Auto Repair For Dummies

I purchased Auto Repair for Dummies back when I bought my first car in 1981/82. I bought a Vega and the combination of the car that needed constant repair and the guidance of this book, gave me the confindence of knowing that I can indeed fix a vehicle. The book is over 20 years old now, I would never part with it (even though it is out of date), but it's very well used and I think any new driver who would like to save money would benefit from this book. I think my last big job I did to a car was about 4 years ago when a friend and I replaced four bent valves in my Honda Civic (I was a little hasty replacing a timing belt and did it wrong). But along with the vehicle's Hayne's manual, I always had Auto Repair for Dummies along side. If the newer version stands up like the one I have it is well worth buying. I can't work on cars anymore because I am disabled but I always mention to others that this is a book worth reading and keeping on hand.

This book is excellent for anyone who has no idea about how cars work and what parts under the hood have what functions... I do think though, it lacks information about fairly modern technology that is being used in cars... It highlights the workings of cars mostly in the 70's, 80's without much emphasis on newer generation cars... But i still feel, it is important to have a sound knowledge about the original, more simplistic systems of the car before advancing to the newer, more efficient and complicated systems...

Obviously I am a dummy because this book is exactly what I needed. Although I can figure out how to open the hood, pretty much everything else about that machine is a mystery. When my car made 200,000 miles it developed a rough idle. What a horror! A car with that many miles with a rough idle! Boy, have the mechanics been licking their chops with my check book. I've had the head gasket checked twice. Three different mechanics said that the engine would need different major repairs, all different parts of it. In this book I read the Chapter which includes information on the PCV valve, went to the dealer to buy one myself, took it to a mechanic to have it installed (he said the whole time that this couldn't possibly be the problem and charged me for some other work) and now the car runs fine. Don't know how long that will last but THANKS!!! to the author of this book. I don't want to know how to fix my car, I just want to be able to get it fixed without getting taken and I wish I had found this book 40,000 miles ago.

I like to have several books in my personal library about cars. Auto Repair for Dummies and Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care compliment each other. Both use different approaches in their books to explain car maintenance, repair, and ownership. I recommend both!

From past experience, I've had varied success with the "Dummies" series, therefore I was somewhat doubtful when I ordered this book. Based on the previous reviews here at Amazon.com, I ordered it and, after reading the book, I was not disappointed.

I bought the book primarily because I wanted a source I could use to help teach my 14 year old son about automotive repair - he just bought his first car (with my approval, of course). The author did a good job of explaining basic automotive repair & I did find much of the book to be useful in helping me explain many things to my son. I too learned a couple of things from the book, having spent several years maintaining various vehicles. A few of the illustrations are poor, but most are either adequate or good.

The author does an especially good job of convincing the reader that simple automobile maintenance is doable if you know what to do (following her detailed instructions), use common sense & have the right tools. I wish more people were "car maintenance savvy" and the author's attitude strongly reiterates this theme. I also firmly believe in doing your own repairs - it's convienient, money and time saving, satisfying and you have peace of mind knowing the job is done right - the author does a good job of emphasizing these points.

I disagree slightly with the author in regard to repairing older cars. True, most older cars needing an engine rebuild should be terminated, however, I've found many older cars ARE worth rebuilding and can provide reliable and very inexpensive means of transportation. As rebuilding engines is totally beyond the scope of this book, and in most cases the author is correct, this is a very minor point. Overall, I'd still highly recommend this book to anyone who either wants to know the basics of automotive repair - either for the do it yourselfer's, or for anyone who wants to become more knowledgeable about maintaining your expensive investment & understanding your mechanics recommendations and expectations.

If you have any intentions of working on your car, I'd recommend getting a manual specific to your car make & model to accompany this book (like a Haynes manual, or similar).