Three months ago, I received by 2010 SE. Although I've been driving for some 30 years and know the very basics of how cars operate, I have never actually performed more than routine elementary maintenence on my car (oil/filter, tire change, battery/air filter change). I'd like to learn more on my own by reading a comprehensive textbook which takes me from the very basics through a fairly in-depth knowledge of car function, diagnosis, and repair. I never intend doing my own repairs but I would enjoy knowing more about car functioning and how my mechanic would diagnose and repair common problems. A book with a great many diagrams and photographs is necessary. Through amazon.com I have it pretty well down to 2 books. Either AUTOMOTIVE TECJNOLOGY: A SYSTEMS APPROACH by Erjavec or AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY: PRINCIPLES, DIAGNOSIS, SERVICE by Halderman. I can review either copy well since amazon shows only a few pages.I wounder if the group could comment on which book might be most helpful. Thanx.

 

Can't speak to either of the two that you mention, but I have heard high praise for the Bosch Automotive Handbook as one of the most up-to-date and comprehensive general guides. http://books.sae.org/book-bosch7

I'm sure from your starting point of the very basics, either or both would be quite useful. If you have a public library, I would say check them out there. Or buy the one that appeals to you more, and read the other from the library.

Based on titles alone, I'd go with Halderman, because Principles, Diagnosis, and Service sound like exactly what you want to know.