Auto Repair For Dummies
by Deanna Sclar
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Book Reviews of Auto Repair For Dummies
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: Not an Auto Repair Book - Very Basic, Maybe Too Basic
Summary: 3 Stars
I put this book on my Wish List at Amazon.com. It is exactly what I need and the other reviewers give it a good rating. But HOLD THE PRESSES not so fast. I went over to the local book store and happened to see a copy, so I sat down for 10 minutes and quickly took in as much as I could.
First of all the title is misleading. It is not about car repair despite the size of the book's big 600 page thickness. It should be called
"Dummies Guide to Car Ownership".
It is like a large owners manual that comes with every new car. This book cannot be used to repair your car. You can use it to understand how the car works, when to change the oil, and what certain parts do but it is (definitely) not a car repair book. Maybe if you bought a used car and it has no manual buy this book, or you just bought your first car and you are clueless, then okay buy the book, but if you are that clueless - do not fix your car. Get help.
It is like a cartoon book on very basic things. For example one section is how to open the hood (I kid you not!). Another is how to change the tire. Another how to check your fluid levels. There are cartoons showing the suspension, the motor combustion cycle, etc. all the things that are basic. It is not a guide to repairing a serious problem or maybe even a not so serious problem in your car. There are a few interesting items in the book like PVC valves and cartoons showing how they bleed exhaust gases back into the input manifold, etc.
Okay so you want to repair your Chevy or your Honda or your VW or your Ford pickup. This is what you do. You go to a store like Autozone or similar (this is not an endorsement) and you buy a shop manual for your exact car - say a 1999 Chevy Lumina V6 3.8 L, that is for the make, the model, with the year and exact engine or the equivalent book for $25-$50. bucks. Maybe you can get it for less. Then you use the shop manual as a guide to determine what to change and how to do it, and buy the parts at an auto supply place. If that manual is too complicated, just go to a garage, or get help from a friend that has some experience.
If you know the basics about a car, skip the book.
Book Review: Some good info, too wordy, title misleading
Summary: 3 Stars
I own this book. It has some good basic info, but a much better title would be How Cars Work, With a Little Auto Repair Thrown In. Some of the actual descriptions of "repair" are of very simple things, like how to open the hood - but I guess you should expect that in a Dummies volume. She recommends going to a pro for all but the simplest repairs. Kind of defeats the purpose of the book, it seems to me. She doesn't even discuss exhaust system work, and on many cars that's a relatively simple job. I'm certainly not Joe Mechanic, but even I managed to replace my own muffler and another pipe. This book is more about maintenance than repair.
There are also too many cutesy stories and comments, and Sclar's descriptions are often much too wordy. If she had merely stuck to the facts this book could have been 50 pages shorter. For instance, Sclar tells a story about a woman who had a flat tire but refused a truck driver who offered to help. Then the woman discovered she wasn't strong enough to lift the tire onto the rim. Sclar makes sure to mention that the guy stayed there in his truck to enjoy her helplessness, then goes into an explanation, complete with illustrations, of how to build a ramp to ROLL the spare up to the rim. Who's going to do that, and then lug the thing around in their trunk? Not many, I expect. Hey, here's a thought - when someone graciously offers help, why not just accept it?
That said, the book does have some good general info that should at least enable you to talk to your mechanic more intelligently and might help you avoid getting ripped off. But if you're looking for a book that will actually help you do a variety of repairs on your car, you probably ought to look elsewhere.
Book Review: what is a screwdriver?
Summary: 1 Stars
-----updated review October
I just finished re-reading this title cover-to-cover. This book was apparantly written 20 years ago. If you own a 20 year old car, this book is a goldmine. If you own a more recent model, this book is better than nothing, but not nearly as good as getting the Haynes (or similar) manual for your particular vehicle. Or for that matter, any other car repair book written in a more recent decade.
I can't speak for the entire series, but you really would be a dummy to buy this particular book.
------original
First, an observation. This book starts out explaining what a screwdriver is, and proceeds to attempt to explain complex repairs such as servicing the distributor. If you really don't know what a screwdriver is, this book can't help you. And if you attempt to service the ignition system because you read this book, you will need real help, and possibly hospitalization.
The book explains in great detail outmoded automotive technology. Anybody driving a car with drum breaks and carburetor needs a job, not a how-to book.
The book is liberally infested with cut-away line drawings of various car systems. Most are confusing, none are explained well.
The book is chock full of esoteric details, but lacks coherent explanation. This is the way engineers generally write (I speak from experience here). As it turns out, the author has zero technical credentials, yet she claims sole authorship. Could be.
All in all, one of the worst books it has ever been my misfortune to purchase.
Book Review: Good Beginner Book
Summary: 4 Stars
Is this book a little basic in some parts? Whole-heartedly I'd have to say yes. Yes she does cover simple things like what a screwdriver is, how to open the hood, etc. But, what is basic to some maybe complex for others even if so-called experts can't understand why some things are more difficult than others for new people.
Just for info, a lot of cars today have the disc and drum brake configuration (not just old clunkers but newer vehicles) so coverage of the drum brakes is essential. Would I recommend you popping off the drum and tearing apart the wheel cylinder, springs, and brake shoes after reading just this book...definately not. If you want to get a little more familiar with whats inside the calliper or drum then by all means, this book will accomplish that. She also covers all the other major systems of an automobile in a language that anyone can understand.
This book was never intended to turn someone into a mechanic ready to take the SAE test. It's sole purpose is to familiarize you with general vehicle operation and mechanical make-up...and a few tips along the way to keep your car running.
You will learn a lot from this book if you are just starting out...I know I did. If it intrigues you enough, then dive deeper into auto repair by taking a local vocational class or buying the Hayne's or Chilton's repair manuals for your vehicle.