(ack154 note: I removed the original content of this post - but quoted it below - and this is my rewrite)

THE PROBLEM

Yes... we know... people don't like the Scionlife search. Everyone complains that it doesn't work or they can't find anything. We know there is just a ton of info on the site, so that makes it hard to find what you really want. This is for multiple reasons.

First: People don't search for their problem and add on to existing threads. So they create a new thread for a question that already exists. That just adds one more unnecessary result to the search results. Then when someone searches again for that problem, they find too many results and don't want to sift through them or just give up. So they post ANOTHER thread about it, there-by cluttering the search results even more.

Second: I don't think most people are searching as effectively as they can.

THE SOLUTION

The search box at the top of the page? Forget that. Use the ADVANCED SEARCH (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/search.php) option instead. Why? You can get specific.

http://downloads.allankintz.com/SL-search01.gif

What's the best way to find what you're looking for? BE SPECIFIC. B. E. SPECIFIC. I'm going to show you how.

So you click Search in the red bar, then click Advanced Search... then what? You've probably seen it before... but there's more to it than just the Keywords box. Specifically you can search a particular Forum or Category. Shown here:

http://downloads.allankintz.com/SL-search02.gif

Here you see the main Search by Keyword box... and the Search in Forum(s) box. These are the two most important things on this page. Obviously your keywords... be specific and concise.

SPECIFY FORUM

If you know you're dealing with an engine part... why not tell the search that's what you're looking for? Select one of the Drivetrain and Power forums. Or select ALL of the D&P forums! You can use the CTRL+Click option here to select multiple forums or just select one if you know where your info should be.

http://downloads.allankintz.com/SL-search03.gif

Here's an example. I want to find out about the DME header for the tC.

Search Term: dme header
Search Box @ Top of Page: 138 results
Advanced Search, Scion tC: 108 results
Advanced Search, tC Drivetrain & Power: 77 results

Cut the results almost in HALF!

Will it work this well for EVERY search you're doing? Maybe not. But anything helps. You also have to consider your search terms. So searching for just "header" is probably pretty stupid. Searching for "dme header install" might be a better idea. Use some common sense with this. It isn't hard.

Magical.

Some people complain a lot about the search feature on scionlife. I have found it to be one of the best and easiest features compared to other sites. I am always able to find what I want with in minutes. I will break it down for the people that need the help

Below is the initial search screen.
http://images8.fotki.com/v107/photos/1/198974/812169/Search01-vi.jpg

After typing in what you are searching for you will want to click the option "search for all terms". selecting "search for any terms or use query as entered" will bring back any topic with those words in it. see image below.
http://images7.fotki.com/v106/photos/1/198974/812169/Search02-vi.jpg

Now, I will show you the difference between selecting the two options.

option 1:
Select: search for any terms or use query as entered
Type in FOG LIGHTS
matches: 1607

option 2:
Select: search for all terms
Type in FOG LIGHTS
matches: 333

While 333 is a lot matches (because it has been talked about a lot) it is less than that 1607 topics that match just fog or lights in option 1

MAKE SURE YOU CAN SPELL WHEN SEARCHING. THIS WILL EFFECT YOUR RESULTS.
Quoting to save original info in this post. I'm going to edit the first post since this setting described is actually a default thing now.

about time this was updated 4-1/2 years later. a lot has changed in that time.

Ha... ya, a little late. But I got sick of people complaining the search sucked. It works fine if you actually take a second to use it properly. :)

THANKS A LOT. I never used like this before and now i love to search for things in here, and the best of all, MORE ANSWERSSSSSS

thanks for the write up... i know how to use the search engine and after reading your write up ( which didnt show me anything new) i still believe that this is the worst search engine. cant wait to see the new SL

Thread updated for vB with new pics!

Thanks Allan! Nice job. :)

I must say I do not like the Quick Search or "Search entire post" options. I type in "Car Battery" and get every friggin post were some one says the word "Car". I could never find what I'm looking for.

I like to use Search Titles Only. Because then when I type in "Car Battery" I get the threads where the soul purpose is discussion of car batteries.

This is just input from an average user. I could not get through a work day without ScionLife in my life.

I must say I do not like the Quick Search or "Search entire post" options. I type in "Car Battery" and get every friggin post were some one says the word "Car". I could never find what I'm looking for.

I like to use Search Titles Only. Because then when I type in "Car Battery" I get the threads where the soul purpose is discussion of car batteries.

This is just input from an average user. I could not get through a work day without ScionLife in my life.

In that case I think I would just search for "battery" ... and leave out the car part because it's so common like you say. But good feedback either way!