5 Comments

1. Michael Hallett says:
   November 30, 2009 at 10:51 am

   I got this for my mother, 76, who just got herself a new car. I was disapointed. The author clearly knows her stuff, the basics are well enough explained and Mom said to keep it. But: The tone is condesnding and there is nothing on washing, waxing and maintaining the finish. On what to do after an accident, she must have asked a lawyer – it’s just right on how to deal with insurance co.s, not saying it was your fault – but there’s nothing on getting off the road, out of the car, making sure other drivers are alerted, flares etc. and nothing on hitting a deer or someone’s dog. It could be so much better….
   Rating: 2 / 5
2. Unapologetic Bibliophile says:
   November 30, 2009 at 10:57 am

   I can’t stress how much I believe in this book! My copy is almost dog-eared to death. I read a couple of other reviews on this book and I can only say: this is not a book about how to drive…you should know that already. It is not a book about anything but maintaining the mechanical health of your car.
   
   Every time something goes wrong with my car, I pull out this book and make notes before I talk to a mechanic. I think they think that I either know what I’m talking about, or somebody is watching very closely over my shoulder. Regardless, It has saved me hundreds of dollars if not thousands. I think everyone should have a copy in their glove compartment. Truly!
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. Anonymous says:
   November 30, 2009 at 12:06 pm

   Small, cheap, and to the point! This book is excellent when it comes to basic car maintanence! I love the fact that this book assumes nothing from it’s readers. Ms. Volpe should write college textbooks! I mean it when I say this: do not buy any other beginner books about cars! They will be wordy and technical! If your favorite bookstore does not have “The Lady Mechanic”, place in a special order for it!
   Rating: 5 / 5
4. N. Ernst says:
   November 30, 2009 at 2:09 pm

   with good advice and checklists for any car. Some of it was a little confusing though…ie: how to handle stopping in traffic with a standard transmission…I won’t get into it here. She is good at pointing out where things are, but the book lacks enough illustrations. The lingo used is kept to a minumum (most needed words/phrases are given) but more help here also would have been good. The glossary is okay, but not great.
   Rating: 3 / 5
5. Anonymous says:
   November 30, 2009 at 4:19 pm

   Wow! I thought I was clueless, until I read Ren Volpe’s book. It made me realize that I am actually a safe driver, and know the basics in order to maintain a car (in my case, quite an old one).Anything that was new to me about car care was easy-to-comprehend and even easier to implement once I opened the hood and took a peek. The Lady Mechanic’s Total Car Care for the Clueless is a must-have book. I keep mine in my glove compartment!
   Rating: 4 / 5