Understanding Vehicle Manuals

No matter what kind of equipment or machinery you’re using, it’s essential to read the manual. We say this often about automotive lifts, but it’s also true of your vehicle itself. However, there isn’t just one kind of manual for a vehicle, and there are a few reasons why this is important.

Owner’s Manual vs. Service Manual

Those unfamiliar with vehicle manuals might assume that these terms refer to the same thing, but they’re quite different. An owner’s manual is a document that guides you in the basic usage and care of your vehicle. Setup and use of its features, a breakdown of the dashboard indicators and displays, routine maintenance scheduling, fluid and fuel information, optimum tire pressure recommendations, and may other important points are usually covered here. The service or repair manual, on the other hand, is a far more in-depth (and far thicker) book that details the electrical and mechanical makeup of your vehicle in order to guide in repairs and servicing.

Why You Need Both

Keeping track of and referring to the owner’s manual an essential part of responsible vehicle ownership. A service manual, on the other hand, isn’t a necessity for everyone and may not be worth the expense. However, if you expect to work on your vehicle, whether it’s a restoration project or you simply want to be able to perform your own repairs, it’s a great idea to track down the service manual. In fact, it’s one of the most important tools that far too many hobbyist forget to equip themselves with. Detailed information that is specific to the inner workings of you car will make your life a lot easier, not to mention help you avoid botched repairs or maintenance.

Sourcing a Service Manual

We won’t lie, obtaining a service manual isn’t always an easy task. If your car is a recent model, you’ll most likely need to purchase a factory service manual from the dealership, which is fairly costly. For less recent vehicles, it’s worth seeking out a third party service manual from a company that specializes in them. Chilton and Haynes are probably the two most well known. The ease or difficulty with which you find your manual will depend on the popularity or obscurity of the car in question and other factors. You may even be able to find one online or through the automotive hobbyist community. Once you have it, you’ll be glad you went to the trouble! 

Owning a vehicle lift for your home garage is perfect for DIY car care or restorations, but those aren’t the only uses for this powerful piece of equipment. We provide lifts of all kinds to drivers and mechanics across Canada, so give us a call at (403) 283-1020 to find one for your needs!