RCPL and the Art of Automotive Repair

By John Pappas, Outreach Services Coordinator | August 16, 2009

As with any basic home appliance or high-tech gadget, vehicles and small engines can have problems.  But unlike our toaster or microwave, our vehicle breaking down can leave us in a huge monetary predicament. A broken down car, truck, motorcycle or bike can leave us with a huge bill from the mechanic or unable to make it into work. Either way, we suffer from these events. And unlike the broken toaster or microwave many standard automotive problems are 100% preventable.
While some of the problems listed below need the hands of an experienced mechanic to solve, most could be worked on at home with limited equipment and some information from the Rapid City Public Library’s Small Engine Repair Reference Center and Auto Repair Reference Center databases. 

  1. Brake Systems – Brakes need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear of a vehicle. However most of the time the reason that they don’t “feel” right or that they are making noise is because the pads need to be replaced.
  2. Lube-Oil-Filter – Another fairly simple procedure if you have the correct information to guide you. Most manufactures recommend that you change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles. While it is quick and easy to get it done by a professional, you could easily save yourself the 30 bucks and do it yourself. Plus you get the satisfaction of getting a little dirty to boot!
  3. Cooling and Heating Systems – Maybe not something that most would take on themselves to fix but if you happen to have some skill in the arena of car-repair and feel like being daring…give it a shot! Or at least educate your self about some of the possible causes and any recent company recalls.
  4. Ignition and Electrical Controls – These items can wear out over time and can lead to pricey repair bills. The Rapid City Public Library offers a database full of electrical schematics for just this type of work. 
  5. Steering and Suspension – You can probably tell when your steering is starting to go. Proper upkeep way be as simple as adding some power steering fluid or an indicator for more pressing issues.
  6. Carburetor and Fuel Systems – If you suddenly notice that you are getting lower gas mileage than before it may be due to a problem with your carburetor or fuel system. If you feel daring then look up your make and model on the Auto Repair Reference Center (powered by EBSCO-host) available under “Resources” on the Rapid City Public Library webpage.
  7. Electrical – The electrical components of a vehicle can be vast as well as differ from model to model and make to make. The Auto Repair Reference Center also includes thousands of enhanced wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing.
  8. Exhaust System – If your car is emitting a huge cloud of black smoke that follows you around for most of your trip or if it sounds like a chainsaw (and you didn’t want it to) then the exhaust system may need to be looked at. Look up your make and model for photos showing some common exhaust system problems and then possible ways to repair, from quick and easy to long and complicated.
  9. Air-Conditioning – Not something you want do go out during a long, not summer. Although this summer has been somewhat merciful so far. You can look up how to check each component and how to keep it running well (just in case there decided to be heat wave this September).

Both the Small Engine Repair Reference Center and the Auto Repair Reference Center are available from your home computer or from one of the many public computers available at the Rapid City Public Library. So whether you are an expert in automotive and motorcycle repair looking to hone your skills on a rare make and model or if you are a beginner with very little experience but anxious to try your hand at it – The Rapid City Public Library has the resources you are looking for.
The Auto Repair Reference Center contains information on most major manufactures of domestic and imported vehicles as well as repair information on most vintage makes. The entire database covers more than 33,800 vehicles from 1945 to present so the odds of us having what you need are pretty good. 

If you happen to own an ATV, lawnmower, tractor, generator, motorcycle, boat or snowmobile then check out the Small Engine Repair Reference Center for over 410 online reference books with photos and illustrations to guide you through.
Right now I need to figure out why my 1992 Camry’s exhaust pipe is louder than most of the Harley-Davidsons on the road this summer.