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I am constantly getting frustrated taking shots on bright sunny days and finding the result is an over-exposed photo. I'd like to start using the exposure bias function to eliminate some of this frustration. I'd just like a basic understanding of when I use it and whether I use +/-. Below are some of these images. By the way I am using a Canon 400d. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Craig, in both images, the camera has exposed for the majority of what is in the frame.

In the first one, the very front of the car in shadow is reasonably well exposed, in the second shot,
the grassed area is reasonably well exposed. Digital cameras are less forgiving than film when it
comes to dynamic range, so where the subject is brighter than the backgound and only occupies a
smallish area of the frame, you have a challenge on your hands. If the whole scene had similar brightness,
the camera would expose for it and all would be well.

My suggestion is to shoot Raw to give yourself the most to work with.

In the first shot, you could try -1 EV or even -1 1/3 or -1 2/3. The trees will get darker of course,
but the car will be better. You will also get a faster shutter speed for the same aperture (since - 1 EV
equals 1 stop equals half the exposure time).

In the second shot, the exposure range is smaller, but the car is a bright colour and looks over exposed.
- 2/3 EV or -1 EV should help.

The other option is to get a serious understanding of your exposures and shoot in manual mode, and while
the very experienced photographers here swear by manual, it is difficult particularly with this type of photography.

Good luck, hope this helps a bit.

In a situation like this, what about changing to centre weighted or spot metering. This will meter for the subject rather than the scene.