Reservoir Where excess coolant is stored; it keeps the overflow when heat makes the fluid expand.
Rotor (brake disc) Turns with the wheel of a car. On disc brakes, brake fluid pushes against pistons, which cause calipers to close and grab the disc against the brake lining, causing the rotor, and therefore the wheel, to stop.
Shock absorber/strut Like the mechanism that slows the swinging of a storm door, this absorbs much of the “bounce” when the car goes over a bump.
Solenoid An electronic switch—usually used to refer to the one that allows electricity to flow to the engine when you insert and turn your key.
Spark plug Creates the spark that ignites the fuel and air, which causes the combustion that pushes the piston down against the crankshaft and makes your car go!
Spring Keeps the tire on the ground by compressing and expanding, pushing the wheel down and pulling it up, depending on the road’s surface.
Starter motor An electric motor that starts the engine by spinning the crankshaft mechanically (before combustion begins to occur).
Transaxle In front-wheel drive, the transmission and differential all in one.
Transmission The gears that sit in between the engine and the wheels, determining the car’s power.
Universal joint/CV joint An “elbow” in the driveshaft that allows the car some flexibility as it hits bumps or changes direction without snapping the whole drivetrain in half.
Wheel cylinders On drum brakes, they press the brake shoes out against the brake lining to stop the wheels.
CAR SPECIFICATIONS
Here’s a place you can write down everything you might need quickly, whether you’re changing your oil or speaking to a technician. While most of it can be found in your owner’s manual, things such as the tire pressure might be on the inside doorjamb on the driver’s side, and engine size on the underside of the hood.
Make
Model
Year
License plate #
VIN #
Insurance company
Policy #
Insurance company phone number
Number of cylinders
Engine size (usually in liters)
Octane of gas required
Gas tank capacity
Type of oil needed
Type of coolant & percentage-to-water ratio
PSI for front tires
PSI for rear tires
MPG city/highway
SERVICE RECORD
Believe us—keeping track of what you had done and when will not only help you keep your car running smoothly, it will also save you headaches and bucks. On the “big” services, always check the invoice to see if the technician did everything your maintenance schedule demands.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
E. J. BRASWELL comes from a long line of gearheads on both sides of the family—Botnick and Braswell. If E. J. were a car, it would be a ’57 Chevy pickup.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface: A History of the Pep Boys
Chapter 1: A Tutorial of Your Car and How It Works
Chapter 2: Basic Car Care Maintenance That You Can Do Yourself
Chapter 3: Safety Tips—Preventive and Emergency
Chapter 4: Service and Repair
Chapter 5: Appearance and Accessories
Chapter 6: A Timeline of Cars, America, and the Pep Boys
Chapter 7: Glossary of Terms
Chapter 8: Important Records for You to Keep
About the Author
E.J. Braswell Page 10
