Auto Repair For Dummies

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 valveKeep cool and in control - add and change coolant, find and repair leaks, change the oil, and check brakesEnsure a smooth ride - choose, check, and care for tires; and understand balancing and alignmentHandle emergencies - identify strange sounds and smells, jump-start your car, handle overheating, and moreWork with a mechanic - find a reliable service facility, describe problems accurately, and get the best dealExtend your vehicle's value - clean it inside and out, touch up paint, and fix dings and dentsStay safe on the road - install child seats properly; learn about rollover protection, traction and stability control, and navigation systems; and moreOpen the book and find:The inner secrets of your vehicle - what makes it start, run, and stopA step-by-step under-the-hood checklistAdvice on buying and using the proper toolsDriving techniques to extend the life of your carEco-friendly tips for saving fuelHelpful illustrations that demonstrate repairsReproducible Specifications and Maintenance RecordsThe pros and cons of alternative fuels and vehiclesDeanna Sclar is the author of 'Auto Repair For Dummies', published 2008 under ISBN 9780764599026 and ISBN 076459902X.