Lois H. reviewed Don't let your mechanic pick your pocket!: A simple guide that can save you money and keep the dishonest mechanic in line. It works for any car, truck or SUV, anywhere you live. on + 9 more book reviews
This brief but informative book provides a short background to the author, George A. Moyer, who is a retired mechanic and shop owner, before explaining some basic principles behind the operation of a light motor vehicle. Dont Let Your Mechanic Pick Your Pocket gives the most essential maintenance guidelines and lists noises and symptoms that might help you to determine where a problem with your vehicle lies. The language used throughout is that of the average driver who knows more how to negotiate his or her way in and out of a traffic jam or how to park the car than about the inner workings of a cars engine. The format and layout of the text is very clear, from the headings of the chapters (including Dos and Donts, Changing a Flat Tire, and Replacing a Rear View Mirror), through the brief and to-the-point subheadings (ranging from the different parts of the car, such as Brakes, Suspension, and Transmission to the various symptoms that one might detect, including Chirping, Humming/Grinding, and Loss of Heat), to the very font itself, which is well-spaced and which should be easily readable by flashlight (if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere on a deep, dark, dismal night!).
The glossaries of terms, as well as of Most Frequent Parts and What They Do should prove most useful when a mechanic tries to befuddle you with technocrese. Moyers explanations are so simple, straightforward and reliable that they have the capacity to inspire confidence in even the most inexperienced driver. His honest, at home, down to earth advice is enough to take the worries out of even your most frazzled moment. In addition to guiding what moves you make in registering and reporting any concerns that you have regarding your vehicle, Moyer provides the following invaluable Top Ten Lists: Most Important Repairs (Safety in Mind), Least Important Repairs (Safety in Mind), Most Expensive Repairs, and Easiest Repairs to Get Ripped off with. The illustrations are appended to the main text, so that they are quickly accessible to the reader. Clear diagrams are provided of tread wear patterns, universal joints, front-, rear- and four-wheel drives, front and rear suspension, engine components, drum and disc brakes, excessive belt wear, and typical lift points.
In short, this is a key guide to the functioning of your car, which should be kept with you at all times when you are on the road. You are likely to find it as helpful as a well-supplied tool kit and, in many cases, a great deal less daunting than your own cars manual. An ideal gift for handing over with the first set of car keys to any youngster, this little book should provide much comfort to you as the parent of a relatively inexperienced car owner. So, if you are a stranger to the workings of your car, or know someone else who is, purchase a copy of this book and DO keep it in your cars glove compartmentyou wont be sorry that you have!
The glossaries of terms, as well as of Most Frequent Parts and What They Do should prove most useful when a mechanic tries to befuddle you with technocrese. Moyers explanations are so simple, straightforward and reliable that they have the capacity to inspire confidence in even the most inexperienced driver. His honest, at home, down to earth advice is enough to take the worries out of even your most frazzled moment. In addition to guiding what moves you make in registering and reporting any concerns that you have regarding your vehicle, Moyer provides the following invaluable Top Ten Lists: Most Important Repairs (Safety in Mind), Least Important Repairs (Safety in Mind), Most Expensive Repairs, and Easiest Repairs to Get Ripped off with. The illustrations are appended to the main text, so that they are quickly accessible to the reader. Clear diagrams are provided of tread wear patterns, universal joints, front-, rear- and four-wheel drives, front and rear suspension, engine components, drum and disc brakes, excessive belt wear, and typical lift points.
In short, this is a key guide to the functioning of your car, which should be kept with you at all times when you are on the road. You are likely to find it as helpful as a well-supplied tool kit and, in many cases, a great deal less daunting than your own cars manual. An ideal gift for handing over with the first set of car keys to any youngster, this little book should provide much comfort to you as the parent of a relatively inexperienced car owner. So, if you are a stranger to the workings of your car, or know someone else who is, purchase a copy of this book and DO keep it in your cars glove compartmentyou wont be sorry that you have!
