Ok I need to buy some repair manuals. Who makes a really good one and where do you buy one. I'm geting tired of just winging it. I need them for 94 chevy pickup,02 chevy impala,00 dodge interepid. Any help would really help me out.THANKS

 

If I need to do a specific job that needs a manual, I go to our local library and photocopy the pages I need from their manuals. If money is no object nothing beats a factory service manual.

 

personally, I'd take Chilton over Haynes. Drawings appear to be better. All have issues too. Buy used online.

 

I've found that you can get almost the same info (for most cars) as Haynes has by checking Autozone and some other parts place websites. Less pictures of course.

That said...Haynes are pretty cheap and will help with most DIY repairs. I used to have the big Chiltons manuals when I was a motorhead teen. They are (were) much more complete than Haynes.

Factory manuals (the few times I've used them) seem to make a lot of references to special tools and procedures only a dealer would have. It's been quite a few years since I used one for a repair job though. Ex-FIL would buy them with every new vehicle.

 

naahh, I am cheap. They have Haynes equivalent by Chilton here in parts stores. not library thick volumes. 12-15 bucks. it's still more feasible to buy used online.
Autozone site is, honestly, quite crappy. It's good for overall guidance, but much is super generic or does not match at all and "go figuring" starts. Pics are terrible. And that's all we need - good pics.

 

Thanks for the info I weht to the local farm and barn and bought a manuel for the truck only cost 12.50 no lost no gain. It can only help. Thanks again

 

Another option not already mentioned is your local libraries online site. I live in the boondocks and our local library has an online version available. Can't remember the name of the service off the top of my head but it's been very useful in the past. The pictures are different that what I've seen in print manuals and are sometimes better and sometimes they're not. It's worth every penny I pay for it though!

 

If any of my friends has a car question, I buy the Haynes.
If any of my friends or I are considering buying a car, I buy the Haynes.
If I spot a Haynes manual in a car at the scrapyard, it goes in my toolbox and comes home with me.

I currently have a shelf FULL of Haynes manuals for cars I don't even own and have never owned and several copies of manuals for ones that I do own. Hell, I have some for VWs and I never recommend German cars to my friends.

What I like about the Haynes:
It's cheap. I've gotten them at the store for $10 when they're having a sale or something. Even the $25 or so that they regularly charge isn't too bad.
You can buy them almost everywhere.
It's based on a tear down and rebuild, and they don't usually use special factory/dealership tools.
The wiring diagrams are usually direct copies of the Factory Service Manual.
The manual is specific to the model of vehicle (Including clone make/models and similar years.)

The Chilton Manuals I've used usually include several different models from the same make with some vast differences.


For vehicles I work on frequently (IE My own and my wife's) I get a Factory Service Manual. you can sometimes find them online for free. I have a whole collection for Mazda Rotary Engine powered vehicles, All manner of Nissans and Infinitis, and my 2001 Dodge Ram.