Best Auto Mechanic Books

Best Automotive Repair Books

Most automotive mechanics gained their skills by going to trade and mechanical schools. However, not everybody can afford to go to a mechanic school because of the huge price tags.

This doesn’t mean you can’t be a mechanic. With the help of auto mechanic books, you can perform a variety of automotive activities, hence enabling you to handle small jobs yourself, like repairing your own car.

Also, this will save you trips to the garage, allowing you to save money while you are learning a very valuable skill. Once you feel you have become a proficient mechanic, you can sit for exams to gain certifications so you can find a job as an auto mechanic.

Here is a list of some of the best auto mechanic books to help you learn automotive technology on your own time and in the comfort of your garage.

List of the Best Auto Mechanic Books

How Cars Work by Tom Newton

How Cars Work is a mini test book that describes the 250 most crucial car components and their function. The book is among the best car repair books, offering basic vocabulary and mechanical information to help you understand shop manuals and solve a multitude of automotive issues.

Tom Newton uses perfect and basic line illustrations and distinct language to explain all the automotive systems, as well as a test, index, and glossary. Readers receive information in bite-size chunks because of Tom’s one theme per page format, making it easy to digest and segment over a longer period of time. 

Auto Repair for Dummies by Deanna Sclar

Auto Repair for Dummies has recently undergone a complete re-organization, putting the most important maintenance and repair information immediately after each automotive part summary, making it easier to find and understand different instructions.

This book by Deanna Sclar (a renowned auto repair expert and consumer advocate) is among the Best automotive repair books in the US with over 400,000 copies sold. By writing and updating this book she has helped many people to understand the basics of auto repairs. The book is great if you are planning to conduct regular maintenance on your car or if you simply want a better understanding of your car so you can be more informed for your next trip to the auto shop.

Car Hacks and Mods for Dummies by David Vespremi

Yes, we have another book for Dummies. (They are quite something!) David Verspremi curated this book to help you make subtle mods on your vehicle that will turn heads without you having to part with lots of money at an automotive shop to do so.

This is a perfect book to accompany traditional automotive training so you can learn what needs to be done in the auto shop while you are also making adjustments to your own car at home.

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service by James D. Halderman 

Now, let’s look at one of the best automotive repair books ever written, Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service by James D. Halderman. Automotive Technology is among the top mechanic textbooks used by mechanic throughout the country, and it’s the basis for most auto repair curriculums.

If you are after a book that covers all the aspects of automotive repair, Automotive Technology is the book you’ve been searching for. This book will allow you to get similar curriculum as you would find in almost any mechanic school across the nation without having to pay for the training.

Auto Fundamentals by Chris Johanson, Martin T. Stockel, Martin W. Stockel

Auto Fundamentals will teach you all the basics of car repair, diagnostics, and maintenance. The book will show you how vehicles are designed, how you can use the vehicle’s system to its maximum potential, and what process goes into auto technology. Gaining a good understanding of the underlying fundamentals that go into auto tech will allow you to build a large structure of knowledge to repair many different automotive issues.

Auto Body Repair Technology by James E. Duffy 

Being the best auto body repair books in the market, James E. Duffy delivers a wide range of information about auto body repairing and maintenance. A big part of the book covers collision repair, offering you step-by-step guidelines from damage estimation, repairing and refinishing in detail.

If you are a beginner, you will find this easy to read, use and reference. Plus, this is an updated version which is rich with information on the latest industry trends, innovations, and technology. This keeps you informed on every latest advancement and ideas.

Understanding Automotive Electronics: An Engineering Perspective by William Ribbens 

If you are a professional auto mechanic eager to know how electronics in vehicles work, then this is the right book for you. This book covers different essential aspects of electronics required for improving your skills.

The book’s author discusses the concepts in the book from an engineering perspective, and nearly all the content in the book is supported by mathematical explanations and calculations. So, it will provide a strong foundation of understanding to build your automotive technology skills on.

Advanced Automotive Fault Diagnosis: Automotive Technology: Vehicle Maintenance and Repair by Tom Denton 

Here is another book that is one of the best car repair books to help you understand the automotive industry. It can help you know the basics of auto repair in the comfort of your garage. This book is packed with solutions that can diagnose virtually any automotive problem you can think of.

Also, the book contains detailed troubleshooting information on more advanced automotive electronic systems found in modern days cars such as power-assisted steering and keyless starting systems.

Troubleshooting and Repairing of Diesel Engines by Paul Dempsey

This hand-on resource by Paul Dempsey covers electronic engine management, emissions controls, and engine technology. With the help of this car repair book, you can solve diesel problems easily and quickly.

The Fourth Edition of this book presents you with the latest advances in diesel technology and solutions for any diesel engine problem. It equips both beginners and professional mechanics with state-of-art tools and techniques required to keep diesel engines running and functional. This is truly an essential to keep with you on repairs in case you run into a question you are not sure about.

Idiot’s Guides: Auto Repair and Maintenance by Dave Stribling 

Similar to the Books for Dummies, Idiot’s guides are more ideal for DIYers and beginner auto mechanics. It’s one of the best auto mechanic repair books for beginners in the market. It comprises all crucial information on the major automotive systems from suspension systems, tires, engines, steering and fuel systems.

Dave Stribling arms mechanics with the knowledge needed to troubleshoot and diagnose common automotive problems and make simple repairs and tweaks which are universal to most models and makes.

Today’s Technician by Multiple Authors

Today’s Technician is not one solo book but a complete series of some of the best auto mechanic books out there. They offer an extensive learning package designed to instill skills in both shop and classroom settings. This series of manuals is extensive and comprises nearly everything you need to know about automotive mechanics.

If that’s not enough, each book is divided into 2 manuals: A shop manual that addresses system testing, tools, and diagnostics processes, and a classroom manual that covers the theoretical part. This allows anyone to pick up the book and not only know how to turn a wrench, but also to understand why they need to turn the wrench.

Today’s Technicians complete series includes the following books:

• Basic Automotive Service and Systems
• Automotive Brake Systems
• Automotive Suspension and Steering Systems
• Automotive Engine Performance
• Automotive Electricity and Electronics
• Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
• Manual Transmissions and Transaxles
• Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles
• Automotive Engine Repair and Rebuilding