Paper or Plastic? Chrysler Eliminating Paper Owners' Manuals
From the 'you knew this was coming' tales, Chrysler Group LLC has announced that for all 2010 model year vehicles, it will eliminate bulky owner's manuals made out of paper and replace them with a more earth-friendly (and glove box friendly) digital version stored on a DVD. Chrysler says this move will save 930 tons of paper (the equivalent of 20,000 trees) each year, but we think it will also help free up some valuable storage space normally taken up by the bulky paper manuals. We could also argue that with no hybrids in its current lineup, this latest step is about the extent of the green technology available at Chrysler.
On even the most basic car available on the market, an owner's manual can easily push 500 pages, but on some of the models we've seen equipped with rear seat entertainment systems, navigation systems or hands-free voice-recognition systems, the page count can easily surpass 1,000 in multiple books. As pictured above in the 2009 Dodge Journey SXT we reviewed earlier this year, the owner's manual packet takes up most of the space in the lower glove box. An added benefit to the digital manuals is the fact that the DVDs will also offer video tutorials on certain models with more complex features such as the Jeep Wrangler soft top or the rear seat entertainment system on the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. The switch from paper to plastic will not only help save trees and space, but it will also make finding specific information much easier by allowing for a centralized search tool instead of having to flip though the multiple manuals and their table of contents.
"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."
Despite the DVD, Chrysler will not totally abandon all paper consumption as it will offer a smaller (60-80 page) manual for tasks that must be searched quickly without having to head to a computer and pop in a DVD. The supplemental manual will give owners a quick reference for emergency situations such as jump starting a dead battery or changing a tire, but it will also provide instructions for operating basic vehicle functions such as windshield wipers, power seat adjustments and the climate control and navigation systems.
The new DVD owner's manual will be standard on all 2010 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles starting next month. For those who still fear technology, or would just like to have a paper owner's manual for some reason, Chrysler will still make a traditional manual available by request through a dealership or their toll-free customer service center.
Select photos by Jeffrey N. Ross