The reduced-size F-150 manual is 150 pages, down from 704, saving an expected 290 tons of paper annually, Schmatz said. That’s equal to about 122 F-150 pickups.

We should point out that owners of newer GM vehicles from its current brands can also reference the owner’s manual online via the Buick, Chevy, Cadillac and GMC websites.

But most of the manual would be uploaded to the vehicle's on-board computer system and accessible through Sync 4. The digital manual would function without internet connectivity, and allow owners ...