Auto Repair For Dummies, 2nd Edition
by Deanna Sclar
John ODell, Technical Advisor
Auto Repair For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
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Copyright 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008929120
ISBN: 978-0-7645-9902-6
Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Author
Deanna Sclar is also the internationally best-selling author of Buying a Car For Dummies, a money-saving guide to every aspect of car ownership including buying, selling, financing, auto insurance and claims, and more. A former contributing editor to Family Circle, Boys Life,Exploring, and the Los Angeles Times, her articles have appeared in Redbook, New Woman, and other national magazines.
As an automotive expert and consumer spokesperson, Deanna has appeared on more than 800 radio and TV shows, including her own segment on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw; Good Morning America, Today; the Lifetime, CNN, and National Public Radio networks; and local shows in 30 major cities. Her Auto Repair For Dummies video was a National Home Video Awards finalist. Shes co-hosted Outrageous Women, a weekly TV talk show, and has produced, written, hosted, and edited several documentaries. Her Auto Repair for Dummies course at California State University, Northridge, drew the largest crowds ever in their continuing education program.
A life-long environmental activist, Deanna led the group that threw the first Earth Day celebration in New York City and convinced Mayor Lindsay to start the first urban recycling program. The former Thumbs Sclar has restored two classic cars, a truck, and three homes. An inveterate gypsy and blue-water sailor, she has crewed her way across the Pacific and Polynesia, sailed and dived Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef, trekked alone for nine months through southeast Asia and five months through Brazil, and crossed the Atlantic in a small sailboat with a companion and a cat.
My goal is to prove that we have control over our lives, she says. Whether you are working on a car or making a lifelong dream come true, its a do-it-yourself world. Knowing this has turned my life into a great adventure, and I want to pass the good news on to everybody else!
Dedication
For my children, Gina and Casey; and my grandchildren, Jesse, Allison, Jacob, and Kylie, who will drive the vehicles of the future.
Authors Acknowledgments
John ODell, for going far beyond all expectations to provide the erudition, insight, and dedication to make sure that this edition is accurate and up-to-date. Thanks so much for always being there for me!
Rosemarie Kitchin, for the support, intelligence, leads, and loving friendship that have been mainstays in my life for over 30 years.
Dave Steventon of the Canadian Automobile Association, for your friendship and guidance through every edition of this book.
Marilyn Levak, for your generosity and skill in organizing more than five years of Internet files and newspaper clippings for this edition.
Joanne Steventon, for researching and obtaining scrap art for this book.
Don Donesley, my first automotive guru, whose classes and advice made the original edition possible. Thanks for introducing me to three of the finest things in life: cars, beer, and the Mojave Desert!
The old Thursday Evening Auto Class at Uni High, who shared ideas, tools, and elbow grease; served as guinea pigs; and got it all together over beer and pizza afterward.
Lindsay Lefevere, Acquisitions Editor, and Alissa Schwipps, Senior Project Editor, for their heroic efforts and sensitivity from the planning stages right through to publication. Elizabeth Rea, Senior Copy Editor, for her sharp eyes and feel for style. Tracy Barr, Editor, and Bob Freudenberger, Technical Consultant, for shepherding the book through a last-minute review. Janet Wahlfeldt and Thomas Brucker, Technical Illustrator (Precision Graphics), for simple, clear illustrations of complex automotive systems; and the entire Wiley Composition Services crew who worked so long and hard on this edition. May the Fonts be with you!
And, finally, thanks to Tweety Bird, faithful Mustang, who survived all the experiments and mistakes and grew up to be a fine car and a worthy steed; to Honeybun, my dream car come true; and to Esmerelda, my lovely Prius.