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.
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

Don't have the vaguest idea of how a car works.
Can't identify anything you see under the hood of your vehicle.
Are tired of other people assuming (especially if you’re a teenager or a woman) that you aren’t capable of handling repairs yourself.
Don't want to feel helpless in an emergency.
Are tired of being ripped off because of your own ignorance.
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:   
 Description

Part I: Getting Started.

Chapter 1: Things Every Driver Should Know.

Chapter 2: The Way to Your Car's Heart Is through Your Toolbox.

Chapter 3: Preventive Maintenance: A Monthly Under-the-Hood Check.

Part II: What Makes It Go?

Chapter 4: The Inner Secrets of Your Car Revealed.

Chapter 5: The Electrical System: Your Car's Spark of Life.

Chapter 6: The Fuel System: The Heart and Lungs of Your Car.

Chapter 7: From Horses to Hybrids: The Dope on Diesels and Alternatively Powered Vehicles.

Chapter 8: The Cooling System Up Close.

Chapter 9: Take the Drive Train: Understanding Transmissions without Losing Your Mind

Chapter 10: It's the Brakes!

Chapter 11: Steering and Suspension Systems Smooth the Way.

Part III: Keeping Your Car in Good Condition, System by System.

Chapter 12: Keeping Your Electrical System in Tune.

Chapter 13: Keeping Your Fuel System in Tune.

Chapter 14: Keeping Your Car from Getting Heartburn.

Chapter 15: Changing Your Oil.

Chapter 16: Lubrication Extends the Life of Your Vehicle.

Chapter 17: What to Do If Your Transmission Stops Running.

Chapter 18: Smoothly Being a Buddy to Your Brakes and Bearing.

Chapter 19: Checking Your Tires, Alignment, and Steering.

Part IV: Dealing with On-the-Road Emergencies.

Chapter 20: Troubleshooting Leaks, Squeaks, Smells, and Strange Sensations.

Chapter 21: What to Do If Your Car Drops Dead or Won't Start.

Chapter 22: When All Else Fails: Finding and Dealing with a Good Mechanic.

Part V: Helping Your Vehicle Look Its Best.

Chapter 23: Keeping Your Car Clean and Beautiful.

Chapter 24: Getting Rid of Dings, Dents, and Other Hard Knocks.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 25: The Ten Most Important Preventive Maintenance Measure.

Chapter 26: Measures Ten "Eco-Logical" Ways to Save Fuel.

Appendix A: A Practical Glossary of Automotive Terms.

Appendix B: Specifications and Maintenance Records.

Index.