Field guides written by a tradesman
Real tradesman methods. Better than a video.
Printable field guides for the repairs you'd otherwise pay a pro for. Start from your symptom, confirm the cause before you buy a part, and fix it once. Written for North American (US and Canada) homes and vehicles.
30 years fixing everything. Written by a tradesman, not a website.
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Driveway Mechanic Series
Cars
Driveway Mechanic Series: symptom-first car repair guides you can do in your own driveway.
4 guides
More coming
More coming
New guides are in the works:
Latest guides
Driveway Mechanic Series
Check Engine Light: Read It. Fix It.
Read the code, prove the cause, then fix gas caps, MAF, vacuum leaks, O2 sensors and misfires. And know which codes go to a shop.
$11.99
Driveway Mechanic Series
Car Won't Start? Find Out Why in 15 Minutes
Click, crank-no-start or dead: a 15-minute test path with a multimeter, then terminals, jump-start, fob, fuses and battery replacement.
$11.99
Driveway Mechanic Series
Do Your Own Damn Brakes
Diagnose the noise or vibration, replace pads and rotors, service the slides, bleed, bed-in. Fill-in torque sheet from your vehicle maker.
$11.99
Driveway Mechanic Series
Change the Damn Transmission Fluid
Drain and fill, never a flush. The maker's fluid, the same amount back in, the level set the maker's way.
$11.99
Why a field guide beats a video
Starts from your symptom
A 60-second diagnosis table sends you to the right fix, not a 20-minute video about someone else's problem.
Confirm before you buy
A quick test proves the cause before you spend money on parts.
The right part
Tools have exact part numbers; wear parts are matched by VIN or the old part. Each guide has a free parts page with US stores.
Illustrated steps (in the guide)
Inside the PDF: illustrated steps, what you should see, the common mistake, and what to do when you're stuck. Previews show the cover, contents and the 'Can I do this?' page only.
Knows when to stop
Clear safety stops: gas, electrical, asbestos, permits and local code.
Goes to the job
A one-page job card and shopping list. Print it, tick it off, done.