Start with the Table of Contents on page 5. This will take you directly to the chapter you want.

Or, if you want to browse the tips, use the Quickfinder on pages 6 through 10. Chapter XII, Exhaust System, is covered on page 9. Aha! "Converter Selection" in the Catalytic Converters section might have something useful.

Sure enough, "Converter Selection" on page 50 advises what kind of catalytic converter to buy. The reference tells you where the information came from.

The product reviews listings for exhaust parts start at the bottom of the same page. Under "Catalytic Converters" two manufacturers are listed as making three-inch-pipe high performance catalytic converters. One is for Turbo Buicks; you don't have a Buick, so you're more interested in the Random Technology piece. The reference tells you where to go to read the review.

Still interested, you look through Appendix A for a manufacturer listing. Sure enough, there's the address and phone number for Random Technology on page 63.

Finally, you decide you'd like to read a bit more about catalytic converters to get a more in-depth understanding of the piece. You check Appendix B for magazine articles about converters. Yep, there's one on page 67 -- the listing tells you exactly where to go.

Not bad! In about five minutes you've learned what kind of catalytic converter you need, you know of two manufacturers who make them, you have their points of contact, and you know where to go for more detailed information.

You can do that whenever you work on your car.

How much is your time worth to you?