Very occasionally I will find myself bored while in the car and parked, waiting for somebody. If I’m beyond the reach of internet data I will often rummage around the car in search of something to read; the “EXT, ECON, MIRROR, OFF and CD CHANGER CONTROLLER” printed on the dashboard in front of me being of insufficient literary merit to keep me entertained for long. So I turn to the owners manual. Often I’ll peruse these documents and marvel at the additional features that are described in the book but are nowhere to be seen in my car. Ah, the joys of mid-range specification. But in manual for my Rover I am kept more amused by the exquisite watercolour sketches that announce every section of the instructions. It made me wonder if this was a Rover-only phenomenon, or is there more unexpected artistry out there in vehicle owners manuals than I was ever aware of?
When raising your car Be certain to place the jack On even terrain.
Perhaps there are cars out there, Japanese, perhaps, whose instructions are written in Haiku?
To set cruise control Maintain the speed you desire And press button 2
If seats become marked Clean with soap and warm water Not harsh chemicals
If your owners manual is a greater work of art than mine, let us know in the comments. (Images copyright Chris Haining / Hooniverse 2016)
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