Safety first!
Regardless of how enthusiastic you may be about getting on with the
job at hand, take the time to ensure that your safety is not jeopardized. A
moments lack of attention can result in an accident, as can failure to ob-
serve certain simple safety precautions. The possibility of an accident will
always exist, and the following points should not be considered a compre-
hensive list of all dangers. Rather, they are intended to make you aware
of the risks and to encourage a safety conscious approach to ail work you
carry out on your vehicle.
Essential DOS and DON’Ts
DON’T rely on a jack when working under the vehicle. Always use ap-
proved jackstands to support the weight of the vehicle and place them un-
der the recommended lift or support points.
DON’T attempt to loosen extremely tight fasteners (i.e. wheel lug nuts)
while the vehicle is on a jack - it may fall.
DON’T start the engine without first making sure that the transmission is in
Neutral (or Park where applicable) and the parking brake is set.
DON’T remove the radiator cap from a hot cooling system -let it cool or
cover it with a cloth and release the pressure gradually.
DON’T attempt to drain the engine oil until you are sure it has cooled to the
point that it will not burn you.
DON’T touch any part of the engine or exhaust system until it has cooled
sufficiently to avoid burns. .
DON’T siphon toxic liquids such as gasoline, antifreeze and brake fluid by
mouth, or allow them to remain on your skin.
DON’T inhale brake lining dust-it is potentially hazardous (see Asbestos
below)
DON’T allow spilled oil or grease to remain on the floor- wipe it up before
someone slips on it.
DON’T use loose fitting wrenches or other tools which may slip and cause
injury.
DON’T push on wrenches when loosening or tightening nuts or bolts. Al-
ways try to pull the wrench toward you. If the situation calls for pushing the
wrench away, push with an open hand to avoid scraped knuckles if the
wrench should slip.
DON’Tattempttoli~aheavycomponentalone-getsomeonetohelpyou.
DON’T rush or take unsafe shortcuts to finish a job.
DON’T allow children or animals in or around the vehicle while you are
working on it.
DO wear eye protection when using power tools such as a drill, sander,
bench grinder, etc. and when working under a vehicle.
DO keep loose clothing and long hair well out of the way of moving parts.
DO make sure that any hoist used has a safe working load rating adequate
for the job.
DO get someone to check on you periodically when working alone on a
vehicle.
DO carry out work in a logical sequence and make sure that everything is
correctly assembled and tightened.
DO keep chemicals and fluids tightly capped and out of the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
DOrememberthatyourvehicle’ssafety affectsthat of yourself andothers.
If in doubt on any point, get professional advice.
Asbestos
Certain friction, insulating, sealing, and other products-such as brake
linings, brake bands, clutch linings, torque converters, gaskets, etc. -con-
tain asbestos. Extremecaremustbe taken toavoidinhalationofdust from
suchproducts, sinceit is hazardous to health. If in doubt, assume that they
do contain asbestos.
Fire
Remember at all times that gasoline is highly ftammable. Never smoke
or have any kind of open flame around when working on a vehicle. But the
risk does not end there. A spark caused by an electrical short circuit, by
two metal surfaces contacting each other, or even by static electricity built
upinyourbodyundercertainconditions, can ignitegasolinevapors, which
in a confined space are highly explosive. Do not, under any circum-
stances, use gasoline for cleaning parts, Use an approved safety solvent.
Always disconnect the battery ground (-) cable at the battery before
working on any part of the fuel system orelectricalsystem. Never riskspill-
ing fuel on a hot engine or exhaust component.
It is strongly recommended that a fire extinguisher suitable for use on
fuel and electrical fires be kept handy in the garage or workshop at aJl
times. Never try to extinguish a fuel or electrical fire with water.
Fumes
Certainfumesarehighly toxicandcanquicklycauseunconsciousness
and even death if inhaled to any extent. Gasoline vapor falls into this cate-
gory, as do the vapors from some cleaning solvents. Any draining or pour-
ing of such volatile fluids should be done in a well ventilated area.
When using cleaning fluids and solvents, read the instructions on the
container carefully. Never use materials from unmarked containers.
Never run the engine in an enclosed space, such as agarage. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, which is extremely poisonous. If you
need to run the engine, always do so in the open air, or at least have the
rear of the vehicle outside the work area.
If you are fortunate enough to have the use of an inspection pit, never
drain or pour gasoline and never run the engine while the vehicle is over
the pit. The fumes, being heavier than air, will concentrate in the pit with
possibly lethal results.
The battery
Never create a spark or allow a bare light bulb near a
battery.
They nor-
mally give off a certain amount of hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive.
Always disconnect the battery ground (-) cable at the battery before
working on the fuel or electrical systems.
If possible, loosen the filler caps or cover when charging the battery
from an external source (this does not apply to sealed or maintenance-free
batteries). Do not charge at an excessive rate or the battery may burst.
Take care when adding water to a non maintenance-free battery and
when carrying a battery. The electrolyte, even when diluted, is very corro-
sive and should not be allowed to contact clothing or skin.
Always wear eye protection when cleaning the battery to prevent the
caustic deposits from entering your eyes.
Household current
When using an electric power tool, inspection light, etc., which oper-
ates on household current, always make sure that the tool is correctly con-
nected to its plug and that, where necessary, it is properly grounded. Do
not use such items in damp conditions and, again, do not create a spark
or apply excessive heat in the vicinity of fuel or fuel vapor.
Secondary ignition system voltage
A severe electric shock can result from touching certain parts of the
ignition system (such as the spark plug wires) when the engine is running
or being cranked, particularly if components are damp or the insulation is
defective. In the case of an electronic ignition system, the secondary sys;
tern voltage is much higher and could prove fatal.
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