(Paperback - REVISED & UPDATED)
Most of us don’t know the first thing about the machines we’re licensed to drive – and this can turn a ticket to freedom into a ticket to trouble. If you’re like most people, you probably tend to drive around until something goes wrong with the car. You then incur the expense of replacing worn and burnt-out parts (or the entire engine) when low-cost, regular maintenance could have kept your wheels turning for a long time.
Auto Repair For Dummies is indispensable for anyone who is tired of nodding and smiling at the incomprehensible mutterings of your mechanic, only to end up shelling out money for repairs that you neither fully understand nor always need. This easy-to-understand guide is also for you if you
This book shows you how your car works; what it needs in the way of tender loving care; and how to keep from being overcharged if you need to entrust repairs to someone else. Auto Repair For Dummies also gives you the scoop on these topics and more:
By handling the simple maintenance and tune-ups and being able to diagnose trouble and perform the less complex repairs yourself, you’ll save some serious money. Once you break the ice (or crack open the hood), the heady sense of power will carry you through basic car repair and maintenance with confidence and ease.
In this classic, Deanna Sclar does a wonderful job of explaining the how-to's of car repair so that anyone can figure it out. What impresses me most is that she makes no assumptions about what you already know–everything is clearly mapped out. The book starts by listing the tools you'll need as a home-mechanic, along with photos of the beasts, and brief descriptions of what they are usd for and what to look for when buying them. It goes goes on to clearly explain just how a car works to look for when buying them. It goes on to clearly explain just how a car works form bumper to bumper. Each chapter is devoted to a specific system of the car with an explanation of how it works and how to fix it when it doesn't. Best of all, Deanna includes tips and pointers alond the way to make the job go smoother and a glossary for all those parts and terms that you can never remember. Doing your own repairs can go a long way toward boosting your confidence and disproving the "helpless female" stereotype, as well as saving you time and money.
More Reviews and RecommendationsDeanna Sclar is an acclaimed auto repair expert and consumer advocate. She has appeared on NBC's Today show and NBC Nightly News and is a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times.
Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings
November 10, 2003: As a car owner, I look for books that help me understand my car, its parts, basic repair, and ownership. I have found this book and Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care very beneficial. Auto Repair for Dummies does a good job identifying specific repair procedures. Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care explains automotive systems, how to buy a car, how a car works, average prices of parts, how to buy things like tires, and much more. Auto Repair for Dummies uses line art drawings, Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care shows pictures of actual car parts and has an activity CD. If you want to better understand your car, treat yourself to Auto Repair for Dummies and Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care.
Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings
August 15, 2003: Excellent book for anyone who has not the slightest clue on how cars work. Also included are many easy step-by-step understandable instructions on how to maintain your own car through oil changes, lube jobs, etc. She saves you time, money, and increases knowledge about all types of cars... including the relatively new hybrid engines. A great buy!!!