Chrysler is making leaps and bounds with their company and are claiming to be the first automotive manufacturer to provide digital owners manuals to customers. Chrysler is somewhat known for oddball moves (look at PT Cruiser, need I say more?), did the company even consider the times when a vehicle is broken down and the owners manual is needed to find a specific part? Or how about when you have a high end audio system and you blow a fuse? You are dead in the water. While the transition into the digital era may help "save 930 tons of paper, or equivilant of 20,000 trees on an annual basis", there are times (like selling someone a freaking car) when an owners manual is needed.


Press Release Below:

New Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicle owners will soon have room to put gloves in their glove boxes instead of 4-pound owners’ manuals.

Chrysler Group LLC is the first automaker to provide digital owners’ manuals for its complete lineup of 2010 model-year vehicles. The switch will save 930 tons of paper, or the equivalent of 20,000 trees on an annual basis.

Traditional owners’ manuals may be longer than 500 pages and weigh nearly 4 pounds. Beginning next month, each new 2010 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicle will come with a comprehensive DVD and a full-color printed user guide — most between 60-80 pages — that highlights commonly needed information.

“As vehicles have increased in complexity, so has the size of traditional owners’ manuals,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO – Mopar® Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. “With this new approach, we are making it much more convenient for customers to find the information they seek.”

The DVD includes the owners’ manual, vehicle and tire warranty information, navigation and entertainment system guides, as well as information on 24-hour towing assistance. Video tutorials also are available for commonly used features, such as folding down a Jeep Wrangler soft-top, operating the video entertainment system and setting electronic speed control. In addition, owners may search by topic rather than sifting through a 500-page book.

The printed user guide includes photos and diagrams allowing customers to quickly find assistance for emergency situations, such as changing tires, jump-starting a battery or assessing warning lights. The printed guide also covers basic operating procedures for temperature control, windshield wipers, seat adjustment and navigation systems.

Customers requiring a traditional printed manual may obtain one by contacting their dealer or calling customer service.

[Chrysler]