Auto Repair For Dummies by Deanna Sclar Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Auto Repair For Dummies
Book Review: Can't Recommend Highly Enough
Summary: 5 Stars
Obviously I am a dummy because this book is exactly what I needed. Although I can figure out how to open the hood, pretty much everything else about that machine is a mystery. When my car made 200,000 miles it developed a rough idle. What a horror! A car with that many miles with a rough idle! Boy, have the mechanics been licking their chops with my check book. I've had the head gasket checked twice. Three different mechanics said that the engine would need different major repairs, all different parts of it. In this book I read the Chapter which includes information on the PCV valve, went to the dealer to buy one myself, took it to a mechanic to have it installed (he said the whole time that this couldn't possibly be the problem and charged me for some other work) and now the car runs fine. Don't know how long that will last but THANKS!!! to the author of this book. I don't want to know how to fix my car, I just want to be able to get it fixed without getting taken and I wish I had found this book 40,000 miles ago.Book Review: Auto Repair for Dummies and Auto Upkeep make a good pair.
Summary: 5 Stars
I like to have several books in my personal library about cars. Auto Repair for Dummies and Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care compliment each other. Both use different approaches in their books to explain car maintenance, repair, and ownership. I recommend both!Book Review: Author Did A Good Job
Summary: 4 Stars
From past experience, I've had varied success with the "Dummies" series, therefore I was somewhat doubtful when I ordered this book. Based on the previous reviews here at Amazon.com, I ordered it and, after reading the book, I was not disappointed.I bought the book primarily because I wanted a source I could use to help teach my 14 year old son about automotive repair - he just bought his first car (with my approval, of course). The author did a good job of explaining basic automotive repair & I did find much of the book to be useful in helping me explain many things to my son. I too learned a couple of things from the book, having spent several years maintaining various vehicles. A few of the illustrations are poor, but most are either adequate or good.
The author does an especially good job of convincing the reader that simple automobile maintenance is doable if you know what to do (following her detailed instructions), use common sense & have the right tools. I wish more people were "car maintenance savvy" and the author's attitude strongly reiterates this theme. I also firmly believe in doing your own repairs - it's convienient, money and time saving, satisfying and you have peace of mind knowing the job is done right - the author does a good job of emphasizing these points.
I disagree slightly with the author in regard to repairing older cars. True, most older cars needing an engine rebuild should be terminated, however, I've found many older cars ARE worth rebuilding and can provide reliable and very inexpensive means of transportation. As rebuilding engines is totally beyond the scope of this book, and in most cases the author is correct, this is a very minor point. Overall, I'd still highly recommend this book to anyone who either wants to know the basics of automotive repair - either for the do it yourselfer's, or for anyone who wants to become more knowledgeable about maintaining your expensive investment & understanding your mechanics recommendations and expectations.
If you have any intentions of working on your car, I'd recommend getting a manual specific to your car make & model to accompany this book (like a Haynes manual, or similar).
Book Review: Auto Repair for Everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
I own this book and Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care. These books compliment each other quite well. Auto Repair for Dummies does an excellent job explaining basic maintenance and repair, using well drawn line art. Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care uses detailed photos and drawings to show actual car parts. Auto Repair for Dummies is quite procedural for specific repairs. Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care uses to-the-point chapters, price guides, internet links, and an activity CD to help the reader learn about automobile maintenance and ownership. I see Auto Repair for Dummies as a reference, while Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care is a book for anyone who wants to learn more about cars and car ownership (from obtaining insurance, to cleaning, to understanding oil and other fluids). All and all, I recommend having both books in your personal library. These are also great gifts for the new driver!Book Review: KEVIN
Summary: 5 Stars
BASIC. GOOD FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS NO IDEA AND YET HAS SOME TIDSBITS FOR THE EXPERIANCED CAR CARE PERSON.