Auto Repair for Dummies

by Deanna Sclar

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764550896
• ISBN13: 9780764550898
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 567 Pages
• Weight: 2.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely love it!

Great condition. Easy to navigate. Great for our, soon to be, teen driver.

Good book

It Is a good book. I found a picture of a little boy used as a book mark that I would like to find the owner to.

Excellent for people with no/little knowledge of cars and for kids to learn

I really like that theres plenty of pictures to show what the writing is referring to. It starts off with insanely simple things like filling gas, opening a hood Then, it discusses the different parts of the engine, electrical system, suspension and how they work It also teaches simple maintenance like changing fluids, inflating tires, changing headlights Overall, for less than 5$, I'd reccomend buying if for kids or inexperienced car people. I've even learned a few things from it. Also, MAKE SURE TO BUY THE MOST RECENT PRINTED VERSION, NOT THE 1980S!

Auto Repair for Everyone

I own this book and Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care. These books compliment each other quite well. Auto Repair for Dummies does an excellent job explaining basic maintenance and repair, using well drawn line art. Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care uses detailed photos and drawings to show actual car parts. Auto Repair for Dummies is quite procedural for specific repairs. Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care uses to-the-point chapters, price guides, internet links, and an activity CD to help the reader learn about automobile maintenance and ownership. I see Auto Repair for Dummies as a reference, while Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care is a book for anyone who wants to learn more about cars and car ownership (from obtaining insurance, to cleaning, to understanding oil and other fluids). All and all, I recommend having both books in your personal library. These are also great gifts for the new driver!

Fantastic beginner's book

I recently purchased an older model American car... the kind with a carburetor and distributor and--get this--spark plugs that you can actually reach without removing half the stuff from the engine. It has been so long since I could really work on my own car that I had forgotten how to do basic tuneups and keep my auto in primo condition. This book is outstanding for explaining how it all works and how to do the basics yourself. It begins with a simple but thorough explanation of all the systems (electrical, fuel, suspension, steering, etc.) and how a car works. Then it goes through each system and, with the aid of very effective diagrams, explains how to check and fix each one. I have, thanks to this book, the knowledge and confidence to keep my new/old car in tune, running smooth, and at a fraction of the cost of taking it into the shop. You don't need an older car to appreciate this wonderful resource, either. The author goes through modern cars and their systems, too, like fuel injection and rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes. If you have always wanted to know more about cars, and want the confidence to do the basic maintenance yourself, this IS the book for you. Highly reccommended.

A must have for all auto repair rookies.

The Dummies series scores another home run. The author does an excellent job of laying a foundation which assumes you know nothing about auto repair and steadily builds upon that foundation throughout the book. The illustrations are thorough yet simple to follow. Also included are various tips on ways to maintain your car and lower the overall cost of ownership. A must have for anyone who has ever envied those who understand what goes on under the hood.

This book is both funny and infinitely useful.

I read the first edition years ago, and whenever I work on my car I wish I still had my old copy to help explain some of the jargon found in other books. Please note, do not lend this book to anyone, its that good! Now I don't really need it because I have so many other books to help me with car repairs, but it was this book which got me started. To be honest, I think this book started the "dummy series". When I saw the title of the book I thought, now this is the book for me, 'cause I don't know anything. Anyway, please don't buy other repair books first, I did and I had to buy this one before I understood anything. This book can save you money and open up a new hobby for you. Call me crazy, but I like it :o).

Great beginner's book but needs updating.

I bought the first edition of this book in the early 80s and loved it! Gave away a number of copies as presents. I also bought this edition. Deanna Sclar presents auto repair simply enough for the complete klutz (me) to understand it. Shame she hasn't published a new version since 1989