Under the Bonnet

A Practical Guide to Vehicle Care and Servicing

For owners, beginners and future technicians

Pre-order · releases 15 Jan 2027

Paperback prices include all taxes; shipping is a flat ₹60 per order within India. PDF ebooks: 18% GST added at checkout.

Format

Paperback · PDF ebook

Size

170 × 240 mm

Pages

180 (paperback)

Language

English

Edition

First Edition, 2026

Release date

15/01/2027

ISBN

To be announced

Understand your vehicle. Service it safely. Serve customers well.

Written for vehicle owners, beginners and anyone training to become a service technician in India, this practical guide explains how cars, motorcycles and scooters work, and how to look after them properly, one clear step at a time.

What you will learn

Read dashboard gauges and warning lights, and know what to do
Work safely and use tools, fasteners and measuring instruments correctly
Carry out engine checks, oil changes and cooling and ignition care
Adjust clutches, check gearboxes and look after motorcycle chains
Service wheels, tyres and brakes, and repair punctures
Understand batteries, electrics, electric vehicles and emissions
Run a professional service, care for customers and start a garage

Includes 30 illustrated figures, self-check questions, ready-to-use templates and real-life case studies from Indian workshops, plus a career roadmap with jobs, pay, qualifications and business ideas.

How vehicles work
The safe workshop and its tools
Fasteners, materials and measuring
The engine and its routine care
Clutch, gearbox and transmission
Wheels, tyres, brakes, steering and suspension
Electrical systems, electric vehicles and the environment
Four-wheeler service and repair
Road safety, servicing and customer care

Plus reference tables, glossary, self-check answers, ready-to-use templates and real-life scenarios.

Employment direction

Where this book can take you

Every guide ends with a career roadmap: jobs, typical starting pay, how careers grow, recognised qualifications, where to find work, business ideas and a 90-day action plan.

Job	Where you work	Starting pay / month: tier-1 cities*	Tier-2 cities*
Automotive service technician	Dealer workshops, multi-brand garages	₹15,000–24,000	₹12,000–18,000
Two-wheeler mechanic	Dealers, garages, own shop	₹13,000–20,000	₹10,000–15,000
Service advisor	Dealerships	₹17,000–25,000plus incentives	₹13,000–19,000plus incentives
Tyre, wheel alignment and balancing technician	Tyre shops, service centres	₹13,000–19,000	₹10,000–15,000
Auto electrician	Workshops, fleet operators	₹15,000–23,000	₹12,000–17,000

Build your base: from practice to the job

New to the field? Employers hire freshers who can already do the basic tasks safely and correctly. This book builds that foundation through practice, not just reading: here is what you will be able to do from your first day at work.

On the jobUse workshop tools and measure accuratelyHow this book builds it

Tool, fastener and measuring-instrument practice

On the jobCarry out a periodic serviceHow this book builds it

Engine oil, filters, coolant and inspection checklists for two- and four-wheelers

On the jobInspect brakes, tyres, steering and suspensionHow this book builds it

Step-by-step inspection and adjustment procedures

On the jobDiagnose faults and explain them to customersHow this book builds it

Fault-finding, job cards and real-life workshop scenarios

Understand the whyEach chapter explains how things work before how to do them, so you can handle situations the book never mentions.
Practise hands-onFollow the step-by-step tasks, checklists and templates on real tools, real customers or real data.
Test yourselfUse the skills check: aim for 3 or 4 on every task, and work through the real-life scenarios.
Show your proofKeep your skills record, photos and projects as a portfolio for interviews and your first employer.

How your career grows

Entry: Helper, washer, apprentice
Skilled: Technician, auto electrician
Senior: Senior technician, floor supervisor, service advisor
Own business: Garage owner, workshop manager

Get qualified

Automotive service certification through government-recognised skill programmes (Skill India)
ITI mechanic (motor vehicle, diesel) courses
Manufacturer training at dealerships

Start on your own

Two-wheeler repair shop (start-up about ₹50,000–2 lakh)
Multi-brand car service garage (start-up about ₹5–15 lakh)
Doorstep car wash and detailing (start-up about ₹50,000–1.5 lakh)

*Typical starting pay per month for the first 0–2 years, reviewed in October 2026 against Glassdoor and Indeed India salary data. Tier-1: metro cities such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata. Tier-2: cities such as Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Kochi, Nagpur and Surat. For software, data, AI and security jobs, tier-1 figures are for product companies and large tech firms; many freshers in metros start at about ₹25,000–45,000. Pay varies by employer, skills and experience. Explore all careers →