Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Technician Safety Information


Always wear appropriate eye protection.

Block the drive wheels, as a safety routine, before beginning any service with the vehicle on the ground.

Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.

- Use jackstands, on a flat and level hard surface, for safe support.

Exercise care when performing spark test, always use non-conductive ignition wire pliers.

- Ignition systems present a shock hazard.

Use caution when working near the catalytic converter to prevent the possibility of burns.

- Converter temperatures can exceed 1200°F.

Exercise care when working with spring or tension loaded fasteners such as E-clips, or snap rings.

- Careless removal can cause personal injury.

Flooded Engine Precautions

Keep all flames, sparks and high heat sources away from flooded engines.

Drain oil contaminated by fuel in a safe, well ventilated area.

Disable the ignition system, before cranking a flooded engine, with the spark plugs removed.

- Raw fuel coming out of the spark plug holes could be ignited.