Chilton Reviews

This book is terrible. I own it, unfortunately. It has never been able to really help me on any of the problems, down to the most basic, for instance, changing the maddening air filter, or even replacing the metal wiper blades (not just the rubber).

Let's start w/the cover. Look closely: it doesn't even have the model "240" listed on it (seems to have every 24X model but their most-successful)! "There must be a Chilton expressly for the 240 alone", i wondered upon discovering this at home, "this manual perhaps being just for the 'other' 24X's?" But, nope! That's where the oversights begin... right on the cover. And the standard is really set there. And reading it, you wonder if it really is about the 240. It has a scant few things on the 240 proper, and whole bunches of stuff are missing. I would say the same thing of most models (not) represented in the "how to" sections.

It's a waste of time, because you end up looking for stuff, not believing it's really not there. Take the elec schematics (most recent example); my buddy helping me was happy to see them, but the 1 thing we were looking for (door/light chime, which rings nonstop) to see if it was okay/safe just to pull the plug until we can figure the rest out -- it wasn't in the elec schematic! It had the wipers, int. lites, brake lites, horn, everything-- but no door chime! 20 minutes re-reading the drawing being sure we missed it!

The book's content is worth less than the poor pulp paper it's printed on (mine's a few yrs old and is heavily yellowed). Better to use it for kindling.

This book has never managed--once--to help me. It will spend pages telling you what an automatic transmission is, but never tell you how to check the rear differential fluid. The book actually ended up hurting me, since the hours of my life I spent looking for useful info in the book, I will never get back (i.e. changing that pesky air filter [only swedes could make such a routine thing so complicated], how to turn off the service engine light by yourself [which I understand comes on at 5k miles for 90 sec on ignition, until it's reset to tell ppl to get their oil changed at the dealer], etc.).

There are many times where i had to look at other Volvo models in the book, just to get an idea of mine, because mine (a common 240) wasn't even listed , and of course, it never helped to try that. I think the air filter was the most notable example, so i just figured it out myself, which why i say, the book actually slowed me down. This book is neither helpful for the newbie, nor the experienced mechanic. But it will tell you the theory behind catalytic converters.

Doesn't tell you how to flush (I don't mean changing the pan gasket) your tranny oil, to my memory, like the better lube places. But you can find out on the web from users' sites; several versions are available.

The question is not "what doesn't it cover", but "does it really cover anything?". This should be the last volvo service manual you ever attempt to buy, unless you're buying it for an enemy. I am not exaggerating. It's really that bad, and not just me who noticed it. Anyone who has tried to help me w/the car has found the manual useless, and a frustration.

I just ordered BENTLEY'S VOLVO 240 SERVICE MANUAL which actually has good reviews--here, and from friends. At least it has "240" in the title/cover; that's a good start. It's a 'must-have', apparently, but I don't know anything else about it, so I won't say more. I'll review it when i get it & read it.

I have been satisfied w/Amazon's online shopping experience (prices, shipping charges [often nothing], website solidity/ thoroughness, and staying away from javascript & frames, & browser compatibility. I just wish they had an available cust svc phone # (as opposed to all email) and a better way to exchange things, but I did not buy the Chilton here. I wish i had shopped here first, or i would have seen the reviews, and bought the Bentley manual first! Amazon's user reviews have been very helpful to me.

This book was disappointing in that it covers to wide a year span,and does not specify year that most changes occur or if there were changes. It is a book for designed to assist persons only making minimal repairs. The transmisson section does not give a breakdown or even include wiring for transmisson. The location or change of location for the overdrive unit,relay or selonoid as well as the wiring for it are not included. All in all it did not meet my needs or expectations.
I was not told that if the other book I ordered was not in stock it could take from 6 to 8 weeks to get. If I had been notified in a timely manner the book was unavailable I would have shopped elsewhere. Now I'm without a vehicle for a month to a month and a half. This could have been avoided had I been given the delay information in the E-Mail conformation of my order.

Thank you for at least reading my concerns. Hopefully this will help you in processing your orders with less disappoint and confusion.
Thomas J. Spillers

Gee, I had no idea that "good" condition meant "new" condition. The Volvo Chilton's Manual 1970-89, 1996 edition is very cool. Just opening the cover has proven to be worth the money spent, and I plan to use it to 'tinker' on our project car until it purrs. Yes, even gals enjoy showing their spouse an easier way to fix things - the right way!

Get a Helms Manual....they're much more detailed!

I purchased this book with the intention of having a thorough reference guide for my 2000 TL. I was quicklly disappointed and surprised when 95% of what I referenced was not available, or lacked so much detail that it offered no assistance at all. This book may be a gem for integra owners (most of the examples and instructions are integra focused) but TL and RL owners beware, and take a peek at it in the stores before you commit. You could be highly disappointed.

This review had the info I was looking for. Even though I am not a mechanic I could follow the pictures.

This book is chock full of errors. I don't have any faith in the contents of this book. Color codes of wires are incorrect in troubleshooting areas, and there is poor coverage of all model years, especially newer ones. The book tells you what fault codes are but it does not tell you how to access them. I own two Hondas and I end up using the internet to get the information this book, more often than not, neglects to include. Purchase at your own risk -- it's too bad that it is the only book on the market for many Honda models.

This was disappointing. The "Total Car Care" repair manual had non-detailed drawings instead of photos leaving you with only a vague idea of where the part that you are looking for is in relation to the rest of your car. The text was about as good as the graphics... it could have been more detailed and/or descriptive. Another probelm was that the graphics gave only a single example of the procedure being described (as shown for the '84-'87 CRX... not very helpful to orient you to a 95 Civic). Compared to the other manuals that I have seen (Haynes and Clymer mostly) this one left alot to be desired at about twice the price. This one will give you a ballpark idea of what you will need to do to fix your Honda, but I would consider purchasing a single-model specific repair manual at a cheaper price.

This is a fair book. Deffinatly better than Hays. Where hays explanes things in one sentence Chilton uses an entire paragraph. However it does not contain all the diagnosis I wanted and it is plagued with misprints and occasionaly contridicts itself.

Anybody have info. on where I can purchase a book on this subject - one that is useful? Having read many of the reviews associated with a lot of the books listed doesn't look too promising! Thank you.

Could not find a 1995 960 repair manual. Some expert say that the 1993 (i.e. available) is the same. However, some say that the 1995 version will probably out within a year. Need help in this matter.. Thanks P.S. IT IS A 960 not 760

Could not find a 1995 760 repair manual. Some expert say that the 1993 (i.e. available) is the same. However, some say that the 1995 version will probably out within a year. Need help in this matter.. Thanks

Not alot of Diagnostic info. Basic maintanence info. I returned this book and bought the factory book. Much much more useful info.

YURTY RTYU R

Good pictures and corresponding instructions. Helpful reminders for those of us who don't work on cars for a living.

All I wanted was a book that had the codes for the electronic control unit (ECU). This book lists some of the codes but wouldn't you know my ECU is flashing 3 different codes and none of them are listed. A total waste of money.

I got my brakes inspected at [local auto repair shop]. They said that my rear pads needed to be changed. They then said it would be $140 plus the parts. I went to [another local auto repair shop] and bought the pads for $35 and went home. I had a Toyota Celica and had changed my pads before on it, so I thought I could on my 240 as well. Nope. I would never have guessed that you had to turn the piston clockwise to get it to go in. I used a c-clamp and actually bent it trying to push the piston in. One look in the manual told me to turn the piston, not push it, which you do on the front. I only paid [price] instead of $140!!!

For general information on the repair and maintanence of the 240SX, this book is well worth the money. It has plenty of diagrams and words to help the beginner/novice mechanic.

One could tackle just about any job with this in hand. Where it lacks is in being able to provide technical data and diagnostics of the integrated systems of the car.

If you're looking for diagnostics of the engine management system (ie. the ECU), a Factory Service Manual will be best. This book doesn't really handle that well.

I have been sorely disapointed in the entire series of the Chilton "Total Care " line of books. Many of us who purchase these manuals are familiar whith the much older Chilton manuals and these books are nothing like them. Often the books are under illustrated(or offer generic advice) and frankly do not even describe the same vehicle or it's components. I have been a professional mechanic for many years and cannot recommend this book for anyone who is serious about repairing their own vehicle. It will however suit those wishing merely to change their own oil and filter and perhaps the occasional (gasp) tire. The Haynes manual series is far superior in every resect for the more serious owner.

After performing maintenance and repair of my Ford Taurus 92 (3.8) I found that this book describes in details with photos the really simple things, but keeps a simple list of things to do without photos nor explanations for hard work, and sometimes I found myself in the situation when I don't know how to follow this list simply because There's no info where particular sensor is located and instructions was really stupid like
1. remove sensor
2. replace sensor
It has really good explanation about how to change oil or do regular maintenance, but it lucks troubleshooting guides or any insights about how to fix particular problems or explanation of simptoms if some device is not working.
Another thing is that electrical schemas are printed badly, sometimes I can't read characters and it lucks pin numbers so it's hard to locate wire on some switch without tracing it back to another switch ot device.
But, it's better then nothing and I can tell that this book really helped me to do some repairs, but did not aswer all my questions :(

Of all the auto repair manuals that I have used,(and this is alot) Chilton's total car care is the best. I do all of the maintenance and repair of my vehicles, from oil change to engine rebuild and light bulbs to emission controls diagnosis and repair. This manual has all the information I have needed to keep my auto's in top running condition.

I bought this book and promptly returned it after it did nothing to help me troubleshoot 2 different electrical problems. It provides partial wiring diagrams but does not give the specs on the various sending units so you can hook up a multitester and see whether or not they work.

I was having trouble removing the instrument panel and the diagram did not even match my pickup -- it was for a much older model. If you want to know how to check your oil or belt tension, this book is for you. If you want to do any complicated repairs, look elsewhere.

This book is more or less useless. Several times while trying to accomplish repairs I've found this book to have serious ommissions. It's good as a basic reference if you can't find the owners manual but it lacks as a repair manual. I expected more from Chilton.

This book is terrible, its like a detailed version of the owners manual. I bought it troubleshoot and repair a starter problem. not trouble shooting trees, no help at all, no exploded diagrams. Not at all like the chilton manuals of the past. It'll be the last chilton I buy.

The manual goes into too much detail about repairs that a typical consumer would never attempt at home and provides almost no detail about routine maintenance. I bought this manual and kept in my garage for reference and tried to use it yesterday to guide me through flushing my cooling system. I could not locate the radiator drain plug. There is no index item for "radiator" if you can believe that. But, I did find "cooling system." Now, this is verbatim from the manual: "2. Place a fluid catch pan under the radiator, open the radiator drain valve and drain the coolant from the system." There is no diagram or narrative overview explaining the cooling system components. There is nothing showing the location of the drain plug! This is typical of this manual. Want another example? Here is everything on removing the thermostat: "3. If using a flushing solution, remove the thermostat. Reinstall the thermostat housing." Again, no location and no diagram. Yet, if I wanted to fix a "crankshaft damper," the manual has a 14 step procedure and a nice diagram.

I have a 1995 Cadillac Deville which keeps stalling on me. I discovered it had no spark, so it wasn't a fuel problem. I have brought it to 5 garages and no one can figure it out. Every time I get it to the garage, it will run fine. I am a college student who inheritted a nice vehicle. I can't find a book anywhere that will show me anything electrical in it

I have used many Chilton repair manuals in the past. I need one now for my 1994 Cadillac concour. I have an oil leak around the oil pan. I need to have a manual that show's how to remove the oil pan.

I bought this book for assistance with the flathead ford V-8 and low and behold it was no help at all. the directions were poor and the content was terrible. If you want to buy a book for a car go to a dealership, get a factory manual. And don't buy it if you live in Canada, altogether it cost me $60!!!

Does not include specific information. I.E. Book only displays one type of distributer (not mine) in their example. Chilton's usually has better info than this -- this book, however, isn't one of them. Doesn't give enough information to do a proper tune-up other than point and plug gaps. It is a good resource to have on hand in conjunction with another manual. Do not start a restoration job with this manual alone!!

Way more than I expected. Anyone with any mechanical knowledge should own this book to make repairs on their classic car.