The Complete Idiot's Guide to Auto Repair [Paperback]

Vyvyan Lynn (Author), Tony Molla (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: July 3, 2007

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Auto Repair Illustrated covers everything readers need to know about their automobiles, from the tires up. Tailor-made for true novices, it shows them how to make some of the most basic repairs themselves—and teaches them enough to feel confident that they’ll never be taken for a ride by a mechanic again.
• More than 300 easy-to-understand illustrations and a 50-page self-diagnosis guide organized for quick identification of what’s wrong
• New- and used-car warranty information
• Step-by-step illustrated instructions on how to conduct routine maintenance
• An overview of how each system—steering and suspension, cooling, electrical—works

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vyvyan Lynn is a regular contributor to USA Weekend and has published articles in Family Circle, Woman’s Day, Men’s Health, Georgia Magazine, and American Profile.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (July 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592574955
• ISBN-13: 978-1592574957
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #459,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vyvyan Lynn is an independent journalist specializing in auto writing. Her background is -- well, she's not a mechanic, but more so a student of metal and horsepower.

With a "kid in the candy store" mentality, Vyvyan checks out new concept cars and cutting-edge technology knowing that designers make cars that are not staid, so she will always be a student. She really likes the coursework.

Vyvyan's feminine demeanor doesn't speak auto freak to the casual acquaintance, but she can't help being raised in a family of NASCAR fans. She was doomed to her fate and finally embraced her now dog-eared copies of Motor Trend. She graduated from Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Vyvyan has been a full-time writer for ten years. She and her two children live in rural Georgia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for the Basics, September 24, 2009

By 

P. J. Byron "Likes to Read about Lots of Stuff" (Atlanta GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Auto Repair (Paperback)

This is a good book for the basics. I bought this so I would know what my auto mechanic was talking about when I brought my car in for repairs or maintenance. It helped me be on the same page as my mechanic and to trust the mechanic's recommendations rather than feel that I was being sold something that I didn't need.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have to save money and your sanity, July 15, 2011

By 

CLK CarolLee Kidd - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Auto Repair (Paperback)

As a single woman who finds doing things herself remarkably empowering, the auto repairs were the one area that scared the daylights out of me. Not just changing the oil, but everything.

I knew I knew what was needed, but it was the 'doing'.

This book freed me. The empowerment I felt before purchasing the book has doubled now that I can do the 'do' and do it right.

The book is written for those of us who may think we are "idiots" or those of us who may actually be (yes, my son uses it too) and not only saves money, but our sanity too.

Since purchasing the book, I have changed my oil, replaced a passenger door lock mechanism, and even a belt pully - MYSELF. The confidence the book has given me has allowed me to attempt and complete even those repairs not covered int he book.

I now have the book in my car, and in my son's car. A copy will be in every car I own - it is a must have addition tot he tool box.