Safety First!
What must you wear to protect your eyes during hands-on shop activities?
Safety glasses
What part of a car do you turn to control its direction?
The steering wheel.
A tool is lying in the middle of a shop walkway. What hazard does it create?
A tripping hazard. Someone could trip over it and get hurt.
What should you check regularly to make sure your tires have the correct amount of air?
Tire pressure.
You’re unsure how to complete a task safely. What should you do before starting?
Ask the instructor for help.
Before working in the shop, what should you do with long hair and loose clothing?
Tie back long hair and secure loose clothing so they cannot get caught in moving parts.
What part stores electrical energy and supplies power to start a gasoline-powered car’s engine?
The battery.
A student leans over an engine with a loose hoodie drawstring hanging down. What is the hazard?
The drawstring could get caught in moving parts and pull the student toward them.
What fluid lubricates the engine’s moving parts to reduce friction and wear?
Engine oil.
You finish your task, but tools and supplies are still scattered around your work area. What should you do before leaving?
Return tools to their designated places, organize supplies, and clean your work area.
You find a damaged tool while checking inventory. What should you do?
Stop using it and report it to the instructor.
Once the engine is running, what part generates electricity to power the car’s electrical systems and recharge the battery?
The alternator.
An extension cord has cracked insulation with wires showing, but the connected tool still works. What makes this unsafe?
Exposed wires can cause electric shock, burns, or a fire. Stop using it and notify the instructor.
Why is a tire with very little tread especially dangerous on a wet road?
Worn tread cannot channel water away as effectively, increasing the risk of losing traction and hydroplaning.
During a vehicle inspection, you notice a dent that is already there. Why should you document it before starting work?
To record the vehicle’s original condition so existing damage is not mistaken for damage caused during class. (intake report)
You spot an unknown liquid spilled near a busy walkway. What are two things you should do before anyone tries to clean it up?
Keep others away from the spill and notify the instructor so it can be identified and cleaned up safely.
Hot coolant flows from the engine into this part, where heat is released into the outside air. What is it?
The radiator.
A car is supported only by a floor jack. A student says, “I’ll only be underneath it for a few seconds.” What is the hazard?
The jack could fail or shift, causing the car to fall and crush the student. Never go underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.
All four tires have the correct air pressure, but one is wearing much faster along its inside edge. What problem could this suggest?
A wheel alignment or suspension problem that needs inspection.
Your group’s inspection sheet says, “The tire looks bad.” What two details would make that note more useful?
Identify which tire has the problem and describe what you observed, such as worn tread, cracks, or a bulge.
A classmate is operating equipment when you notice a problem. Why is grabbing their arm or waving in their face unsafe, and what should you do instead?
Startling or distracting them could cause an injury. Alert the instructor immediately and have the equipment safely stopped before discussing the problem.
The engine creates power, but the wheels need different amounts of torque at different speeds. What major component uses gear ratios to make this possible?
The transmission.
A car’s engine has overheated. A student reaches for the radiator cap, saying, “I’ll open it to help it cool down.” What hidden hazard are they missing?
The cooling system may be hot and pressurized. Opening the cap can release scalding coolant and steam, causing severe burns. Do not open it while hot.
Your wipers are frozen to the windshield. Why shouldn’t you turn them on, and what should you do first?
Turning them on could tear the blades or damage the wiper mechanism. Defrost the windshield and gently free the blades before using them.
Your group discovers that a tool is missing just before someone is about to start the car. What should happen next, and why?
Tell them not to start the car, notify the instructor, and account for the tool. It could have been left near moving parts and cause injury or damage.