Description
Get the confidence and know-how you need to fix and maintain your vehicle like a pro! Want to handle basic auto repairs yourself? This easy-to-follow guide gives you the nuts and bolts of diagnosing trouble and performing simple maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. You'll explore each system part by part and keep everything running in tiptop shape. Plus, you'll see how to go green on the road -- from recycling oil and parts to choosing alternatively fueled vehicles. Get to know your vehicle -- understand automotive systems; check under the hood; change a tire; follow basic safety rules; change spark plugs, fuses, and the battery; and replace the air filter and PCV valve Keep cool and in control -- add and change coolant, find and repair leaks, change the oil, and check brakes Ensure a smooth ride -- choose, check, and care for tires; and understand balancing and alignment Handle emergencies -- identify strange sounds and smells, jump-start your car, handle overheating, and more Work with a mechanic -- find a reliable service facility, describe problems accurately, and get the best deal Extend your vehicle's value -- clean it inside and out, touch up paint, and fix dings and dents Stay safe on the road -- install child seats properly; learn about rollover protection, traction and stability control, and navigation systems; and more Open the book and find: The inner secrets of your vehicle -- what makes it start, run, and stop A step-by-step under-the-hood checklist Advice on buying and using the proper tools Driving techniques to extend the life of your car Eco-friendly tips for saving fuel Helpful illustrations that demonstrate repairs Reproducible Specifications and Maintenance Records The pros and cons of alternative fuels and vehicles
