$50,000 vehicle does not include printed manual?

[Twisted10]

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[flyer92]

I would have downloaded it before I left.

I would look at it on the infotainment screen.

I very much support folks being able to easily and cheaply get one if they prefer that format. But I find these arguments for why its completely unacceptable to make them optional equipment to be quite a stretch. So I guess in this scenario where your phone has failed and I guess also your Jeep's power/infotainment has failed... please remind me again what info it is that you need to reference in the manual in that moment? Why have you headed out into said boonies without knowing how your vehicle works in the first place? That seems dangerous.

With all due respect, please refrain from the judgment and accusations. I was simply explaining that there are situations where a person may need to access technical information about their vehicle and may not have connectivity or a device to do so. It is also interesting how you assumed that everyone has an infotainment screen to access the manual, but this is 100% untrue, as many JLs (including mine) do not have this feature. I realize it is incredibly difficult for some folks to believe that infotainment screens don't exist on every vehicle, refrigerator, and toaster oven these days, but yes...there is a whole world of technology out there that doesn't incorporate screens, Google, Fakebook, or AI. Furthermore, many of us take internet connectivity for granted, as it is so ubiquitous and easy to access in the US and other countries. However, please understand that Jeeps are sold and used all over the world, in places where this luxury doesn't exist at all. Lastly, internet connectivity is usually one of the first things to fail during a disaster situation, leaving most people helpless these days, and I have witnessed this on multiple occasions in my profession. No malice or judgment here though...to each his/her own. I am happy that you and many others don't have to worry about these issues and can take this luxury for granted. However, many of us have to face these realities quite often, and know that 100% reliance on technology can be a vacation killer at best...or a matter of life or death at worst. I think I'd feel pretty stupid for not spending a few bucks on a manual that could have saved my vacation...or my family's lives. With all the other expensive crap that we Jeepers buy, I find it funny that people freak out about a $60 manual. But hey...it's your Jeep...do what you want.

 

[Terrymo]

When the zombie apocalypse happens and they learn how to use electronic warfare jammers, those of us with hard copies of the owners manual will have the last laugh…oh wait…never mind.

 

[Wbino]

I would have downloaded it before I left.

I would look at it on the infotainment screen.

I very much support folks being able to easily and cheaply get one if they prefer that format. But I find these arguments for why its completely unacceptable to make them optional equipment to be quite a stretch. So I guess in this scenario where your phone has failed and I guess also your Jeep's power/infotainment has failed... please remind me again what info it is that you need to reference in the manual in that moment? Why have you headed out into said boonies without knowing how your vehicle works in the first place? That seems dangerous.

What if you have no power in the Jeep in the middle of nowhere with no cell service?
I love people who kiss corporate butt saving them pennies for giving us slugs a paper manual that we might need in an emergency. I have in the past used a manual to see the proper spot to place a jack in case of a flat on the side of the road.

 

[Terrymo]

What if you have no power in the Jeep in the middle of nowhere with no cell service?
I love people who kiss corporate butt saving them pennies for giving us slugs a paper manual that we might need in an emergency. I have in the past used a manual to see the proper spot to place a jack in case of a flat on the side of the road.

I recommend both pdf and hard copy. If you received a paper copy, the cost was passed on to you in the overall purchase price whether you wanted one or not. It wasn’t truly free.

 

[Wbino]

I recommend both pdf and hard copy. If you received a paper copy, the cost was passed on to you in the overall purchase price whether you wanted one or not. It wasn’t truly free.

I'm the rare bird w/o a cell phone.
When I'm out no one can reach me, it really is liberating.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Have you ever bought a luxury non necessity vehicle and complained about spending $60 for a paper book you dont really need?

Talk about first world problems lol

 

[Twisted10]

When the zombie apocalypse happens and they learn how to use electronic warfare jammers, those of us with hard copies of the owners manual will have the last laugh…oh wait…never mind.

 

[Jocko]

With all due respect, please refrain from the judgment and accusations. I was simply explaining that there are situations where a person may need to access technical information about their vehicle and may not have connectivity or a device to do so. It is also interesting how you assumed that everyone has an infotainment screen to access the manual, but this is 100% untrue, as many JLs (including mine) do not have this feature. I realize it is incredibly difficult for some folks to believe that infotainment screens don't exist on every vehicle, refrigerator, and toaster oven these days, but yes...there is a whole world of technology out there that doesn't incorporate screens, Google, Fakebook, or AI. Furthermore, many of us take internet connectivity for granted, as it is so ubiquitous and easy to access in the US and other countries. However, please understand that Jeeps are sold and used all over the world, in places where this luxury doesn't exist at all. Lastly, internet connectivity is usually one of the first things to fail during a disaster situation, leaving most people helpless these days, and I have witnessed this on multiple occasions in my profession. No malice or judgment here though...to each his/her own. I am happy that you and many others don't have to worry about these issues and can take this luxury for granted. However, many of us have to face these realities quite often, and know that 100% reliance on technology can be a vacation killer at best...or a matter of life or death at worst. I think I'd feel pretty stupid for not spending a few bucks on a manual that could have saved my vacation...or my family's lives. With all the other expensive crap that we Jeepers buy, I find it funny that people freak out about a $60 manual. But hey...it's your Jeep...do what you want.

If your Jeep does not have a manual available to view on an infotainment screen, then that means your Jeep came with a paper manual. So presumably, in the scenario you laid out, you would reference that?

I'm sorry if my question came off as flippant. I was (and continue to be) legitimately curious what types of information someone would need to reference from an owners manual in the scenario described. I have a hard time thinking of anything, which makes it hard for me to appreciate the owners manual from a critical safety perspective. I've asked a couple of times, but haven't seen any answers yet.

 

[Jocko]

What if you have no power in the Jeep in the middle of nowhere with no cell service?
I love people who kiss corporate butt saving them pennies for giving us slugs a paper manual that we might need in an emergency. I have in the past used a manual to see the proper spot to place a jack in case of a flat on the side of the road.

Ok so we're in the middle of nowhere. Jeep has no power. No cell service. Although I guess that's irrelevant since presumably also your phone is out of power, thus preventing you from viewing a copy you had previously downloaded. While improbable, certain not impossible. Fair enough.

So then I ask:
Is there a section in the owners manual about how to operate your Jeep when it has no power?

 

[Wbino]

Ok so we're in the middle of nowhere. Jeep has no power. No cell service. Although I guess that's irrelevant since presumably also your phone is out of power, thus preventing you from viewing a copy you had previously downloaded. While improbable, certain not impossible. Fair enough.

So then I ask:
Is there a section in the owners manual about how to operate your Jeep when it has no power?

You keep moving the goalposts, how about Jeep just provide a manual and you can throw it out if you don’t want it?

 

[GabeBoyTheGreat]

You keep moving the goalposts, how about Jeep just provide a manual and you can throw it out if you don’t want it?

This simple response is completely sufficient as far as I am concerned. You shouldn't have to justfiy a scenario where you wouldn't have access to an electronic copy of the manual. Bottom line is that even if I do have access to an electronic copy of the manual, I am still going to refer to the printed copy because it is more useful to me than reading on a screen.

 

[Jocko]

You keep moving the goalposts, how about Jeep just provide a manual and you can throw it out if you don’t want it?

I am? I mean it was your scenario that you laid out. If it's easier, feel free to share another example of some info in the owner's manual that would save your life. Anything at all. If we were talking about a repair manual, that would be a totally different story.

I'm not trying to have a larger tech vs. no tech philosophical debate. I carry paper maps with me if I'm driving out into the middle of nowhere or in my pack if I'm doing a backing trip. I have a compass and know how to use it. I understand redundancy. Heck I maintained my print subscription to Motor Trend until the very end just because I preferred consuming that content in that way. I had that for decades and was very disappointed when they effectively killed their print offering, but I understand why they did.

I am 100% in the camp that, for now, the print manual should be easily and cheaply available to those who would like to request it. But at this point its already a niche item. And that trend will continue until it's eventually gone completely. It's ok to be disappointed when things change.

Meanwhile OP is like how the heck this thread still going? lol

 

[Nash_Dj]

Meanwhile OP is like how the heck this thread still going? lol

It is still going as you have a need to have your word last and do not, like most posters here, just state your opinion/feelings and let others have theirs...

When Stellantis starts supplying a smart phone and a paid internet subscription with their ($95K CDN) freaking Rubicon, they will have the right to demand me to use that method, in the meantime a printed manual is just fine with me...

 

[flyer92]

I have a hard time thinking of anything, which makes it hard for me to appreciate the owners manual from a critical safety perspective. I've asked a couple of times, but haven't seen any answers yet.

At page 15, this thread is frankly exhausting, but I will indulge your question. TBH, I don't understand why it is difficult to accept the necessity of a hard copy for certain owners, and I can't speak for most. Although I have memorized all of the important features, functions and specs of my JL, we can't assume that everyone does this. As I stated earlier, most folks don't even look at their manual until an unforeseen event causes them to do so. The manual is chock full of important and detailed information, so what is necessary depends on the situation and the owner's level of knowledge at the time. Could be jumping a battery, changing a flat tire, troubleshooting electrical issues, operating the 4wd system (properly) to get unstuck or preventing a slide off a steep trail...the possibilities are almost endless. While most of these things are relatively mundane issues in populated areas with internet access, good samaritans, and/or roadside assistance, it is a much different problem in the middle of nowhere, when an owner doesn't have access to these benefactors and must be self-reliant. A hard copy manual helps immensely in these situations, especially for those people who haven't ever read it. Even for those of us who have, it is reassuring to have a ready reference to confirm what we've memorized. In my many years in military aviation, it was always required to have a printed manual, abbreviated manual, or checklist as a backup for memorized emergency procedures. There is a reason for it, and the same is applicable for those of us who operate beyond the comfort and luxury of internet access. I respect the fact that your use case may be different, so do whatever suits you and please let the rest of us do the same.

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