Hi again. I do my own stuff. Ebay has numerous manuals for sale, but pricy so I want to get the right one. I want the one that helps the average Jane/Joe do the little things that come up from time to time to keep an Element it tip top shape....like changing brake pads to name one when it comes time.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Can't go wrong with the factory service manuals. Sure they are $100+ but completely worth it.

 

for basic maintenance items and procedures, Google, YouTube (EricTheCarGuy), this forum and others like it will have all the info you need for free. a Haynes or Chilton would be the next level, not require a computer/internet connection ect. but your $20-25 is going mostly towards convenience. a lot of the information is general (good for the uninitiated) and occasionally specs are incorrect.

Finally the highly regarded factory service manual. expensive, yes but a worthwhile investment if you put it to use. you can find them on eBay and in used book stores sometimes for little more than the general use manuals mentioned above.

 

Thanks for the replies thus far. I can go with the OEM manuals, but which one for "shade tree" mechanicing? Not going to overhaul a major component. Just normal servicing things that busy folks would normally consult their dealer to have done.

 

Only one OEM manual, the "Service Manual" it is a paperback with a Teal cover. At least for the 2003-2005 edition.

Probably won't need the Electrical Troubleshooting or Body Repair manuals.

I highly recommend Faxon for factory service manuals.

https://www.faxonautoliterature.com/....aspx?c=158287

 

Thank youuuuuuuu. I went there and they were sold out and prices were way up there. So went to my friendly ebay and found and bought this.....others might be interested:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-2008-2...7lW3:rk:1:pf:0

About 50 bucks with 7 dollar shipping plus free electrical manual, New, OEM, plastic wrapped.

 

The last time I looked, you could buy Honda authorized CD-ROM scans of all of the Element Service and Electrical Manuals published by BISHKO, from RockAuto for about $30 per series. . I bought one for the used 2008 elElement I have now to complement the printed version that I bought with my new 2004 Element .

Having used both versions, it is far easier to use the electronic file, take screen shots, paste into a doc and print what I need to do a job, than it was to scan and print from that bulky paper book.