Fuel Filter: Service Precautions
WARNINGS:^ Because of the combustion characteristics of gasoline and alcohol-based fuels, always use extreme care when removing and installing any fuel system component.
^ Do not smoke, carry lighted tobacco or an open flame of any type when fueling vehicle or when working on or near any fuel-related component. Highly flammable mixtures are always present and may be ignited, resulting in possible personal injury.
^ The fuel tubes leading from the fuel tank to the engine are under pressure during vehicle operation. When fuel injected engines are turned off, the fuel in the fuel tubes remains pressurized for long periods of time to provide quick start-ups. Special procedures for servicing these pressurized fuel systems are outlined. These procedures should be followed to prevent accidental spraying of fuel, causing personal injury or a fire hazard.
^ Do not swallow fuel methanol or fuel ethanol. Like gasoline, these fuels are highly toxic and if swallowed can cause death or permanent injury. Swallowing methanol can also cause blindness. Call a physician immediately to treat anyone who has swallowed fuel methanol or fuel ethanol. Vomiting should be induced by or under the direction of a physician or poison control center. Be aware that the onset of potential ill health effects may be delayed.
^ AVOID INHALING FUEL VAPORS. INHALING TOO MUCH FUEL VAPOR CAN LEAD TO EYE AND RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION. IN SEVERE CASES, EXCESSIVE OR PROLONGED BREATHING OF FUEL VAPORS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS AND PERMANENT INJURY SUCH AS BLINDNESS.
^ AVOID GETTING FUEL METHANOL, FUEL ETHANOL OR GASOLINE LIQUID IN YOUR EYES. IF YOU GET ANY FUEL IN YOUR EYES, REMOVE CONTACT LENSES (IF WORN), FLUSH IMMEDIATELY WITH PLENTY OF WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
^ ALLOWING ANY FUEL TO GET IN YOUR EYES WILL CAUSE SEVERE IRRITATION. FAILURE TO SEEK PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR FUEL CONTACT WITH THE EYES COULD LEAD TO PERMANENT INJURY SUCH AS BLINDNESS.
^ IF YOU GET ANY FUEL ON YOUR SKIN, WASH WITH SOAP AND WATER. REPEATED OR PROLONGED SKIN CONTACT WITH FUEL LIQUID OR VAPOR CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION. MAKE SURE YOU WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE HANDLING FOOD.
^ IF YOU ARE TAKING MEDICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM, SUCH AS ANTABUSE OR OTHER FORMS OF DISULFIRAM, SKIN CONTACT WITH FUEL METHANOL, FUEL ETHANOL OR BREATHING THEIR VAPORS CAN CAUSE THE SAME KIND OF ADVERSE REACTION AS DRINKING ALCOHOL. IN SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS, SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR SICKNESS COULD RESULT. IF YOU ARE TAKING SUCH MEDICATION, YOU SHOULD TAKE EXTRA CARE TO AVOID SKIN CONTACT WITH FUEL METHANOL, OR FUEL ETHANOL AND TO AVOID BREATHING ITS VAPORS. IF YOU DO GET FUEL METHANOL OR FUEL ETHANOL ON YOUR SKIN, WASH IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN PROMPTLY IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN ADVERSE REACTION.