The Car Care Book

Front Cover......Page 1
Title Page......Page 2
Copyright......Page 3
CONTENTS......Page 4
PREFACE......Page 10
How It All Fits Together......Page 14
Energy, Force, Work, and Power......Page 15
Converting Heat Energy to Motion......Page 17
The Engine as a Group of Systems......Page 19
Transferring Torque......Page 22
Brakes......Page 24
Steering......Page 27
Suspension......Page 29
Tires......Page 30
Awareness—A Starting Point......Page 34
Level of Commitment......Page 35
Safety Precautions for Car Care......Page 36
Inspection and Basic Maintenance—Under the Hood......Page 40
Inspection and Basic Maintenance—Under the Car......Page 41
Basic Mechanical Tools......Page 45
Supplies and Accessories......Page 49
Maintenance and Minor Repairs—Under the Car......Page 51
Tune-Up and Basic Electrical Work......Page 52
An Overview......Page 56
The Basic Gasoline Engine......Page 57
The Four-Stroke Cycle......Page 58
Routine Engine Maintenance......Page 66
Engine Problems......Page 67
An Overview......Page 76
Gasoline......Page 79
Fuel Tank......Page 82
Fuel Filter......Page 83
Fuel Delivery System......Page 84
Emissions Control......Page 89
OBD-II......Page 90
Safety Precautions for Fuel System Maintenance......Page 94
Fuel System Maintenance......Page 95
Fuel System Problems......Page 97
Diesel Differences......Page 101
An Overview......Page 104
The Battery......Page 106
Safety Precautions for Battery and Electrical System Maintenance......Page 108
Battery Maintenance......Page 110
The Starting System......Page 118
Starting System Maintenance......Page 119
The Charging System......Page 120
Charging System Maintenance......Page 121
The Ignition System......Page 123
Ignition System Maintenance......Page 125
Lights and Accessories......Page 126
Maintenance for Lights and Accessories......Page 131
Electronic Devices......Page 132
Maintenance for Electronic Devices......Page 135
Electrical System Problems......Page 136
Future Electrical Systems Are Here......Page 140
The Lubrication System......Page 144
Safety Precautions for Lubrication System Maintenance......Page 148
Lubrication System Maintenance......Page 149
Lubrication System Problems......Page 155
The Cooling System......Page 156
Cooling System Maintenance......Page 165
Cooling System Problems......Page 168
Drivetrain Functions and Options......Page 174
Manual Transmission Clutch......Page 176
Manual Transmission......Page 178
Automatic Transmission......Page 180
Differential......Page 184
Front-Wheel Drive......Page 186
Rear-Wheel Drive......Page 187
Four-Wheel Drive......Page 189
Routine Checks and Lubrication......Page 192
Drivetrain Preventive Maintenance......Page 197
Drivetrain Problems......Page 199
Shifting Problems......Page 202
Tires......Page 206
Routine Tire Maintenance......Page 213
The Brake System......Page 219
Antilock Brake System......Page 227
Traction Control......Page 229
Routine Brake System Maintenance......Page 230
Brake System Problems......Page 231
The Suspension System......Page 236
Steering Systems......Page 246
Power Steering System......Page 248
Wheel Alignment......Page 251
Routine Suspension and Steering Maintenance......Page 254
Suspension and Steering Problems......Page 256
10. HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT......Page 262
The Heating System......Page 263
Routine Heating System Maintenance......Page 266
Heating System Problems......Page 268
Air Conditioning System......Page 270
Automatic Temperature Control Systems......Page 274
Routine Air Conditioning System Maintenance......Page 275
Air Conditioning System Problems......Page 276
Optional Vehicle Equipment......Page 277
The Importance of Maintenance......Page 288
Individualizing Your Maintenance Program......Page 290
Daily Maintenance......Page 296
Weekly Maintenance......Page 297
3,000–7,500-mile Maintenance......Page 298
12,000–15,000-mile Maintenance......Page 315
30,000–60,000-mile Maintenance......Page 316
Replace Spark Plugs, Inspect Ignition System......Page 321
Interior Care......Page 333
Exterior Care......Page 334
Recognizing Repair Needs......Page 338
Changing Tires......Page 339
Changing the Alternator......Page 343
Changing Valve Cover Gaskets......Page 344
Changing the Thermostat......Page 346
Searching for Repair Services......Page 348
Understand Your Motivations......Page 354
Evaluate Maintenance and Repair Costs......Page 358
Estimate Market Value of Your Present Vehicle......Page 359
Set Your Budget......Page 360
Understand the Impact of Your Decision......Page 361
Buying Parts......Page 364
Buying Insurance......Page 370
Buying Extended Warranty Protection......Page 374
What to Do in an Accident......Page 375
Deciding to Buy a Car......Page 380
Be a Prepared Shopper......Page 381
Information Sources......Page 382
The Test Drive......Page 384
Determining the Value of Your Car......Page 385
Getting the Value Out of Your Car......Page 388
To Buy or to Lease......Page 390
Paying for the Car......Page 392
Determining the Vehicle Cost......Page 393
Additional Costs (Add-Ons)......Page 395
Low-Hassle Options......Page 396
Negotiating Yourself......Page 397
Tactics and Tricks of the Trade......Page 398
Leasing Considerations......Page 402
Lease Versus Loan......Page 404
Some Things You Need to Know About a Lease......Page 405
Some Final Tips......Page 411
Electric Car......Page 414
Hybrid Vehicles......Page 416
Hybrid Operation......Page 420
Hybrid Maintenance......Page 423
Hybrid Accident Safety......Page 424
GLOSSARY......Page 428
INDEX......Page 452