Real life sucks. Just when one thing seems sorted another knocks you sideways instead. Gah. Slowly g...
Real life sucks. Just when one thing seems sorted another knocks you sideways instead. Gah. Slowly getting back to grips on here but can they please stop changing things?
Member since:25.06.2003
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As mentioned in my recently updated review my Micra is coming close to being taken off the road due to old age. But in the 11 months since I bought her she has needed no work doing at a garage other than the service I had done to ensure she would be safe during the winter months.
The reason for this, the Haynes Manual that the previous owner had pruchased and passed on to me when I bought her. Being somewhat of a technical idiot I knew nothing about the section of car which is covered by the bonnet, and in all honesty would struggle to point out the oil and water filler caps.
But knowing that my baby had an oil leak it was a priority to check which was which in order to keep an eye on it, now being a young female living in a very masculine environment the obvious solution would be to ask one of the many nice uniformed men to help me out, but being as I am a stubborn and independant person I wanted to work it all out for myself. So after sweettalking the gents in the Garages near the Patch I took my car to their workshops where they let me stick her on the ramps and explore to my hearts content, but I took with me my copy of this book.
From doing this I gained alot of information about work that would most likely need doing to her (so was able to point it out to the mechanic when I took her for a service), meaning that the service cost me
only £30 for the oil change - whereas the mechanic admitted had I not known of some of the stuff they probably would have wanted to do repairs which were unnecessary and much more costly. This day of poking about her underside is also what confirmed that to get her through another MOT would be prohibitively expensive in comparison to her value (another reason that the mechanic didnt do any extra work to her). Of course being female wandering around a military garage with a micra and a book also meant I came in for a certain about of mickey taking (after all these guys are used to trucks and tanks and the like, a micra is not a usual military vehicle).
But back to the book, broken down in to idiot proof sections you have
Roadside repairs which can help you if the car wont start, hence one night I knew it was a combination of the cold and that she hadnt been used for almost two weeks but that as long as I ran her during warmer hours she should be ok in future and it didnt require me to call out the AA. But if the problem was more serious this manual will explain the procedures for Jump Starting. Again being a young female with almost no technical knowledge if I was to sustain a puncture I wouldnt have known how to change a wheel again this is covered in this book. As is towing procedures, though given the rust on her Towing hook I wouldnt like to try this over any kind of distance. As well as for my car in particular Identifying leaks a section I had open for much of the time I had her in the MT garage.
Weekly Checks. A list of things you should check weekly but I bet very few people will do including oil levels, brake fluid levels, coolant levels, screen washer fluid levels and if your car has them automatic transmission fluid and power steering fluid levels (mine doesnt so I ignore these parts), along with information on checking tyre pressure and tread depths, the battery and bulbs and fuses (I check the outside lights but given the interior ones have been discontected I can ignore those). As well as general information on the fluid and lubricant pressures, one thing I like in particular is that the book will also tell you which is the best oil/lubricant type to buy for the engine.
Then there is MAINTENANCE which has sections on Routine maintenance and servicing giving you details of the specifications, recommended schedules and procedures (again a section I spent alot of time on in the MT garage).
REPAIRS AND OVERHAUL Engine and Associated Systems This shows you the kind of things that you as a car owner can safely carry out to repair things like the cooling and heating systems, and fuel and exhaust systems. Transmission How to change a clutch and the more specific details for a manual or automatic car. As well as how to change a driveshafts.
Body Equipment will tell you how to change bodywork and fittings as well as body electrics. With clear and easy to follow wiring diagrams in a section of their own.
Finally there is a reference section which will give you information on the specifications of anything you might want to replace as you would want to make sure you have the right part for the right model!
Each section is broken down in to simple pictures with explainations and before you begin clearly tells you what you will need to do the job as well as showing how difficult it is (the more black spanners the harder it is). Of course being entirely printed in black and white photographs in the book can be alittle hard to make out which is annoying at times but the worst parts more often than not also have a line diagram alongside to help identify the bit you want to unscrew or avoid cutting.
If you do want to do your own repairs to a car then the relevant book for the car you want to work on would be invaluable, personally as I am not happy to carry out my own repairs I found that it has more than anything stopped me from having to pay for unnecessary work (as admitted by the mechanic who serviced her) and confirmed that to MOT her again would be a costly exersize when I could for the same money buy another old banger to keep me on the road until I can get an newer car. But of course I would be purchasing the relevant book for whatever car comes next (although I have my eye on the new Suzuki Swifts not sure I can afford one yet and there arent many rewiews up to judge from).
I fact I have photocopied pages from this book carried in the emergency kit in the back of the car at all times the most important of which to me at least is the how to change a wheel section. The book itself lives on the 'reference' shelf of my book case rubbing shoulders with the multitude of book about fish keeping and is the only one even vaguely technically related.
My book was published in 1999, has a green hardback cover and is manual number 3254, covering 1.0 litre and 1.3 litre petrol Micra's from K to T registrations, and would cost between £12 and £15.
Haynes also do manuals for motorbikes, pedal bikes, computer manauls, caravan books, home DIY, and even guides for travelling abroad. The range if it is as well written and containing as many pictures as this one is well worth a look for anything you might want to DIY, as I suspect if they do it then it will be one of the better options avaliable.
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)
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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
Jun 29th, 2007
exceptional by (6%):
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