Repair Techniques

Appropriate service methods and procedures are essential for the safe, reliable operation of all motor vehicles as well as the personal safety of the individual doing the work. This article provides general directions for performing service with tested, effective techniques. Following them will help assure reliability.

There are numerous variations in procedure, techniques, tools and parts for servicing vehicles, as well as in the skill of the individual doing the work. This article cannot possibly anticipate all such variations and provide advice or cautions as to each. Accordingly, anyone who departs from the instructions provided in this article must first establish that they compromise neither their personal safety nor the vehicle integrity by their choice of methods, tools or parts.

NOTE, NOTICE, CAUTION AND WARNING 

As you read through this article, you may come across a NOTE, NOTICE, CAUTION or WARNING. Each one is used for a specific purpose. A NOTE calls attention to unique, additional or essential information related to the subject procedure. A NOTICE or CAUTION identifies a hazard that could damage the vehicle or property. A WARNING identifies a hazard that could result in personal injury or death to yourself or others. Some general WARNINGS that you should follow when you work on a vehicle are listed below.

• ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES FOR EYE PROTECTION.
• KEEP SOLVENTS AWAY FROM IGNITION SOURCES. SOLVENTS MAY BE FLAMMABLE AND COULD IGNITE OR EXPLODE IF NOT HANDLED CORRECTLY.
• USE SAFETY STANDS WHENEVER A PROCEDURE REQUIRES YOU TO BE UNDER THE VEHICLE.
• MAKE SURE THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ALWAYS IN THE OFF POSITION, UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY THE PROCEDURE.
• SET THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SET IN PARK UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE FOR A SPECIFIC OPERATION. IF YOU HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, IT SHOULD BE IN REVERSE (ENGINE OFF) OR NEUTRAL (ENGINE ON) UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE FOR A SPECIFIC OPERATION. PLACE WOOD BLOCKS (4" X 4" OR LARGER) OR WHEEL CHOCKS AGAINST THE FRONT AND REAR SURFACES OF THE TIRES TO HELP PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING.
• OPERATE THE ENGINE ONLY IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA TO AVOID THE DANGER OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
• KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR CLOTHING AWAY FROM MOVING PARTS WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, ESPECIALLY THE DRIVE BELTS.
• TO PREVENT SERIOUS BURNS, AVOID CONTACT WITH HOT METAL PARTS SUCH AS THE RADIATOR, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, TAIL PIPE, THREE-WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER.
• DO NOT SMOKE WHILE WORKING ON A VEHICLE.
• TO AVOID INJURY, ALWAYS REMOVE RINGS, WATCHES, LOOSE HANGING JEWELRY AND LOOSE CLOTHING BEFORE BEGINNING TO WORK ON A VEHICLE.
• WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO WORK UNDER THE HOOD, KEEP HANDS AND OTHER OBJECTS CLEAR OF THE COOLING FAN BLADES!