service manual recommendations?

jfan · 07-24-2008, 09:29 PM

Being an old-school DIYer, I've always found a service manual is a good early purchase with a new car. The price of the Toyota service manuals is more than a bit steep, so which of the "aftermarket" manuals (Chilton, Haynes or Bentley) have folks found to be clearer and/or more complete? ... any preferences? thanks.

eclipse3g · 07-24-2008, 10:38 PM

Here's the url for the Bentley Manual on Amazon, I wouldn't even consider the Haynes or Chilton manuals.

Amazon.com: Toyota Prius Repair and Maintenance...

Cost is $44.07 and free shipping.

Patrick Wong · 07-25-2008, 12:51 AM

Note that Toyota has a subscription website where you can download technical information including repair manuals. The price is $10 for one business day access or $50 for one month access. The Prius repair manual is ~4,000 pages, and it is not a trivial task to download the hundreds of associated .pdf files.

However, you can also download tech training info and the New Car Features manual which provides substantial theory of operations not found in the repair manual. If you decide to go this route, download the 2004 NCF plus the NCF for succeeding years up to your model year, so that you can see the changes from year to year.

techinfo.toyota.com

I agree that the Bentley manual is the best "third party" choice.

jfan · 07-25-2008, 10:20 PM

Thanks, eclipse3g and Patrick! This is exactly the feedback I was looking for!

narf · 07-26-2008, 12:27 PM

I've got to second the choice of Bentley manuals. As a former VW-Audi owner I've had Bentley manuals for every other car I've owned. They are often a better choice than the Factory manuals which can be a bit ..um... would obtuse be a the right word?

I've got my Bentley Prius manual on order!

jayman · 07-26-2008, 07:03 PM

I have an All Data subscription for my Toyota's. It's almost as current as Techinfo. Downside is browser-based, unless you use software to convert to pdf

The All Data appears to be exact copies of Techinfo procedures, including current TSB's.

07-24-2008, 09:29 PM	#1
jfan Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 4 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	service manual recommendations? Being an old-school DIYer, I've always found a service manual is a good early purchase with a new car. The price of the Toyota service manuals is more than a bit steep, so which of the "aftermarket" manuals (Chilton, Haynes or Bentley) have folks found to be clearer and/or more complete? ... any preferences? thanks.

07-24-2008, 10:38 PM	#2
eclipse3g Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 63 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: service manual recommendations? Here's the url for the Bentley Manual on Amazon, I wouldn't even consider the Haynes or Chilton manuals. Amazon.com: Toyota Prius Repair and Maintenance... Cost is $44.07 and free shipping.

07-25-2008, 12:51 AM	#3
Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,993 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 28	Re: service manual recommendations? Note that Toyota has a subscription website where you can download technical information including repair manuals. The price is $10 for one business day access or $50 for one month access. The Prius repair manual is ~4,000 pages, and it is not a trivial task to download the hundreds of associated .pdf files. However, you can also download tech training info and the New Car Features manual which provides substantial theory of operations not found in the repair manual. If you decide to go this route, download the 2004 NCF plus the NCF for succeeding years up to your model year, so that you can see the changes from year to year. techinfo.toyota.com I agree that the Bentley manual is the best "third party" choice. __________________ 2006 Highlander Hybrid 4WD-i 2004 Prius 2001 Prius (sold Feb. 2008, 75K miles) 2000 Ford Mustang GT conv.

07-25-2008, 10:20 PM	#4
jfan Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 4 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: service manual recommendations? Thanks, eclipse3g and Patrick! This is exactly the feedback I was looking for!

07-26-2008, 12:27 PM	#5
narf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 525 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: service manual recommendations? I've got to second the choice of Bentley manuals. As a former VW-Audi owner I've had Bentley manuals for every other car I've owned. They are often a better choice than the Factory manuals which can be a bit ..um... would obtuse be a the right word? I've got my Bentley Prius manual on order!

07-26-2008, 07:03 PM	#6
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 6,415 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	Re: service manual recommendations? I have an All Data subscription for my Toyota's. It's almost as current as Techinfo. Downside is browser-based, unless you use software to convert to pdf The All Data appears to be exact copies of Techinfo procedures, including current TSB's.

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