Product Description

The top–selling auto repair guide––400,000 copies sold––now extensively reorganized and updated

Forty–eight percent of U.S. households perform at least some automobile maintenance on their own, with women now accounting for one third of this $34 billion automotive do–it–yourself market. For new or would–be do–it–yourself mechanics, this illustrated how–to guide has long been a must and now it′s even better. A complete reorganization now puts relevant repair and maintenance information directly after each automotive system overview, making it much easier to find hands–on fix–it instructions. Author Deanna Sclar has updated systems and repair information throughout, eliminating discussions of carburetors and adding coverage of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. She′s also revised schedules for tune–ups and oil changes, included driving tips that can save on maintenance and repair costs, and added new advice on troubleshooting problems and determining when to call in a professional mechanic. For anyone who wants to save money on car repairs and maintenance, this book is the place to start.

Deanna Sclar (Long Beach, CA), an acclaimed auto repair expert and consumer advocate, has contributed to the Los Angeles Times and has been interviewed on the Today show, NBC Nightly News, and other television programs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9737 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 552 pages

From the Back Cover

Get the confidence and know–how you need to fix and maintain your vehicle like a pro!

Want to handle basic auto repairs yourself? This easy–to–follow guide gives you the nuts and bolts of diagnosing trouble and performing simple maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. You′ll explore each system part by part and keep everything running in tiptop shape. Plus, you′ll see how to go green on the road — from recycling oil and parts to choosing alternatively fueled vehicles.

• Get to know your vehicle — understand automotive systems; check under the hood; change a tire; follow basic safety rules; change spark plugs, fuses, and the battery; and replace the air filter and PCV valve

• Keep cool and in control — add and change coolant, find and repair leaks, change the oil, and check brakes

• Ensure a smooth ride — choose, check, and care for tires; and understand balancing and alignment

• Handle emergencies — identify strange sounds and smells, jump–start your car, handle overheating, and more

• Work with a mechanic — find a reliable service facility, describe problems accurately, and get the best deal

• Extend your vehicle′s value — clean it inside and out, touch up paint, and fix dings and dents

• Stay safe on the road — install child seats properly; learn about rollover protection, traction and stability control, and navigation systems; and more

Open the book and find:

• The inner secrets of your vehicle — what makes it start, run, and stop

• A step–by–step under–the–hood checklist

• Advice on buying and using the proper tools

• Driving techniques to extend the life of your car

• Eco–friendly tips for saving fuel

• Helpful illustrations that demonstrate repairs

• Reproducible Specifications and Maintenance Records

• The pros and cons of alternative fuels and vehicles

About the Author

Deanna Sclar is an acclaimed auto repair expert and consumer advocate. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows including NBC′s Today show and the NBC Nightly News. Sclar lectures internationally on the ecological impact of vehicles and is active in promoting residential solar energy programs. Sclar is also the author of Buying a Car For Dummies.

Customer Reviews

A good start for the ignorant
If, like me you have been driving but are ignorant of what the internal combustion engine really does, this book will be right up your street. I knew nothing of the finer workings of an automoble before reading this and now I know my superchargers from my turbochargers. Written in clear and concise English like all of the other Dummies Guides it is a treat to read.

For those who are clueless when it comes to anything mechanical
I bought this book after spending 1200 euros in a year purely on routine servicing for my vehicles. I knew absolutely nothing about engines, or oil, or maintenance or anything of the sort.

In almost a year since i bought this book, I have carried out ten full services on my own vehicles and those of all my family members.
This book gives you what most ' how to' books DON'T.
That is ' THE CONFIDENCE TO HAVE A GO YOURSELF' without feeling inadequate, or confusing you with terminology that is hard to understand.

This book, like all Dummies books I've seen is written in extremely simple jargon that a child could understand, and assumes absolutely no prior knowledge. It quickly explains the basics, then moves on accordingly until you quickly reach a thorough understanding of each subject.

It's also written in a way that you can jump from section to section of particular interest, without having to read the book from beginning to end before you can attempt to do anything.

The only downsides to the book, and the reason I haven't given it 5 stars is that although simply written, its written for an American audience and some of the terminology differs from British.
The diesel section also is a little dated now, as diesel engines have improved leaps and bounds in the past few years. I feel this is partly due to the fact that until recently there were little or none diesel cars in the usa, so this section could be improved upon.

But a very valuable book to me, and a perfect present for anyone who would LIKE TO HAVE A GO, but lacks the confidence and know-how.
I certainly feel it has taught me a lot and has been a worthy investment.

Informative
Great book for those wanting to know a little bit more about their car and saving a few quid through minor repairs.