Have Read Through Your Vehicle's Owner's Manual?

fmdog44

fmdog44

Well-known Member
Location
Houston, Texas
Heard a story about someone that got stranded because they had no idea how to start their vehicle when the START button failed. It also said most people don't know how to open their doors when the open button fails.
 

When I worked at a camera store years ago (the long deceased Schaeffer Photo & Camera, Hollywood California), we used the acronym RYFM, which stands for Read Your F---ing Manual. It was applied to customers who asked questions that were answered in the first few pages of their instruction booklets. We didn't say that to the customers, of course. But when certain individuals were spotted entering the store, some of the older salesmen would whisper "RYFM" to each other and quickly find a reason to be off the sales floor.
 
Yes; I read my owner's manual when my car was new. I still have to refer to it occasionally, though. My car has a number pad thing on the door so I can open it if I lock myself out or something equally asinine. The code is my birthday so hopefully I won't forget it. :D

My fob thing has an actual key hidden inside to use in case the start button fails or the battery dies in the fob.
 

I hold a great deal against the owner's manuals that come with new vehicles, these days. I also can't stand many that come with new, major appliances.

Why? For purely bottom line reasons, companies now put out more "one size fits all" manuals that may, or may not, cover the models you have. You know you're in big trouble when, in the middle of a technical section, you read, "This procedure may differ from what is actually needed on your model." Yeah, great, right?

I am thankful that the internet exists: Many times, I've been bailed out of an owner's manual debacle by finding what I need, online.
 
Always. And, I mean I ALWAYS read the owners manuals. I do agree with treeguy... My F-150 manual has pages and pages of nonsense that do not apply to my specific truck.
 
treeguy64 said:
I hold a great deal against the owner's manuals that come with new vehicles, these days. I also can't stand many that come with new, major appliances.

Why? For purely bottom line reasons, companies now put out more "one size fits all" manuals that may, or may not, cover the models you have. You know you're in big trouble when, in the middle of a technical section, you read, "This procedure may differ from what is actually needed on your model." Yeah, great, right?

I am thankful that the internet exists: Many times, I've been bailed out of an owner's manual debacle by finding what I need, online.
Click to expand...

Reminded me of my new 2019 Altima. I'm used to just sticking in a CD, but no CD player on this one. The manual mentioned "Compressed Folder." What?? A yellow folder that got flattened when something heavy fell on it?

I found answers on the internet - how to record 100 CD's on a flash drive.
 
Eventually!

I go by "When all else fails, read the manual".

But then I have written a few manuals for people
who didn't understand the official one.

Mike.
 
I spent most of my working years in the auto industry and it was the rule of thumb that 2% of owners read the manual. That was before cars became rolling electronic puzzles. I wonder how many could change a tire if they had a flat, providing of course that they had a spare.
 

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