Auto Repair For Dummies
2. Edition April 2019
576 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Further versions
Auto Repair For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119543619) was previously published as Auto Repair For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9780764599026). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.
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.
Part 1: Getting to Know Your Vehicle 9
Chapter 1: Things Every Driver Should Know 11
Chapter 2: Preventive Maintenance: A Monthly Under-the-Hood Check 31
Chapter 3: The Way to Your Car's Heart Is through Your Toolbox 49
Chapter 4: What Makes It Go? The Inner Secrets of Your Car Revealed! 69
Part 2: Powering Up with Air, Fuel, and Fire 83
Chapter 5: The Electrical System: Your Car's Spark of Life 85
Chapter 6: Keeping Your Electrical System in Tune 103
Chapter 7: The Traditional Fuel System: The Heart and Lungs of Your Car 129
Chapter 8: Keeping Your Fuel System in Tune 149
Chapter 9: Diesels For Dummies 165
Chapter 10: From Horses to Hybrids: Alternatively Powered Vehicles 185
Part 3: Staying Cool and In Control 197
Chapter 11: The Cooling System Up Close 199
Chapter 12: Keeping Your Car from Getting Heartburn 207
Chapter 13: Oil: Keeping Your Car Young and Happy 239
Chapter 14: It's the Brakes! 257
Chapter 15: Be a Buddy to Your Brakes and Bearings 271
Part 4: Smoothing the Ride: Steering and Suspension, Tires and Transmissions 299
Chapter 16: Steering and Suspension Systems Smooth the Way 301
Chapter 17: How to Keep Your Car from Getting Sore Feet: Tires, Alignment, and Balancing 317
Chapter 18: Take the Drive Train: Understanding and Maintaining Your Transmission without Losing Your Mind 343
Part 5: Staying Safe and Dealing with Emergencies 367
Chapter 19: Staying Safe on the Road 369
Chapter 20: Troubleshooting Leaks, Squeaks, Smells, and Strange Sensations 395
Chapter 21: What to Do If Your Car Drops Dead or Won't Start 407
Chapter 22: When All Else Fails: Finding and Dealing with a Good Mechanic 419
Part 6: Helping Your Vehicle Look Its Best 439
Chapter 23: Keeping Your Vehicle Clean and Beautiful 441
Chapter 24: Bodywork: Getting Rid of Dings, Dents, and Other Hard Knocks 463
Part 7: The Part of Tens 479
Chapter 25: The Ten Most Important Preventive Maintenance Measures 481
Chapter 26: Ten "Eco-Logical" Ways to Save Fuel 487
Appendix A: A Practical Glossary of
Automotive Terms 495
Appendix B: Specifications and
Maintenance Records 527
Index 535
