General Service Safety

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Some of the most important general service safety precautions are given below. However, warning for every conceivable hazard that can arise in performing service and repair procedures is not given. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a given task.


Make sure you have a clear understanding of all basic shop safety practices and that you are wearing appropriate clothing and using safety equipment. When performing any service task, be especially careful of the following:
* Read all of the instructions before you begin, and make sure you have the tools, the replacement or repair parts, and the skills required to perform the tasks safely and completely.
* Protect your eyes by using proper safety glasses, goggles or face shields any time you hammer, drill, grind, or work around pressurized air or liquids, and springs or other stored-energy components. If there is any doubt, put on eye protection.
* Use other protective wear when necessary, for example gloves or safety shoes. Handling hot or sharp parts can cause severe burns or cuts. Before you grab something that looks like it can hurt you, stop and put on gloves.
* Protect yourself and others whenever you have the vehicle up in the air. Any time you lift the vehicle, either with a hoist or a jack, make sure that it is always securely supported. Use jack stands.


Make sure the engine is off before you begin any servicing procedures, unless the instruction tells you to do otherwise. This will help eliminate several potential hazards:
* Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust. Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you run the engine.
* Burns from hot parts or coolant. Let the engine and exhaust system cool before working in those areas.
* Injury from moving parts. If the instruction tells you to run the engine, be sure your hands, fingers, and clothing are out of the way.


Gasoline vapors and hydrogen gases from batteries are explosive. To reduce the possibility of a fire or explosion, be careful when working around gasoline or batteries.
* Use only a nonflammable solvent, not gasoline to clean parts.
* Never drain or store gasoline in an open container.
* Keep all cigarettes, sparks and flames away from the battery and all fuel-related parts.