Chilton or Haynes
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
the Haynes manual are OK and will help most do it yourselfers. Sometimes they are missing torque specs for some items, but generally I have found over the years they are great..
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 204
From: Miami, Florida
I also have the Haynes manual and it is pretty good, but it misses a few things here and there that we have found out over the years, but still very handy for the cost (about $20 USD).
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Blueridge- Haynes bought Chilton a few years back (I don't know exactly when but I have one for a 99 F-150 truck that I bought new and it says that right in the front of the book). So I don't know why they would make 2 different manuals when they are published by the same company now, but maybe they do. I personally thought the Haynes was written by some high school kids out to play a trick on us all. Chilton has been around for a LONG TIME and was a respected shop manual but I think now it's a piece of garbage like the Haynes was. When I buy a shop manual I expect it to be accurate and complete and I think the Haynes is neither. I prefer to stick now to factory DVD's.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
Just a note, I buy the Haynes and use my pen to add details from sites like this and others. The manual becomes very useful with my additions. Chilton was always more comprehensive in the past, but I havent bought any in years. Code 58 is correct the factory manuals are best, but sometimes the expense is not worth it for the layman, saturday mechanic. I have had factory manuals on cars, and when troubleshooting difficult problems they have a wealth of info, sometimes more than the normal diy can comprehend. Code58 is in the trades and therefore with his skills reads them with no difficulty. Good morning code58, just infering that the new mechanic with a Haynes will probably complete most tasks without difficulty...and of course the additional info that is available from sites like this....
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Just a note, I buy the Haynes and use my pen to add details from sites like this and others. The manual becomes very useful with my additions. Chilton was always more comprehensive in the past, but I havent bought any in years. Code 58 is correct the factory manuals are best, but sometimes the expense is not worth it for the layman, saturday mechanic. I have had factory manuals on cars, and when troubleshooting difficult problems they have a wealth of info, sometimes more than the normal diy can comprehend. Code58 is in the trades and therefore with his skills reads them with no difficulty. Good morning code58, just infering that the new mechanic with a Haynes will probably complete most tasks without difficulty...and of course the additional info that is available from sites like this....
With that I will shut up now.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 962
Likes: 28
From: Iowa
I bought both the Haynes and Chilton manuals. I began to wonder if they were by the same company as mentioned above, because they share several pictures. I had an Alldata subscription for a year, also. I got some help from all of those, but the most help came from a copy of the factory service manual I bought on CD on eBay.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 204
From: Miami, Florida
These are the front covers of the service manuals. The Lexus ones are two volumes. Volume 1 contains all related to what to do when you get an OBD2 code (highly important) and Volume 2 relates to making repairs on all areas of the vehicle. Then there is the Haynes Manual that is a combination Highlander/RX300/RX330 manual.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 204
From: Miami, Florida
A composite of a sample page from each one. The service manual is exquisite in detail and came in handy when I was down in Mexico. Excellent diagrams and details. The Haynes manual also does a good job with photos and some good instructions. Both are not perfect as I have found out from doing many repairs, but they are great to have.
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