hay i just recently got into fixing my own car kinda got tired of getting fu**ed over at the mechanics i was wondering were can i find a good repair manual im not much of a mechanic but i can do anything with instructions so if u guys have any suggestions.

 

Haynes/Chilton/NissanFSM

 

hay im jus tryin to get some info i dont care if the thread sucks or not

 

Ok, so take my advice.

 

I have the Haynes manual and the FSM. The FSM has a lot more details, but it's really geared to the factory tech as it assumes you have all the factory tools and knowledge. The Haynes is for the do-it-yourselfer, and I've found Haynes to be more complete than the other DIY books. Stay away from manuals that cover several models (like maybe Sentra, Maxima, and Altima all in one book) as they have even less info about your Max.

 

my haynes manual covers maxima years 94-2003 which doesnt make sense to me. those are 3 different gens and 4 different engines. but it does the job

 

The solution to that is to buy a Haynes from Amazon or ebay and make sure it's an older version....when the 5th gens didn't even exist yet. I think mine says 95-99 Maximas.....

 

all my manuals are on computer.... pdf nissan factory service manual (the official one), or Mitchell's Online, or Chilton's Online. If you don't want to pay for Haynes/Chiltons, goto autozone.com and use their free repair manual, which's almost the same as Haynes/Chiltons.

The only time I use my 3" thick Nissan service manual is when I don't wanna wait for my computer to boot up. The official manual was $20 + ship on ebay, which's not much more expensive than the other book manuals.

I prefer the Official Nissan manuals because they do a better job stepping you through diagnosing the problem. It also includes non-mechanical stuff, like how to take apart body panels.

Jae

 

Haynes is the biggest crappy manual. Avoid it.

 

i was about to order haynes.
explain why you say its so bad

is it worth gettin the factory manual?

 

I've used haynes and it was just fine. I also use the FSM. Both have their place I say.

 

take a look for yourself. Goto autozone.com, click "repair info" on the left, click "vehicle repair guide" on the left, find your car and browse through. Most aftermarket manuals, meaning anything not by Nissan, have pretty much the same information. The Haynes/Chiltons will include a few pictures to clarify the factory diagrams. They also add anecdotal info and tips that the Official manual assumes you'd know.

Is it worth it to get the real thing? Sure. Download the free official PDF's and if you like hardcopy, print the PDF out.

Jae

 

They look the same real boring with no info on torque numbers, no nothing. The damn one I have did not tell me there was a POS bolt behind the PS pump. Fuel filter replacement is not even talked about. There are no dearth of instances of failed documentation from these OTC manuals. That tells us the quality of the manual -- pure junk.!!!

Factory FSM's are the only thing worth looking into for any maintainence.

 

you found your FSM right here mate. it's called Maxima.Org tehehehehehee

I have a Hayens ... SUCKS!!!!! Love said it best, PURE JUNK~!~ lol It leaves a LOT to the imagination and doesn't cover even some of the "basic" things. The specs in there are crap and that is IF you can find them.

Best bet .... www.maxima.org FTMFW

 

yeah I've found errors in Haynes, numerous times with numerous vehicles. I usually get two manuals (if I plan on keeping the car a while)- FSM and chilton so I can get the most info comparing the 2.

 

Good point jtzMax this website is a terrific manual, FSM comes in second. Haynes or Chiltons manuals usually leave too much out and pictures are not detailed enough.

 

FSM (www.phatg20.info) in combination with another like chiltons/haynes will give you all you need, usually. For all those other times there maxima.org

 

I think I have the 98 manual...gotta find it. let me know if you still need one op

 

I have the haynes & chiltons, the chiltons is much better because as someone else mentioned it's just for 95-99 (except now the new ones are 95-01) where as the haynes is like 88-01 or something stupid like that. But hands down I use neither when I need information now, the FSM is the way to go, and it can be had for free from phatg20.net or vq35de.com

Who care's if this thread stinks, lol, that's why people come on teh .org, to find out info, dang dude, your going overboard with the postwhoring.