Customer Reviews

The Lady Mechanic's Total Car Care for the Clueless: A Manual for Car Owners

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

 

 

Despite the fact--or maybe because of it--that Ren Volpe's book is written in the most basic of language (I thought most people knew what the windshield wipers were) this is a very empowering book. All the things you want to know before you go to a mechanic, or take a long drive in bad weather by yourself are here. I took this book in one hand, my owner's manual in the other and marched outside to learn about my car. If my boyfriend hears me say "Ren Volpe says" one more time he may try to SELL the car, but, gosh, I feel better.

Wow! I thought I was clueless, until I read Ren Volpe's book. It made me realize that I am actually a safe driver, and know the basics in order to maintain a car (in my case, quite an old one).Anything that was new to me about car care was easy-to-comprehend and even easier to implement once I opened the hood and took a peek. The Lady Mechanic's Total Car Care for the Clueless is a must-have book. I keep mine in my glove compartment!

with good advice and checklists for any car. Some of it was a little confusing though...ie: how to handle stopping in traffic with a standard transmission...I won't get into it here. She is good at pointing out where things are, but the book lacks enough illustrations. The lingo used is kept to a minumum (most needed words/phrases are given) but more help here also would have been good. The glossary is okay, but not great.

Small, cheap, and to the point! This book is excellent when it comes to basic car maintanence! I love the fact that this book assumes nothing from it's readers. Ms. Volpe should write college textbooks! I mean it when I say this: do not buy any other beginner books about cars! They will be wordy and technical! If your favorite bookstore does not have "The Lady Mechanic", place in a special order for it!

I can't stress how much I believe in this book! My copy is almost dog-eared to death. I read a couple of other reviews on this book and I can only say: this is not a book about how to drive...you should know that already. It is not a book about anything but maintaining the mechanical health of your car.
Every time something goes wrong with my car, I pull out this book and make notes before I talk to a mechanic. I think they think that I either know what I'm talking about, or somebody is watching very closely over my shoulder. Regardless, It has saved me hundreds of dollars if not thousands. I think everyone should have a copy in their glove compartment. Truly!

I got this for my mother, 76, who just got herself a new car. I was disapointed. The author clearly knows her stuff, the basics are well enough explained and Mom said to keep it. But: The tone is condesnding and there is nothing on washing, waxing and maintaining the finish. On what to do after an accident, she must have asked a lawyer - it's just right on how to deal with insurance co.s, not saying it was your fault - but there's nothing on getting off the road, out of the car, making sure other drivers are alerted, flares etc. and nothing on hitting a deer or someone's dog. It could be so much better....