Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair (Hardcover) [Hardcover]

Michael E. Gray (Author), Linda E. Gray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2007

From choosing an insurance policy to performing basic maintenance and repair, Auto Upkeep presents the information you need to know in an easy-to-follow format with hundreds of detailed pictures and drawings. This straightforward consumer guide will help keep you safe and save you thousands of dollars. Now in its completely updated second edition, Auto Upkeep also includes new chapters with information on basic tools, repair facilities, roadside emergencies, and hybrid vehicles.

Chapter 1 - Introduction and How Cars Work
Chapter 2 - Buying an Automobile
Chapter 3 - Automotive Expenses
Chapter 4 - Repair Facilities
Chapter 5 - Safety Around the Automobile
Chapter 6 - Basic Tools
Chapter 7 - Auto Care and Cleaning
Chapter 8 - Fluid Level Check
Chapter 9 - Electrical System
Chapter 10 - Lubrication System
Chapter 11 - Fuel System
Chapter 12 - Cooling System and Climate Control
Chapter 13 - Ignition System
Chapter 14 - Suspension, Steering, and Tires
Chapter 15 - Braking System
Chapter 16 - Drivetrain
Chapter 17 - Exhaust and Emission System
Chapter 18 - Alternative Fuels and Designs
Chapter 19 - Automotive Accessories
Chapter 20 - Common Problems and Roadside Emergencies

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Great Place to Start
This latest edition is an expansion on the original version which covered many automotive topics in an easy-to-understand format. Now with even more subjects, illustrations, and resources, this book is a great place to start when studying automotive technology or just owning a car. --Eric Zebe, Automotive Instructor, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Just Right
I'm going to recommend that we use your book in at least 3 of our intro classes. My experience is that it is almost impossible to find a good textbook for intro classes, they either have too little or too much information in them. I feel yours is just right!!! --John Sweet, Automotive Department Chair, Victor Valley College, Victorville, CA

Learn How to be a Better Car Owner -- Library Journal
The Grays, instructors and mechanics, revise the 2003 edition, covering more topics and including more illustrations and resources. While geared as a textbook, there is much more to this volume. Learn all about your car's systems and why things work - or don't work. Learn how to be a better car owner. Learn when to fix it yourself and when to take your car to a shop. Great diagrams and sections on how to buy a car and how to clean it make useful additions. Also included is a timely chapter on alternative fuels and auto designs. A very good automobile primer, despite the classroom slant; recommended for most libraries. -- --Karen Ellis, Director, Taylor P.L., TX --Library Journal

About the Author

Mike has roots in the automotive service industry. He began diagnosing and fixing cars at a young age in his family's service station. He has worked in automotive parts supply stores, towing companies, and service facilities. After graduating from St. Cloud State University (MN) with a Bachelor's degree, he implemented and taught a basic car care program at the high school level. During work on his Master's degree at Illinois State University (IL), he was a curriculum specialist on a National Science Foundation project where he co-authored ten integrated mathematics, science, and technology books designed for team teaching. For nearly four years, he supervised over 60 teachers in Career and Technology Education.

Linda was motivated to learn about cars early on by her desire to be self-reliant and save money. As basic maintenance and repairs were needed on her car she figured out how to do them. She could often be found working on her Pontiac Fiero and reupholstering automotive interiors at her family's upholstery shop. She found guidance from automotive manuals, her family, friends, and husband Mike. During her studies at the University of Redlands (CA), she worked with classmates to design, build, and test a hybrid electric vehicle. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Linda worked as a Project Engineer for a bicycle component company. Linda's other interests include alternative energies, home renovation, graphic design, and writing.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Rolling Hills Publishing; 2nd edition (December 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097407926X
• ISBN-13: 978-0974079264
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,668,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Home Educating Fam makes this book required, September 8, 2007

By 

Cindy Huff "educat4lif" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair (Paperback)

We are a Home Educating family (12th year) and have 2 teenagers and 2 more coming up. After reviewing this book online, we ordered a copy, along with 2 workbooks as our son had requested "Auto Shop" as an elective this year. It is our primary text for the first semester, covering everything from purchasing your car to maintenance/repairs and basic auto care. Our son is getting more out of it than we could hope for and wants to know when there will be a sequel on 'customizing' your car! =) We decided to make it a required course/text for all teens in our fam who are looking to purchase/own their own car. We highly recommend it!!! Oh, and the CD that comes with the kit puts the 'icing on the cake', including all the administrative extras you, as instructor, will need.+++

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Covering everything from getting insurance to performing basic repairs, May 12, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair (Paperback)

"Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, And Repair" by car care experts Michael and Linda Gray is a complete `how to' guide on every aspect of maintaining and repairing an automobile. Specifically designed for the novice car owner and profusely illustrated with 358 images and drawings (plus 49 tables and 12 user-friendly step-by-step procedures), "Auto Upkeep" is enhanced with the inclusion of numerous tech tips, money saving price guides, thematically appropriate websites, servicing guidelines, `trouble guides', practical information presented in the form of a Q & A format, an appendices, a glossary, and an index. Of special note is the use of helpful icons. Covering everything from getting insurance to performing basic repairs, "Auto Upkeep" is the perfect reference for anyone from 16 to 66 wanting to get the most out of one of their most important lifetime investments - their car!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good solid information...but it is what it is....basic information., November 8, 2009

By 

B. Ban - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair (Paperback)

I spend a lot time like most Amazon shoppers reading reviews on items before a purchase. The reviews on Auto Upkeep were pretty solid. However, as a DIY, I found Auto Upkeep to be a great teaching tool for young adults or a family in general. But the book to me is nothing more than a study guide if you will. If you want more detailed hands on information about auto repair...look elsewhere. Otherwise, this is a good book for educating the family about the basic in and outs of owning a car.