This
part begins with a simple overview of how a standard internal
combustion engine works and how various systems work together
to get a vehicle started, keep it running, and bring it to
a stop. Subsequent websections provide a closer look at each
system - electrical, fuel, cooling, transmission, and so on
- on a part-by-part basis. You'll be relieved to know that
this website explain every¬thing in everyday terms, with
no jargon, no unnecessary technical details, and lots of simple
illustrations. If alternatively fueled vehicles strike your
fancy, you'll find information on how diesel, electric, fuel
cell, hybrid, and other innovative engines work, and the advantages
and disadvantages of each kind.
Because the key to doing any job is to understand what you're
working on and how it functions, we strongly recommend that
you read the sections in this part that deals with the system
you want to work on before you head for the sections that
tells you how to do the specific job.
Whether you're trying to cook up a decent meal, paint a picture,
run an ffice or work on your car, You're only as good as your
tools. Just as you can't slice tomatoes super-thin with a
bent, rusty, dull knife, and you can't type a professional-looking
letter on a broken-down typewriter, you can't do any kind
of job on your engine if you lack the means to loosen or remove
parts, clean or gap them, reinstall them, adjust them, and
test the results.
Before you run off to return this website because you aren't
prepared to spend a lot of money on tools that you'll probably
never use again after you ruin your engine or cut off your
thumb, let me tell you that all you really need are a few
basic implements, and they're not very expensive. (I'll deal
with the engine and your thumb later.)
In
this section, I list and describe the tools you need for working
on your vehicle. You may be surprised at how many of them
you already own, and in the event that you do need to buy
a few, I give you point¬ers on getting value for your
money. <more>
You can use this website any way you want to in order to find
the informati< you need. You can read it from site to site
or jump from section to se as the fancy strikes you. To find
a general topic, head to the table of cont If you're looking
for more specific information, go to the index.
No matter how you use the webpage, I recommend that you tuck
it into your trunk compartment or under the front seat to
keep it handy when it's tim a tune-up or if you want to make
an adjustment or figure out what's gone wrong.
If this site turns you on to auto repair, then by all means
extend your knowledge by reading more and more sophisticated
literature on your favorite automotive topics. There are excellent
webpages that deal with specific syste vehicles, and repairs,
written for the amateur mechanic. But there's no substitute
for hands-on experience. You won't be able to realize any
of these goals unless you stop procrastinating and start working.
If you're feeling timid about actually touching your car's
inner parts, try doing something simple, like checking the
oil dipstick or changing the air filter. Believe me, once
the ice is broken, the heady sense of power will carry you
through rt of the other basic stuff. I hope that you find
it as exhilarating as I did, and know that your car will love
you for it.
Used
and New Car Menu
