Operation Manual

Workshop maintenance
127
SAFETY IN THE GARAGE
Whenever you carry out maintenance on
your vehicle, the following safety
precautions should be observed at all times.
• ALWAYS keep hands, tools and items of
clothing clear of all drive belts and pulleys
whilst they are in operation.
• DO NOT touch exhaust or cooling system
components until they are cool.
• DO NOT touch electrical leads or
components with the starter switch turned
on.
• NEVER leave the engine running in an
unventilated area; exhaust gases are
poisonous and contain carbon monoxide,
which can cause unconsciousness and
can be fatal.
• DO NOT work beneath the vehicle with the
lifting jack as the only means of support.
• Ensure sparks and naked lights are kept
away from the engine and battery
compartments.
• DO NOT use any lubricants, solvents or
sealants etc, without first reading any
warnings and instructions supplied with
these substances; they could be harmful if
improperly used.
WARNING
Remember, cooling fans and air
conditioning system condenser fans (if
fitted), may continue to operate after the
engine is switched off. Always wait until the
fans have completely stopped moving before
working in the engine compartment.
Fuel system safety
Fuel vapour is highly flammable and in
confined spaces, is also very explosive and
toxic. When fuel evaporates, it produces 150
times its own volume in vapour and when
mixed with air, becomes an easily ignitable
mixture; consequently even a small spillage is
very dangerous.
It is recommended that you always have a
FOAM, CO
2
GAS, or POWDER type fire
extinguisher close at hand when working with
fuel or the fuel system.
ALWAYS disconnect the battery negative lead
BEFORE carrying out work on the fuel system.
WARNING
Under no circumstances should any part of
the fuel system be dismantled or replaced
by anyone other than a suitably qualified
motor vehicle technician. Failure to comply
with this instruction may result in fuel
spillage with a consequent serious risk of
fire.
It is imperative that the battery is
disconnected BEFORE and not during any
work on the fuel system, as arcing at the
battery terminal could ignite fuel vapour in
the atmosphere.
Whenever fuel is being handled, transferred
or stored, or when carrying out work on the
fuel system, all forms of ignition MUST be
extinguished or removed, any lighting being
used MUST be flameproof and kept clear of
the fuel.