Hillier's Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology - Victor Hillier, Peter Coombes

As a workshop mechanic, I've started doing my NVQs... why not lol. I think it's safe to say that most mechanics know what they are doing in practical terms, the experience that you pick up in a workshop environment can be invaluable. However, when going for NVQs and other qualifications, the theory behind some of the day to day work can be a bit confusing. Any mechanic could tell you where a coil pack is, and what it does.... but how it does it? ...
...It's split into easy-ish to digest chapters, so if you are looking to find out more about 1 particular area, such as the ignition system of a petrol engine, then you can go straight to it. Alternatively, the index is good for pointing you directly to very specific subjects, such as the Wankel Engine, or Differential Spool Valves.

It really is exactly as the title says, it gives you the fundamentals of motor vehicles, the basic principles ... more

As a workshop mechanic, I've started doing my NVQs... why not lol. I think it's safe to say that most mechanics know what they are doing in practical terms, the experience that you pick up in a workshop environment can be invaluable. However, when going for NVQs and other qualifications, the theory behind some of the day to day work can be a bit confusing. Any mechanic could tell you where a coil pack is, and what it does.... but how it does it? Well this book will provide the answers.

It's split into easy-ish to digest chapters, so if you are looking to find out more about 1 particular area, such as the ignition system of a petrol engine, then you can go straight to it. Alternatively, the index is good for pointing you directly to very specific subjects, such as the Wankel Engine, or Differential Spool Valves.

It really is exactly as the title says, it gives you the fundamentals of motor vehicles, the basic principles that all modern cars are based and operate on. However, if you are already very familiar with the mechanical basics and want to expand on the electronics side, I'd really recommend books 2 or 3, which concentrate on Powertrain Electronics and Chassis and Body Electronics respectively.

The only criticism that I have of this book is that sometimes it goes a bit too in depth for people who are new to mechanics. There is so much information that sometimes it is difficult to process it all. For that reason I would recommend that 16yr olds leaving school to become mechanics apprentices try this book AFTER reading a different introductory book to mechanics. Similarly for people who just want to know more about cars, work your way up to this book. It's very good if you already have a good idea of how the pieces of a car come together, but a little confusing if you're a complete newbie.  

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