Stribling - Auto repair & maintenance

Auto Repair &
Maintenance

by Dave Stribling

A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Publisher: Mike Sanders

Associate Publisher: Billy Fields

Senior Acquisitions Editor: Brook Farling

Development Editor: Ann Barton

Design Supervisor: William Thomas

Production Editor: Jan Lynn

Indexer: Johnna Dinse

Proofreader: Claudia Bell

PRODUCTION, LONDON

Digital Producer: Alex Valizadeh

Senior Digital Producer: Miguel Cunha

DIGITAL OPERATIONS, DELHI

Head of Digital Operations: Manjari Hooda

Producer: Rahul Kumar

Assistant Editor: Etika Kapil

DTP Designer: Manish Bhatt

Operations Assistant: Tauhid Nasir

Introduction

My car is doing something weird. What would cause that?

That question, in a nutshell, is why I decided to write this book. As an owner of a business that deals with automobiles, I am constantly getting some form of that question from family, friends, and customers. Sometimes it is a difficult question that requires me to retreat to my library in search of answers, and sometimes it is common knowledge that everyone who owns a car should know.

When I began researching this book, I looked at what was already out there. So many books try to educate you to the point where you can describe exactly what is happening in a four-cycle engine. I think that is missing the point. You probably arent looking for that much information; you just want to know why the car is making that funny rattle. Often the expert wants to share his or her entire knowledge base with you, and all you want to know is if you need to get that thing checked out. I dont typically respond to the above question with a full explanation of how the engine operates. Instead, I usually ask a follow-up question or two and then give you a few things to check. What you find will determine whether you can fix it yourself or if it is time to take it to a professional.

The other problem that arose in writing this book was the fact that automobiles are changing and becoming more sophisticated every year. What was common knowledge a few years ago is now ancient history, so keeping this book relevant was a challenge.

To this end, I decided to write this book as if I were answering your direct question about what is going on with your vehicle. Ill start by answering questions that will most likely pop up while you own your car. Ive asked other experts about what they want you to know about your car when you bring it to them, and what you can do to prevent problems from arising. I wont cover everything that may happen, but I will touch on the most common problems. Ill give you some tips along the way on things you can do yourself, and how to stretch the life of an older car if youre on a budget.

The aim is that youll keep this book to use with your future vehicles. If your friend whos good with cars isnt available, youll have somewhere to go to for the answers you need. Or perhaps youre the uncle or parent who gives this book to a new driver who is in need of some basic knowledge about his or her car. Either way, I hope this book serves you as well as your automobile does.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, thanks goes to my mother, Carole Stribling, for editing my Midwestern mayhem. Thanks to my kids, Caleb Surber, Kayla Surber, Kara Stribling, and Jordan Stribling. To my sister, Marcia Broady, thanks for your belief in me. Thanks to the following individuals who also contributed information and/or their vehicles to write this book: Amy Stribling, Craig Pattee, Don Gould, Frank Frost, Jeff Etter, John Stephenson, Kenzie Warrick, Kim Stribling, Laurie Studebaker, Loraine Williams, Roger Walther, Marsha Sledge, Marti Henderson, Michael Melvin, Randal Starlin, Reed Oliver, Ron Dickerson, Ron Mendenhall, Seth Nichols, Stephen Maxwell, Steve Wright, Todd Fouty, and Wes Shelton.

Chapter 1

THE BASICS

IN THIS CHAPTER