Chapter 1: Safety Rules & Introduction to Tools
Automotive Maintenance Safety:
Automobiles are big and heavy with lots of mechanical moving parts. In the right
environment a vehicle can be maintained and repaired safely and effectively.
However, in the wrong environment repairing a vehicle can be dangerous.
Follow the tips in this
chapter to stay safe.
Basic Shop Rules:
1.Never work alone .
2.Wear eye protection.
3.Avoid loose clothing or hair.
4.Stayear of moving parts of a running vehicle .
5.Keep proper clean up materials in case of an accidental spill (see below)
6.Don t mix your work space with other cluttering materials such as home storag
e, garden tools and other items.
7.Never go under a vehicle that is elevated improperly (the jack to change the
tire tire not sufficient, see more details below) .
8.Know where the fire extinguisher is and have a planned exit route.
The fire extinguisher should be kept in working order and in a place with easy
access.
9.Keep an emergency response number handy and posted clearly where others
can see it.
Proper Clothing and Hair:
Always wear safety goggles for eye protection. Vehicle repair involves the use of many
types of fluids which can splatter and eye contact should be avoided.
Introduction to Tools Used by Mechanics:
A commercial mechanic s shop will usually have industry-standard tools, such as a
torque wrench, hydraulic lifts, pneumatic (air-operated) tools, and electronic devices that
connect with the vehicle s computer to receive diagnostics. However, a startup repair
shop or a highly proficient mechanic at home could get most jobs done with a $200 set
of tools if needed.
The most common tools in a mechanic s set include the following:
Flashlight. A flashlight is one of the most-used tools in an auto repair shop. It helps the
mechanic see anywhere for visual inspections, maintenance and repairs.
Flashlight
Socket sets and wrenches. These have two different measurement systems. One is
metric and one SAE (or standard). The metric system has measurements in millimeters
(mm). SAE has measurements in inches or fractions of inches (1/4, 5/16, etc.).
Wrenches often have an open end and an opposite box end.
Socket Ratchet Wrench
Image credit: CC-BY-SA-Heron2 on Wikipedia
Wrench set
These wrenches have an open end and a box end
Image credit: CC-BY-SA-Ildar Sagdejev on Wikipedia
Pneumatic (air-powered) wrench
Image credit: CC-BY-SA-Bushytails on
Wikipedia
Oil Filter Wrench
Has a prying mechanism like other wrenches but one end has a belt that wraps around the object being
unscrewed, which is much bigger in diameter than the regular bolts and hex-head screws that other
wrenches are used for.
Image credit: CC-BY-SA-Three-quarter-ten on Wikipedia
Screwdriver set
Screwdrivers, both Philips head (the cross-section looks like a cross or plus sign) and
flat tipped (or slotted). When using screwdrivers, try to match the size of the screwdriver
head with the screw. Also try to avoid stripping the head of the screw (this has occurred
when you can firmly turn the screwdriver against the head of the screw continually and
the screw never rotates).
Jack stand:-
These are used to keep the vehicle elevated after it has been raised with the jack.
They have a wide square base and come to an apex where the car rests on
them.
Two jack stands, the lever shown on these stands is not used to raise the vehicle but to adjust the height
Two pry bars, different sizes
Hammer. This can be any type of hammer and it is used on occasion, such as when
freeing a stuck drum or rotor from its hub.
Hammer
Drain Pan. Used to collect vehicle fluids when changing fluids and filters or flushing
systems.
Draining oil
Tire Pressure Gauge. Used to measure tire pressure.
Tire pressure gauge.
Battery tester
Battery Tester. Used to check the battery to see if it is charged.
Vehicle Fluids:
Vehicle fluids include brake fluid, engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, windshield
washer fluid, transmission fluid and battery fluid. Fluid level information and the location
of each fluid reservoir can be found in the owner s manual for your particular vehicle.
(Any images in this chapter are illustrative of one example and your vehicle may look
different).
Brake Fluid: On most vehicles the reservoir for brake fluid is clear. You can check the
fluid without removing the cap. There will be a marking on the reservoir that indicates
minimum and maximum level. You ll want to make sure that the level is between those
two marks. This fluid should never need to be topped off during maintenance. Low fluid
is an indication of a problem. If the fluid is low then you may want to bring it to a
mechanic, depending on your own skill level. Most vehicles have a dashboard light that
illuminates when the brake fluid is low. (In Chapter 3 we ll go over all the dashboard
lights, and in Chapter 10 we ll go over brakes).
Fuses
Consult the owner s manual to locate the fuse boxes in your vehicle. They can be
anywhere in the vehicle. Modern vehicles use blade type fuses. The part of the fuse that
you ll see initially is plastic and color-coded. When the fuse is removed it can have a
similar shape to a square letter C with the arms of the C being metal and the back of
the C being the color-coded plastic. The color coding system for fuses has been used
since the early 1980s. Older fuses are made of glass tubes. The color coding for
modern fuses is universal and indicates the amperage of the fuse.
Violet 3 Amp
Pink 4 Amp
Orange - 5 Amp
Red - 10 Amp
Blue - 15 Amp
Yellow - 20 Amp
Clear - 25 Amp
Green - 30 Amp
Orange 40 Amp
(and many others)
Blade type fuses used in modern vehicles. Most of them have a C shape (or E shape, facing down in
the image). In a blown fuse, the S or upside down V s in the middle will be broken (called the element).
The image shows the top view of each fuse just above each side view; notice that each top has metal
contacts that are not covered by colored plastic.
Image credit: CC-BY-SA-Havarhen on Wikipedia.
Glass tube fuse used in older vehicles
Image credit: CC-BY-SA-Aka on Wikipedia
How to Check the Tire Pressure
In order to check tire pressure you ll need a tire pressure gauge. Gauges can be
purchased at auto parts stores and service stations (sometimes a little as $1, but could
be $3-$7). They re usually about the size of a large pen, but can come in other forms.
Sometimes a gauge is included with the air hose of the air dispensing stand at the gas
station.
Pen-sized tire pressure gauge
Air dispensing hose at a gas station with built-in pressure gauge
Round tire pressure gauge and hose
Follow these steps to check and correct the tire pressure:
Remove the valve cap of each tire
Align the gauge up to the valve
Press the gauge onto the valve with firm direct pressure and then release. You ll
see the measuring stick get pushed out of the other side of the gauge (on a pen
gauge).
Fill the tire with air, recheck the pressure, then repeat as needed until the desired
pressure is obtained.
Replace the valve cap
The Electrical System
This chapter is about the electrical system of the vehicle. The main parts of the
electrical system are the battery, alternator, and ignition system. The battery is the
power source of the whole vehicle. The alternator is a re-charging device which is used
to maintain the charge of the battery. The ignition system is used to ignite the fuel at the
correct time during the Otto cycle of events (review Chapter 5 for the Otto cycle of
events).
