white, could explain things in a bit more detail.
rockandrollstar 01.05.2003 (12.05.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Haynes Workshop Manuals
Advantages: Cheap, easy to follow if you've got half a clue, saves you a fortune on labour charges. Disadvantages: Photos in black and white, could explain things in a bit more detail.
rockandrollstar 01.05.2003 (12.05.2003)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Haynes Workshop Manuals
Oct 1st, 2003
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