Whether you’re a skilled mechanic or not, there may come a time where you’ll need to get your hands dirty with your vehicle. From filling your tires with air, to performing a routine oil change, you may find you’ve got more in common with a mechanic than you think! While there are certainly some areas of car repair you can handle yourself, that doesn’t mean you get to throw the rule book to the wayside. Safety should always comes first, and in the realm of auto repair, there are definitely things you can do for safety. Follow these timeless safety tips the next time you take a wrench to your vehicle.

Auto Repair Safety Tips

  • Select a well-ventilated area for your work to avoid the fumes, such as driveway, backyard or parking lot.
  • Avoid smoking during your auto repair work, AT ALL COSTS.
  • Only work on your vehicle if its parking brake is on and the engine is turned off.

  • Make sure the parts you are working on are not hot before you touch them.
  • Only work on your vehicle if the wheels are properly blocked when it is jacked.

  • Give yourself enough room, to where a wrench or ratchet coming loose won’t end in a bruised or broken hand. Pull, rather than push on wrenches to avoid injury.

  • Remove any rings, ties, long necklaces or other jewelry before working on your car.

  • Keep toxic chemicals like coolant away from the mouth and eyes, then wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

  • Use gasoline with caution. It is toxic and highly flammable, so only keep it around if it is absolutely necessary to the task at hand.

  • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in the event of an accident.

Not quite sure how to tackle your project? Leave it to the pros! Our Payne Service Department is equipped to handle whatever your car throws our way. Contact our South Texas dealerships to schedule a maintenance appointment for your vehicle today.