New booklet needed

“When purchasing a new car recently, I received a long list of instructions on the controls from the salesman,” writes a Craigie regular. “As there was too much to absorb all at once, I took the car for a short run along quiet roads to ensure I could at least drive the car safely.

“Over the next week or so, I returned to the garage to get answers to some questions about the more obscure details. However, the car has satnav which I have never used before and, although the salesman explained its use to me, the information obviously did not register in this old brain of mine and, try as I might, I could not persuade the satnav to function.

“I did not bother too much, as I know my way about in many parts of the UK. without maps or guidance and we were not going any distance meanwhile. Now, however, we intend spending New Year at a hotel we know well near Telford and the roads and signposts around the town are a nightmare. We have gone completely adrift in the maze of dual carriageways, roundabouts and by-passes several times in the past.

“I therefore had another go at the satnav – no success! I finally turned to the handbook and was horrified at the myriad of detail offered there. It was worse than Telford’s bypass. I pride myself on my ability to follow written instructions, but this handbook left me completely baffled.

“Does anybody ever manage to follow car handbook instructions without help? I certainly can’t.

“Even at my advanced age, I am considering offering my services to car manufacturers to help produce summarised versions of their handbooks. I could make a fortune and save customers and salesmen a lot of time and trouble.”