Car Owner's Manuals?

[BrewersDroop]

I recently bought a 1997 Toyota 4Runner which didn't come with an owners manual. I did a quick browse through the Toyota site and ran a google search but didn't turn up anything. The local Toyota dealership didn't have any copies in stock and suggested I contact the Toyota materials distribution center which would mail one out -- for a fee.

Does anyone know of a site online that has downloadable owner's manuals? I don't mind paying for one if need be but the Scots blood coursing through my veins rebels at the thought of paying for something if it's available for free online.

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

[Toddy]

No idea about online, but try picking up the Haynes Manual for your truck. They're about $16, are stocked by Amazon along with pretty much all auto stores and even some department stores (Canadian Tires stocks them in Canada, for example), and can be found for pretty much every model and year going back into the 60s. Much better than the manual that came with your truck, btw, and the sort of thing you'll want to have if you do any work yourself, want to keep the truck for a while, or even want to just diagnose a problem for a mechanic.

[Timemaster Tim]

I hardly ever look at my owners manual. What do you really need from it?

I don't know how much Toyota wants to charge you. Books4cars.com sells one for $24.95. Ebay has one for a 96, and one for a 98 but none for a 97.

PDF for Scheduled Maintenance (http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/pdfs/truck_service_97.pdf)

[BrewersDroop]

Thanks guys. This search for an owners manual started the other night when I pulled into a gas station and couldn't find the gas cap release. Felt like an idiot.

I was planning on picking up a Haynes manual over the weekend anyway. Have had either Haynes or Chilton manuals for just about every car I've owned and find them invaluable. Funnily enough, I live only one block from the Haynes corporate HQ here in California.

[Bullhajj]

Thanks guys. This search for an owners manual started the other night when I pulled into a gas station and couldn't find the gas cap release. Felt like an idiot.

Heh. The first time I purchased a computer case to build my own PC, I couldn't figure out how to get the darn thing open. I had all my parts, had done all my research, read dozens of How To articles, but nobody covered opening up the darn case. :)