Car Bibles

July 11, 2007 9:34 PM

Car Bibles: One man's comprehensive guide to oil, brakes, tires, and more.
posted by Upton O'Good (21 comments total)

Really nice drawings. Haven't yet delved into the text, but really nice drawings.
posted by mattoxic at 9:48 PM on July 11, 2007

I like the tone:

If you took an automatic gearbox apart (and for the love of all that is Holy, please don't)

...and this is the first explanation of synchromesh I've heard that seems to have stuck.. so bravo!
posted by pompomtom at 9:59 PM on July 11, 2007

John 3:16
posted by paulinsanjuan at 10:03 PM on July 11, 2007

Favorited for the simple fact that I've always felt compounding degrees of horrible guilt every time I pass 3,000 miles since my last oil change. Now I can delay that ignorant pain until 5,000.
posted by Stan Chin at 10:08 PM on July 11, 2007

To be honest, wondering about my oil change is what led me to this in the first place.
posted by Upton O'Good at 10:11 PM on July 11, 2007

2+2 is 4 2+2 is 4, sing along everyone!
posted by Viomeda at 10:15 PM on July 11, 2007

The type of driving you do and the climate can make a signficant difference in how long you can wait. Follow your manufacturer's guidelines, and/or any messages your vehicle displays. One size does not fit all when it comes to this topic.

That said, yes, I get the oil in my 5-year-old car changed every 5000 miles ... which roughly splits the difference between the regular and severe use schedules.
posted by pmurray63 at 10:22 PM on July 11, 2007

You gotta change the oil? What to?
posted by mattoxic at 10:30 PM on July 11, 2007

Blood. You haven't you been paying attention, have you?
posted by pompomtom at 10:33 PM on July 11, 2007 [1 favorite]

I change my oil once every five years, whether it needs it or not.

Seriously.
posted by davey_darling at 10:58 PM on July 11, 2007

More fun oil filter information.
posted by IronLizard at 11:11 PM on July 11, 2007

One last thing about brake master cylinders : they cost an absolute bomb to replace. If you find yours is leaking, patching it up is not an option. Brand new master cylinders can go for around $1500 without labour costs. Remanufactured ones come in slightly cheaper at around $900. Bear that in mind when your 20 year old beater develops a leak - it's probably cheaper to buy another used car than to replace the master cylinder.

Great reading. Until I found this paragraph. I just replaced one today for 54$. Not even the whole assembly with the master AND vacuum booster run anywhere near that unless you drive some sort of exotic.
posted by IronLizard at 12:37 AM on July 12, 2007

Hot damn, it also explains motorcycles!

That site is tantamount to porn, thanks!
posted by Eideteker at 4:09 AM on July 12, 2007

Hallelujah!
posted by punkfloyd at 4:34 AM on July 12, 2007

nice graphics! great site!
posted by TechnoLustLuddite at 6:25 AM on July 12, 2007

Good post. Thanks.
posted by Wolfdog at 6:30 AM on July 12, 2007

IronLizard writes "I just replaced one today for 54$. Not even the whole assembly with the master AND vacuum booster run anywhere near that unless you drive some sort of exotic."

Typically less than $150. However the ABS master cylinder and booster on my 89 Buick, which had to be replaced together, were C$1500. Around $1100 used but good luck finding one. I ended up replacing the whole system with the non ABS system for that car.
posted by Mitheral at 10:28 AM on July 12, 2007

I think you mean the brake pressure modulator valve. Those are indeed expensive. They are, however, not referred to as a master cylinder.
posted by IronLizard at 10:59 AM on July 12, 2007

This is indeed an excellent find! I'm constantly googling to learn more about the problematic cars in my life, and this is absolutely what I’ve been looking for. Thanks!
posted by sarahmelah at 11:11 AM on July 12, 2007

I remember this as the first explanation of automatic gearboxes I understood and revered ever since. I believe it must have been on Howstuffworks.
posted by Laotic at 4:16 PM on July 12, 2007

That's a great site; thanks for finding this.
posted by acro at 8:27 PM on July 12, 2007