Preparation and Prevention
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It is
important to know some basic car repair. Many problems can be fixed with a basic knowledge
of car repair. There may be times when you can fix your vehicle enough to drive it
to the garage for a professional mechanic to fix the problem. If you can tell the mechanic
what you think the problem is you are less likely to get overcharged. |
Remember the following safety rules
when working on your vehicle.
Gasoline fumes and hydrogen
gas are explosive. Work away from fires and cigarettes.
Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide. This is a poisonous gas. Make sure you work in an area where you can open
the windows and/or doors.
Car batteries contain
sulfuric acid. This can burn your skin and can put off hydrogen gas. Batteries also
give off electrical shocks. This can cause fires. Be sure the positive (+) terminal of the
helping car is connected to the positive terminal of the disabled car.
Many car parts are hot to
touch. Be careful of radiator hoses, exhaust pipes, and mufflers. Remove the radiator cap
carefully. Turn it slowly only half way to allow the steam to escape before removing it
the remainder of the way.
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When your car has a problem
that is under warranty call a tow truck. |
Jacks may collapse. Do not
crawl under a car that is jacked up. When changing a flat tire stop on level ground. Put
the gearshift in park in automatic or reverse if manual. Before jacking the car place a
stone in front of the wheels to keep the car from rolling. Be sure you are far enough from
the road to keep large vehicles from blowing the car off the jack.
Be careful of loose
clothing, jewelry, neckties, etc. that can become tangled in moving motor parts.
Wipe up all spills
immediately. Gasoline, oil and other car fluids are slippery.
Major problems should be
taken to a mechanic.
NEVER NEVER NEVER try to
repair a car on the side of an interstate. Raise the hood of the car. Turn of emergency
lights and call for help.
Emergency
Equipment
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Flashlight |
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Spare tire |
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Road Atlas |
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Ice Scraper |
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Window Washing Fluid |
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Cables |
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Silicone |
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A Gallon of Gas |
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Jack or Car Lift |
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Inexpensive wrench-and-socket
set |
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Utility knife |
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Standard and Phillips
screwdrivers |
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Pliers |
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One quart of motor oil |
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One dollar's worth of
nickels, of dimes, and of quarters |
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1 gallon plastic jug of water |
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Small fire extinguisher |
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Rags or paper towels |
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Flat Tire Repair |
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50 to 200 pounds of sand or
cat litter (in snowy or cold weather) |
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Four-way lug wrench |
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Water pump belt |
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Tire pressure gauge |
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Fuses |
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Hose clamps |
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Six road flares or a set of
reflective warning triangles |
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Battery-jumper cables |
Preparation
and Prevention
When
an Accident Occurs
Online
Quiz on Vehicle Safety
Enjoy playing the game Drive
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