Nice thought, but regardless of the brand of car (can't tell you how
many "quality" cars (some REAL expensive) I've seen in 30 years broken
down on the side of the road while driving my beat-up old but reliable
1973 Datsun 1200 -- you still need to learn something about your
car...if not, you're in trouble even when you take it to the shop...a
sheep among wolves.

BT, if the guy knows a "shitload of stuff" about computers, he can do
"medium" repairs on his car. I do cars and computers, too. Besides,
cars have more and more "computer stuff" on them as time goes on...if
all he can do is read the codes, that's something!

I say get a manual. The Owner's Manual at the very least, a Haynes or
Chilton manual next, and for real big-spenders, a factory shop manual
(much more than he or most people need).

John D.



Vincent <chanvnospam@cs.ucdavis.edu> wrote in message news:<bdhs67$d39$1@woodrow.ucdavis.edu>...
> don't buy anything else except a new toyota corolla. you will not need to
> worry much at all...
>
> A. Card <a@spamspam.org> wrote:
> : Is there a book or website you can recommend for those of us who missed that
> : day in school when they explained how cars work and how to maintain them?
>
> : I see a lot of books for parents about what to expect the first year, etc.
> : Is there a comparable book for cars? For instance, I know one has to add oil
> : to the engine from time to time. No clue how often, though. And what about
> : tires? How do I know when to change them?
>
> : In other words, I don't want to do major or medium repairs myself. But I
> : need a guide to walk me through this. I know a sh*t-load about how to
> : troubleshoot and fix my computer. I'd like to have a similar grasp of cars.
> : Help!