| Foreword | p. ix |
| Maintenance: Keeping Your Car in Peak Performance | p. 1 |
| The Well-Equipped Trunk and Glove Compartment | p. 2 |
| Keeping Your Car Clean | p. 4 |
| Car-washing Tips | |
| Car-waxing Tips | |
| Paint Touch-ups | |
| Your Choice of Fuel | p. 7 |
| When to Use Higher Octane Fuel | |
| Driving to Conserve Fuel | |
| Tires | p. 9 |
| How to Check Tire Pressure | |
| How to Check Tire Treads | |
| Balance and Alignment | |
| Driving Habits That Prolong Tire Life | |
| Oil | p. 19 |
| What Kind of Oil Should You Buy? | |
| How to Check Your Oil | |
| How to Add Oil | |
| When to Change Your Oil | |
| Radiator | p. 26 |
| How to Change Radiator Coolant (Antifreeze) | |
| How to Check Your Radiator Thermostat | |
| Fluid Levels | p. 30 |
| How to Check Fluid Levels | |
| How to Check Transmission Fluid | |
| Filters | p. 33 |
| How to Check Your Air Filter | |
| Hoses and Belts | p. 34 |
| How to Check Belts | |
| How to Check Hoses | |
| Battery | p. 38 |
| How to Check the Battery | |
| Brakes | p. 40 |
| Exhaust System | p. 41 |
| How to Check the Exhaust System | |
| Shock Absorbers and Springs | p. 42 |
| Checking for Wear | |
| The Professional Tune-Up | p. 42 |
| Prolonging Car Life | p. 44 |
| State Inspections | p. 44 |
| A Layman's Guide to How Your Car Operates | p. 46 |
| The Engine | p. 47 |
| The Electrical System | p. 51 |
| The Fuel System | p. 53 |
| The Exhaust System | p. 54 |
| The Lubricating System | p. 55 |
| The Cooling System | p. 57 |
| The Transmission | p. 58 |
| The Driveshaft, Differential, and Axles | p. 60 |
| The Steering System | p. 60 |
| Power Steering | |
| The Suspension System | p. 64 |
| Tires | p. 65 |
| Anatomy of a Tire | |
| How to "Read" a Tire | |
| A Tire's Marks of Quality | |
| The Brakes | p. 71 |
| Power Brakes | |
| The Parking (or Emergency) Brake | |
| Antilock Brakes | |
| Trouble Signs and What to Do About Them | p. 76 |
| Getting Started | p. 77 |
| How to Jump-start a Battery | |
| Dashboard Warning Lights | p. 83 |
| Noise While Driving | p. 84 |
| Unusual Odors | p. 86 |
| Fluid Leaks | p. 88 |
| Steering Problems | p. 89 |
| Switching Gears | p. 90 |
| Brake Problems | p. 91 |
| Tire and Suspension Problems | p. 92 |
| Tire Blowouts | |
| How to Change a Flat Tire | |
| Finding a Mechanic You Can Trust | p. 103 |
| What are your Choices? | p. 103 |
| Suggestions for Finding a Reliable Repair Shop | p. 108 |
| The Right Way to Talk to a Mechanic | p. 111 |
| Safe Driving All Year-round | p. 115 |
| Rainy Weather Driving | p. 115 |
| Precautions Before Driving | |
| Driving Strategies | |
| Hot Weather Hazards | p. 118 |
| What to Do If Your Car Overheats | |
| Finding the Cause of a Car's Overheating | |
| What to Do If Smoke Comes Out of Your Car's Hood | |
| Driving Tips in Autumn | p. 121 |
| Snowy Weather Driving | p. 122 |
| Trunk Checklist | |
| Servicing Your Car | |
| When to Use Snow Tires | |
| Getting a Clear Start | |
| Getting the Feel of the Road | |
| How to Brake on an Icy Surface | |
| How to Get Out of a Skid | |
| Parking Problems | |
| How to Get Unstuck | |
| Tips for Long-Distance Driving | p. 129 |
| Towing a Trailer or Camper | p. 133 |
| Towing Safety | |
| What to do if You're in an Accident | p. 139 |
| How to Protect your Car from Being Stolen | p. 143 |
| Antitheft Devices | |
| Driving Habits That Safeguard Your Car | |
| Personal Safety | |
| The Smart Driver's Guide to Buying a New (or Used) Car | p. 149 |
| Major Questions Before Shopping Around | p. 150 |
| Narrowing Your Options | |
| How to Take a Test Drive | p. 153 |
| Ways to Outtalk a Car Dealer | p. 155 |
| Breaking in a New Car | p. 159 |
| Where to Get Help if your Car is a "Lemon" | p. 164 |
| Buying a Used Car | p. 168 |
| Finding Out What You Want and Can Afford | |
| Where to Shop | |
| How to Spot a Lemon | |
| Driving a Hard Bargain | |
| Auto Insurance: Choices You Can Make | |
| Liability Insurance | p. 174 |
| Medical Payments Insurance | p. 176 |
| Wage Loss Insurance | p. 177 |
| Substitute Service Insurance | p. 177 |
| Uninsured Motorist Insurance | p. 177 |
| Collision Insurance | p. 178 |
| Comprehensive Insurance | p. 179 |
| No-Fault Insurance | p. 179 |
| Getting the Coverage you Need At the Best Possible Price | p. 181 |
| Suggestions When Buying Auto Insurance | |
| Maintenance Timetable | p. 186 |
| Glossary | p. 189 |
| Index | p. 198 |
| Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved. |