Important Car Repair Safety Tips

While some drivers in the area prefer to take their cars to a trusted Northern Colorado mechanic for any maintenance or repairs, there are also some who like to tackle a DIY task every now and then. You may be one of those people who finds working on your car and getting your hands dirty a fun Saturday afternoon experience. Remember, however, that you’re working with a powerful machine that could cause injury if you are not careful to take safety precautions.

Any time you are working on your car, make sure you follow safety tips recommended by your factory manual. Here are just several safety measures you will want to take when working on your vehicle:

Wear the Proper Safety Equipment

No matter how experienced you are working on your car, safety should always be a priority. Make sure you are protecting yourself with the right equipment. Here are a few things you may need:

Quality mechanic’s gloves: Gloves can help protect you from sharp objects, and could protect your hands from a bad burn. It’s important to remember as well that there are plenty of toxic fluids under the hood of your car that you need to protect against.

Dust Mask: Depending on the repair you are tackling, you may need to wear a mask to protect yourself from the fumes of harmful chemicals or dust.

Eye Protection Glasses: Whether you’re lying under the jacked-up car or bending over the hood for a repair, we cannot stress how important it is to protect your eyes. Eye protection is key to keep out dust, dripping fluids, falling bolts, etc.

Stick to the Factory Manual

The engineers of your vehicle know your car better than anyone else. It should go without saying that following the manufacturer’s manual (different than your owner’s manual) will not only help you better handle the repair or maintenance you working on, but it can also provide important information for your safety.

Don’t Tackle the Task Alone

A set of helping hands can make a challenging task much easier. Not only that, but having another person to help with your car repair adds another layer of safety. If something happens, they will be there to help or to call for help.

Even if you don’t have a buddy available to work on the car with you, it’s helpful to at least make sure someone else is around in the vicinity in case of something going wrong.

Prioritize safety When Jacking Up Your Vehicle

You can imagine why it’s important to make sure you are jacking up your car correctly. First of all, you’ll want to make sure you have a jack and jack stands that can support the weight of your car. Important note: don’t skimp when buying your vehicle jacking equipment. The consequences could be far more costly later.

If your jack and/or jackstands are rated to hold the weight of your car, the next step is to make sure you understand the appropriate jacking points of your vehicle. Otherwise, you risk damaging your car, and worse, getting hurt. It is possible for a car to slip off the jack stand if it’s not in the right place. Refer to your manual for a list of the right jacking points and other important safety tips.

Additional Safety Tips:

This article by no means includes an extensive list, so please be sure to check for more auto repair safety steps online. Here are just a few more important tips for your safety:

• Avoid smoking while repairing your car.
• Make sure the wheels are blocked properly before jacking up your vehicle.
• Remove rings and other jewelry before you begin working on your vehicle. Tie hair back if it’s long.
• Work in an area that is properly ventilated, either outside, or if in your garage, make sure you leave the garage door open.

Hire a Mechanic

Finally, one of the best ways to ensure your safety with a car repair is to leave it up to a professional mechanic. Autotailor in Greeley has years of experience in vehicle repair and maintenance, as well as the appropriate tools to get the job done safely and correctly. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.