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

John Muir (Author), Tosh Gregg (Author), Peter Aschwanden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 29, 2001 | Series: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive

First published in 1969, this classic manual of automotive repair equips VW owners with the knowledge to handle every situation they will come across with any air-cooled Volkswagen built through 1978, including Bugs, Karmann Ghias, vans, and campers. With easy-to-understand, fun-to-read information — for novice and veteran mechanics alike — anecdotal descriptions, and clear language, this book takes the mystery out of diagnostic, maintenance, and repair procedures, and offers some chuckles along the way. This edition features new information on troubleshooting, new photos, and an updated resource list.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Muir, mechanic, author, and the publisher, wrote the original How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive in 1969. He died in 1977.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 19th edition (August 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566913101
• ISBN-13: 978-1566913102
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (159 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Classic Cars
  • #3 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Owner's Manuals & Maintenance Guides
  • #6 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Repair

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Forty years later, and the "Idiot Book" is still unmatched June 16, 2008

By J. LaTorre

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

First, my credentials for this review. From 1971 to 1994 (with insignificant gaps), I've owned and driven three Vokswagen buses (not including a parts bus)and used this manual to keep all of them on the road. As of this writing, I'm driving my fourth bus. I've gone through four copies of the Idiot Book, using each one until it either fell to pieces, became illegible from grease and oil stains, or needed to be updated as I bought a later-model bus. It has guided me through six or seven engine rebuilds (I used my engines very, very hard) and God knows how many other procedures ... I think that I've done every single procedure in the book that applied to my particular makes and models. And using this book, I've done work on various WV bugs, buses, and squarebacks that belonged to friends of mine.
I agree with everybody who calls this the indispensable reference for VW owners. I also agree with those who point out its shortcomings. Muir quotes a friend of his, on a review of another VW book. as saying "I agree one hundred percent with ninety percent of what he says." That could also apply to my own feelings about this book.
As a technical manual, it mostly consists of solid information -- solid enough, anyway, to get you back on the road so you can find somebody to show you how to do it the right way. I've always advised a prospective repairer to own both this book and another manual (my favorite was the green Volkswagen Official Service Manual, also called the "Bentley"), read the Muir write-up first to get a general idea of what to do, and then compare it to the other manual, note the differences, and ask somebody why the differences are there. Usually it's because Muir assumes you're making do with a minimum of tools, or are too cash-strapped to make a proper fix.... Occasionally, you'll find that John was flat wrong about something (such as how to warm it up in the morning, or why chokes should be disabled, or why the 009 distributor was perfect in every way), or that your particular model had a different set-up than the ones he was familiar with.
But to simply compare this book with other technical manuals would be to ignore the most important feature of this book, which is its ability to empower you. It presumes that the reader has no technical aptitude and starts you gently down the road to proficiency and self-confidence. I'll bet that more mechanics have been inspired by this book than any other technical manual ever written. Not only that, but once you have discovered that you can indeed perform a repair competently, you get a sneaking suspicion that there are other things you can do if you apply the same confidence, common sense, and ingenuity that John taught you about. I doubt if I would have had the courage to time a sewing machine, install a hard drive, build a mandolin, or re-assemble a hang glider if John hadn't shown me that I had the potential to do these things.
This book has survived because of its idiosyncrasies, not in spite of them. John writes that "You must do this work with love or you will fail. You don't have to think, but you must love." He's telling you something important about Life here, and about the relationship we have to our possessions and to our work. Forty years later, these are still wise words, and to find them in an automotive manual is astonishing. Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" tried to apply philosophical principles to machine repair, but it failed because he was no mechanic and tried to gauge his mechanic's skill according to his own expectations of what a mechanic's mind-set should be. John knew better. He knew, and taught, that you achieve oneness with the machine by applying mind, heart, and hands together, and by listening to the machine as it tries to tell you what needs to be done. If there's ever been another book like that, I haven't heard of it. And if there is, I'll wager that the author has read the "Idiot Book." Read more ›

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE aircooled bible December 19, 2001

By Ofir Bitton

Format:Paperback

Don't
even think about touching anything else on your car till you read it cover
to cover. It, for lack of a better term, is THE aircooled bible. It is
written for the VW driver that knows NOTHING about anything mechanical or
electrical.
THIS is the best (...)you
can spend on your car.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No Auto Stick Info May 30, 2002

By W.D. Carter

Format:Paperback

This is a great book, but I own a rare 1969 Auto Stick Beetle. After buying the book from a Motorworks dealer in New Jersey, I found to my dismay that the book contains no information or help for the auto stick owners. Despite this, the book is a great help for other VW issues. I especially like the illustrations. Many of them are funny, interesting and awesome especially for Bug fanatics like myself.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The VW Beetle repair manual for beginners- with diagrams. February 25, 2005

By Mr. Lee T. Noonan

Format:Paperback

This book has found worldwide acceptance by Volkswagen owners around the world. Its the only book I have found written, for someone who doesn't know anything about the Car they are driving. Its also called the VW owners "BIBLE"... and most wouldn't be without their copy. Its usually found under the bonnet or rear seat of Most Beetles. The illustrations are funny, clever and instructive, all at the same time....

This book has saved many a holiday or trip by a Beetle owner.

Most of the time a beetle breaks down, it is a simple thing, and can usually be fixed on the side of the road. You will need some tools- and Mr Muir will tell You what tools to buy, and show You what they look like... If You ONLY buy ONE Book for Your Volkswagen and You have never pulled one apart before...

Then - this IS the book for You.

Lee Noonan

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! May 5, 2003

By Kenneth E. Bredl

Format:Paperback

I have never seen a book that goes into such detail this is definantly worth the money! If I would have known that this book was this good i would have gladly paid 50 dollars! This is the best book ever on VW's! I'd reccommend this book to anyone restoring or simply owning a VW this is great!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for VW owners March 17, 2002

By Tom David

Format:Paperback

For many years now this has been the bible for early aircooled Volkswagen owners or fanciers. This book tells you what to fix, and how to fix it even if you are completely un-skilled. I've worked on hundreds of VWs since 1959 so I have real expertise with these cars. Nonetheless I currently have 8 ( that's right eight ) copies.

The best advise anyone can ever get if they have one of these vehicles or are thinking about getting one is to buy this book.

Sincerely Tom

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Dam VW book EVER January 18, 2002

By Janine Woolard

Format:Paperback

I've owned several V-dubs and with that several of these books. Somehow they always seem to disappear. Hmmmmmm. I wouldn't do anything with my VW without this book. VERY informative and useful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best God-Damned VW Book You Will Ever Find August 21, 2001

By "[e-mail]"

Format:Paperback

If you have an air-cooled Volkwagen, this is THE book to have. I don't care what your interest in these...these CHARIOTS OF THE GODS is, be it simple transportation, racing, or show, this book is clearer, more all-encompassing, and (let's admit it now) altogether MORE FUN to read than any factory manual...besides, I like the purty pitchers.

I grew up on this book, and damn it, your children should, too.