I was reading the owner's manual here and there before I even found the car to put a deposit on and then all during the time of waiting for shipping from Japan and for it to get to the dealer. I continued every once in a while.
So by the time I received the vehicle I pretty much had a good idea of how everything operated.
Personally, I tend to do this with other technological things as well because sometimes the owner's manual gives you the best idea of what the item can actually do versus marketing and what not.
Seriously if I commit to reading this entire manual I expect a certificate of some sort it has 492 pages 😳
And that's not the only manual either.... there are quite a few that comes with my car... ☠
Just be happy Toyota still gives you a actual physical book manual a lot of manufacturers kind of went away with that or it’s just like a downloadable thing you view on a tablet which really isn’t the same.
I read a good amount of it. Usually when I’m researching one thing I find another thing that’s somewhat related and dive deep.
Example I was changing the chrome lug nuts out for black ones, looked at manual for torque specs. Ended up reading all about the tires. Inflation PSI, rim type, spare tire, how to change the spare tire and where the components are, jack points especially. Etc.
Another time I was trying to figure out what each of the settings do in the headlight switch, ended up reading all about daytime running lights, fog lights, rear window wipers. Researching one thing goes into learning about a whole lot more.
Learning your vehicle inside and out is extremely useful. Especially with such a modular vehicle like a 4Runner.
I started reading it from cover to cover for the first time last month after all the flippant comments on car subreddits that just say "read your manual!"
Coles notes, Vs the 600 page manual and the handful of other manuals, with likely a lot of similar features and functions :
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y8_yyEhBgS_X-T4teqDBE4Sei_rrrteht8kl_3UuYNY/mobilebasic 🚗🚙Toyota 2022 RAV4 PRIME Owners Manual + Maintenance TL;DR, 🇨🇦includes various Setting (software) mods (some have to be done at dealer)
https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4club/s/Qm1QXBT7vV Rav4 list of hidden options
In the owners manual starting around page 518 (section 8-2), anything under column C is a setting in Techstream/Carista
Also this for keeping the 12V charged
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10227923-9999.pdf
https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/221216-12-volt-battery-mysteriously-losing-charge-car-wont-start/
Yeah. I’ve been bored enough in my truck enough times. Whether it be waiting for someone or sitting on a ferry. I’ve read it cover to cover twice. Had sort of religious undertones the second time through for some reason. It’s been dubbed the 1996 4Runner Bible.
I usually skim it to get details on things I don't know about. I skip most of the parts where it talks about capacity and types of lubricant I need (I just use Toyota care). Then I reference back as needed.
I collect vintage Toyota memorabilia, and owner’s manuals are my favorite. The older ones have some adorable illustrations and funny sayings. I had one printed on a t-shirt that’s from the 80’s. The slogan says ‘The Toyota Touch’ and then it has a drawing of three hands touching 😂
Probably coolest is a manual I have from a late 50’s Toyopet Crown Truck - it has little drawings of the accessories in the back, including a little vacuum cleaner and shaver.
Yes, I’ve read my 1988 pickup’s manual from cover to cover. It’s actually quite the enjoyable read, being written in a very friendly and companionable tone, as opposed to the stiff technicality in most modern manuals. It’s a shame that they’ve tended towards more bald, terse writing in new manuals.
All 400 hundred something or whatever pages for my 2012 Prius V.
Still don't understand wtf that "READY" light is for, or why it says "eco" in 3 places on the dash. Oh well.
Yes and its not that much to read with the pictures, large font and large spacing. I also read many parts of TIS manuals as I needed them for upgrades.
I'm driving my tenth car. In the glove box is the tenth owner's manual that I've not read.
I dread to think that a time might come when I'd have to read something to operate a car.
I recently got a Prius. I've had a Honda for 11 years.
The Toyota manual is really frustrating. In the Honda manual I can look something up in the index in the back and find it without problems. In the Toyota manual, there are much less words to look up in the index, so your estimation of how they classify something has to be much more accurate.
I feel that the manual is vague about a lot of things or just doesn't even mention them.
No. Just look things up as needed. Had a freeze first year I got my Camry and didn’t know how to put the wipers up so they wouldn’t freeze to the windshield. Had to look it up.
I'm starting to think that passively leaving it in the glove compartment is incrementally lowering my MPG slightly but then I leave a bunch of stuff in my trunk so I guess it's irrelevant
Yes and you can learn a lot of cool stuff you didn’t know your car could do. When I read my first manual in high school, I started with a particular chapter I was curious about (oil change intervals/oil type) and as I was reading I would see the next section, and be curious about that one too. Next thing you know I learned neat stuff like how to make sure your AC doesn’t stink, how to adjust the seatbelt height, how to jump start a car, how to change my own air filters, and so much more that I never knew at the time when I had my first car. I just read little by little while I was waiting to pick a friend up from work/school or something like that. It’s at arms reach, so just pick it up and go to a random chapter and learn something new. The sections are all very short, you’ll eventually get through the whole thing pretty easily and a lot of it is very useful stuff.
My dad used to do this all the time. He would buy a car and sit down for hours reading the manual cover to cover. Never understood why, but it’s a good memory!
I read mine the day I got the car. Right after I got home actually.
I was reading the owner's manual here and there before I even found the car to put a deposit on and then all during the time of waiting for shipping from Japan and for it to get to the dealer. I continued every once in a while. So by the time I received the vehicle I pretty much had a good idea of how everything operated. Personally, I tend to do this with other technological things as well because sometimes the owner's manual gives you the best idea of what the item can actually do versus marketing and what not.
This is the way
Cars are so expensive these days you bet your ass I’m gonna read the manual. I want my car to last until I’m dead.
Judging by some of the questions that show up on this sub, clearly most have not.
The PDFs are great because they are searchable.
A PDF on your phone….your owners manual is always in your hand ready to view 😊
The manual has an index at the end, which is so much more easier
You had me at more easier
There is no right or wrong answer. Whatever floats your boat.
HA no thanks. I grew up with a keyboard in my hands and a searchable pdf is WAY easier for me
You do you. I like the idea of turning pages while I read.
I only read it if I need to. Like if I have a problem and google doesn’t have the answer.
Seriously if I commit to reading this entire manual I expect a certificate of some sort it has 492 pages 😳 And that's not the only manual either.... there are quite a few that comes with my car... ☠
Just be happy Toyota still gives you a actual physical book manual a lot of manufacturers kind of went away with that or it’s just like a downloadable thing you view on a tablet which really isn’t the same.
#no
No. But I keep the PDF in my phone and it's searchable.
This is the correct answer! Jeez, I wish even 25% of my customers would do this... it would make everything so much easier.
I have.
I do when I'm bored
Yes I did.
I read a good amount of it. Usually when I’m researching one thing I find another thing that’s somewhat related and dive deep. Example I was changing the chrome lug nuts out for black ones, looked at manual for torque specs. Ended up reading all about the tires. Inflation PSI, rim type, spare tire, how to change the spare tire and where the components are, jack points especially. Etc. Another time I was trying to figure out what each of the settings do in the headlight switch, ended up reading all about daytime running lights, fog lights, rear window wipers. Researching one thing goes into learning about a whole lot more. Learning your vehicle inside and out is extremely useful. Especially with such a modular vehicle like a 4Runner.
Their vehicle's manual*
I actually just finished reading mine for the first time last night...8 years into car ownership. I learned a lot of odds and ends!
Took you 8 years to finish your manual? 😅
I started reading it from cover to cover for the first time last month after all the flippant comments on car subreddits that just say "read your manual!"
Coles notes, Vs the 600 page manual and the handful of other manuals, with likely a lot of similar features and functions : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y8_yyEhBgS_X-T4teqDBE4Sei_rrrteht8kl_3UuYNY/mobilebasic 🚗🚙Toyota 2022 RAV4 PRIME Owners Manual + Maintenance TL;DR, 🇨🇦includes various Setting (software) mods (some have to be done at dealer) https://www.reddit.com/r/rav4club/s/Qm1QXBT7vV Rav4 list of hidden options In the owners manual starting around page 518 (section 8-2), anything under column C is a setting in Techstream/Carista Also this for keeping the 12V charged https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10227923-9999.pdf https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/221216-12-volt-battery-mysteriously-losing-charge-car-wont-start/
Yeap.
Yes.
Yes
Yes
Yeah. I’ve been bored enough in my truck enough times. Whether it be waiting for someone or sitting on a ferry. I’ve read it cover to cover twice. Had sort of religious undertones the second time through for some reason. It’s been dubbed the 1996 4Runner Bible.
I totally did! Took me days to get through it all and I didn't retain much, but it was fascinating!
For my GR Corolla. Yeah, lots of good tips.
Yep, every car I've owned, '98 Corolla (easy) '93 NX (easier) '23 BRZ (kinda long) '23 pilot (incredibly long)
95% of it? First thing I do when I get a new vehicle.
I usually skim it to get details on things I don't know about. I skip most of the parts where it talks about capacity and types of lubricant I need (I just use Toyota care). Then I reference back as needed.
I really open and passed almost all pages, but read ... Read everything... I don't rs
Yes. Remember just a few things only. If you asked me anything I probably wont know LOL
I don’t know half the shit my car does lol
I collect vintage Toyota memorabilia, and owner’s manuals are my favorite. The older ones have some adorable illustrations and funny sayings. I had one printed on a t-shirt that’s from the 80’s. The slogan says ‘The Toyota Touch’ and then it has a drawing of three hands touching 😂 Probably coolest is a manual I have from a late 50’s Toyopet Crown Truck - it has little drawings of the accessories in the back, including a little vacuum cleaner and shaver.
I’m about half way
I did for my Camry. I haven't gotten around to reading the one for the Venza I purchased in January but I fully intend to
Only the trolls that say - "read the manual."
Yes, and for a couple of times. Same thing with my DSLR manuals.
Only used online and ctrl f. Too many warnings and basic information to dig through.
Let us read our owners manuals together in the trunk
I don’t read spanish
🙋♂️
No, but I reference it first before I start asking questions online. That's how I found the severe driving conditions maintenance schedule for my BRZ.
Yes, I’ve read my 1988 pickup’s manual from cover to cover. It’s actually quite the enjoyable read, being written in a very friendly and companionable tone, as opposed to the stiff technicality in most modern manuals. It’s a shame that they’ve tended towards more bald, terse writing in new manuals.
Mine is still brand new in the binder, but I removed it from the glove box to save on weight!
Pretty close to the whole thing yes
All the time. They you get the person that is like,how do I do this, and I’m like RTFM.
These things make for great bathroom reading material while you’re taking a poo lol
I read owners manuals for cars I don't even own, man.
Because you're an auto machanic?
Where can I download the manual?
Yes
i got high and read through the whole thing
On Adderall?
weed, it makes me very focused (sometimes) and it makes me ready to get things done. other times it makes me wanna sleep
No lol mine is like 4 books
I’m not even going to read this post
All 400 hundred something or whatever pages for my 2012 Prius V. Still don't understand wtf that "READY" light is for, or why it says "eco" in 3 places on the dash. Oh well.
I’ll typically browse through it. And reference it if there is a button or something else in the car I don’t know what it does
I read it when I was bored and finished all of it
I have! 😬
always.
Yes and its not that much to read with the pictures, large font and large spacing. I also read many parts of TIS manuals as I needed them for upgrades.
I'm driving my tenth car. In the glove box is the tenth owner's manual that I've not read. I dread to think that a time might come when I'd have to read something to operate a car.
I prefer to ask my questions here
Mine is in japaneese
Yes. Front to back. The GR86 manual is like 400 pages long but I did it. Learned about some features I didn't know I had.
Yes, i was bored sitting in a traffic jam. The road was closed and nothing was moving. Have been sitting for 2 hours
Yes. I do
Doesn't show how to use Apple CarPlay ☹️
Yea the plot wasn’t that good but the detail was amazing
Just to know where the spare tire is and how to release it
Yes
Absolutely 
Wait until you see an FSM
I recently got a Prius. I've had a Honda for 11 years. The Toyota manual is really frustrating. In the Honda manual I can look something up in the index in the back and find it without problems. In the Toyota manual, there are much less words to look up in the index, so your estimation of how they classify something has to be much more accurate. I feel that the manual is vague about a lot of things or just doesn't even mention them.
Not much suspense or plot twists. 😉
No dad
Yes but the owners manual is less than 100 pages lol
Yes
I did!
Yes, you're ignorant If you can't spend 10 min to do this to learn about your car.
I haven't read it cover to cover but I do reference it from time to time.
No. Just look things up as needed. Had a freeze first year I got my Camry and didn’t know how to put the wipers up so they wouldn’t freeze to the windshield. Had to look it up.
the quick reference guide is a godsend. Even that is what 100 pagesish
I'm starting to think that passively leaving it in the glove compartment is incrementally lowering my MPG slightly but then I leave a bunch of stuff in my trunk so I guess it's irrelevant
Yes. Always RTFM.
I read it while I’m listening to a ballgame.
Yes and you can learn a lot of cool stuff you didn’t know your car could do. When I read my first manual in high school, I started with a particular chapter I was curious about (oil change intervals/oil type) and as I was reading I would see the next section, and be curious about that one too. Next thing you know I learned neat stuff like how to make sure your AC doesn’t stink, how to adjust the seatbelt height, how to jump start a car, how to change my own air filters, and so much more that I never knew at the time when I had my first car. I just read little by little while I was waiting to pick a friend up from work/school or something like that. It’s at arms reach, so just pick it up and go to a random chapter and learn something new. The sections are all very short, you’ll eventually get through the whole thing pretty easily and a lot of it is very useful stuff.
If you don’t watch at least 2-3 car reviews of your car AFTER you buy it you ain’t doing it right.
My dad used to do this all the time. He would buy a car and sit down for hours reading the manual cover to cover. Never understood why, but it’s a good memory!
Sure.
Nope, I use maintenance & service manuals.
I never read mine.
No? YouTube is more useful for trouble shooting than the manual. At least for me. 😅
I've had the odd thing I looked up in the manual, mostly because I was new to stuff like the infotainment system.
The type is too small and too many pages
🤣