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 CHAPTER 1 THE BASICS 3 What Every Driver Should Know 4 Types of Cars 6 A Look Under the Hood 8 Identifying Your Car’s Fluids 12 Finding a Good Mechanic 16 Routine Maintenance Checks 18 Ten Tips for Maintaining Your Car 20 CHAPTER 2 BE PREPARED 23 What to Carry in Your Car 24 Roadside and Emergency Safety 28 Avoiding Lockout 30 How to: Safely Raise a Car 32 How to: Change a Tire 34 How to: Jump-Start a Battery 38 How to: Check and Change a Fuse 42 CHAPTER 3 THE ENGINE 45 How the Engine Works 46 Common Engine Problems 50 How to: Check and Add Engine Oil 52 How to: Change the Engine Oil 58 How to: Inspect and Change Accessory Belts 64 CHAPTER 4 THE DRIVETRAIN 69 How the Drivetrain Works 70 Common Drivetrain Problems 72 How to: Check and Fill an Automatic Transmission 74 How to: Check and Fill a Manual Transmission 76 How to: Check and Maintain CV Joints and U-Joints 78 CHAPTER 5 THE FUEL SYSTEM 83 How the Fuel System Works 84 Common Fuel System Problems 90 How to: Change the Fuel Filter 92 How to: Inspect and Replace the Air Filter 96 How to: Inspect and Replace the PCV Valve 98 CHAPTER 6 THE IGNITION SYSTEM 101 How the Ignition System Works 102 Common Ignition System Problems 104 Spark Plug Location 108 How to: Change the Spark Plugs 110 How to: Change Spark Plug Wires 114 How to: Test for Spark 118 CHAPTER 7 THE COOLING SYSTEM 121 How the Cooling System Works 122 Common Cooling System Problems 125 Locating Leaks 126 How to: Check and Add Coolant 130 How to: Flush and Fill the Cooling System 132 How to: Replace a Hose 136 CHAPTER 8 THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM 141 How the A/C System Works 142 Common A/C System Problems 144 How to: Check for Leaks 146 How to: Add Refrigerant 148 How to: Clean a Smelly A/C System 152 CHAPTER 9 THE EXHAUST SYSTEM 155 How the Exhaust System Works 156 Common Exhaust System Problems 158 How to: Replace an Exhaust Gasket 160 How to: Change an Oxygen Sensor 164 CHAPTER 10 THE COMPUTER SYSTEM 167 What the Computer System Does 168 Common Computer System Problems 170 How to: Check for Codes 172 CHAPTER 11 THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 177 How the Electrical System Works 178 Common Electrical System Problems 180 Troubleshooting the Starting System 182 How to: Replace a Taillight Bulb 184 How to: Replace a Headlight Bulb 186 How to: Check the Charging System 188 How to: Clean the Battery Terminals 190 How to: Change a Battery 192 CHAPTER 12 THE BRAKING SYSTEM 195 How the Braking System Works 196 Common Braking System Problems 200 How to: Inspect the Brakes 202 How to: Change Brake Pads and Rotors 206 How to: Check and Fill Brake Fluid 212 How to: Bleed the Brake System 214 CHAPTER 13 STEERING AND SUSPENSION 221 How the Steering and Suspension Systems Work 222 Common Steering and Suspension Problems 226 How to: Check and Fill Power Steering Fluid 230 How to: Lubricate the Suspension System 232 How to: Inspect Shocks and Struts 234 CHAPTER 14 TIRES AND WHEELS 237 Wheels 101 238 Tires 101 240 Choosing the Right Tires 244 Common Tire Problems 246 How to: Check the Tire Pressure 248 How to: Add Air to a Tire 249 How to: Rotate Your Tires 250 CHAPTER 15 THE EXTERIOR 255 Common Exterior Problems 256 Washing and Waxing Your Vehicle 258 How to: Wash a Car 259 How to: Wax a Car 261 Paint Imperfections and Rust Problems 262 How to: Remove Scuffs in Paint 264 How to: Restore Headlight Lenses 266 How to: Inspect and Replace Wiper Blades 268 How to: Inspect and Repair Weather Stripping 270 Maintenance Schedules 272 Terms to Know 274 INDEX 276