Cleaning out my car before trading it in for a new one, I realized I had never opened the owner's manual in the seven years I owned It. Good car or dumb owner?
How much did you spend in repairs and maintenance that you might have saved by opening that book instead of your checkbook for the past seven years? You know, there is an entire industry of highly trained engineers and skilled writers who produce these materials to help you understand, maintain, enjoy and get the most satisfaction and service out of your vehicle.
I'll bet you a new M-class Mercedes that you have wasted significant money during that time using expensive repair shops to find and replace fuses, tell you when to service and maintain your vehicle, and to rotate or change your tires.
With all of the technological changes going on at the automakers, we may very well be on our way to the non-involved owner/driver automobile. In fact, your experience may very well advance the notion that it is already here. But even with a mechanically foolproof car in the future, will we really be able to live without the truly critical information and essential facts from the owner’s manual such as:
- Loading the multiple CD player.
- Operating the vanity mirror lights.
- Locating the cup holders.
- Installing numbers in the car phone memory.
- Managing the eight-way power seat system.
- Adjusting the inside/outside temperature gauge.
- Sorting out the USB from the serial connectors for the computer, fax , DVD and television.
But seriously folks, as important as it is to know fuse locations and tire rotations, it is absolutely essential to read your owner's manual for service maintenance. Ignore it at your own risk.
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