| Safety
Rufes
The first time I tuned my car, I was
sure that if I made the smallest mistake, the car would explode
when I started it. This seems to be a common delu¬sion,
but it just isn't so. All you'll get is silence (which can
be just as disconcerting, but not lethal after all).
This
isn't to say that working on car is free from danger, though.
Before you do any work on a vehicle, be sure t( observe the
following safety rules:
? Don't smoke while you're working on your car - for obvious
reasoi
? Never work on your car unless the parking brake is on, the
gearshi! is in Park or Neutral, and the engine is shut off.
If you have to run th engine to adjust something, turn it
on and off yourself to avoid the risk
that a friendly helper may misunderstand and turn the engine
on while your hands are in the way.
? Be sure that the parts of the engine you're working on are
nice and cool so that you don't get burned. If you're doing
a job that calls for a warm engine, be very careful.
? Never jack a car up unless the wheels are properly blocked.
I go into more detail about this later in this chapter in
the "The Safe Way to Use a Jack" and "How to
Change a Tire" sections.
? Use insulated tools for electrical work.
? Before using a wrench or ratchet on a part that's "stuck,"
make sure that, if it suddenly comes loose, your hand won't
hit anything. To avoid the possibility of being injured because
your hand slams into something, pull on wrenches whenever
possible rather than pushing on them.
? Take off your rings, long necklaces, or other jewelry. If
they get caught on parts, they - and you - can be damaged.
? Tie back long hair. If your hair accidentally gets into
a moving fan or belt, you can literally be scalped.
? If you're working with toxic chemicals, such as antifreeze,
cleaners, and the like, keep them away from your mouth and
eyes, wash your hands thoroughly after using them, and either
store them safely away from pets and children or dispose of
them in a way that's good for the environment. (For examples,
see the next paragraph and the sidebar "How to dispose
of empty gasoline cans safely" later in this chapter.)
1
- 2 -
3 - 4 -
5 - 6 -
7 - 8 -
9 - 10 - 11
- 12 - 13
- 14
|
Used
and New Car Menu
