Chilton Reviews

I must say that of all the books that I've read from Chilton, this has got to be a serious joke. Those of us who buy these books buy them so we can learn the material. The way this one was written, it seems almost as if you wrote it for people who already know these things. I'm very disappointed in this book and hope that a revised edition will be published. Please make Chilton #1 once again.

Get the Haynes manual first.

If you're doing major engine work and need torque specs then get this one.

I don't care what other folks say this is an exceptional manual

If your serious about maintaining your own Explorer or Ranger, this book will frustrate rather than enlighten you. Not much more informative than the owners manual in the glove compartment. I wound up recycling mine. The diagrams and illustrations are inadequate and the instructions come up short. I you really want to maintain your engine and body you're going to have to spring for an OEM Service Manual.

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. Chilton professioanl products are still good but expensive and not readily available to the consumer.

As in the past, right after purchasing a new vehicle, I went out and bought the Chilton's book to help me out. I was not dissapointed in any of the info given throughout the book. I found all the specs I would need to take care of routine maintenance and some small repairs that I could tackle in the driveway. The non-mechanic can even get an insight into what a professional will be doing when he takes his car in for more extensive repairs. I suggest to anyone who buys a used car to get a Chilton's guide for it!

I purchased this book for needed factual, accurate information of which I got neither. I wanted to replace the lower ball joints on my '99 Ranger, so I bought this book. Take note: on page 8-4 it states specifically that the 1998-99 Ranger does NOT have coil springs. This of course is hogwash as my '99 most definitely has coil springs. In addition, it states on page 8-8 that the ball joint is an integral part of the lower control arm. This, too, is complete hogwash. Please be advised that this book is RIFE with erroneous information - including any pictures contained therein. I have lost all faith in Chilton's ability to present the correct information on ANY automobile.

There are several computer modules on my ford explorer. I bought this book to list them, and guess what, It lists just one. And its detailed instructions on how to access that module was "remove dash to expose computer module" and no diagrams. I dont know about you, but behind MY dash is a Buttload of stuff behind my dash, and not only that, but my dash comes apart in sections, so just what section I wonder?

Useless! Breaks it covers fairly well, good thing that the explorer, ranger, and mountaineer all use the same breaking system(cough cough)cause it lists just one way.

Good thing the electronic diagrams are the same for all the vehicle types(cough cough) for all listed vehicles from 1991 to 1999 as it onlyu lists one vehicle schematic, otherwise Id be lost.

Good thing there was a mechanic within calling distance to put back together everything I ripped out per the chiltons book, otherwise Id be walking.......

In section 6 the information for the windshield wiper motor is not applicable to my 1996 explorer. Also, there is no information about how to remove / replace the windshield washer spray nozzles. Or how to remove the cowling along the base of the windshield.

Chiltons just tried to fit to much into one book. If your going to get a book get one that just covers the Z that you have. There is little to no detail in the interior/exterior part of the book. I was disappointed with this book in comparison to other chiltons books

I regret the purchase of this poorly organized manual in which there is an attempt to encompass to many vehicle types in one manual. the information has too many gaps for even experienced mechanics. if you have ever flipped through a Clymer manual published by intertec you will understand truly sensible organization of a technical manual. i only wish one was available for the Z's. don't waste your money on this book.

When you are desperate and do not have (or cannot afford) a factory manual, you take what you can get. Typically Chilton has adequate wiring diagrams and vaccume diagrams although I have found omissions that will keep you troubleshooting for weeks like an inline fuse. You will not find the detail of a factory manual such as the resistance operating ranges of sensors, computer logic, or a detailed assembly view of a transmission. They have nice sections for aspiring shade tree mechanics such as a body repair, and some basic theory of operation. You cannot expect explicit detail from a manual less than three inches thick which covers a complete historical line of any model of automobile.

This is the only book that covers my 91 318is, and it does not give instructions in detail, and often skips esential steps. It does however, have useful wiring diagrams.

While the book appears to go in depth on certain models, if you have an E30 model, don't bother. Buy another book. All of the photos are for later models, and the instructions breeze over the surface for the 325 series. It's not worth the money.

The depth it goes is too superficial!! An inexperienced DIY will find it hard to appreciate. The wiring diagram occupied nearly half of the pages. However, all the above shortcomings are forgiven, as this is the only book with specifications of the E34 M5.

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram Cummins 3/4 ton four wheel drive. I purchase this manual to help me do maintenance on the vehicle. The manual does not show my front or rear differental or brakes and believe me if you have a Dodge 4/4 you are going to need a manual that does.

I was very disappointed to find out that this book is only slightly more instructive than the owners manual. If you are looking for a "repair" manual that covers everything, look somewhere else. I purchased this book with hope of repairing 4 items on my 1996 Dodge Ram truck. The first was my mirror, it's not covered in the book. The second was my steering stabilizer, it's not in the book. The third was the replacement of my shocks. There is a section in the book, but it provides absolutely no pertinent information regarding the replacement. The last item was a glitch with my cruise control, again there is no useful information. All the book displays is how to replace the cruise control mechanism on the steering column. What if the problem is not in that module? There is no diagnostic information in the book period. Nothing like the Chilton's repair manual's from years ago. Again, this "manual" is only slightly better than the owner's manual that came with the truck. Save your money for something else!

I have found that overall Chilton's auto repair manuals have more information and are easier to understand that any others I have come across. I always look for a Chilton's first.

I have a 1999 Honda Prelude. Previous to this, I had a Honda Civic. The book for the Civic was awesome with clear step by step instructions with pictures to accompany each step. This book, all the steps shown involve the Honda Accord which has a totally different body than the Prelude. Things that they mention in steps, more often than not, don't pertain to the Prelude.

I purchased this book to learn how to replace my A/C filters on my Honda Accord Coupe, Year 2000 Model. Not a word about how to do this. It does not even cover how to remove the glove box for access to the filter plenum. A total waste of money for me. If it doesn't even cover this simple task, I wonder what will happen when I try to use if for something complicated..?

this book showed me all the ins and outs of the prelude from bumper to bumper. A deffinate buy if you wanna save money or just learn about your car. It has saved me some money on simple repairs and helped me modify the car as well.

I own a 1998 70hp Yamaha. My maintenance, just like most outboard maintenance, is with the carburetors. I have worked extensively with other factory and after market manuals. I was very disappointed with this manual. The carburetors for this motor were not documented. The pictures in the manual are poor (very dark). I found the Clymer manual (also available thru Amazon) to be much better.

I recently purchased a boat with twin "96" model 225 SW Yamaha's. I typically do all of my own maintenance and was looking for a manual that basically covered my new engines. The title indicated that it covers all motors from 1992 threw 1998. I was concerned with this broad range but thought that it would have a few good pieces of info that could be useful. I was very wrong in that assumption. The illustrations are of very old motors and the wiring diagrams are so small that the print cannot be read with a magnifying glass. In the entire manual there is not even a mention of my 225 hp motors. Buyer be ware of this very poor publication. Clymer has outdone them self with this very poor book

This Manual covers repair, service and trouble shooting procedures for Yamaha outboards. The manual is written specifically for 2-250 Horsepower, 1-6 Cylinder 2 stroke Outboards; including Jet Drives. Indepth information is included on all aspects of servicing covering fuel system, oil injection, ignition & electrical system, power head, lower unit, trim & tilt, tuning and maintenance. There are hundreds of supporting illustrations, diagrams and step by step instructions making this manual easy to follow for the begginer to the expert. This manual covers everything you need to know about Yamaha outboards, nothing is left out. If you own a 2 stroke Yamaha outboard between the years 1992 - 1998, then you should get yourself a copy of this manual. You won't regret it.

I too feel fleeced by the promises made by this book. There amount of specific, useful information, if any, contained in this book totals perhaps _2_ pages. Don't be fooled like I was. Calling this book a repair manual, imho, is misrepresentation.

I purchased this book to work on my 1990 4runner and it is worthless. The diagrams show very little if any detail. DO NOT PURCHASE.

I bought this book specifically because it advertised electrical wiring diagrams and schematics. The diagrams it contains are virtually worthless. Examples: does not mention headlights except how to change the lamp, does not acknowledge the instrument lighting at all. If you need to troubleshoot your electrical system, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!

As the others have said, this book is not very good. I found one by Haynes which is much better; for example, I used it for a 626, a very popular model. The Chilton's was dead wrong in some areas and very poor in most others. The Haynes was dead ON in all areas I needed. That seems to be true for the whole book; forget the chilton's (which has been an excellent source in the past for these kinds of manuals), and, in this case at least, buy the Haynes, which is also cheaper, by the way!

I am an owner of a 93 mazda mx-6. I found the information provided to be scetchy at best. I purchased this book because I was interested in the wiring diagrams which were "now included". They were included for all makes, save the mx-6.

I'd have to agree with the last reviewer's 2 star rating, and that's being generous. Usually Chilton does a good job, but trying to cram all these different models in one book is not the way to go. I own a 626, and just about every time I tried to follow a procedure, the text would refer to something that was only pictured for the other models (usualy the Miata or 323), and of course when I eventually figured it out on my own the item mentioned was in a totally different place, looked different, etc. Unfortunately this was the only book I have found for a 1993 626.