Log Books

[GT2]

I don't know if other manufacturers other than BMW & Audi that no longer provide log books with new vehicles. You get an owners manual but no log book. The service history is electronically stored somewhere. If you want proof of service at time of selling it will be difficult. The only way that I can the no of would be to keep all your service receipts.
The owners manual also is not very elaborate, it only contains the basics functions such as seats, wipers, using the tyre goo, etc. the more difficult stuff such as audio and Nav use is all brought up on the screen.

[roKWiz]

I suppose when it comes to resale time your dealer will probably download the service history straight from your car.

[EB#]

It's easy enough to make your own log book and ask the dealer/mechanic to stamp it, in addition to your receipts.

Not quite a new book but..... my car has done so many kms that it ran out of service entry spots in the log book. I just made up my own blank entry pages on the computer, printed them out and stuck them in at the back to 'continue' the book.

[Ben73]

If companies want electronic log books, I guess they have no issue looking up service history when a car is for sale and potential buyers are constantly ringing them trying to find out the service history.

[stock1991]

log books need to be mandatory, say if there is no electricity?

[Olbucko]

Originally Posted by GT2

I don't know if other manufacturers other than BMW & Audi that no longer provide log books with new vehicles. You get an owners manual but no log book. The service history is electronically stored somewhere. If you want proof of service at time of selling it will be difficult. The only way that I can the no of would be to keep all your service receipts.
The owners manual also is not very elaborate, it only contains the basics functions such as seats, wipers, using the tyre goo, etc. the more difficult stuff such as audio and Nav use is all brought up on the screen.

When I bought my new FGX last year Ford supplied every thing an owner could need, more than 400 pages of instructions. A 214 page owners manual, a 15 page quick guide to SYNC 2, an 86 page SYNC 2 owners manual, and an 88 page customer assistance, warranty, service guide and log book. Unfortunately most people will never read them and never discover many of the features that they paid for.

I have seen quite substantial manuals that have come with Kia's and Subaru's, but they were not as well written or as easy to understand as the Ford handbook.

[5.8]

Originally Posted by Olbucko

When I bought my new FGX last year Ford supplied every thing an owner could need, more than 400 pages of instructions. A 214 page owners manual, a 15 page quick guide to SYNC 2, an 86 page SYNC 2 owners manual, and an 88 page customer assistance, warranty, service guide and log book.

Did you know all that off the top of your head or did you do a quick page count before posting??

[M&Ms]

Originally Posted by Olbucko

When I bought my new FGX last year Ford supplied every thing an owner could need, more than 400 pages of instructions. A 214 page owners manual, a 15 page quick guide to SYNC 2, an 86 page SYNC 2 owners manual, and an 88 page customer assistance, warranty, service guide and log book. Unfortunately most people will never read them and never discover many of the features that they paid for.

I have seen quite substantial manuals that have come with Kia's and Subaru's, but they were not as well written or as easy to understand as the Ford handbook.

Yep, Subaru manuals are awful, my wife has a WRX STi and the manual is like an encyclopedia that has been poorly translated from Japanese, at the same time says a lot without ever telling you much. I guess we all took the local car industry for granted didn't we, always liked the Falcon manuals - easy to read, good visuals, good index.

[Olbucko]

Originally Posted by 5.8

Did you know all that off the top of your head or did you do a quick page count before posting??

I was familiar with all the books as I had spent some hours reading them over the last year, however I did check the No. of pages before posting.

If I am going to spend $45,000 on a car I want to know about every feature and control the car has and how to operate them. In the Falcon for example, just to start with, there are at least a dozen different locking and lighting settings you can change to suit yourself.

It's not like 40 years ago when you could work it all out in about 30 seconds without any help from the book.

[5.8]

Originally Posted by Olbucko

I was familiar with all the books as I had spent some hours reading them over the last year, however I did check the No. of pages before posting.

If I am going to spend $45,000 on a car I want to know about every feature and control the car has and how to operate them. In the Falcon for example, just to start with, there are at least a dozen different locking and lighting settings you can change to suit yourself.

It's not like 40 years ago when you could work it all out in about 30 seconds without any help from the book.

I'm hearing you. There wouldn't be many that read much if any of their owners manuals.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by EB#

It's easy enough to make your own log book and ask the dealer/mechanic to stamp it, in addition to your receipts.

Not quite a new book but..... my car has done so many kms that it ran out of service entry spots in the log book. I just made up my own blank entry pages on the computer, printed them out and stuck them in at the back to 'continue' the book.

Agreed, your collection of receipts is better than a log book since they would have all the details recorded as to what was done to your vehicle.
Rubber stamp offers little info what was actually done but receipt details everything.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by stock1991

log books need to be mandatory, say if there is no electricity?

I doubt your car would even get serviced if the workshop had no electricity at the time.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I suppose when it comes to resale time your dealer will probably download the service history straight from your car.

They might do it for free in the beginning, but give them time and I will bet they stick a hefty sum on this "purchase" once everyone is converted to an "e-logbook"

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by stock1991

log books need to be mandatory, say if there is no electricity?

Do you live in South Australia?
Everywhere else in Australia blackouts are not that common.
Well not common enough for no electricity to be considered a major issue.