Chrysler Downsizes Owner's Manuals for 2010

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I am actually the kind of person who will thumb through a manual when I get a vehicle. I've discovered some nifty features I would have never know about that way.

I'm sure Chrysler will not be the last to do it though.

DUMB idea, but at least they are offering them free if you ask.

Not all people have access to a computer to read the DVD. Not all people speak/understand English, Spanish or French.

However, I agree that some company's manuals are ridiculous (I'm looking at MB's three volume set for their S-Class).

Well as long as they offer them in different formats as well as the years go by to keep up with technology and make them available to owners for free or very, very cheap...

People don't read manuals until they need them.
DVD is no help at all in a rain or snow storm and information is needed "right now".
Sure, most people that could actually solve a problem by reading a manual can do it w/o a manual, however, you never know.

DVD is a baby step. Ultimately, I can see these being only available as a web download and/or on the factory nav.

Chrysler ships how many cars a year, multiplied by $5-$10 for manuals vs. $2 for DVD vs. $0 for complete virtualization?

Yeah, when your car breaks down and you need to know where something is under the hood, a DVD isn't going to help much. That mobile phone app sounds like an interesting idea, though..

This idea is beyond dumb...

I understand the thinking behind it, but reality is a "publication" is much easier to "use" than a DVD.

I know from experience I'd much prefer to thumb through an owners manual—at my leisure, and in the comfort of my Bark-O-Lounger—than sitting front of my computer. As for laptops? Not everyone has one.

Nope, give me printed paper any day. :(

I'll just load the DVD to the in-dash DVD/Nav system to figure out how to jump start the car since the battery is dead.....

-W

On the vehicle title:
"System Requirements:
1.5GHtz processor, 1G of RAM, Windows XP or Vista, DVD drive"

Car companies should have a small paper manual for basic setup questions and emergency situations, but should put the bulk of the Manual on a hard drive inside the car that can be accessed through an in-dash display. Now-a-days, with even compact cars offering Nav systems, I don't see why all cars shouldn't start coming with display screens to control certain in-dash functionalities as well as the more mundane aspects of the owner's manual.

honestly? I think a paper manual beats all. As long as it's laid out properly. A DVD makes good sense, but I don't want to have to go into my house, pop in the DVD and then go back out to the car to try out what I learned. If the car has an entertainment system that allows me to play DVD's in the car that's a little better, but still not as good as being able to physically hold a manual in your lap while figuring something out. An onboard hard drive based manual is also a good idea, but I can see it getting in the way of what your are trying to figure out what to do.

Imagine trying to figure out how to program the clock or radio presets using the nav screen and having to jump back and forth from the manual to wherever you have to go in the system to get to those settings....

Wow, Chrysler does a double-dumb (but that's not surprising): what's the point of saving money or saving tress if they're going to have two different manuals printed out??