Over complicated cars

[potwasher48]

Is it just me at 77 years old or does anyone else find a 700 page user manual a tad over complicated. Try looking up how to reset everything after getting a jump start.

 

[chasfish]

Is it just me at 77 years old or does anyone else find a 700 page user manual a tad over complicated. Try looking up how to reset everything after getting a jump start.

Yes too many pages. I bend the pages that I think I’ll need most.

 

[Dick Foster]

I use the web and YouTube a lot. Haven't looked at the paper manuals yet but they're handy just in case. BTW we're about the same age so it isn't an age thing but I've been using the internet since before the WWW.

 

[Dave in Costa Rica]

It's not the Owner's Manuals that are complicated; it's the cars. The Owner's Manuals contain a great deal of information that likely won't apply to your vehicle <"if so equipped" and a lot that's basic knowledge that you already know.

Still, there may be a smidgen of new information in the Manuals that's worth knowing. I just received the Manuals for my 2026 Forester and finally found out where on the vehicle's underside it's safe to position the jack.

 

[Raymond3006]

It's not the Owner's Manuals that are complicated; it's the cars. The Owner's Manuals contain a great deal of information that likely won't apply to your vehicle <"if so equipped" and a lot that's basic knowledge that you already know.

Still, there may be a smidgen of new information in the Manuals that's worth knowing. I just received the Manuals for my 2026 Forester and finally found out where on the vehicle's underside it's safe to position the jack.

They show where to lift the Vehicle IF YOU HAVE A TEN-FOOT-HIGH-SHOP-LIFT !

But for the poor suckers that have those limited-lift "screwed" JACKS , most of your effort goes into just taking up the Suspension System Slack , .... and leaves little OR NOTHING for actually getting the Tires Off The Ground !

When I lift several thousand pounds of Vehicle 4" , I want to see the Tires come off of the Ground 3" .... !

That is only possible using the old-fashioned-way of lifting AT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ..... !

This Technique actually forces most folks born of Non-Performing Parents to actually learn how to do something without reading it is a "manual" the size of the 100-Book-Version of the Encyclopedia Brit ........ !

 

[DeadVolvos]

The manuals that came with my '25 Forester were WAY extreme. I spent 8 years living in Japan so understand their culture, but really? Easiest having the .pdf versions and just doing word searches for questions/issues. I almost think they want folks to come into the dealer to find out if their traction thingmobulator is congobulating optically....

 

[Raymond3006]

The manuals that came with my '25 Forester were WAY extreme. I spent 8 years living in Japan so understand their culture, but really? Easiest having the .pdf versions and just doing word searches for questions/issues. I almost think they want folks to come into the dealer to find out if their traction thingmobulator is congobulating optically....

EXACTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone with a BRAIN finally arrived on one of the "S" Forums !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not the Owner's Manuals that are complicated; it's the cars. The Owner's Manuals contain a great deal of information that likely won't apply to your vehicle <"if so equipped" and a lot that's basic knowledge that you already know.

Still, there may be a smidgen of new information in the Manuals that's worth knowing. I just received the Manuals for my 2026 Forester and finally found out where on the vehicle's underside it's safe to position the jack.

Actually .... the "manual" also contains a LOT of Propaganda , and sometimes OUT-&-LIES !
Also , they take a relatively SIMPLE piece of equipment , and break its explaination into a thousand piece , and then SCATTER IT AMONGST another thousand pages if MISINFORMATION !!!!

 

[Raymond3006]

Yes too many pages. I bend the pages that I think I’ll need most.

Yellow STICKIES , with direction BEFORE , and AFTER Page referances is a LOT more effective , ................ !

 

[SoobaRoobaDoo]

The manuals in our Crosstrek are complex. The configuration menus are also complex so that explains part of it.

The manuals include Warnings, Cautions, and Notes that can cover full pages but typically take up 25% of a normal page. They warn that the thermometer display can be wrong after parking in the sun, for instance. Oh well.

The manuals also include instructions for changing settings with the big display on some versions and different instructions for the dual smaller displays on other versions. Plus instructions for all the features not on our Crosstrek.

I'd rather have simpler cars and simpler manuals. Lots of flipping through pages to turn off so many of the intrusive "aids". One person's intrusive is another person's convenience.

Overall, this Crosstrek is far better than our previous car. Very pleased with our first Subaru. After about a month we've gotten most settings sorted.

 

[flagchrisman]

that cool.

 

[Raymond3006]

SUBARU could make it a LOT Easier .... IF they would make available The Delivery Check-Off-List , and several other "aides" to the Dealership , who also usually are just as confounded as the New Owners when a New Model shows up on the Transport Semi Trucks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those Dealer-ONLY Lists are actually a PRIMER to the Manual , and as such could be considered a "CHEAT-SHEET" like is used in College Courses ..................... !!!!!!!!!