When you get a new car do you read the handbook?

[Urban Sports]

I never do but will refer to it on occasion to find something out.

I was talking to my Father In Law yesterday who picked up a new civic last week and he told me that he was nearly finished reading the book on the civic, when I asked which book he told me the owners handbook.

Jeez what a read that must be!

Is this a normal thing to do?

[Terminator X]

Always perhaps it's a man thing though

TX.

[DannyScene]

My Mum and Dad read the handbook everytime they get a new car, however my mates my age deffinately don't. I think its an age thing, younger people I think will know how most of the gizmos and gadgets work and are more intuative to technology, older people on the other hand I feel would need instruction.

I know this is a sweeping stereo type but its true to the people I know.

[Urban Sports]

Terminator X said:

Always perhaps it's a man thing though

TX.

What are you trying to say?

[LukeSi]

Look in the manual for obscure stuff, but most of it is pretty simple anyway. Had to look how the Radio works in the Panda. Italians make everything complicated

[CommanderJameson]

Yes. On the bog.

[sebhaque]

Only if there's something I need to find out how to use - otherwise it sits in the glove box or in my car paperwork pile.

[Shmee]

I always like to think I don't, but as with any gadget you will always find out things you didn't know if you do read it. Especially with things as complicated as cars the amount of little settings and nifty things you won't discover without a read is quite incredible.

[Urban Sports]

Shmee said:

I always like to think I don't, but as with any gadget you will always find out things you didn't know if you do read it. Especially with things as complicated as cars the amount of little settings and nifty things you won't discover without a read is quite incredible.

I agree to a certain extent but I do like to find things as I go along.

Although this is probably even sadder.

[CoolC]

Not normally straight away as all the "normal" stuff is easy to find/workout.

I will usually have a read the first time I'm sat in a carpark waiting for the Mrs though.

[Rotaree]

Never used to but as cars now have lots more 'features' I always read the book to make sure I haven't missed any. I now know that two presses on the remote unlock button opens the roof on the latest car for example!

[ghibbett]

Pah, I've even read the owners manuals of cars I was merely thinking of buying.

[anonymous-user]

CommanderJameson said:

Yes. On the bog.

+1

[Porkie]

Nope.... instructions for anything are the LAST resort for any self respecting heterosexual male!

[ludicrous speed]

Yes but i skip the boring sections.

[Jasandjules]

Sorry what? People actually read these things?

[toon10]

No I'm a man. We don't read manuals or instructions. We either just KNOW or we play about until we get what we want.

Saying that, I've had my 3 series 4 months now and I still can't find the setting on the computer to reset the trip computer :-0

[Porkie]

My R34 GTR had an after market torque split controller fitted...

Wish I had read the instructions for that. Had a green light and a red light and a twiddly knob.

Greens lights are always good yes? Everyone knows Green good. Red bad.

Well it wasnt

Centre diff blew up... OUCH

Turns out green was bad! I needed the red light on!

[LukeSi]

toon10 said:

No I'm a man. We don't read manuals or instructions. We either just KNOW or we play about until we get what we want.

Saying that, I've had my 3 series 4 months now and I still can't find the setting on the computer to reset the trip computer :-0

Hold down the button which you use to change menu with. On one of the stalks.

[toon10]

LukeSi said:

toon10 said:

No I'm a man. We don't read manuals or instructions. We either just KNOW or we play about until we get what we want.

Saying that, I've had my 3 series 4 months now and I still can't find the setting on the computer to reset the trip computer :-0

Hold down the button which you use to change menu with. On one of the stalks.

The tyre reset, oil change and all that gubins is on the stalk. The fuel consumption reset is on a menu on one of the radio buttons but it doesn't reset the trip frmo there.

I'll have another look!

If only there was some sort of book or manual I could read to find out... Damn, if I'm too thick to get this working I may have to read it after all.