Essential Car Maintenance Tips: What You Should Never Do
Car maintenance and repair are crucial aspects of ensuring the safety and longevity of your vehicle. However, many people make costly and potentially dangerous mistakes when performing these tasks. This article explores five crucial precautions you should always take, avoiding common pitfalls that could lead to serious consequences.
Rule Number One: Never Work Under a Suspended Car
The most important rule in car maintenance is never to work under a car that is held up a distance off the ground, whether with a hydraulic jack or the jack that came with the car. This is an absolute no-no for a reason. If a hydraulic jack fails or even if it slowly drops over time, the consequences can be fatal.
If you are off the ground, even a small drop from a hydraulic floor jack can compress your chest, leading to asphyxiation or prevent you from escaping quickly. Metal floor jacks, while often heavy, do gradually drop as they age, posing a similar risk. The safest method is to use sturdy jack stands placed securely on a firm surface underneath the car. Even a concrete surface can collapse under a jack stand if it is thin or has voids. Thus, using protective plywood under jack stands on questionable concrete slabs is advisable.
Special Precautions for DIY Repairs
DIY repairs can be a cost-effective solution, but only if done properly. If you lack confidence or the necessary tools, it is often better to seek professional help. Often, your parts are wrong until they are properly installed, as many parts can fail or be misused without being recognized. This is particularly true for inexperienced individuals.
Understanding that just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done alone is crucial. Most of the time, you won't realize the gravity of the tasks correctly until you are in the middle of them. That's why rule number one is never to proceed without the necessary safety measures and tools.
Disconnect Your Battery for Electrical System Work
When working on electrical systems, disconnecting your battery is a must. Short circuits can be extremely damaging and costly. Many components in a car's electrical system are delicate and can fail or burn out if they come into contact with an unexpected current. Disconnecting the battery not only protects your work but also ensures that you don't short any circuits, which can lead to expensive repairs.
This safety measure is especially important for DIY enthusiasts who may not have the tools or expertise to safely perform the necessary repairs. It's always better to be safe than sorry, and taking the time to disconnect the battery can save you a lot of trouble and money in the long run.
Never Add Oil While the Engine is Running
Another common mistake people make is adding oil to an engine while it is running. While this might seem like a quick and easy fix, it can be highly dangerous and lead to significant engine damage. The woman who took this advice to heart learned the hard way when her engine seized up, resulting in a massive mess and costly repairs. Adding oil mid-engine operation can introduce contaminants and cause damage to the engine's internal components.
Always ensure that the engine is turned off before adding oil. Checking the oil level and adding a top-up is a standard service that good mechanics and DIY enthusiasts should perform regularly. Ignoring proper procedures can lead to severe engine failure and costly replacements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, car maintenance and repair require a great deal of caution. Always use proper safety measures when working under a suspended car, disconnect your battery for electrical system work, and avoid adding oil to a running engine. These precautions may seem obvious, but they can save you from significant danger and costly mistakes. Remember, it's better to be overly cautious than facing the consequences of a preventable accident or repair failure.