Chrysler scraps paper owner's manuals, shifts to DVDs

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Jim Higgins, Sep 22, 2009.

  1. Jim Higgins

    Jim Higgins Guest

    Chrysler scraps paper owner's manuals, shifts to DVDs
    http://preview.tinyurl.com/n42wq8

    September 21, 2009 - 1:44 pm ET

    DETROIT -- Chrysler Group is replacing its traditional owner's manuals
    with DVDs and an abridged printed guide in an effort to reduce costs and
    save 930 tons of paper annually.

    Chrysler will see “substantial savings” from the shift away from paper
    manuals, which often had more than 500 pages, spokesman Bryan Zvibleman
    said. He declined to say how much will be saved by the change, which is
    taking effect with 2010 models.

    The searchable DVDs, designed for viewing at home or on some vehicles'
    entertainment systems, each contain an owner's manual, warranty
    information, direction for navigation and entertainment systems and a
    guide for 24-hour towing assistance. They also provide video tutorials
    for some instructions, such as folding down a Jeep Wrangler's soft top.
    Information from the DVDs will also appear on Chrysler's brand Web sites.

    The abbreviated printed guides, designed to be kept in the vehicle, will
    typically have 60 to 80 pages, the automaker said in a statement today.
    They will provide instructions for dealing with emergency issues, such
    as flat tires, dead batteries or flashing warning lights. The guides
    also give instructions for basic operations of vehicle features such as
    air conditioning, windshield wipers and navigation systems.

    Consumers may still receive a full printed owner's manual on request.

    Chrysler had been considering the change for more than a year, said Al
    Motta, head of service operations. The automaker conducted a consumer
    study, solicited input through an online forum and held four focus
    sessions in Chicago to help determine what information to include in the
    printed version.

    Finally, Chrysler mailed 500 sample DVDs and printed guides to customers
    who had bought 2009 Wranglers and sought feedback. The reaction was
    mostly positive, Motta said, especially to features such as the soft-top
    video tutorials.
     
    Jim Higgins, Sep 22, 2009
    #1
  2. I hope it's better than the one I got with my Olevia LCD TV. I wanted
    to hook up the CD/DVD player.
    The instructions on how to do this was
    on ............................."Anyone? Anyone?, Buehler?"

    Yep, you got it, to find out how to hook up the CD player, you had to
    play the disc.
     
    Pete E. Kruzer, Sep 22, 2009
    #2
  3. Jim Higgins

    CountFloyd Guest

    Loved that Ben Stein bit in the movie!
     
    CountFloyd, Sep 23, 2009
    #3
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