I received my Helm service manual for my 97 GSR. But it doesn't show the instructions on how to perform maintenance.......... Is it the BODY REPAIR MANUAL, Owner's manual? I want to buy the one like this one in Geeser web page. here is the link, pls help!!!!!!!!
http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/service_manual.html

 

does it say "service manual" on the cover?

 

yes, service manual supplement

 

it should look just like the one in the picture you linked to....the supplement is a thin book that covers 98 through 2001 changes

 

If yours says "Service Manual" on the cover, then you have the right one. Thing is, "maintenance" procedures are spread throughout the book. If you want to see how to bleed the cooling system or change your ATF, for example, you go to the Cooling System or Transmission section. The "Maintenance" section doesn't have it.

The owner's manual does have some maintenance info, but don't bother with the Body Repair Manual -- it just shows stuff that body shops do (eg., straighten the frame, weld on a new front end...)

 

Sorry, didn't see the previous posts 'til I had posted. The "Supplement" is NOT the Service Manual. Like turbo01gsr said, it's just the changes -- it assumes you already have the SM.

 

Damn.......... They get me the wrong one......... Coz this book doesn't look like worthing $36......... Thks alot guys!! I'll call them to get me the right one. I love this board!!! Way better than honda-acura.net.

 

$36!! I hate to tell you this but the service manual is like $50-$60. The supplement is cheap.

 

I just ordered a Helm's service manual for my '97 GSR. When I was looking up the info on the Web, I noticed that they only listed a supplement manual for 1997 ($36) and not the "full" manual (which costs around $55). So, I called them up and said, "what gives?" The Helms rep said that when a supplement manual is listed for a given year, then you need to get the full service manual from the year before; the supplement manual only covers changes that occured in that particular model year. So, I ordered the full service manual for the 1996 model year, and the supplement for '97. With shipping, that'll be $102, thank you very much! (Can you say, "bend over?") The '97 supplement is this skinny little ~35 page manual that I seriously doubt would ever be needed or useful. The folks at Helms should be shot for charging $36 for that thing, or maybe I should be smacked for paying that much -- I can't decide

 

if it says "supplement" you bought the wrong manual (in a way..).. that just covers the changed between the previous years it had which were the full version.. the supplement just covers the small changes whether it be cosmetic, consoles, a few wires, new devices, etc.. that the previous year didnt have.. you need to buy the full service manual.. i think mine was about $68 for a 95 GSR a few years back when i bought it..

 

$102 for the entire set is less than what it cost me for just the second volume manual on my Toyota Tacoma...$110, which basically is like the Helms, but really is only for assembly/dissassmbly of the systems (and no electrical diagrams whatsoever). Volume I is where the Specs, maintenance, etc. are...that will cost me another $50-60... Then there is the Electrical supplement....another $40-50 if I choose to get that. $60 to $100 for Helms beats about $220+ for nearly the same thing. One thing I really like about the Toyota Manual though is the pictures and torque specs at each step...Helms is close to the quality of the Toyota Service Manual though.

 

Do u think i should keep the supplement? Or exchange it for the full service manual? thks! i also got a 97 gsr, is the manual u got covers everything u need to fix yr car? thks!

 

Whether or not you keep the supplement, you definitely need the full service manual for 1996. If you're tight on cash, I'd get a refund for the supplement and apply that towards the ~$60 serv manual for '96. And, yes, the '96 serv. man. will tell you everything you need to know about fixing your car.

 

if it were me.. i would get a refund and apply the refund towards the full service manual.. the changes arent that great between the years.. but you have the manual in your hands.. so you already see what is in it.. its really up to you..

 

I have a question, does the Helm's have any trouble-shooting procedures like Haynes does?

 

yeah it has kinda like a flow chart/sequence of what to check/diagnose on various systems..

i have the Haynes.. i bought it before i bought my Helms..

 

Just a nit-picky, moot, semantic point here, folks, but there really ain't no such thing as a "Helms manual." What you get from Helm is a HONDA manual. Helm is just the sole distributor for them. They're written by Honda Inc tech writers.

This is different from Haynes, Chilton, etc. -- they actually WRITE their manuals. Helm doesn't. In fact, nowhere in the Honda Inc. manuals will you find the Helm name.

The only reason I mention this irrelevant point is that I'm overly sensitive to the issue. I recently wrote a book, and I'd be pi$$ed if someone called it a "Random House" book, or a "Simon and Schuster" book. It's not. It's MY book. Helm sells HONDA INC. books.

And now I'll climb down from my literary soapbox and go back in my hole. Sorry for the interruption and keep up the good work, guys.

 

Don't buy the supplement. How much has really changed between model years?

I'm using the '98 service manual for my '01 and don't feel like spending extra $36 to
be told about the different cat, header, and ignition interupt system.