Older Yes, Dumber NO!

[daytonadave]

New Car Owners' Manual are so large because of the Lawyers. We live in a "Suing Society". Ford and Firestone got sued because people quit checking their tire pressure. And they were the 2 big Gorillas in the room. Why not Jeep being sued?
I never saw a Car's Owners Manual for any used car until I bought my first new car in 1977.
As far as Jack Vines going to EV. I've spent last year driving to Key West, FL, Blossom Bean, IN and a 4053-mile round trip to Death Valley, CA in November. Traveling was great while everyone else hunkered down. I'm doing the National Parks and special Interests.

[Hallabutt]

I miss my youth. Not all the time and not always for the same reason(s). As far as cars that we drove and the cars we drive now, it's not so much the technical aspects, it's the absolute fearlessness regarding tackling a problem. When I was young and dumb, and didn't know any better, it was just a matter of an issue needed fixing and I did it. It didn't always work out right, but at least I wasn't afraid to try. Today I know that I'm old and dumb, but I have come to be afraid of tackling a job that I may not be able to do. In addition rolling around on the floor just saps the starch out of me. I guess that to remember what I had accomplished, in the past, is better then never having attempted anything at all.

[Andy R.]

Hey Jack Vines, I'll bet you knew not to drink that wiper fluid too...without a warning. Thanks to your years of the old school stuff!!!

I lucked out...somebody installed a nice long straw on the right side of the engine for the cherry cough syrup!

[sweetolbob]

I think the owners manual on my Ram Pick Up is 400 pages, PLUS a DVD, and you do need a magnifying glass to read the damn manual! Since Our "favorite" uncle seems to know what's best on a new car, Tire Pressure sensors, for those that never check their tires, back up cameras, for those that don't turn their heads, lane departure radars, for those that don't look in the mirrors, and the list goes on and on. Now there is a mandatory pre scan and post scan on vehicles that have been in a collision, Even IF it's just a door ding, or a train wreck! I'm so glad the end is near for me, as in August 31st! Running Collision shops use to be FUN, now it's more, "How much more can we get from the insurance companies"
Sure glad I have Studebakers as my hobby!!

Jim

Just a pamphlet, go to the Ram website and request the complete owner manual. 688 pages for my 19 Ram.

Free unless you want to count the price of the truck.


Bob

[Al from Eatonville]

I learned about cars from my dad. He was a tool and die maker. From him I learned so much. I miss him greatly, but I am so thankful for what he taught me. My first memory of working with him on a car was with a 1955 Hudson Rambler. There has always been something very satisfying about actually fixing something rather than bringing the car to a shop.

[daytonadave]

That's why old Cars, like Farm equipment, were easy to repair/replace/drive/modify. Who needed an Owner's Manual?

[Topper2011]

I think the owners manual on my Ram Pick Up is 400 pages, PLUS a DVD, and you do need a magnifying glass to read the damn manual! Since Our "favorite" uncle seems to know what's best on a new car, Tire Pressure sensors, for those that never check their tires, back up cameras, for those that don't turn their heads, lane departure radars, for those that don't look in the mirrors, and the list goes on and on. Now there is a mandatory pre scan and post scan on vehicles that have been in a collision, Even IF it's just a door ding, or a train wreck! I'm so glad the end is near for me, as in August 31st! Running Collision shops use to be FUN, now it's more, "How much more can we get from the insurance companies"
Sure glad I have Studebakers as my hobby!!

Jim

Jim, congrats of your pending retirement! I just retired last August and loving it. Busy catching up on neglected things for the last 30 years and hard at work on the GT. Enjoy!

[Dan White]

I grew up on an Indiana farm and if you lived on a farm you had better be a fair mechanic. Working on equipment, plus our vehicles was just something we all learned and was a skill that I have relied on my entire adult life. However, today farming can be challenging for even those with decent skills. Here is something from today's WSJ. I am not sure if you can read this without a subscription, but if you drop me an email I can send you a link for the full thing. https://www.wsj.com/articles/it-shou...ion_lead_pos10

[Dan White]

I grew up on an Indiana farm and if you lived on a farm you had better be a fair mechanic. Working on equipment, plus our vehicles was just something we all learned and was a skill that I have relied on my entire adult life. However, today farming can be challenging for even those with decent skills. Here is something from today's WSJ. I am not sure if you can read this without a subscription, but if you drop me an email I can send you a link for the full thing. https://www.wsj.com/articles/it-shou...ion_lead_pos10

[Corbinstein0]

I got my first Studebaker at age 18, now I'm 63. I learned a lot about life from working on cars ( patience, examination of facts, mechanical training, safety FIRST...etc.). Glad and proud I got involved with cars....so to that end I'm getting older, maybe a little slower but here's a great quote I love about us old guys (and gals)….

From a Model A Club Forum. " In the old days the owner's manual was 30 pages and explained setting the timing and how to adjust the valves. Now the owner's manual is 400 pages and advises don't drink the battery acid." We learned a lot from our forced necessity to make our cars work. We needed them to survive and in return we were rewarded in multiple ways with friends, education, skill sets, jobs and so much more. The automobile has been very, very good to me.

Got my first Stude at 19, still have it. I'm 53 Now myself.