No one likes a know-it-all. Most of us realize there’s no such thing— how could there be? The world is far too complicated for someone to understand everything there is to know. So when you come across a know-it-all, you smile to yourself as they ramble on because you know better. You understand that the quest for knowledge is a never-ending one, and you’re okay with that. You have no desire to know everything, just the next thing. You know what you don’t know, you’re confident enough to admit it, and you’re motivated to do something about it. At Idiot’s Guides, we, too, know what we don’t know, and we make it our business to find out. We find really smart people who are experts in their fields and then we roll up our sleeves and get to work, asking lots of questions and thinking long and hard about how best to pass along their knowledge to you in the easiest, most-accessible way possible. After all, that’s our promise—to make whatever you want to learn “As Easy as It Gets.” That means giving you a well-organized design that seamlessly and effortlessly guides you from page to page, topic to topic. It means controlling the pace you’re asked to absorb new information— not too much at once but just what you need to know right now. It means giving you a clear progression from easy to more difficult. It means giving you more instructional steps wherever necessary to really explain the details. And it means giving you fewer words and more illustrations wherever it’s better to show rather than tell. So here you are, at the start of something new. The next chapter in your quest. It can be an intimidating place to be, but you’ve been here before and so have we. Clear your mind and turn the page. By the end of this book, you won’t be a know-it-all, but your world will be a little less complicated than it was before. And we’ll be sure your journey is as easy as it gets. Mike Sanders Publisher, Idiot’s Guides Auto Repair & Maintenance by Dave Stribling A member of Penguin Random House LLC ALPHA BOOKS International Standard Book Number: 978-1-61564-762-0 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2015930786 Published by Penguin Random House LLC 17(cid:3)16(cid:3)15(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)8(cid:3)7(cid:3)6(cid:3)5(cid:3)4(cid:3)3(cid:3)2(cid:3)1 Penguin Random House LLC, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA (cid:37) Penguin Random House LLC (Canada), 90 Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, the first series of numbers is the year of the book’s printing; the Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) (cid:37) Penguin rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England (cid:37) Penguin of the book’s printing. For example, a printing code of 15-1 shows Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of that the first printing occurred in 2015. Penguin Books Ltd.) (cid:37) Penguin Random House LLC (Australia), Printed in China 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) (cid:37) Penguin Books Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material Delhi—110 017, India (cid:37) Penguin Random House LLC (NZ), on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland 1311, New that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) (cid:37) Penguin professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal Books (South Africa) (Pty.) 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For details, write: Special Markets, only authorized editions. No patent liability is assumed with Alpha Books, 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although Trademarks: All terms mentioned in this book that are known every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, to be or are suspected of being trademarks or service marks have the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books and Penguin Random omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting House LLC cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. from the use of information contained herein. For information, Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the address Alpha Books, 6081 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN validity of any trademark or service mark. 46250. IDIOT’S GUIDES and Design are trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC Publisher: Mike Sanders Design Supervisor: William Thomas Associate Publisher: Billy Fields Production Editor: Jan Lynn Senior Acquisitions Editor: Brook Farling Indexer: Johnna Dinse Development Editor: Ann Barton Proofreader: Claudia Bell Contents CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 4 THE BASICS 3 THE DRIVETRAIN 69 What Every Driver Should Know ..........................4 How the Drivetrain Works.....................................70 Types of Cars ..................................................................6 Common Drivetrain Problems.............................72 A Look Under the Hood..............................................8 How to: Check and Fill an Identifying Your Car’s Fluids ................................12 Automatic Transmission .......................................74 Finding a Good Mechanic ......................................16 How to: Check and Fill a Manual Transmission .............................................76 Routine Maintenance Checks ..............................18 How to: Check and Maintain Ten Tips for Maintaining Your Car ....................20 CV Joints and U-Joints ...........................................78 CHAPTER 2 BE PREPARED 23 CHAPTER 5 THE FUEL SYSTEM 83 What to Carry in Your Car .....................................24 How the Fuel System Works .................................84 Roadside and Emergency Safety .........................28 Common Fuel System Problems .........................90 Avoiding Lockout.......................................................30 How to: Change the Fuel Filter ............................92 How to: Safely Raise a Car .....................................32 How to: Inspect and Replace How to: Change a Tire..............................................34 the Air Filter ................................................................96 How to: Jump-Start a Battery ..............................38 How to: Inspect and Replace How to: Check and Change a Fuse ......................42 the PCV Valve .............................................................98 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 6 THE ENGINE 45 THE IGNITION SYSTEM 101 How the Engine Works ...........................................46 How the Ignition System Works ......................102 Common Engine Problems ...................................50 Common Ignition System Problems ..............104 How to: Check and Add Engine Oil ....................52 Spark Plug Location ..............................................108 How to: Change the Engine Oil ............................58 How to: Change the Spark Plugs ......................110 How to: Inspect and Change How to: Change Spark Plug Wires ...................114 Accessory Belts ..........................................................64 How to: Test for Spark ..........................................118 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 11 THE COOLING SYSTEM 121 THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 177 How the Cooling System Works .......................122 How the Electrical System Works ...................178 Common Cooling System Problems ...............125 Common Electrical System Problems ...........180 Locating Leaks .........................................................126 Troubleshooting the Starting System ............182 How to: Check and Add Coolant .......................130 How to: Replace a Taillight Bulb ......................184 How to: Flush and Fill the How to: Replace a Headlight Bulb ...................186 Cooling System ........................................................132 How to: Check the Charging System ..............188 How to: Replace a Hose ........................................136 How to: Clean the Battery Terminals .............190 How to: Change a Battery ....................................192 CHAPTER 8 THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM 141 CHAPTER 12 How the A/C System Works ..............................142 THE BRAKING SYSTEM 195 Common A/C System Problems ......................144 How the Braking System Works.......................196 How to: Check for Leaks ......................................146 Common Braking System Problems...............200 How to: Add Refrigerant ......................................148 How to: Inspect the Brakes .................................202 How to: Clean a Smelly A/C System ...............152 How to: Change Brake Pads and Rotors ........206 How to: Check and Fill Brake Fluid ................212 CHAPTER 9 How to: Bleed the Brake System .......................214 THE EXHAUST SYSTEM 155 How the Exhaust System Works ......................156 CHAPTER 13 Common Exhaust System Problems ..............158 STEERING AND SUSPENSION 221 How to: Replace an Exhaust Gasket ...............160 How the Steering and How to: Change an Oxygen Sensor ..................164 Suspension Systems Work .................................222 Common Steering and CHAPTER 10 Suspension Problems ...........................................226 THE COMPUTER SYSTEM 167 How to: Check and Fill What the Computer System Does ...................168 Power Steering Fluid ............................................230 Common Computer System Problems ..........170 How to: Lubricate the How to: Check for Codes .....................................172 Suspension System ................................................232 How to: Inspect Shocks and Struts .................234 iv Idiot’s Guides: Auto Repair and Maintenance CHAPTER 14 TIRES AND WHEELS 237 Wheels 101 .................................................................238 Tires 101 .....................................................................240 Choosing the Right Tires .....................................244 Common Tire Problems ......................................246 How to: Check the Tire Pressure .....................248 How to: Add Air to a Tire .....................................249 How to: Rotate Your Tires ...................................250 CHAPTER 15 THE EXTERIOR 255 Common Exterior Problems ..............................256 Washing and Waxing Your Vehicle ................258 How to: Wash a Car ................................................259 How to: Wax a Car ..................................................261 Paint Imperfections and Rust Problems ......262 How to: Remove Scuffs in Paint ........................264 How to: Restore Headlight Lenses ..................266 How to: Inspect and Replace Wiper Blades ............................................................268 How to: Inspect and Repair Weather Stripping ..................................................270 APPENDIXES Maintenance Schedules ......................................272 Terms to Know ........................................................274 INDEX 276 Contents v Introduction “My car is doing something weird. What would cause that?” That question, in a nutshell, is why I decided to write this book. As an owner of a business that deals with automobiles, I am constantly getting some form of that question from family, friends, and customers. Sometimes it is a difficult question that requires me to retreat to my library in search of answers, and sometimes it is common knowledge that everyone who owns a car should know. When I began researching this book, I looked at what was already out there. So many books try to educate you to the point where you can describe exactly what is happening in a four-cycle engine. I think that is missing the point. You probably aren’t looking for that much information; you just want to know why the car is making that funny rattle. Often the “expert” wants to share his or her entire knowledge base with you, and all you want to know is if you need to get that thing checked out. I don’t typically respond to the above question with a full explanation of how the engine operates. Instead, I usually ask a follow-up question or two and then give you a few things to check. What you find will determine whether you can fix it yourself or if it is time to take it to a professional. The other problem that arose in writing this book was the fact that automobiles are changing and becoming more sophisticated every year. What was common knowledge a few years ago is now ancient history, so keeping this book relevant was a challenge. To this end, I decided to write this book as if I were answering your direct question about what is going on with your vehicle. I’ll start by answering questions that will most likely pop up while you own your car. I’ve asked other experts about what they want you to know about your car when you bring it to them, and what you can do to prevent problems from arising. I won’t cover everything that may happen, but I will touch on the most common problems. I’ll give you some tips along the way on things you can do yourself, and how to stretch the life of an older car if you’re on a budget. The aim is that you’ll keep this book to use with your future vehicles. If your friend who’s good with cars isn’t available, you’ll have somewhere to go to for the answers you need. Or perhaps you’re the uncle or parent who gives this book to a new driver who is in need of some basic knowledge about his or her car. Either way, I hope this book serves you as well as your automobile does. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, thanks goes to my mother, Carole Stribling, for editing my Midwestern mayhem. Thanks to my kids, Caleb Surber, Kayla Surber, Kara Stribling, and Jordan Stribling. To my sister, Marcia Broady, thanks for your belief in me. Thanks to the following individuals who also contributed information and/ or their vehicles to write this book: Amy Stribling, Craig Pattee, Don Gould, Frank Frost, Jeff Etter, John Stephenson, Kenzie Warrick, Kim Stribling, Laurie Studebaker, Loraine Williams, Roger Walther, Marsha Sledge, Marti Henderson, Michael Melvin, Randal Starlin, Reed Oliver, Ron Dickerson, Ron Mendenhall, Seth Nichols, Stephen Maxwell, Steve Wright, Todd Fouty, and Wes Shelton.