Following is an abbreviated list of general safety procedures to follow when working on you automobile. As discussed in the Disclaimer above, they are not exclusive.

1. Never trust a jack to hold your car up while you get under it. Jacks can, an often do, slip or fall over, allowing the car to fall. If you are going to work under the car, it must be supported on quality jack stands. Two jack stands are better than one.

Jack stands can sink into hot asphalt under the weight of a car. When working on asphalt, place a 12" x 12" or larger piece of plywood under the jack stands.

2. Do not attempt to remove engines or transmissions without the proper lifting and/or supporting equipment. A falling transmission can kill you. An engine that suddenly shifts while pulling it can result in fractured bones or lost fingers. Never attempt heavy jobs like these without an assistant.

3. Always disconnect your battery at the terminals before working on your car. An accidental short with created with a metal tool can result in serious burns.

4. Remove rings and loose clothing before working on your car. Loose clothing can easily get caught in rotating machinery. If a metal ring becomes part of an electrical short, serious burns can result.

5. Be extra cautious with flammable liquids, especially gasoline. Gasoline is nearly explosive, even in the open. A single spark can ignite gasoline with disastrous results.

Never work in an enclosed space if there can be flammable fumes, especially from gasoline or cleaning solvents. Good ventilation, like a nice outdoor breeze, is desirable when working with flammable liquids. Needless to say, don't smoke around flammable liquids.

Make sure there is an approved fire extinguisher in your work area, where you can get at it in a hurry if you need to. Make sure you know how to use it before an emergency arises.

6. Always wear eye protection when working on your car. Slipping tools, falling parts and debris, splashing liquids, flying dust and other eye hazards are the order of the day.

7. Be extremely cautious around a running engine. Also watch out for electric cooling fans that can start up by surprise, even with the ignition turned off and the engine not running

8. Engines and exhaust systems get real hot and can burn you real bad. Make sure everything is cool before working on it. Remember, too, that hot crankcase oil can result in serious burns. Let your engine cool, even if it takes and hour or two, before attempting an oil change.


9. Air conditioning systems call for special handling. Do not vent refrigerant into the atmosphere. Take your car to a professional shop and have them remove the refrigerant before attempting repairs. If adding refrigerant yourself, wear good goggles. A refrigerant line or fitting can burst under high pressure, shooting refrigerant into your eyes and blinding you.

10. Exhaust fumes contain deadly gases, like carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas. Never work in an enclosed space, such as a garage, with your car engine running. Not even for a brief moment.

11. Always assume your hand tool will slip, then ask yourself what your hand will hit will hit when it does. You be the judge if the skinned knuckles will be worth taking the chance. Wear a glove and save your knuckles.

12. Always chock the wheels on your car when raising your car, even on level ground. This helps prevent the car from rolling off the jack and/or jack stands and falling on you.

Be safe!

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