is there a preference between haynes manual or chilton manual, or are they pretty much the same?

 

It all depends on what application you're searching one for. Some car models are better explained in a haynes manual, and viceversa for some chilton manuals.

 

99 civic lx sedan automatic

 

Go to the link in my signature.

 

The best manual is the one you can download from the link in RonJ's signature (the Honda service manuals). These are the manuals that the mechanics at Honda dealerships use when needed.

I have a Haynes manual and sometimes it's great, but sometimes it's really vague. I would assume the same thing goes for Chilton manual. I would use the Honda service manual, because it takes all of the different Civic models into account in its instructions, whereas the other manuals are usually based on the maker of the manual taking apart a car to do the services within the manual and taking pictures while doing it. They usually only do this with one model of the car, and you often end up looking at pictures of an engine that you don't have but is similar. For example, in U.S. 96-00 Civics, there are 4 different possible motors depending on what model you have. This makes it hard for that method of manual writing to always be accurate for you.

 

thanks for the quick repsonses everyone. RonJ thanks for the link. you all just saved me $20... yea i know its not that much, but $20 is $20, especially in today's economy. that's like a tank of gas, haha.