There's good news for car owners who feel intimidated by the technical terms in their car owner's manual.

A new guide for motorists turns technical automotive jargon into easy-to-understand everyday language.

The free guide was created to help take the mystery out of vehicle maintenance and repair. It's published by the Car Care Council.

The Car Care Guide, which is designed to fit easily in a glove box, explains the nine most common preventative maintenance procedures and repairs that need to be performed to keep cars operating safely and reliably, while maintaining their long-term value. It also includes a list of questions to ask when these maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car.

To familiarize motorists with their vehicles even more, the guide has clear, concise descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts. This car care checklist reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repairs should be performed.

"The first step toward a safe and dependable vehicle is to be car care aware-to understand your vehicle, what kind of care it needs, when it needs it and why," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "The easy-to-follow guide provides this information, cutting through the technical language and terms that often confuse or prevent motorists from really taking good care of their vehicles."

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the Be Car Care Aware consumer education campaign, promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.