Repair Manuals

I have a 2012 Volvo XC60 3.2I6 with 123K miles.  It past due for having the serpentine belt, idler pulley, tensioner, and water pump replaced.  I ordered the parts from Rock Auto last night and figured that I would order a nice, old fashioned, paper manual to make sure I don't run into any gotchas along the way.  Only problem is, there aren't any (at least that I can find - there is a paper Haynes manual, but it only covers diesel cars). 

Given this, I have a couple of questions.  First, has my google fu completely failed and there is actually a 'real' manual available somewhere?  and Second, does anyone have any feedback on any of the multiple online manual sites that are out there?

I really don't really think that I want/need an online subscription - rather buy it once and be done.  I am hoping for a PDF, so if I need to have to have something out by the car, I can print a few pages and not haul my laptop to the shop.

Honestly, this seems really odd. I have always had a Haynes or Bentley manual for nearly every car I have ever owned, but they are all old cars now.  Rant over.  Now get off my lawn.

It's definitely more difficult to find a paper manual now. For Honda, my only option on our Pilot and Odyssey is to buy the online subscription. I purchased 30 days for like $125 and went nuts downloading anything I might need. Forgot a few items, so I bought another 24 hour subscription for $25.  I'm lucky in that I can leverage the same subscription for two vehicles.

I wish I could just buy the PDF for like $150, it would be well worth it at that price.

Realistically, though, I'm saving way more than $25 per job I'm tackling, so the one day subscription really isn't an awful proposition if I've missed something.

I know nothing about the validity of these websites so proceed at your own risk, but they indicate you can download the factory service manual, wiring diagrams, and other information.  You may have already seen them, and there are some other sites as well.  I didn't find a source for hard copies (but admittedly I didn't look very long.)

https://carmanualsclub.com/volvo-xc60-workshop-repair-manual/

https://www.motorera.com/auto-service-repair-manual/Volvo/XC60

The best manual comes from the manufacturer, so I'd start to see if there's one available from Volvo. eBay also has an entire section devoted to factory manuals. 

Manufacturers would rather deliver online manuals, though. It allows for better searching, more detail and the ability to update. Mazda's online service portal is really useful, much nicer than working through the PDF. I have both versions of the factory wiring diagram for the 2016 Miata. 
 

I have a friend who's a Volvo nerd, I'll ask if he has suggestions. 

He's got nothing other than to say the Haynes was surprisingly good. 

Volvo manuals are readily available.  Purchase a Vida subscription for $7200 per year, and you will have all the info you need.  There has been no paper from Volvo since the 850's or thereabouts.

Buy a few days of Alldata.  Spend your time printing what you need.

I always liked the Haynes manuals, Keith.  Too bad they don't make one for my car.

Checked back on eBay and found a 2014 copy of the Volvo Vida VADIS Service Shop Repair Manual on DVD for less than $20.  This essentially sets up a virtual machine on your computer and installs the actual Volvo technician software.  It is supposed to have all of the maintenance and repair procedures, wiring diagrams, and appears to have diagnostic capabilities as well.

Not a written manual, but at least it is genuine Volvo and I think I can still print what I need.  This is as close as I am going to get to a $7200 Vida subscription without actually writing that check.

Thanks for all of the input.  I'll update when I get it installed.

Alldata is pretty good. We used it before.

I have a manual for all of my cars/trucks until the last two, a 2013 F150 and a 2012 VW Jetta. It was only early this year that I found a DVD manual for the Jetta. I haven't looked for one for the PU yet.  Despite that fact that I didn't have one I was able shortly after I purchased it used, to do a complete brake job, change the rear shocks, change the spark plugs, and a few other misc. other fixes without a manual of any kind.  Trucks are simple, even newer ones.  

Now on this truck if and when the WP goes I do think I'll let a shop do the replacement as the engine is a 3.5L V6 Ecoboost and the WP is run by the timing chain.  I've got better things to do then tie up my garage for 2-3 days while I do that job. 

I used to always buy the factory manual but now it's all on the computer.  I'm passing on my Silverado paper version.  
 

Datsun310Guy said:

I used to always buy the factory manual but now it's all on the computer.  I'm passing on my Silverado paper version.  

You may want to check your selling price...Helm, Inc. is probably the main supplier of OEM paper shop manuals and it appears they have the set for a 2016 Silverado available for $595.00.

https://www.helminc.com