Safety rules for maintenance (Opel Astra J)

Warning! These safety instructions are not exhaustive, as it is impossible to foresee absolutely all dangerous situations that may arise during vehicle maintenance. Therefore, always use common sense, be careful and cautious when performing work.

• Any repair or maintenance work on the vehicle must be carried out in a spacious, well-ventilated and well-lit area.
• Workshop equipment (lifting mechanisms, machine tools, power tools) must be specially adapted to perform repair operations on the vehicle (for example, to power portable lighting devices, it is advisable to use low voltage sources of 36 or 12 V, rather than 220 V).
• Do not smoke or use open flames in rooms where there is a vehicle, fuels and lubricants, etc.
• When working with metalworking tools, use gloves - they will protect your hands not only from dirt, but also from scratches and cuts.
• Wear protective glasses when performing any work underneath the vehicle.
• For body repairs (putty, painting, sanding) put on a respirator and provide additional ventilation in the room.
• Work related to the removal and installation of heavy vehicle components and assemblies should be performed with an assistant.
• Containers with flammable, lubricating and paint materials stored in the workshop must always be tightly closed. Do not allow such materials to be in the spark zone when using metal-cutting tools.
• Avoid contact with oils (especially worked out), antifreeze and electrolyte on exposed skin. In case of contact, wash off as quickly as possible with soapy water.
• Do not use gasoline, diesel fuel, solvents, etc. to clean your hands.
• Remember that improper maintenance of electrical equipment and fuel equipment can cause a fire. If you are not confident in your knowledge of servicing these systems, it is better to contact specialists. If you decide to do the work yourself, strictly follow all recommendations and warnings.
• Use extreme caution when repairing vehicles equipped with airbags or seat belt pretensioners. Do not attempt to repair these systems yourself (electronic airbag control unit, airbag modules, steering wheel, impact sensors, seat belt pretensioners, etc.), as incorrect execution of work may result in the activation of these devices and, as a result, serious injuries. When performing any work in the area where these devices are located, carefully study all recommendations and warnings.
• The tools and equipment used in car repairs must be in good condition. Particular attention must be paid to the condition of the insulation of electrical wires.
• When servicing vehicles equipped with an air conditioning system, do not allow the system to become depressurized, as the refrigerant it contains is a chemical compound that must be handled with care to avoid causing harm to health.

For safe lifting of the car with a jack the following must be done.

• Place the vehicle on a level, hard surface.
• Before lifting, free the car from foreign objects. Remove everything necessary for repair from the trunk in advance (spare parts, tools), since access to a raised vehicle may be difficult or impossible.
• Install the jack only under the places intended for this purpose. The power elements of the body in these places are specially thickened and have increased strength.
• Place wheel chocks under the wheels of the vehicle on the side opposite to the side being lifted.
• To prevent the jack from sinking and being pressed into the ground, place a board under it (20x20x2 cm).
• Place the thrust head against the car body. The jack should be perpendicular to the supporting surface.
• Before jacking up the car to the required height, carefully check again to make sure the jack is not tilted to any side.
• Supports should also be installed only under places specially designated for lifting the vehicle (see Using a jack). Place a rubber or wooden pad between the support and the car body.
• Install the tripod support so that two of its legs are on the side of the car body and one is on the outside.

When using a lift to lift a vehicle please observe the following safety requirements.

• When lifting or lowering the vehicle, it is prohibited to be near it to avoid accidents.
• If there is a danger of the vehicle falling, leave the danger area immediately.
• Position the vehicle's center of gravity correctly on the lift to avoid it falling.
• Take care to avoid getting your feet pinched by the lift's paws or the car's wheels when lowering.
• Do not apply excessive force to the lift controls.
• Only qualified personnel should operate the lift.
• Avoid excessive rocking of the vehicle on the lift.
• Install the lift paw supports only under the places intended for this purpose. The body's power elements in these places are specially thickened and have increased strength.
• When removing heavy components and assemblies from a vehicle on a lift, install additional supports.