Product Description

Total Car Care is the most complete, step-by-step automotive repair manual you'll ever use. All repair procedures are supported by detailed specifications, exploded views, and photographs. From the simplest repair procedure to the most complex, trust Chilton's Total Car Care to give you everything you need to do the job. Save time and money by doing it yourself, with the confidence only a Chilton Repair Manual can provide.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #337094 in Books
• Brand: Haynes
• Published on: 1999-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .51" h x 8.50" w x 11.00" l, 2.00 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Features

• Hundreds of photographs
• Step-by-step instructions
• Written from actual experience

Customer Reviews

Not the old Haynes Manual
I remember the original Haynes manuals from the sixties, having used several for working on Austin-Healeys and MGs. I remember them as having a lot of character, and reading them was almost like a conversation with a crusty old mechanic. Those old books seemed to share my love for these absurdly fragile and troublesome cars. This new book for the Miata shares little beyond the "Haynes" logo with with its legacy. Sadly, this new Haynes manual has a style more along the lines of Chilton's or other "fix your jalopy" guides. That is to say, no style at all. And no love.

What is more, the book suffers from assembly-line construction, with boiler-plate sections on tires, batteries, body care, etc., that are way too generic to be of any value to a Miata owner/lover. For example, the battery section is for a lead-acid battery, never mind the Miata has a "gel-cell" type. Want to set the timing on your Miata?... you won't find sufficient information in the Haynes guide to do the job.

The advantage to the Haynes guide is, it's cheap compared to the factory service manual. But, in this writer's humble opinion, it's not worth what it cost.

Only as a last resort!
This book was purchased along with other "I just bought a used car" items (plugs, belts, you know the routine) at the parts store. Because I'd had good experience with Haynes manuals before, it seemed like a Good Idea At The Time.

If I'd known then what I know now...

If Haynes was interested in releasing repair manuals for Miatae, they would've released two for the NA (1990 - 1997) series, because the 1990-93 was a 1.6L engine and the 1994-97 was 1.8L. There are enough differences between the engines to merit two different volumes, and Haynes doesn't do a great job of pointing out the differences between the two. The illustration about spark plug firing order, to name one example, is awkward enough to make you set your tools down and ponder before proceeding. Information in a repair manual should be succinct, not confusing.

If you want good reference material for your Miata (why else would you be reading this?), use the following resources BEFORE cracking open the Haynes:
- www . miata . net - specifically, the FAQ and garage sections.
- Mazda's shop manual for your specific year, available from many online vendors. This is invaluable and will pay for itself over time.
- Rod Grainger's "Enthusiast's Manual" by for your flavor, 1.6L or 1.8L, also available from many online vendors (including Amazon.com!).
- Your local Miata club, also found at www . miata . net

I'm not affiliated with any person, company, product, or web site I've mentioned in this review. I'm just one Miata enthusiast trying to help others.

Doesn't show fuse diagram
I bought the book when i got a used Miata without owner's manual. I found it does not specify which fuse works what devices, and that's what I need. Oh well...