Best book for learn car repair?

Posted by Ombortron@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 22 comments

What would be the best book (or top books) you’d recommend for someone who wants to learn basic car repair and maintenance? I’ve found a few seemingly good ones, I think right now my top choice is “Car Mechanics Made Easy”, but what else would you able recommend so that I can start wrenching on my own? Thanks everyone!

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FATTKAWK@reddit

When I was in tech school, we were required to get Fundamentals of Automotive Technology. Its expensive to buy, but you may be able to find an pdf online for... less. Anyway, it has a ton of good info and it goes really into detail about how different systems and varieties of those systems work. It helped me understand diffs, AC, electrical, steering, etc.

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Ombortron@reddit (OP)

Awesome thanks for the recommendation!

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simpsonknight@reddit

I find forums or groups, and YouTube have been my best bet for fixing an issue. I joined Facebook just so I could join a car group for my mark/make/model of my car and it's been the best thing for repairs or "what's that noise".

I have used Haynes manuals in the past with amazing success so I wouldn't skip on that either if they make one for your car..

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juwyro@reddit

Your car's factory service mannual is the best thing to have. A Chilton or Haynes manual after that, then some forum writeup with dead picture links.

These days YouTube is the best.

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g0atm3a1@reddit

Oh man I miss the detailed forum DIY write ups with pictures. YT and Facebook just aren’t the same.

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jawknee530i@reddit

Luckily Miata.net is still limping along.

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g0atm3a1@reddit

I spent many, many hours on miata.net when I had my track NC. A lotta good folks over there.

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Late-Midnight2137@reddit

Factory manual is definitely the way to go if you can get your hands on one. I learned most of my basic stuff from YouTube tutorials and random forum posts - sometimes the grainy videos from 2009 are better than the fancy new ones. Just make sure you have good lighting in garage when you actually start working, learned that one the hard way.

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Ombortron@reddit (OP)

True, good point about the service manual. manual. I love Haynes manuals too but they don’t have one for my model of project car. Maybe they have something online now, I know they’ve shifted to that format.

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Mountain-Union2347@reddit

While I still have much to learn, I started with a random book I found at the library. Something basic like “How Cars Work”. Taught me all the basics of what the hell is in an engine and what it does.

You can’t fix something if you don’t know what you’re looking at.

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PretendLength1710@reddit

dont bother with a book tbh. haynes manual for your car and youtube is really all you need. start with oil changes n brakes

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fuckingjonperez@reddit

all that reading and learning does no good if you ain't got a car to work on.....get dirty....

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Ombortron@reddit (OP)

Oh I’ve got cars!

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fuckingjonperez@reddit

there ya go! .....now start learning parts names ....where they go etc, etc......dive into the deep end my friend......you'll learn to swim fast.

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One_Evil_Monkey@reddit

Factory service manuals are where it's at if you can get them.

Then Chilton. Haynes isn't bad but half of it is literally identical from one to the next with basic general stuff that applies to pretty much anything.

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Ombortron@reddit (OP)

That’s the plan!