Title
Introduction
About This Book
How IBecame Intimately Involved with My Car, and Why You Should Too
Conventions Used in This Book
How I Picture You
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I : Getting to Know Your Vehicle
Chapter 1: Things Every Driver Should Know
Before You Tackle Any Job
How to Fill ’Er Up Yourself
How to Open the Hood
How to Take Anything Apart — and Get It Back Together Again
How to Use a Jack Safely
How to Change a Tire
How to Get In When You’re Locked Out
Chapter 2: Preventive Maintenance: A Monthly Under-the-Hood Check
Getting Your Bearings under the Hood
Check the Air Filter
Check the Accessory Belts
Check the Battery
Check the Coolant
Check the Hoses
Check the Dipsticks
Check the Brake Fluid
Check the Wiring
Check the Windshield Washer Fluid
Check and Replace Windshield Wipers
Check the Tires
Drive and Enjoy!
Chapter 3: The Way to Your Car’s Heart Is through Your Toolbox
Shopping for Tools
Screwdrivers
Screwholders
Wrenches
Pliers
Gauges
Work Lights
Jacks
Jack Stands
Creepers
Fire Extinguishers
Funnels
More Things to Carry in Your Vehicle
Chapter 4: What Makes It Go? The Inner Secrets of Your Car Revealed!
Keeping Your Owner’s Manual Handy
Introducing the Engine Control Unit (ECU)
What Makes Your Vehicle Start?
What Makes Your Vehicle Run?
What Makes Your Vehicle Stop?
Part II : Powering Up with Air, Fuel, and Fire
Chapter 5: The Electrical System: Your Car’s Spark of Life
The Starting System
The Charging System
The Ignition System
Warning Lights and Malfunction Indicator Lights (MIL)
Other Electrical Gadgets
Chapter 6: Keeping Your Electrical System in Tune
Determining Whether Your Vehicle Needs a Tune-up
Changing Your Spark Plugs
Replacing a Battery
Changing Fuses
Dealing with Headlights and Directional Signals
Chapter 7: The Traditional Fuel System: The Heart and Lungs of Your Car
Basic Fuel System Components
Following Fuel through the Fuel Injectors
The Engine Block: Where the Fuel System and Ignition System Meet
Supercharging with Turbochargers
The Exhaust System
Chapter 8: Keeping Your Fuel System in Tune
Maintaining Your Air Filter
Replacing a Fuel Filter
Servicing the PCV Valve
Troubleshooting Catalytic Converters
Checking the Compression in the Cylinders
What to Do When All Else Fails
Chapter 9: Diesels For Dummies
Clean Diesels: Nontoxic Newcomers
The Pros and Cons of Diesels
What Makes It Go?
The Fuel System
The Electrical System
The Emissions System
Caring for Your Diesel
Getting Started on a Frosty Morning
Finding a Reliable Diesel Mechanic
Chapter 10: From Horses to Hybrids: Alternatively Powered Vehicles
Ethanol
Flex-fuel Vehicles
Hybrids
Electric Vehicles (EV)
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles
Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV)
Part III : Staying Cool and In Control
Chapter 11: The Cooling System Up Close
Coolant/Antifreeze
The Radiator
The Fan
The Water Pump
The Thermostat
The Heater Core
The Transmission Cooler
Air Conditioning
Chapter 12: Keeping Your Car from Getting Heartburn
Overcoming Overheating
Checking and Adding Liquid to Your Cooling System
Flushing Your System and Changing Your Coolant
Finding Leaks in the Cooling System
Buying and Replacing Hoses and Hose Clamps
Repairing Leaks in the Cooling System
Adjusting and Replacing Accessory Belts
Replacing Your Thermostat
Servicing Air Conditioners
Chapter 13: Oil: Keeping Your Car Young and Happy
How Oil Benefits Your Vehicle
What You Should Know about Oil
Choosing the Right Oil for Your Vehicle
How Often You Should Change Your Oil
How to Change Your Oil Yourself
Chapter 14: It’s the Brakes!
Brake System Basics
Drum Brakes
Disc Brakes
The Parking Brake
Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)
Other Electronic Braking Systems
Chapter 15: Be a Buddy to Your Brakes and Bearings
Checking Your Brake System
Getting at Your Brakes
Checking and Packing Wheel Bearings
Flushing and Changing Brake Fluid
Bleeding Your Brakes
Adjusting Your Parking Brake
Checking Anti-Lock Brakes
Part IV : Smoothing the Ride: Steering and Suspension, Tires and Transmissions
Chapter 16: Steering and Suspension Systems Smooth the Way
The Steering System
Suspension Systems
Chapter 17: How to Keep Your Car from Getting Sore Feet: Tires, Alignment, and Balancing
Tire Construction
The Secrets on Your Sidewalls, Revealed!
Types of Tires
Specialized Tire Systems
Tips for Buying Tires
Caring for Your Tires
Dealing with Defective Tires
Chapter 18: Take the Drive Train: Understanding and Maintaining Your Transmission without Losing Your Mind
The Drive Train
How Power Flows through the Drive Train
Manual Transmissions
Automatic Transmissions
Troubleshooting Your Drive Train
Taking Care of Your Clutch
Undertaking Transmission Repairs Wisely
How to Keep from Driving Your Transmission Crazy
Part V : Staying Safe and Dealing with Emergencies
Chapter 19: Staying Safe on the Road
Air Bags
Side Impact Protection Systems (SIPS)
Adjustable Devices
Child Safety Seats and Booster Seats
Smart Seat Belts
“Eyes” in the Back of Your Vehicle
Brake-Shift Interlocks
Traction Control Systems (TCS)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Rollover Stability Control (RSC)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Telematics: How Cars Communicate
Chapter 20: Troubleshooting Leaks, Squeaks, Smells, and Strange Sensations
Sounds
Squeaks, Rattles, and Vibrations
Smells
Smoke
Leaks
Strange Sensations
Directional Signals
Chapter 21: What to Do If Your Car Drops Dead or Won’t Start
Getting Off the Road Safely
Troubleshooting the Problem
Handling a Vehicle That Overheats on a Hot Day
Overheating When It Isn’t Hot Outside
If Your Vehicle Won’t Start
Chapter 22: When All Else Fails: Finding and Dealing with a Good Mechanic
Choosing a Service Facility
Finding a Reliable Service Facility
Evaluating a Facility
Getting the Best Possible Deal
Complaining Effectively
Part VI : Helping Your Vehicle Look Its Best
Chapter 23: Keeping Your Vehicle Clean and Beautiful
Environmentally Safe Ways to Clean Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Exterior
Cleaning under the Hood
Cleaning the Interior
Remembering Those Final Touches
Chapter 24: Bodywork: Getting Rid of Dings, Dents, and Other Hard Knocks
Getting Rid of Rust
Removing Small Dents and Dings
Filling Small Dents and Holes
Touching Up Your Paint Job
Installing New Weatherstripping or Patching the Old
Dealing with Damaged Windshields
Turning to the Pros for Larger Repairs
Part VII : The Part of Tens
Chapter 25: The Ten Most Important Preventive Maintenance Measures
Change the Oil Frequently and Regularly
Do a Monthly Under-the-Hood Check
Check the Tire Inflation and Alignment
Keep the Interior Clean
Wash the Vehicle Frequently and Keep It Out of the Sun
Get Rid of Rust
Change the Filters
Change the Coolant
Lubricate the Moving and Rubber Parts
Get Scheduled Maintenance to Keep Warranties Valid
Chapter 26: Ten “Eco-Logical” Ways to Save Fuel
Take a Look under the Hood
Start Up without Warming Up
Drive Eco-Logically
Structure Trips to Save Fuel
Fill ’Er Up Eco-Logically
Keep Your Side Windows Shut and the AC Turned Off
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Clean Out the Junk
Keep Your Vehicle Waxed
Use a Trailer Instead of a Roof Rack
Appendix A: A Practical Glossary of Automotive Terms
Appendix B: Specifications and Maintenance Records
Specifications Record
Maintenance Record