There is something so satisfying about working on a car. It’s a feast for the senses: the smells, sounds, sights, feels and, if you’re not careful, the taste.
If you don’t have the proper knowledge, skills, tools and equipment, leave your auto service to a professional. But if you’re qualified and like to tinker, have at it–as long as you do it safely. Here are some tips:
– Wear proper clothing. Loose clothing can get caught in moving parts. Nobody wears a necktie when working on a car, but shirttails should not hang out and cuffs should be buttoned. Remove your jewelry, especially watches, rings, bracelets and necklaces. We know of one technician who almost lost a finger when his wedding ring completed the circuit between a starter and the car body. Tie long hair back. It’s a good idea to wear a cap, too. Always wear eye protection–impact-resistant prescription glasses or safety goggles.
– Disconnect the battery when working on the electrical system (other than testing a circuit for which you need power) or the fuel system. Always disconnect the negative terminal first and install it last. Why? Most cars have a negative ground so if the tool you’re using accidentally contacts something, it won’t create a spark. And once the negative cable is off, there is no danger of a spark when removing the positive cable. Batteries produce hydrogen gas, which, when mixed with air, can explode if there’s a spark or any ignition source.
Arc (electric) welding also can damage electronics. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before doing any welding. Better yet, disconnect the plugs to electronic modules such as the powertrain control module, anti-lock brake module and so on.
Wear a grounding wrist strap whenever handling electronic equipment. Even a small static electric discharge can damage the sensitive electronics inside.
– If your car has an anti-theft radio, have the activation code before disconnecting the battery. Even if your radio is the basic style, you may want to write down the station locations.
– Store flammable liquids such as gasoline only in approved containers and away from fire sources. Don’t smoke. Dispose of oily rags in an airtight container. Keep an ABC-type fire extinguisher nearby.
– Never work under a raised car that is supported only by the jack; use jack stands or ramps. Make sure the floor or ground is level and block any wheels that may still be down.
– Never get under a car when the engine is running. Don’t run the engine unless you have adequate ventilation. Dizziness and lethargy are signs of carbon-monoxide poisoning. If you are ill for any reason, you increase your risk of a mishap. Ditto if you are emotionally upset, taking certain medications or have been drinking.
– Take care in choosing a portable work light. The darkness under a car and under the hood often requires extra illumination. We prefer a fluorescent lamp in a safety housing to the cage-type work lights. Fluorescents are cooler and less likely to break than incandescent light bulbs. Be extra careful working around flammables with either.
– Use only grounded electrical cords and devices. If you have a ground-fault interrupter outlet into which you can plug them, so much the better.
– Use the proper tools. For instance, do not use a screwdriver as a pry bar or chisel. Make sure the screwdriver blade matches the slot or cross in the screw. Do not use pliers instead of the proper-size wrench. If you have air tools or electric impact drives, use them only to remove nuts and bolts, not to install them.
It is best to use a torque wrench to tighten fasteners, but never use it to remove them; you risk damaging the torque wrench.
Don’t reuse fasteners that are rusted, bent or have damaged threads. Some fasteners, such as cotter pins, should never be reused. Some cars have torque-to-yield cylinder head bolts that should never be reused. Some cars have axle nuts that should never be reused. Check the shop manual.
Make sure all new fasteners are of the same grade and quality as those they replace. Don’t replace a grade-8 bolt with a grade-5 bolt, for instance. Be careful not to install a metric fastener in place of a U.S. traditional one.
– Many cars now have air bags and, unless you are absolutely sure of what you are doing, don’t mess with the electrical system. Also, if you have a scan tool or analyzer, don’t hold it between you and the steering wheel on a road test to avoid distraction or injury.
– Round up all the parts you will need before you start the job. Sure, that is not always feasible until you diagnose the problem, but be as prepared as possible. If you must leave the work area to chase down parts, make it off-limits to kids and pets and so on.
– When you are finished, dispose of fluids and parts properly and recycle the stuff you can.
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Bob Weber is an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician, having recertified every five years since 1978. Contact him at MMTribune@netscape.net.
