Sorry if this has been covered before, but I'm having trouble going through every page on every topic just to find manuals and resources! I started getting into Harleys 10 years ago and would just buy a service manual online for whatever model I wanted from eBay, pretty straight forward. Being sort of new to wrenching on cars I would love to have some resources like that, especially if it's free... I'd love to hear what your go-to source is for this type of information because I really have a lot to learn, and would rather not rely solely on YouTube for information, or pay 400-500 dollars for a shop manual if possible.
I have always bought factory service manuals for everything I own. Other than Bentley manuals, I never bother with aftermarket books. Factory is always superior. If Bentley makes one for your application though, buy it.
Helm Inc is the publisher of a whole lot of factory manuals so I always go there first. Ebay is my main source for used manuals if I decide to go that route. Recently, I bought factory service manuals for my Corvette from Rockauto of all places.
In reply to Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) :
Rockauto has manuals? I had no idea haha. I don't like to mess with the aftermarket manuals either; I bought one for an old Harley a while back and it might as well been in Japanese. Helm Inc sounds like a good place to start though, and I hadn't really considered buying a second hand manual either but that's a good idea. Thanks for the tips!
Getting good, free info is rare. I ended up getting a MotoIQ subscription with a few friends that we split yearly as a "shop."
In reply to Paul_VR6 (Forum Supporter) :
It's too bad you're right... I at least wanted to ask someone more experienced before breaking down and buying a manual. I've honestly never heard of MotoIQ but it sounds like a good deal to split a subscription if you can get any manuals you need... Too bad I don't have any friends into cars or that might be a worthwhile option!
-I just googled MotoIQ and browsed their site; I've been watching Mike's videos (I think that's his name) but had no idea that was the same thing you were talking about! Do they have manuals or just tech tips?
eBay has a complete section for manuals. Stay away from ones on CD, they're usually just a rehash of some PDF found floating around. Get a used factory manual. I've paid anything from $20-100 and have never been disappointed with the value.
In my experience, free manuals online are worth what you pay for them. YouTube possibly less in many cases unless you can verify the knowledge level of the presenter.
I buy my GM ones on eBay, but those are older vehicles. I'm still hunting for a Subaru one. For a Miata the world is your Oyster.
abnormaloryx said:
-I just googled MotoIQ and browsed their site; I've been watching Mike's videos (I think that's his name) but had no idea that was the same thing you were talking about! Do they have manuals or just tech tips?
At least for the VW it has complete copy of the Bently factory style service manuals included. I don't pay much attention to the other bits as I am a super user, or at least pretend to be.
AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:
I buy my GM ones on eBay, but those are older vehicles. I'm still hunting for a Subaru one. For a Miata the world is your Oyster.
Subaru offers a short-term access option to their dealer portal, which allows downloading. Best deal going. I've got a bunch of them to cover the melange that is my van.
The free Miata ones are ripped from Alldata and are not the same quality as the factory ones. I recommend getting the real thing if possible, which means spending money for dead trees for most Miatas.
AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:
I buy my GM ones on eBay, but those are older vehicles. I'm still hunting for a Subaru one. For a Miata the world is your Oyster.
Subaru (and a bunch of other Japanese manufacturers): http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/
Also super useful for looking up parts (at least for older stuff): http://opposedforces.com/parts/
In reply to Keith Tanner :
$20-$100 is definitely not bad for a paper copy. I'll spend that for good information unless a free option exists, but I won't be dropping $450+ which I've seen a few places charging just for a shop manual... Unless it's something super, super rare I guess.
In reply to Paul_VR6 (Forum Supporter) :
Oh okay, I'll check things out again and see what I can dig up. What's a subscription cost?
In reply to obsolete :
Thanks for posting these, I don't know why more places don't offer at least a parts catalog on their sites...
