Reddit reviews Auto Repair For Dummies
We found 9 Reddit comments about Auto Repair For Dummies. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
NewMint ConditionDispatch same day for order received before 12 noonGuaranteed packagingNo quibbles returns
I like this site quite a bit for major engine components and basics. It goes into things like firing order and octane ratings, and is a fun read if you have fifteen minutes.
This channel goes into serious detail about most of the major components of a car. He has loads of content, it's just a little dry sometimes. He also clears his throat in a somewhat abrasive way, but that's nitpicking.
/r/Cartalk and /r/Mechanicadvice are where you can direct car related repair questions, they're both very open and helpful.
If you're interested in doing your own car maintenance, I reccomend investing in a Haynes manual. They're a great resource, thorough, and reasonably priced. They're also tailored to every individual vehicle model. If you're really new, Auto Repair for Dummies is actually really helpful, I got through my first major project with that, a Haynes manual, and a shitty socket set. Hope this helps!
The transmission shouldn't have much to do with your car starting.
First, in what ways does your car start funny?
-Could be the battery
-Could be the starter
-Could be a clogged injector
-Could be many inexpensive things that many people think will be bigger than it is.
Second, in what way is your transmission acting funny?
-Is it slow to shift?
-Does it shift hard?
-Does it have fluid?
The first thing I would do is learn a little about basic car maintenance. I know it all seems so complicated, but from someone who has at times in my life had to fix my car if I wanted to go anywhere just know this; there are very few car mechanics who are also MENSA Members. It is a different kind of intelligence all together but, with a little bit of effort everyone capable of driving a car, can learn how to fix one. I know you said you don't have tools or a garage, but stay with me here.
I always take people for their word when buying cheap cars. I have literally purchased cars for $200 that the previous owner told me that the transmission was "going out". At $200 I can turn a profit no matter what, so it's always a good buy. But every now and then I'll buy one and once I've gotten it home I've simply put transmission fluid in and bam! Transmission fixed! It's amazing, really. So I've bought cars that could have sold for $1,500-$2,200, but the owners didn't know enough to check the transmission fluid.
There can be other issues with the transmission, for sure, but honestly unless you've abused it (you know things like constantly shifting into drive while still rolling backwards/ driving without fluid) I would assume it's likely not going out. It could be, but I doubt it.
The starting thing I would put a large sum of money that it's your battery. You can take your battery into a autozone and have them test it, it might just fix that entire issue.
I view vehicles differently than most people I know a 2005 Chevy Cobalt with 120,000 miles is still pretty new, if you have in fact been changing the oil. My truck has 220,000+ and I feel like it's just getting started. IMO, your car isn't getting old. You may want a new one, but if you ask me it isn't the frugal decision.
The frugal decision is to buy some tools, like these.. Buy a book, like this one and last but not least get a manual specific to your vehicle, like this one..
With those things you're into it for less than $100 and with the knowledge you'll gain from doing simple things, like learning to change the oil, to swapping out the serpentine belt, and bolting on a new alternator, you'll end up saving thousands in your lifetime. And in time you'll gain confidence and start to do more and more.
My first project was changing my own oil, my second I put in a new thermostat, my third was an alternator, my fourth was a coil pack, and my knowledge and skill has improved with each one. I swapped a transmission a little over a year ago in my truck. My girlfriend at the time thought it was silly that I wanted to do it myself (her uncle owns a dealership, she tends to throw cars away for new ones) so I had her call a repair shop. They quoted her more than $3000 to put in a used transmission. I put in my own used transmission for $350. I did it all laying in a parking lot, without a garage using only hand tools (much like the ones I linked you to). It took longer, I got really dirty, it was frustrating and really, really hard, but at the end of the day I saved more than $2,500.
I've written you a book here, but it's because I think far too often people make excuses instead of just admitting that they want a new car. If you really want the new car, that's fine go for it! However I won't tell you it's a frugal decision because it probably is not.
Great tips! Few things I want to add.
A '65 Mustang is virtually identical to my Falcon. Same drive trains, same chassis, same everything. The only difference is the body and the interior.
My wife had a 2005 Mustang for a long time, but we recently traded it in and got her a brand new Toyota Rav4 Limited. I like it a lot more. The newer Mustangs are uncomfortable and gas hogs. A '65 Mustang with a little 170 i6 in it will get ~25 MPG. That's all you can ask out of a classic. Of course, Mustang people usually want a 289 V8. I like a straight 6. Very easy to work on.
Buy this book:
www.amazon.com/Auto-Repair-Dummies-Deanna-Sclar/dp/076459902X/
Absolutely perfect for a beginner with a '65 Mustang. You may also appreciate that the author is a woman. Most of the book is written around the author's own 1965 yellow Mustang, 'Tweety Bird'. At least the 1st edition is. I've never seen the 2nd edition.
You're not going to learn how to rebuild your whole drive train in this book, but it covers basic repairs and maintenance on virtually every other part of the car.
After 20+ years of repairing my own cars, I pretty much know what I'm doing, but I started out a long time ago with a modest collection of tools, a 1975 Pontiac Ventura, and this book.
After you learn the basics, you'll find that 95% of mechanics is correctly diagnosing the problem and having the confidence in yourself that you can do it. Repairing a vehicle yourself is very satisfying, and you know that it was done correctly.
Even if you have no interest in repairing a car yourself, knowledge is power. If you can diagnose the problem yourself, no mechanic is going to talk you into a whole new engine when all you need is a water pump. On a '65 Mustang that's a $35 problem if you do it yourself.
I'll take the low hanging fruit on this one. http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Repair-Dummies-Deanna-Sclar/dp/076459902X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312041741&sr=1-1 This book will get you started. After that you might consider getting a Chilton or Haynes manual for your daily driver and take on some basic maintenance for yourself when it comes due.
There's always this
I would suggest this book as your basis.
As far as putting it together again, you have some options. First, pay close attention to what you're doing when you take it apart. Second, take a video of what you're doing to refer back to later. Third, as you take it apart, put each piece in sequential order so that you can just move down a line when proof it back together. Also take notes so you know where each part goes.
EDIT: sorry for the formatting. I was on mobile
Auto Repair For Dummies.
Or, search Amazon for "car repair book," and you'll get a couple of hundred results.
I'm moving out of state and pursuing a career in auto mechanics!