Are no written instructions here to stay? Wrenching with an iPad is getting old

Hey folks,

Really? No one supplies written instructions any more? Youtube is nice- and it has helped me make some decisions and check my work, but I think it is a great augmentation to a proper instruction manual or sheet, not a replacement!

Why is this? Lazyness? Manufacturers trying to build 'sales' into their online resources?

 

https://techinfo.toyota.com/
and a large oil/greaseproof IPAD type...
Get with the times...

 

As one boomer to another, this is the most boomer thing I’ve heard this year.

 

The majority of the written instructions I've had to use for installs over the last year have been terrible. Missed steps, bad pictures, etc. A video that I can actually see what I'm supposed to do and rewind is night and day better.

I bet you yell at kids to get off your lawn too.......

 

Great 3rd gen thread, but I'll bite

 

I just print it and then toss it in a box so they are all there later Def would’ve broken the iPad by now.

 

Can you not buy a Toyota FSM for 3rd gen Tacoma?

I know you can access it online by paying for a subscription.

Either way I agree it's nice to have it printed out in hand.

 

Whatever helps get it done. I tend to find a pdf of said written the save it to my phone. That way I never lose said paper directions. Even then videos are great when it’s a first go around. For any fab vendors almost none of provide any directions written or verbal.

 

Never a fan of 20# sledge vs proper tool. I've duplicated many "special" tools though...

 

Thanks guys. Yes, I really love video instructions, but in addition to and not to replace. I fixed a leaky AC Evaporator on a 96 Buick Roadmaster thanks to youtube.

Maybe a larger issue is bad or incomplete instructions, whether digital or print.

Here is a great example of a well thought out manual:

How to keep your Volkswagen alive: A manual of step by step procedures for the compleat idiot (John Muir idiot book auto series)

https://www.amazon.com/How-keep-your-Volkswagen-alive/dp/0945465122

And I had a friend who is a factory Ford service tech. He 'helped me' change the brakes on a 2004 Lincoln Aviator once. He used some techniques which could never be replicated properly in print.

But..torque values, torque sequences, where the long bolts go and where the short bolts go..makes sense to have that on paper or PDF.

 

I gotta admit that I too am a sucker for an old dog-ear'd grease stained shop manual. But it's all about the Benjamin's man and printing / transporting hard media costs money! And being able to watch countless video's on how to do just about anything does come in handy.

 

Get ready for this, remote couch mechanic working from home and your vehicle at the dealer.

 

For some upgrades on my SR tacoma I received very good printed instructions (Southeast Toyota keyless entry kit). for others like Nitoris OEM fog light mod I copied and pasted instructions and pics into a word document (also added my own notes for the switch i used and organized as to how I worked there job). No ipad but did have my iphone. I’ll take walking around with tools and paper instructions any day over an ipad.

Old school? Yep. My job is advanced control systems, most work I do is on a computer and twin monitors. But when I have a single job to do paper wins the day for ease of use.

I do agree video tutorials when available are great. My phone works for those. ipads are great for kids to play on though

 

I also wonder if the manuals have changed over the course of the 3rd gens and how that would work. Actually, you just reminded me I need a Haynes manual. On their website it only goes to '20. I saw one that went to '18... Pretty sure they don't have one for the 21's and newer.

 

I too miss paper manuals, but it’s more a habit thing. All in all, the benefit of the vast amount of additional information available and searchable online and in digital format far outweighs the hassle of a greasy Ipad that keeps sliding off your mechanics creeper.

I still have my moments as well when I hate all the new tech and want the old days back mind you

 

I'm not against printed manuals. Ive had Haynes manuals for my past few vehicles. But.... In the past few years they've sat, untouched, in my office. They're just not needed anymore.

Call it lazyness but I'm just going to do a quick video or forum search first.

 

Its a money thing. The company will profit through their online tutorials. I also think paper instructions are the way to go

more views = more money

 

Written instructions in some recent purchases I've made are a joke... They're written in broken English.

 

Reminds me of an old motorcycle manual that said “Beware the oil slick, for there the skid demon lays” I still chuckle when I think about that one.