"Hold" message on dash...

[DrNick]

Reading the manual might not help much. Mine describes all kinds of exciting functions, but there is usually an asterix next to it which (when you've found it) offers the useful riser "where fitted".
I then have no idea if its fitted or not, unless there is something obvious like a button.
In this day and age it must be possible to automatically print a manual specific to the car, where things detailed in it are actually fitted to the car!

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

Reading the manual might not help much. Mine describes all kinds of exciting functions, but there is usually an asterix next to it which (when you've found it) offers the useful riser "where fitted".
I then have no idea if its fitted or not, unless there is something obvious like a button.
In this day and age it must be possible to automatically print a manual specific to the car, where things detailed in it are actually fitted to the car!

Or at least create a unique, downloadable manual for the chassis number

 

[mirras]

If they printed unique manuals how would they let you know of all the options you are missing and will buy next time?

 

[steve333]

Does nobody read their car's user manual anymore?

I like most have a browse through when i get a new car but only ever really read it properly when i have a problem or find something new

 

[steve333]

Reading the manual might not help much. Mine describes all kinds of exciting functions, but there is usually an asterix next to it which (when you've found it) offers the useful riser "where fitted".
I then have no idea if its fitted or not, unless there is something obvious like a button.
In this day and age it must be possible to automatically print a manual specific to the car, where things detailed in it are actually fitted to the car!

With the list of optional extras almost endless on mb's today the manufacturer would have to have almost a seperate hand book for each car made.

 

[developer]

When I got mine I also got the datacard. This gives the factory build spec and allows you to understand exactly what your option stacked car has been specced with.

Some things aren't that easy to spot - mine has a garage door opener, for example.

Knowing the spec allows you to negotiate the manual more easily.

 

[Dryce]

With the list of optional extras almost endless on mb's today the manufacturer would have to have almost a seperate hand book for each car made.

The problem is that when everything has an asterisk and it's not clear what soft features are present or not present the manual becomes undecipherable.

A separate unique handbook for each model - generated from the record of the build against the chassis numberc - isn't that unreasonable using modern document management/publishing systems.