Auto Repair and Maintenance: Easy Lessons for Maintaining Your Car So It Lasts Longer (Idiot's Guides)

Cars continue to be more complicated — and more costly to repair. Expert, Dave Stribling, gives readers the basic knowledge and a lot of know-how in Idiot's Guides: Auto Repair and Maintenance . Dozens of step-by-step, full-color photos and illustrations make DIY car repairs and maintenance so much easier, regardless of make or model. And when a repair calls for an expert, this book gives readers the knowledge they need to avoid unnecessary repairs and cost. Contents iii 5 CHAPTER 1 THE BASICS 3 11 What Every Driver Should Know 4 12 Types of Cars 6 14 A Look Under the Hood 8 16 Identifying Your Car’s Fluids 12 20 Finding a Good Mechanic 16 24 Routine Maintenance Checks 18 26 Ten Tips for Maintaining Your Car 20 28 CHAPTER 2 BE PREPARED 23 31 What to Carry in Your Car 24 32 Roadside and Emergency Safety 28 36 Avoiding Lockout 30 38 How to: Safely Raise a Car 32 40 How to: Change a Tire 34 42 How to: Jump-Start a Battery 38 46 How to: Check and Change a Fuse 42 50 CHAPTER 3 THE ENGINE 45 53 How the Engine Works 46 54 Common Engine Problems 50 58 How to: Check and Add Engine Oil 52 60 How to: Change the Engine Oil 58 66 How to: Inspect and Change Accessory Belts 64 72 CHAPTER 4 THE DRIVETRAIN 69 77 How the Drivetrain Works 70 78 Common Drivetrain Problems 72 80 How to: Check and Fill an Automatic Transmission 74 82 How to: Check and Fill a Manual Transmission 76 84 How to: Check and Maintain CV Joints and U-Joints 78 86 CHAPTER 5 THE FUEL SYSTEM 83 91 How the Fuel System Works 84 92 Common Fuel System Problems 90 98 How to: Change the Fuel Filter 92 100 How to: Inspect and Replace the Air Filter 96 104 How to: Inspect and Replace the PCV Valve 98 106 CHAPTER 6 THE IGNITION SYSTEM 101 109 How the Ignition System Works 102 110 Common Ignition System Problems 104 112 Spark Plug Location 108 116 How to: Change the Spark Plugs 110 118 How to: Change Spark Plug Wires 114 122 How to: Test for Spark 118 126 CHAPTER 7 THE COOLING SYSTEM 121 129 How the Cooling System Works 122 126 Common Cooling System Problems 125 133 Locating Leaks 126 134 How to: Check and Add Coolant 130 138 How to: Flush and Fill the Cooling System 132 140 How to: Replace a Hose 136 144 CHAPTER 8 THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM 141 149 How the A/C System Works 142 150 Common A/C System Problems 144 152 How to: Check for Leaks 146 154 How to: Add Refrigerant 148 156 How to: Clean a Smelly A/C System 152 160 CHAPTER 9 THE EXHAUST SYSTEM 155 163 How the Exhaust System Works 156 164 Common Exhaust System Problems 158 166 How to: Replace an Exhaust Gasket 160 168 How to: Change an Oxygen Sensor 164 172 CHAPTER 10 THE COMPUTER SYSTEM 167 175 What the Computer System Does 168 176 Common Computer System Problems 170 178 How to: Check for Codes 172 180 CHAPTER 11 THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 177 185 How the Electrical System Works 178 186 Common Electrical System Problems 180 188 Troubleshooting the Starting System 182 190 How to: Replace a Taillight Bulb 184 192 How to: Replace a Headlight Bulb 186 194 How to: Check the Charging System 188 196 How to: Clean the Battery Terminals 190 198 How to: Change a Battery 192 200 CHAPTER 12 THE BRAKING SYSTEM 195 203 How the Braking System Works 196 204 Common Braking System Problems 200 208 How to: Inspect the Brakes 202 210 How to: Change Brake Pads and Rotors 206 214 How to: Check and Fill Brake Fluid 212 220 How to: Bleed the Brake System 214 222 CHAPTER 13 STEERING AND SUSPENSION 221 229 How the Steering and Suspension Systems Work 222 230 Common Steering and Suspension Problems 226 234 How to: Check and Fill Power Steering Fluid 230 238 How to: Lubricate the Suspension System 232 240 How to: Inspect Shocks and Struts 234 242 CHAPTER 14 TIRES AND WHEELS 237 245 Wheels 101 238 246 Tires 101 240 248 Choosing the Right Tires 244 252 Common Tire Problems 246 254 How to: Check the Tire Pressure 248 256 How to: Add Air to a Tire 249 257 How to: Rotate Your Tires 250 258 CHAPTER 15 THE EXTERIOR 255 263 Common Exterior Problems 256 264 Washing and Waxing Your Vehicle 258 266 How to: Wash a Car 259 267 How to: Wax a Car 261 269 Paint Imperfections and Rust Problems 262 270 How to: Remove Scuffs in Paint 264 272 How to: Restore Headlight Lenses 266 274 How to: Inspect and Replace Wiper Blades 268 276 How to: Inspect and Repair Weather Stripping 270 278 Maintenance Schedules 272 280 Terms to Know 274 282 INDEX 276 284