Haynes: Our Online Auto Repair Manual of the Year

Since 2010 is coming to a close, I guess it is high time to give credit where credit is due. Thus, we present our 2010 Online Auto Repair Manual of the Year award to none other than Haynes Online. Although yes, you could make the case that Haynes is more like online ordering for actual auto repair manuals, it’s still an online service and we treat it as such.


We’re really impressed with the reach and the system implemented by Haynes. The company offers not just repair manuals for cars but also techbooks, ATV and motorcycle manuals as well as manuals in Spanish. Of course, what we really like the most is the process of actually producing the manual. Haynes tears down an entire vehicle (!!!) before rebuilding it.

This system allows for a thorough understanding of every system and component in the vehicle, as well as 100-percent accuracy when it comes to diagrams, layouts, positions and other particular pieces of information relating to a certain car model. These also help give users photos and illustrations of the actual car they need to work on. Of course, the drawback is that there has to be sufficient demand in order to make the manual you need available, but the Haynes coverage is pretty extensive anyway.

Of course, there were other strong contenders in 2010, as online repair manual services shored up their catalogs and even slashed prices on subscriptions. But then, you know what they say: there can be only one. This time, it’s Haynes. Who knows, next year maybe we’ll be able to see a different online auto repair manual service wearing the crown. There’s a lot of promise coming from some services, and maybe they’ll be able to break through in 2011.

Additionally, if you want more information about Haynes, you can go visit our review article on Haynes Online by clicking on this link.

Online Auto Repair Manual Reviews: Haynes

Welcome to another installment of our reviews on online auto repair manuals. This time, we’ll be putting Haynes Manuals under the microscope. Technically, Haynes isn’t an online car repair manual service, but it’s an auto repair manual service that you can access online. The manuals are actual published books rather than digital ones.

Haynes already has a massive collection of vehicle-specific manuals, and you can simply search for one using the Haynes site [http://www.haynes.com/]. On the top bar, you just input the year, make and model of your ride to see what your options are. You can also browse through the catalog on their site and see the lists and cross-references to check if your ride is covered.

If, however, you want a manual for a vehicle that isn’t in their database yet, you will have to wait 5 months to get your manual. That’s because the company has a “complete teardown and rebuild” system. They actually get a car (or a few cars) of a particular make and model and tear it down piece by piece to better understand the systems and components.

It’s a really cool system, because you know that you’re getting as accurate bits of information as possible. That’s also an excellent source for all of the detailed photos, diagrams and repair/service procedures that you’ll find in each manual.

Aside from automotive repair manuals, Haynes also publishes techbooks and guides for bikes and ATVs. You can also avail of Spanish repair manuals.

If you’re the type who prefers something tangible that you can actually see and flip through, Haynes Manuals are excellent for your car repair needs. Plus, you don’t have to pay annual subscription costs because your purchase is a one-time deal. You don’t get the instant access and searchable topics of online car repair manuals, but you get something that you can consult even when you don’t have access to a computer and the Internet.