The time you most need a user manual is usually the time you discover that you don’t have one… Often this happens only after you have wasted an hour rummaging through dozens of old manuals – for stuff you no longer even own!
- The ELD 50 is a compact E-Log device that installs in seconds and allows drivers to view and certify logs, and more, using their own smartphone, tablet, and newer Rand McNally truck navigation devices.
- DRIVER SAFETY. Drivers are your business engine, so their safety on the road is mission-critical. We provide driver behavior reports, video coaching and a nifty DVIR app that will keep your fleet uptime optimal.
Find materials on the ELD mandate, case studies, industry news, and KeepTruckin's solution for fleet compliance.
I’m not just talking about computing stuff either – user manuals for products like ovens, mowers, TV and audio equipment all seem to have a habit of disappearing over the years.
The next step is to search online for a free owners manual but this can also be frustrating:
- Google searches may find websites which claim to have the right manual – but then want to charge you to view it…
- Manufacturer websites can be hard to navigate (especially for old and obsolete products) or they may simply no longer exist.
Tip: I find that a quick way to find an old manual buried somewhere in a manufacturer’s site is to use Google search parameters to search for it within that site (see my quick guide).
5 Websites to find User Manuals
All these websites provide free manuals in PDF format – each has its own library so it is worth trying more than one site if you’re looking for a particularly obscure manual.
As a quick test, I searched each site for a user manual for a 10 year old Canon Pixma IP3000 printer – the results are included for each website.
[Note: if you’re looking specifically for a car owners manual, see the Appendix at the bottom of this article]
1. ManualsLib
This has over 3 million free owners manuals in PDF format. A wide range including tech stuff, home appliances, mowers, board games and car manuals.
It has a good predictive search feature which narrows down the search results as you type. Related manuals are listed below the search results which can help if the model number is slightly different (e.g. in different countries) or if there is more than one PDF available for that product e.g. a quick start guide and a full user manual.
You can read the PDF on the website or download it and save/print – the green Download button at the top of the page leads to a standard reCAPTCHA verification to ‘Get Manual’.
Watch out for the Adverts! They often include ‘Start/Download’ type buttons that are nothing to do with this site – or they link to other sites that charge for manuals…
Test Results – it found a 2 page Quick Setup Instruction booklet and a 100 page Quick Start Manual.
2. ManualsOnline
This has free user manuals in PDF format for over 700,000 products. Another wide range including tech stuff, power tools, home appliances, car audio etc.
It also has a predictive search feature which narrows down the search results as you type, although it didn’t suggest the IP3000 printer in my search. You can also search by Category then Brand – search filters are simple to use.
It helpfully provides a direct link to the manufacturer’s support website if no manual is available.
You can read the PDF on the website or download it and save/print. Again, watch out for the adverts!
ManualsOnline has more of a forum and community feel – you can ask questions for product support and discussions from users are listed below the product manual. This might be a useful source of info for troubleshooting but many answers will basically suggest that you just read the manual… That is what the site is for after all.
Test Results – it found a 2 page Quick Setup Instruction booklet and a 100 page Quick Start Guide, the same as ManualLib.
3. Scribd
A huge document sharing website of books, speeches and magazine articles etc but this also has a useful free user manuals section which includes automobiles, crafts, gadgets and scrapbooking.
It has a predictive search feature which narrows down the search results as you type, although it didn’t suggest the IP3000 printer in my search (or anything at all by Canon so perhaps the predictive search only covers books).
It seems to be the most advert free website I tested.
You can read or print the PDF on the website for free and recent documents can also be downloaded for free. Old/archived documents require a paid membership to download them – but you can sign up for a 1 month free trial.
Test Results – found a 24 page Service Manual and a 8 page Reset Printer Guide. It was the only site to find these two technical documents, although strangely it didn’t find the far more common Quick Start documents.
4. SafeManuals
Over 800,000 user manuals in PDF format. A wide range including tech stuff, home appliances, toys, music etc.
No predictive search feature but you can search by manufacturer or category then by product name.
You can read the PDF on the website or download it (the orange ‘Get Manual’ button, followed by a simple 4 character Captcha) and save/print. Again, watch out for the adverts!
Test Results – found a 32 page Quick Start Guide (different to the 100 page guide that some other sites found).
5. ESI
![Pdf Pdf](/uploads/1/2/5/1/125165279/668942269.jpg)
Primarily aimed at engineers and technicians, not end users – offers a range of component datasheets, IC diagrams, service guides and schematics for a range of electronic equipment.
Far more specialized than the other sites so not as comprehensive. Active user forums can be helpful for troubleshooting and repairs.
Manuals are generally in PDF, RAR or Zip format – you can download the file and save/print. Again, watch out for the adverts!
User Manual For Keep Trucking
No predictive search feature but you can filter searches by manufacturer and product type.
Test Results – nothing found for my printer search. This is perhaps not surprising as the site covers more technical areas than home user inkjet printers.
Conclusion
It is worth noting that no single website found every available manual/guide in my (limited) testing but three sites did find a user manual in the form of a Quick Start Guide.
Other documents found included a useful Service Manual, Quick Set Up Instruction booklet and a Reset Printer Guide – I didn’t manage to find any of these on Canon’s own website so these were a welcome bonus.
Results will obviously vary depending on the product that you search for but these are all useful sites to bookmark for future reference.
Keep Truckin User Manual Pdf
Tip: if you use Google Chrome – to view PDFs in a full featured reader, instead of Chrome’s limited PDF Viewer, see how to open a PDF in Adobe Reader.
Appendix – Car Owners Manuals
I had a lot of people contact me looking for a car owners manual which the above 5 websites don’t really cover in any depth – the first one, ManualsLib, is probably the best for car owners.
However there are a couple of other car specific websites that may help:
Edmunds – this links page is a few years old now but it still lists a lot of online car owner’s manuals by manufacturer – US only.
Car manuals Online – 80,000 car manuals to read online only – no PDF downloads. But you can print out the document or view it on a tablet/phone if you want to use it outdoors as a reference for car repairs.
Related Posts:
Here are the most common and frequently asked ELD mandate questions. Additionally, if there is anything else, give us a call at 855-434-3564 or drop an email at [email protected] so we can help you.
ELD Mandate
What is the ELD mandate? Javascript pdf manual download.
The ELD mandate is the final ELD rule published by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). The ELD mandate requires most commercial vehicles operating in the country to install electronic logging devices (ELDs).
Who published the ELD mandate?
The ELD mandate was published by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on December 16, 2015.
When is the ELD mandate deadline?
The ELD mandate deadline is December 18, 2017. Most commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), which are not exempt from the ELD mandate, will have to install compliant electronic logging devices (ELDs) by December 18, 2017, in order to stay compliant. However, there is one exception. For vehicles using AOBRDs, there is a 2-year extension period. They can run on AOBRDs until December 16, 2019. Beyond December 16, 2019, however, AOBRDs won’t be compliant, and they will have to install compliant ELDs.
What is the “grandfather” clause in the ELD mandate?
The “grandfather” clause refers to the 2-year extension period given to vehicles with AOBRDs. In other words, vehicles that are using AOBRDs can install ELDs by December 16, 2019.
What is the ELD mandate about? What are its objectives?
The ELD mandate is mainly about promoting safety and accountability in the trucking industry. The FMCSA estimates that the ELD mandate will save approximately 26 lives and prevent 562 injuries every year. According to a report by DOT, approximately 500,000 accidents involving commercial vehicles happen every year. Further investigations and studies of causation reveal that 87% of these accidents happen because of driver fatigue. The ELD mandates aims to eliminate driver fatigue so valuable lives can be saved. DOT plans to completely eliminate road deaths by 2046.
ELDs
What does an ELD do?
In its most basic form, ELDs track the movement of the vehicles and drivers’ duty statuses. As a result, they help carriers and truckers stay compliant with FMCSA’s ELD mandate.
What does an ELD record automatically?
An ELD, at certain intervals, record the following data:
- Date
- Time
- Location Information
- Engine Hours
- Vehicle Miles
- Identification information for the driver, authenticated user,
- Vehicle, and motor carrier.
When does an ELD switch to driving mode?
If a vehicle is moving at more than 5 miles per hour, the ELD will automatically switch to driving mode. Once the speed of the vehicle falls to 0 miles per hour and stays there for 3 consecutive seconds, the ELD will consider the vehicle stopped.
Does an ELD send data to inspectors or law enforcement?
An ELD does not automatically transmit data to inspectors or law enforcement agencies nor does it automatically trigger violations.
AOBRDs
Can I buy an AOBRD after December 18, 2017?
No, you cannot buy a new AOBRD and install in a vehicle after December 18, 2017. However, if you are replacing a truck with an AOBRD, you can install that existing AOBRD in a new truck. But you won’t be able to buy a new AOBRD and install in a vehicle.
Do EOBRs, AOBRDs, and ELDs refer to the same device?
No. All these terms refer to different devices. The ELD mandate only recognizes AOBRDs and ELDs.
What are the differences between EOBRs, AOBRDs, and ELDs?
An EOBR, or Electronic On-Board Recorder, is an obsolete term. EOBRs won’t help you stay compliant with the latest ELD mandate. An AOBRD, or Automatic On-Board Recording Device, records a driver’s duty information, engine speed, engine use, miles driven, date, and time of the day. Some vehicles still use AOBRDs. Those vehicles will have an additional 2-year period, until December 16, 2019, to replace AOBRDs with ELDs. After December 16, 2019, AOBRDs will no longer be compliant. ELDs, or Electronic Logging Devices, connect with the vehicle’s ECM and records data in compliance with FMCSA’s ELD mandate. Vehicles that aren’t already using AOBRDs have until December 18, 2017, to install compliant and FMCSA-registered ELDs.
Compliance
Who needs ELDs to be compliant?
Most interstate CMV drivers who maintain RODs will require ELDs to stay compliant.
My drivers only use mobile e-log apps. Is that enough for compliance?
This is often the most common question people ask. While e-log mobile apps are great for logging Hours-of-Service, compliant ELDs are more than that. An ELD, to be compliant, has to be connected with the ECM (engine control module) to automatically collect the required data. Mobile e-log apps do not do that. Hence, they cannot be used as an alternative for electronic logging devices or ELDs. A hardware electronic logging device will be required.
Do all ELDs in the market guarantee compliance?
No. Not every ELD you see in the market guarantees compliance. Only FMCSA-registered ELDs can guarantee compliance.
User Manual Pdf Download
How can be I sure that an ELD is compliant with the FMCSA?
Thankfully, the FMCSA has a list of self-registered ELDs on their website. You should only purchase an ELD that is in that list. Note: KeepTruckin ELDs are registered and present in that list.
What happens if an ELD stops working?
If an ELD stops working for some reason, the driver of the vehicle must do the following:
- Note the failure of the device
- Reconstruct his/her logs for the current day as well as the previous 7 days, less any days for which he/she already has the records
- Continue to prepare a handwritten log until the electronic logging device is working again
- Notify the carrier within 24 hours of the ELD’s failure.
What happens if an ELD is found to be non-compliant after it is in use?
The motor carrier will have 8 days from notification to replace the non-compliant ELD with a compliant one. In case of a widespread issue, the FMCSA may work with the affected motor carrier to determine a reasonable timeframe for the replacement of non-compliant devices. 2013 hyundai sonata gls manual.
Drivers
Do drivers using ELDs have to print out logs for DOT inspectors?
As long as the ELD has a display that the DOT inspector can see, drivers do not have to print out logs. If drivers can transfer logs to a roadside inspector or show them on, say, a compliant mobile device, printing of logs isn’t necessary.
Does it matter how an ELD connects with the driver’s mobile device?
Yes, it matters. In fact, it can be the difference between compliance and non-compliance. ELDs can connect with the driver’s mobile device (BOYD) via Bluetooth or cellular network for transmitting important data. A cellular-based ELD system, however, is a compliance risk as it will stop working in an area with spotty cellular coverage. A Bluetooth connection is much more reliable and is always there. It ensures 100% compliance wherever you are. For more information, read this post: Cellular vs. Bluetooth – How KeepTruckin Ensures 100% ELD Mandate Compliance
In addition to the ELD itself, what else would the driver must also carry?
Any driver using an ELD must also carry the following items:
- A user manual for operating the ELD
- A step-by-step instruction sheet for transferring Hours-of-Service records to an authorized safety official
- An instruction sheet for reporting ELD malfunctions and record keeping procedures during ELD malfunctions
- A supply of paper grid graphs to record driver duty status and related information for at least 8 days, in case of ELD malfunction.
Hours of Service
Can an ELD warn drivers for upcoming HOS violations?
Although it is not a mandatory feature, FMCSA allows it. In fact, modern ELDs, like KeepTruckin’s ELD solution, notify drivers of any upcoming Hours-of-Service violations well in advance, so they can stay compliant.
Does an ELD stop a CMV engine if it exceeds Hours of Service limits?
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User Manual
No, an ELD cannot stop the vehicle even if it has exceeded the Hours-of-Service limits.