Safety Tips - What's dangerous and what's not around your vehicle

1. Tie back long hair and any dangling clothing or jewelry as they could get caught in the fan or belts. (Some fans come on even when the ignition is off).

2. Cooling system - Never take the radiator cap off when the engine is hot.  The radiator is pressurized, and the coolant could spray out and scald you.  When the car is hot and you must add coolant to the radiator, you can add coolant to the plastic reservoir/overflow tank.  If you must add coolant to the radiator when the engine is warm, use a few rags between your hand and the radiator cap.  Open it slowly, as if you were opening a bottle of pop that someone had shaken up.  If you have a German car (VW, Audi, etc.) or a Volvo, the plastic overflow tank is also under pressure, so take special care when adding coolant.

3. Exhaust System - The exhaust system on your car is very hot.  If you are unsure as to whether something is too hot, check the air temperature a few inches away before touching it with your hand.  Don't run your car in an enclosed area or garage, as carbon monoxide is odorless and poisonous and can kill you if you breathe enough of it.

(More tips to come! Stay tuned and check back for the next post.)