How to Repair Your Car

by Brand, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780760322734
• ISBN10: 0760322732
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-15
• Publisher: Motorbooks

Summary

From Motorboooks, the leader in automotive publishing for over 4 decades, comes the most practical car care guide ever produced to help the average car owner maintain and repair his or her vehicle - How to Repair Your Car. In this easy-to-follow guide, author Paul Brand, a nationally known automotive expert, takes you through the steps of auto maintenance and repairsimple steps that could add years to a car's life and save a driver thousands of dollars in repairs. This is also the only car maintenance and repair guide on the market to contain 50 do-it-yourself projects in full-color, step-by-step instructions that will save the consumer thousands of dollars in repair costs over a vehicle's lifetime. Focusing on post-1985 cars (with occasional explanations about earlier models), Brand introduces readers to the rudiments of automotive systemsfrom electrical, fuel, and cooling to drivetrain, suspension, tires, brakes, and exhaustand discusses problems that arise in each system. The book includes practical advice for readers with only a passing knowledge of cars, as well as the basics of caring for a car's exterior and interior. How to Repair Your Car is a must-have for any car owner who wants to extend the life of his or her car, learn how to perform car maintenance or repair instead of paying a mechanic, diagnose simple noises and knocks, as well as learn tips for knowing exactly what they're paying for when their car goes to the shop.

Author Biography

Nationally known automotive expert Paul Brand is the host of the radio show Autotalk and a columnist for the Minneapolis StarTribune. As an automotive troubleshooter, race-car driver, and leading Midwest instructor of law enforcement pursuit driving, he is a frequent speaker at automotive conventions, trade shows, and anywhere there is a gathering of people with an interest in automobiles. Paul resides in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.

 

Table of Contents

Introduction

Basics and Troubleshooting

How To Use This Book

The Icons

The Preflight Check

What You Need in a Home Shop

How To Find a Good Mechanic

How To Talk to Your Mechanic

Cost of Ownership Car

Ownership Costs

Leasing Basic Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance Schedule Chart

Change Wiper Blades

Fill Wiper Fluid

How To Jack Up Your Car

How To Wash Your Hands

Fuel System Carburetors

Carburetor Drawbacks

Fuel Injection

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)

Engine Management System

Taking Care of the Fuel System

Fuel Filter Changes

Air Filter Changes

Choose the Proper Fuel Detonation and Pre-Ignition

Oxygenated Fuel

Dealing with Fuel in Cold Weather

Fuel System

Troubleshooting Chart

Fuel Projects

Change Fuel Filter

Engine Diesel

Engines Hybrids

Modern Combustion Technology

How To Check Your Coolant

How To Check Your Oil

Oil Change

Costs Synthetic Oils

Air Cleaner Changes

Dealing with Leaks

Coolant Leaks Engine

Troubleshooting

Chart Engine Projects

Check Oil

Change Oil and Filter

Change Air Filter

Change PCV Valve

Replace Serpentine Belt

Electrical System

The Battery

Battery Maintenance

Battery Terminology

Reserve Capacity (RC)

Why Do Automotive Batteries Fail?

Battery Maintenance Alternator and Charging System

Easy Test for Your Charging System

Starting System Dealing with a No-Start Engine

Quick Starting System

Test Using Booster Cables

How Do You Know If the Part Is Bad?

Let There Be Spark

The Heart of the Electrical System

Electronic Control Modules

What To Do When Things Short, Fizzle, and Die

The Fuses, Relays, and Connections (FRC)

Principle Electrical System

Troubleshooting

Chart Electrical System Projects

Change Plug Wires and Plugs

Replace Distributor Cap and Rotor

Test Alternator

Replace Alternator

Replace Starter

Clean Battery Posts

Check Battery Electrolyte

Replace Battery

Test and Replace Fuses

Replace Taillight Bulb

Replace Taillight Lens

Replace Headlight Bulb

Replace Turn-Signal Bulb

Replace Back-Up Light

Cooling System

Cooling System Maintenance

Corrosion Drive Belt, Radiator, and Heater

Hose Care

Troubleshooting

Drive Belt, Radiator, and Heater

Hose Care Signs

Your Engine Is Overheating

Note on Radiator/Cooling System

Stop-Leak Products Cooling System

Troubleshooting

Chart Cooling System Projects

Check/Fill Coolant

Check Fluid Concentration

Change Radiator Cap and Thermostat

Replace Radiator Hose

Replace Your Radiator

Flush Cooling System

Replace Water Pump

Pressure Test System

Drivetrain Transmission Shifting

Manual Transmissions

Automatic Transmissions

How Automatic Transmissions

Change Gears

Modern Automatic Transmission Technology

The Differential All-Wheel Drive

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