From choosing an insurance policy to performing basic maintenance and repair, Auto Upkeep presents the information you need to know in an easy-to-follow format with hundreds of detailed pictures and drawings. This straightforward consumer guide will help keep you safe and save you thousands of dollars. Now in its completely updated second edition, Auto Upkeep also includes new chapters with information on basic tools, repair facilities, roadside emergencies, and hybrid vehicles.
Chapter 1 – Introduction and How Cars Work
Chapter 2 – Buying an Automobile
Chapter 3 – Automotive Expenses
Chapter 4 – Repair Facilities
Chapter 5 – Safety Around the Automobile
Chapter 6 – Basic Tools
Chapter 7 – Auto Care and Cleaning
Chapter 8 – Fluid Level Check
Chapter 9 – Electrical System
Chapter 10 – Lubrication System
Chapter 11 – Fuel System
Chapter 12 – Cooling System and Climate Control
Chapter 13 – Ignition System
Chapter 14 – Suspension, Steering, and Tires
Chapter 15 – Braking System
Chapter 16 – Drivetrain
Chapter 17 – Exhaust and Emission System
Chapter 18 – Alternative Fuels and Designs
Chapter 19 – Automotive Accessories
Chapter 20 – Common Problems and Roadside Emergencies 
This book is very helpful to learn the basics about auto technology because it explains about how a vehicle works and how a car engine works.
I use this book to do my own maintenance and the way it’s laid out makes it easy to follow, understand and perform your own maintenance. It would make a great gift for the first time car owner…. or anyone who wants to do their own maintenance.
I am currently teaching “Automotive Ownership” to high school students and I am using this book as a reference. It is a great book to give students the basic information about owning a vehicle. Many of my students do not know how a car works or how to treat their car, by the end of class they are prepared to own a automobile.
Great book and I suggest it to other teachers with a similar class.
Craig Christensen
St. Ansgar HS
St. Ansgar, IA
I spend a lot time like most Amazon shoppers reading reviews on items before a purchase. The reviews on Auto Upkeep were pretty solid. However, as a DIY, I found Auto Upkeep to be a great teaching tool for young adults or a family in general. But the book to me is nothing more than a study guide if you will. If you want more detailed hands on information about auto repair…look elsewhere. Otherwise, this is a good book for educating the family about the basic in and outs of owning a car.
Purchased for use in a High School setting for “Car Care Class”. Excellent text for a beginning teacher as well as beginning student. Information in book is well laid out with great examples and material. Sellers are great to deal with and are willing to help out. Would not hestiate to recommend for any school setting or home setting where one wants to learn car care basics. Great instructors disc with much useful information.
“Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, And Repair” by car care experts Michael and Linda Gray is a complete `how to’ guide on every aspect of maintaining and repairing an automobile. Specifically designed for the novice car owner and profusely illustrated with 358 images and drawings (plus 49 tables and 12 user-friendly step-by-step procedures), “Auto Upkeep” is enhanced with the inclusion of numerous tech tips, money saving price guides, thematically appropriate websites, servicing guidelines, `trouble guides’, practical information presented in the form of a Q & A format, an appendices, a glossary, and an index. Of special note is the use of helpful icons. Covering everything from getting insurance to performing basic repairs, “Auto Upkeep” is the perfect reference for anyone from 16 to 66 wanting to get the most out of one of their most important lifetime investments – their car!
Everyone who has a vehicle (and doesn’t know much about cars) should have a copy. It’s a short and concise introduction to car history, facts, and maintenance. It’s not chock full of details, but it directs you to resources to get those if you’re interested. The pictures are not pretty, and the layout reminds me of middle school workbooks, but the content is solid.
Before this book, I never did anything with my car except drive it, fill the gas tank, check the engine oil (maybe 2 or 3 times in my life), take it regularly to get it serviced, and watch my husband change a flat tire.
Since I’ve read through the book, I’ve called out a swindling mechanic, changed wipers, changed cabin air filters, topped off antifreeze and window washer fluids, checked the engine oil, steering and transmission fluids, know generally what goes on at servicings, and feel a lot more comfortable with my car.
We are a Home Educating family (12th year) and have 2 teenagers and 2 more coming up. After reviewing this book online, we ordered a copy, along with 2 workbooks as our son had requested “Auto Shop” as an elective this year. It is our primary text for the first semester, covering everything from purchasing your car to maintenance/repairs and basic auto care. Our son is getting more out of it than we could hope for and wants to know when there will be a sequel on ‘customizing’ your car! =) We decided to make it a required course/text for all teens in our fam who are looking to purchase/own their own car. We highly recommend it!!! Oh, and the CD that comes with the kit puts the ‘icing on the cake’, including all the administrative extras you, as instructor, will need.+++
The book “Auto Upkeep” and its associated workbook are superb resources to become a more informed car owner and driver. All the “bases” are covered in a very approachable manner including a brief history of the automobile and auto industry, what to look for in a service center or shop, buying a car, basic tools for maintenance and repair, followed by a good discussion of the various systems of the automobile.
The text itself can be read for fun and information and most drivers will benefit (if for just a review). However, I think the most benefit comes from using the text with the workbook which includes hands-on learning activities that get you “under the hood” to, for example, change your oil or inspect the brakes. Together they are an excellent course in the basics of auto maintenance and repair for either a home school curriculum or an individual who simply wants to understand his/her car better.
I think “Auto Upkeep” and the workbook should be considered “required reading” by all car owners and drivers.
This is a great product for those looking to learn the very basics about car engines and car care. It gives a good, brief overview of how the major components of the engine work and even some care tips on basic maintenance procedures such as changing the air filter and oil.