There are three things every automotive technician relies on when it comes to performing repairs on a vehicle: technical skills, instinct and a good auto repair manual!
Here is the ultimate guide to understanding the two main contenders in the field, Haynes vs. Chilton manuals.
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The role of an auto repair manual
Working in the auto repair business demands a basic knowledge of many types of vehicles. That is the only way your shop can provide sound, professional advice and feedback to your customers.
But no matter how long a mechanic has been in the business, there can still be certain vehicle models and repairs that require research. Especially with how fast technology is growing, it’s not as easy to stay in the know all the time.
That’s where a good auto repair manual can make your work as a mechanic much easier!
What to look for in an auto repair manual
First things first, let’s not confuse a humble service manual with an auto repair manual. While a service manual is perfectly helpful for DIYers to better know their vehicles, working in an auto repair garage requires a much higher level of information.
While service manuals are issued per car or model, auto repair manuals cover most vehicles available in the market. This level of detail provides a much more holistic information hub for mechanics.
That being said, there is no such a thing as an ultimate auto repair manual. There are many contenders for best auto repair manual of 2022, yes, but they all have something different to offer. In the end, it depends on your shop and what you require.
As a general rule of thumb, there are some key factors to look out for when choosing an auto repair manual:
1. Adequate coverage
As professionals, your technicians need to be able to work on most makes and models. But this is only possible if they have the right resources to rely on.
The more vehicles an auto repair manual covers, the more customers you can cater to!
2. User friendly
If you can’t easily understand the information provided in an auto repair manual, your work can’t be effective, plain and simple. So it’s not about name recognition when it comes to picking an auto repair manual, but the content itself.
Good thing is, the main players in the market have been doing this long enough to know what mechanics need.
3. Relevant detail
As an auto repair shop owner, your employees are your biggest asset. The more informed they are directly leads to the kind of service they can provide.
A good auto repair manual provides crucial information that can help your mechanics learn and implement improved services to your customers.
Main players in the market
You can’t think about auto repair without mentioning the two main players in the market: Haynes and Chilton.
Although now under the same umbrella of Haynes, both Chilton and Haynes auto repair manuals have their own spin on vital repair information. They also serve two very distinct target audiences.
With Haynes vs. Chilton manuals, the most asked question always seems to be: which one is better? Let’s find out!
Haynes manuals - everything you need to know
When they first originated in the 1960s, Haynes repair manuals settled on a niche: automobiles. Since then, they have expanded to over 1,000 manuals catering to almost every vehicle including ATVs and motorcycles.
One of the most commendable things about the way Haynes works is their hands-on approach. The step-by-step guides come complete with photography and diagrams, studying each component of a vehicle and how to put them back together. No one can say Haynes doesn’t know vehicle repair.
Pros
1. Extensive information
Haynes repair manuals are extremely thorough in the information they share. This not only makes them very easy to follow, but also perfect for beginners learning the craft.
This top manual helps you understand, diagnose and perform repairs and subsequent services of specific procedures using visual breakdowns. Especially when it comes to a procedure as painstaking as wiring, the way Haynes repair manuals simplify your repair steps is incredible!
2. Target audience
Seasoned mechanics may find the depth of information lacking.
Cons
Despite the many things that Haynes repair manuals do right, there are definitely some cons that come with them.
1. Scattered information
While Haynes focuses on sharing in-depth details about each step to a process, they tend to only reference certain repairs, leading the user to flip through the pages to find the referred point.
This scattered information can be slightly confusing and inconvenient to access.
2. Targeted to beginners
While they’re a great tool to learn from, Haynes manuals are definitely made for beginners and DIYers. When it comes to professional auto repair, Haynes repair manuals can prove lacking in crucial information.
Chilton manuals - everything you need to know
By far the oldest and best known player in the market is Chilton. In business since the early 1900s, Chilton manuals have been the go to for shop mechanics. Known for their brilliant technical writing, these manuals aren’t made for rookies. You need to have a tech background to feel comfortable using these manuals.
Funnily enough, Chilton and Haynes can’t be considered competitors since Haynes acquired Chilton in 2001. Despite the acquisition, they still have key differences. Let’s explore some.
Pros
1. Elaborate information
Yes, while Haynes manuals have extremely extensive information, they’re nothing compared to Chilton repair manuals. Since they’re not inclined to hand hold, Chilton manuals focus more on the written text. Although there are photographs and illustrations, they are definitely not the focal point.
Chilton manuals also take a deep dive into more extensive repairs, covering every aspect while remaining model specific.
2. Vehicle coverage
This is where Chilton is the clear winner! Thanks mainly to the fact that they’ve been in circulation for longer, Chilton’s vehicle library is the most extensive.
Covering every make and model since the 1900s, they are the reigning champions of information on four-wheel drive vehicles.
3. Target audience
The amount of information covered can easily be used to provide the highest level of care for any given vehicle. To the layman, their language may seem confusing, but for seasoned mechanics, you can’t do better.
Cons
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Closing thoughts
Use the insights in this blog post to decide which auto repair manual is right for you!
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