Chilton Reviews

I originally bought the book because it boasted vaccuum & wiring diagrams, and was soon unimpressed. I found that this book did not get very specific to the model of car I have (Ciera). Some parts were very general (i.e. locate the ...) which left me wondering where to find things. I would not recommend this book.

The Manual should include complete electrical schematics providing information for tracing wires. These should be supported with descriptions of the locations of components shown in the diagrams.

This book has a lot of raw information but it isn't clearly presented. This service manual will benefit the more experienced in taking on more complex auto repairs. Those less experienced should consider using this manual in conjunction with another one (Haynes etc).

Chilton's drawings are obscure, info is incomplete, and their approach presumes you are a professional mechanic. Haynes repair guide is a bit cheaper and much better for the moderate to accomplished do-it-yourselfer.

This manual is probably suited for more advanced do-it-yourself repair individuals. Step-by-step instructions are vague and confusing. I identified an error (PCV valve location on '95-98 engines) on my first review which threw me off totally. I'm sure there are plenty of other errors. I'm not thrilled at all of the blow-up drawings. I just don't trust the book period!

This book is equally helpful as the rest of the Chilton's series. Great resource for the quick fix or total overall. Highly recommended.

I heard the author interviewed on our local TV news several years ago. The concept was unknown and very attractive to me so I immediately bought the book and literally read it cover to cover in less than two days. As soon as possible I tried calling all the companies listed in the book in our state and a few not listed therein but in the yellow pages. Absolutely not one individual who I called seemed to have the slightest idea of what I was talking about.

Beware of using the author's stupid-sounding slang terms like "road rat," for in my experience such slang got nothing but silence on the other end of the phone, and then the privilege feeling like an idiot when I had to then explain what I just said. All this effort then only resulted in finding out that they didn't have such a position or didn't have the slightest idea of what I was talking about.

Despite the author's claim of only needing a class C license, at least one person told me that I'd need a class B. I never made so many calls in my life, but it was all for nothing. What a demoralizing experience. I gave it every chance, but the book was a bust, and I gave it away to my brother who has a class A license thinking that he should have a much better chance than I.

It really pisses me off when a book offers out a little glimmer of hope for some kind of help only to then yank out the rug from under thereby making the status quo seem even worse than it was before. All in all it was a demoralizing experience that I would never care to repeat.

Sure, I too have heard the tiresomely annoying stories of a "friend of a friend" who made a very goodliving delivering RV's. I suspect that you really have to know someone in the business, for all the best jobs I've known are never advertised, and you never pay for the privilege of knowing about them from a book or some dubious ad "opportunity" ad. Such ads in my experience are an opportunity alright, an opportunity to lose money. Perhaps this stuff works in other states better than Minnesota, but all I know is that it's worthless here.

i enjoyed this book but there is lots of out-dated and omited material. i would dig deeper than just this book before jumping into this type of job. not much is mentioned about the enormous cost of moving from your devivery point to your next job, or just returning to base to pick up another vehical. cabs and shuttles these days are very expensive, and will kill your profits, and the senerios mentioned in the book dont enclude these costs. if you deliver any vehical other than a RV, there is no place to sleep on the trip,so a motel is required each night, and your profits go away QUICKLY.these things are not mentioned. this can be a good job, but you need to really check into what your doing "FIRST". ... "TRY TO WORK FOR A DEALER, OR A MANUFACTURE" that is where the money is. all transport companies are "MIDDLE MEN" and take quite a cut of the original money paid, so beware.like i said before, do your homework first before you dive in, or you will be very dissapointed, very quickly.the book does have LOTS OF INFO ON MOST ALL MAJOR MANUFACTURES AND DEALERS. USE THEM

This book is packed with all sorts of interesting and important information for those who love to travel. Craig does a wonderful job of keeping the reader's interest with his enthusiastic and up-beat style. I have never come across a handbook that presents dreary, but necessary, facts in such a humorous and personal way! Even if you choose not to become a road rat, there are plenty of useful travel tips which _anyone_ should know. Good work, Craig. :-)

I have an older Saab and decided to get a repair manual for it. This one was a major dissapointment. All electrical and vacuum diagrams are left out. Their reasoning for this is that there is too much to list. However, Chilton incorporates this information into their books on newer cars (such as the Chevy Lumina) that are far more complicated. Some of the pictures are also very vague. I found myself guessing at some of the torque specs, since I have a 16-valve engine and this is written mainly for the 8-valve. This book also tends to over-complicate some items, while over-simplifying others. I don't recommend this book unless all you want to do is change your oil and spark plugs. Anything more complicated, and you're better off going with the Bentley manual (if you can find one) or the offical Saab manual.

While I can appreciate the statements in the first review, I don't think they are entirely accurate or fair. For one thing, one MUST use the correct manual for a given car. The writer was misusing the book if he/she was taking torque specs and guessing at the correct ones for a different engine. The statement that this book is not complete is also true, but one should realize that it is impossible to cover every wire and bolt in less than 200 pages. For that, as that person had suggested, I would recommend the more expensive, but also more comprehensive, manuals offered. I have used these manuals for years, and they do have their place.

Chilton's is only useful until you have to physically do something.
I needed an electrical schematic at best. Some info at worst. This book supplied neither.
The first half of the electrical section was "replacing the heater core".
Stupid me. I've been burnt before by Chilton's but when your in a bind I guess you'll try anything.

The Book was very usefull, and easy to follow. It had a very thourough description of all vehicle components.

As usual Chilton has produced another manual that is useless to anyone who wants to do much more than check the tire air pressure. All repairs that require a slight bit of mechanical ability are not described and instead the reader is advised to take the car to the dealer. Don't bother buying this book. Read the owner's manual that came with the car instead.

Chilton books have been part of my automotive coping strategy for years- one of their publications once even helped me find out where a bad repair from my mechanic went off track, and I was able to give the mechanic enough info to get the repair re-done correctly. This book seems to be okay, with one exception that is usual to Chilton guides. There is not NEARLY enough information on dismantling soft trim and dash components, and what there is does not cover the different configurations you're likely to find. For instance, this guide shows how the centre console goes together- but only the extra-cost version with the stick shift in it. The standard console- found in most Tauruses- is not shown at all. Since many owners confine their do-it-yourself efforts to fixing soft trim glitches and replacing light bulbs, this is a considerable lack in Chilton's efforts. Recommended, nontheless- there's very good info on what's under the hood, and it's very specific concerning what CAN be repaired and what is factory-set, and therefore not to be messed with. That's invaluable info on today's highly computerised cars.

This book is supposed to be for all Dodge Challengers from 71-89. WRONG!!! It only addresses the import 4 cylinder pseudo-challenger. If you have a REAL Challenger, this book does nothing for you. It doesn't even mention them. One star rating is over-rated, but the system won't let me give it none.

I bought this book for Conquest repairs and I also did not find it to be the best companion. It included a lot of info on the Colt and Challenger and I believe the Conquest info belonged more of on it's own do the the vast differences in these cars. I bought it to rebuild the engine and found it fell short and left me looking elsewhere for more detailed info. If your buying it for the Colt or Challenger, I give it a 4. If you want the Conquest/Starion aspect, look to what the mechanics use and get a factory shop manual. much more detail.

I've found it very difficult to find Chrysler Conquest repair manuals. This was the first manual I found, so I bought it. I've bought Haynes manuals before, but one was not available for the Conquest. Haynes contains detailed photos of all the steps involved in a repair. Chilton relies more on "exploded view" illustrations without actually showing many of the repair steps. However, basic repairs like brakes, trim/bodywork, coolant system tasks, alternator replacement, and minor headwork is described and photographed well. Unusual repairs lack the same detail. For example, replacing a steering box is described in a curt, 7 step paragraph. An archaic looking pen and ink illustration of the steering system, not of the repair steps or even an exploded view, accompanies the description. As this is one of the repairs I wanted to make, I got a Chrysler factory manual. I found that many of the Chilton illustrations are in fact Chrysler illustrations. However, Chrysler adds numerous other illustrations (in clear pen and ink) showing every step (and the tools!) necessary to complete a repair. If you have a Colt or a Vista, I would recommend the Haynes manual. If you have a Conquest and are looking to do a lot of work on it, get a factory manual. But if you want to do normal maintenance (aforementioned brakes, trim, etc.) on a Conquest, or need electrical diagrams for the car, this book is sufficient.

I have a 1988 Landcruiser and am in the process of changing the water-pump so I bought the book by Chilton seeing as it "claims " to cover Landcruisers thru 1988. Well, I got into the job and it turns out that the Chilton book fails to accurately describe how to remove the water-pump. Specifically, the book fails to mention the need to remove various parts like one of the pulleys/pulley tensioner and bracket, and unbolt the AC compressor bracket from the engine so as to be able to remove the water-pump once it has been unbolted. It seems that in order to reduce costs and in an effort to "appeal" to more Toyota owners, Chilton has skimped on their research/detail in putting this repair manual together. I am a very dissatisfied customer! A word to the wise, look elsewhere for a competent repair manual

...do not purchase this manual. It fails to cover the '83 fuel system; 70-82, and 84-88, no problem. The illustrations are very poor as well. I don't know what went wrong, perhaps whoever wrote the specs couldn't find an '83? S'pose you shouldn't expect too much from a book that covers 18 years of model history.

I bought the Toyota Truck 1970 - 88 Repair manual, to assist me in the removal and replacement of my water pump. I am not an avid mechanic; I have several tools, and wanted to try to "Do It Myself". The manual was very easy to use; it was separated into divisions for engine, body, drive train and so forth. I quickly found the engine cooling system section, and located the water pump "R&R" (Removal and Replacement)section. I read the directions, and started in. I found very detailed instructions, and pictures that not only showed the bolt locations, but verbiage told me what to do first, It instructed me on how to replace the fan belts, in what order to avoid any mistakes. Wow this manual made it easy to do my own repair. I saved over $100 from the estimate I received on the replacement. I have read through the manual and realized I can perform additional preventive maintenance on my truck, to avoid problems. This is the best money I have spent in a long time. The Chilton manual makes me feel more comfortable about "Doing It Myself" Thanks for the Great Book. I am going to but one for my other car as well, they make repairs fun, and money saving.

The contents of this book are almost entirely canned. While the basic electronic theory section was well written, I frankly need more diagrams and pictures to specific issues rather than "be careful removing the engine" hype lines. What I know how to do to my car I know from my Dad (oil filter, air filter...easy stuff), what I want to know are things like rewiring the stereo system. Not enough information to help me there... the plus side is that I found out how easy Amazon's return process works, just print the label and go!

I needed information on rebuilding the tranny on my 1996 pontiac sunbird their is nothing ion it at all.

Got the book to help repair window mechanism. Told me everthing I needed to know, step by step, pictures and all. Highly recommend.

Works better than a jackstand. It ain't worth the paper it'sprinted on for repair information. However it holds a car up muchbetter than a jackstand. Only kidding always use a jackstand but buy a Haynes book. It really is much more informative and alot less expensive!

Troy, Michigan -- Motor Information Systems, a division of Hearst Business Publishing, Inc., has filed a false advertising and copyright infringement suit in federal court against Pennsylvania-based publisher W.G. Nichols, Inc. The suit seeks to halt distribution of Nichols' forthcoming "Chilton's Labor Guide Manual 1981-2000" and to bring a stop to what Motor claims is a campaign of misrepresentation by Nichols relating to its use of the Chilton name in the marketing of Nichols' new line of "Chilton's" labor guides and repair manuals to the professional automotive service and repair market.

Among other things, the suit claims that the title of Nichols' labor guide is a false description of the contents of Nichols' book because only Motor has the right to republish original Chilton labor times for the years through 1997, and that Nichols has violated Motor's copyrights in the Chilton labor times, which Motor acquired from the Chilton Company's Professional Automotive Division in 1997. The suit further claims that Nichols has made false and misleading statements about itself, about Motor, and about Motor's rights to publish original Chilton time in trade advertising, telemarketing efforts, direct mail and fax solicitations, and on the Internet.

"Nichols is trying to convince professional customers that it is the Chilton Company, and that is just not so," says Kevin Carr, Vice President and General Manager of Motor. "It is falsely claiming to be the 'World's Original Automotive Repair Company' and 'founded in 1922' when in fact Nichols has been in the industry for only a few years. While Nichols did acquire certain Chilton assets associated with the publication of do-it-yourself books, assets of Chilton's Professional Division were acquired by Motor, including copyrights in the original Chilton times published over the years in Chilton's Labor Guides.

"What I find most disturbing," continues Carr, "is the series of blatant falsehoods Nichols' telemarketing operation is making about Motor's sales distributors, saying in effect that the distributors lied when they told customers that Motor had bought assets of Chilton's Professional Division, including the Chilton's Labor Guides. Nichols' sales people even went so far as to say that Nichols had sued Motor over its use of the Chilton name and for publishing the original Chilton time, and that Nichols won a monetary settlement. These statements are outrageous falsehoods and cannot be left unchallenged. Motor values its reputation in the industry as a company with unquestioned integrity. We cannot permit our reputation and the reputation of our distributors to be sullied."

Motor Information Systems, a division of Hearst Business Publishing, Inc., is the nation's leading source of service and repair information for the professional automotive aftermarket.

This book works for about 90% of my needs at a much lower price than the competition. They overcharge for everything. I especially like the quick guide approach here. good job.