Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.+++

"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!

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.

I am currently teaching "Automotive Ownership" to high school students and I am using this book as a reference. It is a great book to give students the basic information about owning a vehicle. Many of my students do not know how a car works or how to treat their car, by the end of class they are prepared to own a automobile.

Great book and I suggest it to other teachers with a similar class.

Craig Christensen
St. Ansgar HS
St. Ansgar, IA

This is a great product for those looking to learn the very basics about car engines and car care. It gives a good, brief overview of how the major components of the engine work and even some care tips on basic maintenance procedures such as changing the air filter and oil.

Got it for an into to auto repair class for a local college as a required text, but it was not used all that much. Amazon of course cost 1/2 the school's price. It gives a good overview of how cars work and contains info car drivers should already know, even though most don't. Some of the later chapters go into details but most are limited. I now know why cars have breaks and windshield wipers, both which are covered. It tells about things and why to do it, but doesn't really tell you how to it. I read the whole book in less that 2 hours.

I guess the info in the book was okay, but in my copy, pages 97-128 were missing. Although it appeared to be bound properly, the missing pages left out the chapters on brakes, tires, and suspension. I suspect this was a printing defect and that there are others out there - so buyer beware! I would not buy this had I seen the defect (ie, in a book store).

Everyone who has a vehicle (and doesn't know much about cars) should have a copy. It's a short and concise introduction to car history, facts, and maintenance. It's not chock full of details, but it directs you to resources to get those if you're interested. The pictures are not pretty, and the layout reminds me of middle school workbooks, but the content is solid.

Before this book, I never did anything with my car except drive it, fill the gas tank, check the engine oil (maybe 2 or 3 times in my life), take it regularly to get it serviced, and watch my husband change a flat tire.

Since I've read through the book, I've called out a swindling mechanic, changed wipers, changed cabin air filters, topped off antifreeze and window washer fluids, checked the engine oil, steering and transmission fluids, know generally what goes on at servicings, and feel a lot more comfortable with my car.

Excellent book for teaching new drivers how to buy, maintain, and repair a vehicle.
You will still need a repair manual specific to your vehicle for any major repairs, but this book does a better job explaining how things work than your average repair manual would. I'm using the book as part of my son's home school curriculum, so I really like the study questions and hands-on activities available online. This book is a great place to start if you don't have a clue about cars.

... buy this book. This is a must have for anyone who don't know anything about cars and is buying a new one o wants to learn about car basics.