Many people routinely work on their car -- oil change, drain and replace radiator liquid, replace spark-plugs, clean breaks, change batteries, rotate wheels, etc. -- some simply because it cuts costs. But learning the basics of maintenance and repair can have other benefits as well. Like if you are in a long road trip and your car developed a problem, you can easily fix it and continue your journey.
Perhaps you too would like to be able to maintain and repair your car. But how can you do so safely?
Think Beforehand!
Your first priority should be safety. It is easy to hurt yourself when working in tight spaces or when exerting force with a tool. How can you avoid injury? When fastening a bolt with a wrench, make sure that the tool is properly seated over it. Ask yourself, '"If the tool slips, where will my hand go?" Wearing gloves or wrapping a rag around your hand can provide a measure of protection. To help control the force you are exerting, if possible, pull the tool toward you instead of pushing it away. Likewise, when freeing a stuck bolt, your goal should be to move it just a quarter of a turn at a time. These principles of foresight and control always apply. Never let haste cause you to neglect them!
Accidents often occur when a person tries to use a tool for something other than its intended purpose. Always put in mind that using the right tool is essential in all your work. Choose the right tool for safety.
Foreign matters can get into your eyes while you are working under the car or looking up under the dashboard. Wearing some kind of eye protection such as goggles is mandatory. Always wear eye protection especially when working near hazardous liquids, such as battery acids, and other liquids.
When working under your car, always use a properly designed jack stand, a professional lift, or a reinforced repair dugout. Never get under a vehicle that is supported only by a jack. The owner's manual of some cars indicates where jacks and jack stands should be placed to give the car adequate support. Be aware, however, that a sudden force—such as the kind that is exerted when breaking a stubborn bolt loose—could cause the car to shift and slip off its supports.
Preventing Hazardous Surprises
Some parts of your car can get quite hot and burn you if you touch them like the water inside the radiator which remains hot for some time after the engine has been turned off. So do not remove the radiator cap until it is cool enough to touch with your bare hand. On some cars, the radiator fan is electrically driven and comes on automatically—even after the engine has been turned off. To avoid injury, disconnect the ground wire from the battery before starting your work.
When working on your car, remove rings and jewelry, especially if the engine is running. Besides catching on protruding parts, metal jewelry can cause an electrical short circuit and turn red-hot! Loose sleeves as well as ties, scarves, and even long hair can become entangled in moving parts.
Even when you think that your work is completed, there is one last rule to follow. Always double-check your work if its working properly already or not. This will prevent you sudden surprise if it failed to work.
Handling Emergencies
Most of the things happen suddenly like overheating while you drive along the way. One great thing if you encounter this situation is always have a repair item handy in your car like duck tape and extra water and antifreeze for your radiator. With this, you may able to perform a temporary repair by taping the hose and pouring a mixture of antifreeze and water into the radiator. Then, you can now drive to an auto parts store to buy a new hose. This illustrates the need to be prepared by keeping repair items in your car.
While driving, be alert to any strange noises or smells like burns, unusual noise from the engine and the likes. Keeping on alert on such things can prevent your car from damage that will cost you a lot if neglected.
What should you do if your car breaks down on the highway? First, try to get the car as far off the road as possible. Passengers, especially children, should stay inside the car with seat belts fastened. Turn on the emergency lights. If you must be outside the car, stand as far away from traffic as possible. Leave the hood up to signal that you are having car trouble. Carefully set out warning device or signs.
If your car's battery is dead, you may choose to jump the battery with the help of another vehicle. If you have your car manual repair with you then you may check the procedure on how to jump the battery. If you or the person who is helping you is in doubt how to jump the battery, wait for assistance.
As i have mentioned, maintaining a car is a serious responsibility. Whether you work on your car to care for an emergency or simply to perform routine maintenance, always remember: Being safety conscious is a must!
