right ,working on cars is dangerous. we have all done silly or careless things with various levels of injuries 
lifting the car.
never work under the car using the fiat jack,these are for emergency wheel changes only
never work under using a trolley jack either!!! no jack is safe.
use axle stands to support the car.
also be aware its still possible to pull/push a car off a set of axle stands.
even more so as the cento is a light car.
when you position the axle stands ,try to think about where you will need access so you are not working right beside the axle stand if possible.
its always good practice to put the removed wheel under the car as an extra precaution for slippage.
make sure the ground you work on is as flat and solid as possible.
also be aware in very hot weather (or with some chemicals such as petrol)that tarmac gets soft and isnt a safe jacking surface.
put wide flat pices of wood under the axle stands in this case if it cannot be avoided.
when the car is lifted,avoid getting in the vehicle.also dont leave the doors open as it allows the chassis to flex.
fluids:
no not what spills out of you when that screwdriver slips working on a car you deal with various chemicals of varying nastiness.
old engine oil is carcagenic and in general messy stuff. TBH for the cost of a box of vinyl gloves i use them all the time working on cars.even if they dont stay whole they cut down the amount of cleaning later.
be aware of the danger of petrol when working on tanks,fuel lines etc(no striking up!)
keep brake fluid off any paint surfaces
gear oil while not lethal is stinky stuff so be careful with it
as with any chemicals,please try to avoid or at least minimize the amount of contact it hasd with your bare skin.
grinding,drilling,wire brushing etc:
when doing anything of this nature where you may get bits of metal flying off then wear eye protection. trust me a piece of metal imbeded in your eyeball is not fun.
if you dont want full on googles then a pair of clear wrap around cycling glasses are a good less full on option.
also for grinding,wirebrushing remember the chance of sparks if you are working around the petrol tank,fuel lines etc
brake dust:
this is not such good stuff for you and is best not in ihaled if it can be avoided.if you are working on old cars then be aware they may still have asbestos linings so a breathing mask is essential!
also working around brakes remember to avoid any grease contamination on brake surfaces.
when working on brakes i l;ike to use the aerosol brake cleaners as i go to make sure the brake parts are all grease free.
electricals:
when working on anything on the car involving electrics then the battery must be disconnected.
this includes working in the engine area as well on parts like the alternator,starter etc as well as the obvious lights,cabin electrics etc
hot stuff:
remember parts like brake discs and exhaust manifolds stay hot long after the engine stops!
remember the cooling system is pressurised and will spray hot coolant over you if you open the cap,breather or pipe while hot.
remember the cooling fan can come on with the engine OFF ,so keep you fingers clear!
amps:
no not 1 ohm stable
remember while the standard 12v system isnt going to do you much damage the high tension parts like the coils,some headlight motors etc push out enough power to kill you!
not just a tingly arm,dead.so please take care.
bodge jobs:
please dont cut corners on car work
examples are not bolting down amps securely
oh i'll sort that dodgy brake later
i can smell petrol but i cant see the leak
oh that thread seems to just be turning but it will do etc etc
a car is a big weapon on wheels. dodgy brakes,loose steering etc are just not smart.
you can never predict what other drivers will do so dont assume you will be fine.
tools:
use the right tool for the job.sounds simple and yes sometimes a job on a cento needs a little lateral thinking.
however 99% of the time the right tool makes the job easier and safer.
i have plenty of wounds from slipping screwdrivers,wrong sized spanners etc
so be sensible.
for safety a torque wrench is highly recommended to make sure all bolts are torqued correctly and safely.
otherstuff:
i always try and keep at least 1 back up clean rag(thats totally clean) as its a godsend if you get a nasty cut,something in your eye etc to have that clean rag there.
same with at least a bottle of water for washing out cuts,your eyes,washing of chemicals etc
i like to have a big offcut of carpet for working under the car.bit comfier and as you get older you back will thank you
leave yourself time to do a job.dont be rushing to finish a job and forget to do up a bolt correctly etc
lifting the car.
never work under the car using the fiat jack,these are for emergency wheel changes only
never work under using a trolley jack either!!! no jack is safe.
use axle stands to support the car.
also be aware its still possible to pull/push a car off a set of axle stands.
even more so as the cento is a light car.
when you position the axle stands ,try to think about where you will need access so you are not working right beside the axle stand if possible.
its always good practice to put the removed wheel under the car as an extra precaution for slippage.
make sure the ground you work on is as flat and solid as possible.
also be aware in very hot weather (or with some chemicals such as petrol)that tarmac gets soft and isnt a safe jacking surface.
put wide flat pices of wood under the axle stands in this case if it cannot be avoided.
when the car is lifted,avoid getting in the vehicle.also dont leave the doors open as it allows the chassis to flex.
fluids:
no not what spills out of you when that screwdriver slips
working on a car you deal with various chemicals of varying nastiness.old engine oil is carcagenic and in general messy stuff. TBH for the cost of a box of vinyl gloves i use them all the time working on cars.even if they dont stay whole they cut down the amount of cleaning later.
be aware of the danger of petrol when working on tanks,fuel lines etc(no striking up!)
keep brake fluid off any paint surfaces
gear oil while not lethal is stinky stuff so be careful with it
as with any chemicals,please try to avoid or at least minimize the amount of contact it hasd with your bare skin.
grinding,drilling,wire brushing etc:
when doing anything of this nature where you may get bits of metal flying off then wear eye protection. trust me a piece of metal imbeded in your eyeball is not fun.
if you dont want full on googles then a pair of clear wrap around cycling glasses are a good less full on option.
also for grinding,wirebrushing remember the chance of sparks if you are working around the petrol tank,fuel lines etc
brake dust:
this is not such good stuff for you and is best not in ihaled if it can be avoided.if you are working on old cars then be aware they may still have asbestos linings so a breathing mask is essential!
also working around brakes remember to avoid any grease contamination on brake surfaces.
when working on brakes i l;ike to use the aerosol brake cleaners as i go to make sure the brake parts are all grease free.
electricals:
when working on anything on the car involving electrics then the battery must be disconnected.
this includes working in the engine area as well on parts like the alternator,starter etc as well as the obvious lights,cabin electrics etc
hot stuff:
remember parts like brake discs and exhaust manifolds stay hot long after the engine stops!
remember the cooling system is pressurised and will spray hot coolant over you if you open the cap,breather or pipe while hot.
remember the cooling fan can come on with the engine OFF ,so keep you fingers clear!
amps:
no not 1 ohm stable
remember while the standard 12v system isnt going to do you much damage the high tension parts like the coils,some headlight motors etc push out enough power to kill you!
not just a tingly arm,dead.so please take care.
bodge jobs:
please dont cut corners on car work
examples are not bolting down amps securely
oh i'll sort that dodgy brake later
i can smell petrol but i cant see the leak
oh that thread seems to just be turning but it will do etc etc
a car is a big weapon on wheels. dodgy brakes,loose steering etc are just not smart.
you can never predict what other drivers will do so dont assume you will be fine.
tools:
use the right tool for the job.sounds simple and yes sometimes a job on a cento needs a little lateral thinking.
however 99% of the time the right tool makes the job easier and safer.
i have plenty of wounds from slipping screwdrivers,wrong sized spanners etc
so be sensible.
for safety a torque wrench is highly recommended to make sure all bolts are torqued correctly and safely.
otherstuff:
i always try and keep at least 1 back up clean rag(thats totally clean) as its a godsend if you get a nasty cut,something in your eye etc to have that clean rag there.
same with at least a bottle of water for washing out cuts,your eyes,washing of chemicals etc
i like to have a big offcut of carpet for working under the car.bit comfier and as you get older you back will thank you
leave yourself time to do a job.dont be rushing to finish a job and forget to do up a bolt correctly etc
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