The HAYNES series of manual have been with us for many years now, we have all used them. At one time they covered just cars, but now their repetoire includes caravans, decorating, washing machines, computers, bikes, and even racing engines. In fact they have one now covering "MAN - All models, shapes, sizes and colours. 120,000 BC to present day" It is number 3931 if you don't believe me!
The books are produced by Haynes publishing in Yeovil, Somerset, and have been around for just over forty years now. They are still in the familiar hardback versions, which have wipe clean covers.
The format has always been easy to follow, and the manuals contain both a contents page, and an index.
The black and white photographs make it a lot easier to find the location and position of components. Personally I think a simple pictogram is worth a thousand words, although Haynes uses few of these, relying on small black and white photos, which tend to be a little grainy.
The company does move with the times, and has it's own website, so you can check that the book you need is actually in production. The reason I say this, is because when a new model leaves the factory, it can take literally years to do the research needed to publish a comprehensive manual, based on a complete stripdown and reassembly.
One fault I keep coming across, is where the manual says to "Remove so-and-so component" - and when you check how to do this, you are told to use "special Vauxhall (or whoever) tool number such and such. Of course you posess no such tool, so have to decide if the job is still viable. In a lot of cases, you will find it is, and the component that "has" to be removed can stay in situ, and in some cases does not even get slightly in the way.
The price is roughly £14 nowadays, although you may find it a lot cheaper to buy second hane copies from ebay, there tends to be plenty about after a model has been out a few years.
I "edit" mine, by writing in sizes of spanner required, or types of screwdriver, it does make the job quicker next time. There is nothing worse than wriggling under a car with a handful of sockets and spanners, only to find you need a Torx, it is a shame that Haynes didn't just print "Torx 40" after the word stud.
The contact details for Haynes are :- e-mail address :- sales@haynes.co.uk. Tel :- 01963 442030 Website address is a little longer :-http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?sto reId=10001&catalogId=10001
I hope I don't sound like I am criticising these manuals too much, but as a regular user of them for a lot of years, I do feel I an entitled to add my critique, and also give credit where it is due.
For a great number of years, I have purchased one of these books as soon as I changed cars, and the first thing I do, is tape some blank paper into the back as a record of DIY servicing. I also keep the book in plastic folder, (sold where you buy the books) as rough treatment makes them lose their covers.
I went by Yeovil recently, and half expected to see a big brown "tourist" sign pointing towards the Haynes empire!
Happy servicing.
Pictures of Haynes Workshop Manuals
Haynes manual.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Haynes Workshop Manuals
Dec 17th, 2006
(May 22nd, 2007)
very helpful by (80%):
helpful by (20%):
