Product Description

The Total Car Care series continues to lead all other do-it-yourself automotive repair manuals. This series offers do-it-yourselfers of all levels TOTAL maintenance, service and repair information in an easy-to-use format. Each manual covers all makes format. Each manual covers all makes and models, unless otherwise indicated. :Based on actual teardowns :Simple step-by-step procedures for engine overhaul, chassis electrical drive train, suspension, steering and more :Trouble codes :Electronic engine controls

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #315799 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Customer Reviews

Incomplete and contradictory
This is a poor manual. In many cases, the instructions given even on basic repairs are incomplete (torque specifications missing, for example). It also contradicts itself - the text will say one thing, and the captions on the pictures say the opposite. For example, the instructions for replacing the air filter say that you don't need to disconnect any hoses or wires from the housing in order to remove the housing, but the pictures show you exactly what hoses and wires to remove. Regardless, I was unable to get the air filter housing open at all with these directions; I'm by no means a mechanic, but I think I should be able to change an air filter with a well-written repair manual. Also, the information about the rear washer system isn't detailed enough - I can't find the rear washer reservoir where this book says it is. Perhaps they left out some Golf-specific details and the description of this system only applies to the more-popular Jetta? Hopefully I'll find out soon, because I've returned this book and ordered the Bentley manual, which costs three times as much but will hopefully be complete and consistent.

Chilton's Manuals are genrally better than this...
I have bought 3-4 Chilton's manuals for my Hondas over the years and was very impressed with them. This Chilton for our VW Cabrio was VERY poor. Luckily I bought mine used for $7. Manual gives ALOT of general information, little of specific to the Cabrio or Volkswagen. No relay layout and no specific cruise control information at all - two specific points of interest for me right now. This book will walk you through general topics like timing belts, brakes, and oil changes.

Where my Honda Chilton manuals were printed on newspaper thin paper to cram as much information as possible into 1 book, this one is printed on normal paper and is thinner than the Honda manuals. Book fails to address hardly any of the Cabrio specific items such as convertible top care, and top replacement.

Do yourself a favor, gather your courage and money and spend the $50 or so on the Bentley manual. You will be much happier with it. Anybody want a Chilton's manual for cheap?

Review of Chilton's VW-Golf/Jetta/Cabriolet 1990-98 repair manual
I bought this hoping that I would find enough information to repair a problem with a 98 Jetta. It's always a crapshoot with Chilton's - I was able to fix a 98 Jeep Cherokee with another Chilton's manual I had purchased for that vehicle.

I lost this time. The manual lacks in detail - the many sensors the car has are mentioned, but never described. There was no troubleshooting information for any of the sensors I was looking for. There is only basic coverage of the fuel injection system. I was able to find more on Google than in this book.

A waste of money for me. your mileage may vary.