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I've always read the Owner's Manual cover to cover for each of my cars, as I always stumble across several features that I'd not heard about. Well worth the time.
I even get them in PDF form (DL'ed from manuf), so I can do a word-search.
I read everything in all instruction manuals for EVERYTHING I purchase! And AMAZING what I learn...
For example I just bought a new can opener... The instructions said I could place the can in the opener, push down the handle, then REMOVE MY HANDS FROM THE HANDLE - the opener continues to open the can and will automatically stop when the lid is fully opened! (I would never have known that if I had not read the instructions.)
And with cars, sometimes there is an emergency gas door release in the trunk and other hidden ways to open/access something - maybe a reset button in the trunk for the fuel pump. All very important things to know - but you only know it if you read the manual cover to cover!
I read everything in all instruction manuals for EVERYTHING I purchase! And AMAZING what I learn...
For example I just bought a new can opener... The instructions said I could place the can in the opener, push down the handle, then REMOVE MY HANDS FROM THE HANDLE - the opener continues to open the can and will automatically stop when the lid is fully opened! (I would never have known that if I had not read the instructions.)
And with cars, sometimes there is an emergency gas door release in the trunk and other hidden ways to open/access something - maybe a reset button in the trunk for the fuel pump. All very important things to know - but you only know it if you read the manual cover to cover!
Only when I installed a rear obstruction alarm in my daughter's car did I discover that there is a trunk lock release specifically for the purpose of escaping from inside of the locked trunk.
Only when I installed a rear obstruction alarm in my daughter's car did I discover that there is a trunk lock release specifically for the purpose of escaping from inside of the locked trunk.
And with cars, sometimes there is an emergency gas door release in the trunk and other hidden ways to open/access something - maybe a reset button in the trunk for the fuel pump. All very important things to know - but you only know it if you read the manual cover to cover!
Or if you look in the index to see what page the information is located on and only read that page.
Most of those are kind of dated. I like the approach that Hyundai has with their top tier model, they include a tablet instead of a manuel. Not sure why anyone would read the entire manuel. We have a Honda Accord that we purchased this year. On friday a light that looked like a tire showed up. I looked it up and found that one tire was a little low on air. Looking at the tires I could not tell. Turns out that my wife had run over a nail and the tire didn't like it at all. It wasn't till the next morning that we were able to see a flat tire. That is about the only time I will look something up. Next time a tire is running low I will know what that light is.
I don't read EVERYTHING, but I do skim through the whole manual. I probably read 50% of it in detail. That way I can skip the routine, mundane stuff, and will catch all of the new and unique features on the new vehicle. A lot of the new manuals is just CYA legal BS garbage that they have to include for those users/buyers with no common sense.
I read the owner's manual from cover to cover. It is one of the joys of buying a new car. When I bought a used 1994 Ford Escort wagon, I noticed it did not have an owner's manual. The dealer grabbed one from another 1994 Escort for me.
I also order the factory service manual when I buy a vehicle. I ordered an owner's manual for this car along with the service manual. The dealer did not say much when I returned the owner's manual so he could put it back in the car it came from, but he had an astonished expression.
Apparently, printed factory service manuals have become a thing of the past. I was disappointed to find that I could not order one for my 2014 Toyota Tacoma.
When I trade in a vehicle, I toss in the factory service manual. I do not know whether the next owner gets the service manual, as I have never asked.
Full color factory brochures are getting hard to find, too. I have been buying them off of eBay when I buy a new vehicle.
Mines 521 pages long. I've read certain parts and plan to read more in future. I learned this weekend reading the online version (which is easier to navigate) that I can drop and close the top by just pointing the fob at the car. I also found out I can set my transmission to only shift through what gear I choose and not go higher being an auto. It's interesting finding new things out you'd never know about unless you read it.
I didn't in the past, but I have for the last two cars, in 2008 and 2013. Mostly because there are so many more features now.
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