1 File

Working on your own vehicle may not be possible due to limited space, time constraints, your skills and the tool requirements. If your lifestyle requires subletting vehicle work to an independent shop or dealership, this guide will help you make the right choices. You need a qualified shop with ample tools and equipment, model-specific service data and technicians trained and experienced with your make and model. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

Lifestyle and climate often determine the kind of vehicles we own and drive. Budget plays a large role, too. In this guide, I share how our family needs, lifestyle and living environment have defined the vehicles we have owned. Your family has its own lifestyle and transportation demands to consider. We all grapple with today's high cost of fossil fuel, which drives choices as well. Here, the focus is planning your automotive lifestyle and budget. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

My earliest vehicle ownership experience was affordable. Today, most Americans drive and own a motor vehicle to navigate daily life and earn a livelihood. This guide is an overview of what it takes to get your driving credentials and budget for a motor vehicle in the present economy.—Moses Ludel (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

Leasing means that the down payment is less, the monthly payments are lower and you get to drive a new vehicle! Is that enough reason to sign up for a lease? There are distinct advantages and downsides to buying or leasing a vehicle. This guide will help you choose what works best for your budget, transportation needs and long term financial planning. Be informed before visiting a dealership. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

The motor vehicle sales system often obscures the real value of your trade-in and the price you should pay for a new or preowned car, truck or SUV. Private party used vehicle purchases can be equally daunting. This guide demystifies the dealership experience, helps you understand the real value of your current vehicle and focuses on how to negotiate a fair price for the new or preowned vehicle that you want. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

An MSRP sticker is not the net value of a new vehicle. Dealer cost for vehicles reflects manufacturer kickbacks and sales incentives. Extended service contracts can be costly and laced with exclusions. For used vehicles, mechanical condition is crucial. A private party sale offers no recourse if the vehicle is a "lemon". This guide shares my strategy for minimizing expensive surprises and determining the real worth of a new or used vehicle. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

A motor vehicle is legal property capable of property damage and personal injury. States closely regulate the proof of vehicle ownership. They also collect registration fees, enforce emissions and safety inspections and require insurance coverage. Know your state's title, registration and emissions requirements before driving away from a private party sale or dealership purchase. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

The United States advanced automotive technology, introduced mass production and built a suburban infrastructure around automobiles. America has been a vast marketplace for motor vehicles, a culture and economy defined by self-driven vehicles. This book shares automotive history, technology, culture and ways Americans have navigated this lifestyle...Seen from the vantage of a professional mechanic, instructor, journalist, columnist, photographer, bestselling author and motorhead.—Moses Ludel

1 File

A vehicle must meet your needs...One of the worst buyer mistakes is winding up with the wrong vehicle. I tested and reviewed new vehicles for two decades and conducted consumer workshops on behalf of Mopar® at a dozen Camp Jeep® events. My approach to choosing the right model, picking equipment, aftermarket upgrades and modifications draws from five decades of mostly good and a few not so good vehicle choices! (PDF download guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

Whether you perform your own vehicle maintenance or sublet the work to shops, this guide is an orientation to keeping your vehicle more reliable, roadworthy and safer. The focus is always preventive work that helps eliminate the need for roadside assistance, time consuming repairs and expensive, avoidable breakdowns. If your budget is tight, this guide will help you prioritize the more pressing repairs. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

After six decades of exposure to 4x4 off-road vehicles, I have seen every kind of vehicle abuse. Beyond physical damage and stress, vehicles suffer from neglect, severe accidents, low fluid levels and a variety of other maladies.. While many buyers avoid used vehicles, the right vehicle with a clear history can be a great find. This guide shares what I consider important when considering a used vehicle purchase. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

New vehicles always come with a manufacturer's "limited warranty". There are aftermarket extended warranties, ESPs and service contracts sold by dealerships and used car dealerships. Third party online products are also available. This guide focuses on what gets covered with these "products". Before you buy or decline an extended warranty, ESP or service contract, be informed about the coverage in these legally binding contracts. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

"Preventive maintenance" has been my strategy since 1969. Responsible for a 22 vehicle truck fleet, I performed service work before a vehicle broke down. My maintenance to this day begins with lube-oil-filter plus a full chassis and powertrain inspection. This approach will help you maintain a safer, more reliable vehicle while preserving its value. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

Subletting automotive service is costly and often frustrating. I perform all work on our vehicles, my tools pay for themselves and the vehicles are safe and reliable. Saving the cost of sublet labor, we can buy our parts at competitive prices. We keep our vehicles longer and have no payments. This guide will help you determine whether working on your vehicles suits your lifestyle, available time and long term financial goals. (Download PDF guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

Automobility is fundamental to American economic and cultural life. Many parts of the country have no public transportation, and 85% of workers depend on a personal vehicle to access their jobs. The common denominator for modern American life is an automotive lifestyle. This guide provides a framework for navigating our automotive economy, transportation system, living environment, career choices and culture. (PDF download guide with color illustrations.)

1 File

'DIY' mechanics, serious motorheads, restorers and collectors would like their own shop. This guide helps you decide whether creating a 'DIY' shop is practical or not. (The guide is a PDF download with color illustrations.) Note: If you decide to lay out and equip a 'DIY' automotive or motorcycle shop, the HD video course "Equipping Your 'DIY' Automotive or Motorcycle Shop" will be available soon with details on the right tools, equipment, electrical system, air supply and safety needs.