How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot [Import] [Paperback]

Richard Sealey (Author), Tosh Gregg (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 460 pages
• Publisher: John Muir Pubns; 25th Anniversary edition (1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562611909
• ISBN-13: 978-1562611903
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #886,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Idiots guide to the vw, March 12, 2009

By 

Jason Kopke - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

Great book. Entertaining, empowering, and even a bit misleading, but its priceless and has been a favorite resource of mine for over a decade. This book, a vw and some simple tools will change your life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original Idiot Book Teaches Zen as Bonus, April 9, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

Christopher Sheridan ([e-mail])

These days, every time I walk into a bookstore I see more and more shelf space devoted to those "how-to"
types of books that range from beer-making to astrophysics, with the title usually ending "...for Dummies." Whenever I see these books I can't help but remember my first encounter with the grand-daddy of all "idiot books": "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual Of Step By Step Procedures For The Compleat Idiot," by technical sage John Muir. I was stranded by the side of a desert highway after my recently acquired VW Microbus blew a tire. I found a copy of the book (generously left by the previous owner) wedged beneath the spare tire, which also turned out to be flat. While waiting for help to arrive, I was quickly drawn into the highly engaging narrative and plain English explanations of Volkswagen repairs.

Known as simply "The Idiot Book"among Volkswagen aficionados, it was written in 1968 by Muir every day from 4:00 am to 2:00 pm, while his wife, Eve, and certified VW mechanic Tosh Gregg tested the procedures. Important details are expertly and humorously illustrated by Peter Aschwaden. Through the various "raps" on oil, timing, lights, etc., Muir's unique combination of Zen and horse-sense allows us to not only understand how a small air-cooled Volkswagen engine works, but how all internal combustion engines work. Muir's truisms about things mechanical are often found extending to things human and universal and this book's long success is due to Muir's masterful ability to inspire self-confidence, cautious fear, and the realization that your car's karma is a reflection of your own.

Covering all carburated and fuel-injected VW Beetles, SuperBeetles, Karmen Ghias, Microbuses, Fastbacks, Squarebacks, Things, and even the less documented instructions for the 411 sedan and 412 wagen, "The Idiot Book" was first published just after Woodstock and quickly became the VW owner's bible. Over 25 years it has evolved through 16 editions, with additional chapters added to include Hi Performance Modifications, VW Club and Parts Suppliers, and how to keep your VW alive forever. This new edition comes with a heavy-duty spiral binding, and is strong enough to be kicked accidently through greasy spills. Whether you're nursing a hand-me-down Beetle through college, or have discovered an old Microbus behind your uncle's shed, this book is the first and most necessary beginning to a magical voyage.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars indispensable for any VW owner, December 30, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

I have had my copy of the 1968 edition through 7 VW's and have used it to the point of disintegration. Anyone with a VW should buy this book, if not only for the amusement value