Service Manuals
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 1,055
From: North Texas
Service Manuals
I am about to place an order from Helm for a set of service manuals for my 2017 C7.
On the order page there is a note in RED that states that:
This manual is a digital reprint of the original publication. It is possible that this item will be in loose-leaf format.
The Helm rep said that some of the manuals are spiral bond and not bound in a book style format like the photos I have seen on this forum.
Can anyone verify what type of 'book' they come in and what is the print quality?
On the order page there is a note in RED that states that:
This manual is a digital reprint of the original publication. It is possible that this item will be in loose-leaf format.
The Helm rep said that some of the manuals are spiral bond and not bound in a book style format like the photos I have seen on this forum.
Can anyone verify what type of 'book' they come in and what is the print quality?
Last edited by Tinkertech; Oct 9, 2018 at 12:11 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,975
Likes: 6,776
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I don't have them, but given the massive volumes they are it is difficult to imagine them being in "loose-leaf" binders. And, who knows what "digital reprint" even means... scans? Or... what?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,045
Likes: 12,412
From: NE South Carolina
I thought they would offer an electronic manual but what is offered is not that affective according to some who have purchased, My printed 4 volumes is obviously taken from the electronic manual dealers buy that has an annual fee as there are pages in the electronics section that say, “mouse over” for a larger view that is needed. But no help in the printed version.
I find it very useful and when I get my C8 will buy one even at the high price.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I ordered the 2017 version from Helm about 6 months ago, and chose the digital (thumb drive) version.
It's easy to carry in the car on trips but a total PITA to use:
One of our "identical" home computers will open it, the other won't. Helm doesn't even pretend to help with that.
Even on a big screen, the font is rather small and not very sharp.
The index, as always, is poorly worded and incomplete. The digital format makes it very inconvenient to "flip through" the pages to find what you want.
We had the print version for our 2001 and 2009, I dearly wish I'd bought the print version for 2017.
It's easy to carry in the car on trips but a total PITA to use:
One of our "identical" home computers will open it, the other won't. Helm doesn't even pretend to help with that.
Even on a big screen, the font is rather small and not very sharp.
The index, as always, is poorly worded and incomplete. The digital format makes it very inconvenient to "flip through" the pages to find what you want.
We had the print version for our 2001 and 2009, I dearly wish I'd bought the print version for 2017.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 655
Likes: 114
From: Orange County, Southern California
GM Shop Manuals are one of GM's Strengths IMO
I have the Helms Shop Manual (printed volumes) for my 2016, as I have had for all my GM cars. Yes, they are expensive, but are invaluable IMO, not only for repair, but for explaining how all the systems are designed to work, what the system inputs & outputs are, detailed electrical schematics, etc.
This is, IMO, one of GM's strengths, where they far exceed the competition. In the past, I've viewed Ford Shop Manuals, as well as Toyota's, which are frankly useless (as far as any technical information is concerned)! The quality & wealth of detailed technical information provided in GM's Shop Manuals is one of the discriminators I cite when people ask me why I buy GM. It's one of the benefits hidden in the cost of GM engineering, that I highly value.
I also find them simply very interesting, and just love sitting down and reading different sections of them at a time. They are very informative.
This is, IMO, one of GM's strengths, where they far exceed the competition. In the past, I've viewed Ford Shop Manuals, as well as Toyota's, which are frankly useless (as far as any technical information is concerned)! The quality & wealth of detailed technical information provided in GM's Shop Manuals is one of the discriminators I cite when people ask me why I buy GM. It's one of the benefits hidden in the cost of GM engineering, that I highly value.
I also find them simply very interesting, and just love sitting down and reading different sections of them at a time. They are very informative.
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