I wonder how ma
ny people ever read their automobile’s owner’s manual? I suspect most crack open the pages when something goes wrong. Being the “car guy” in my family and peer group, I am often called upon when someone has a problem with their automobile. My reply…
Did you read your owner’s manual?
It yields a sigh, or a growl, certainly a harumph and the reply “No. That’s why I called you!” It got me thinking about why people don’t read them. Have we gotten lazy or have the automotive designers gotten so good that we can simply figure it all out? That is until something goes wrong and we can’t.
Perhaps owner’s manuals are simply boring?
Wouldn’t it be interesting to approach the prose in an owner’s manual like that of a fantastic novel? Fill those glove box library pages with words that engage, enlighten, entertain, and inform. I suspect the lawyers and fear of liability have dumbed the owner’s manual down and that’s too bad. It could be a really fun read. “Overinflating your tires will lead to poor handling on what would otherwise be entertaining corners, and will create a panicked loss of vehicle control, paint damage, and mayhem beyond your wildest dreams.”
How would you rewrite your owner’s manual? Or haven’t you read it?
Reminds me of my son when he called from his bedroom, “mom, how do you spell ____?” And, I would reply, have you checked your dictionary?
I have checked my owner’s manual, when I needed too because I didn’t know what to do if something was wrong. Otherwise, your right Mark, I have not read it. Why, I won’t remember what it says anyway. Perhaps because I am old.
This cracked me up! So true and very insightful, Mr. Greene. You bring us the best. Whether it’s your guests or your unique brand of humor, it’s always top notch and on target! Thanks!
Reading the owner’s manual is the first thing I do. All kinds of useful nuggets are inside. I wish my wife had come with one.
I’ll be sure to check the manual BEFORE I call you! I illustrate comic-book manuals for the stuff I build at Close Enough. Partly because much of it is going overseas and I don’t know the recipient’s language, but also because I don’t expect people to read un-entertaining pages of text. I’m with you on this.
I’d add a separate section summary of useful, if not critical, quick information such as tire and wiper blade sizes, light bulbs and fuses, setting the clock, setting radio stations, etc. I have added sticky tabs for things like this in my owner’s manual because several of the items are not in the section where you would expect them. This “quick information” seems more useful as owner’s manuals have become larger and denser.
Current ones are boring! All they have is one warning and caution after another concerning what will happen if you do or don’t do something. Most all good tech facts are lacking.