You may be a pro at what you do, but even mechanics can find themselves in a tough spot. Whether it’s an emergency or a simple repair that needs to be made, there are always tools and techniques that can help any mechanic get the job done. Below are some of the most essential tips and tricks every mechanic should know.
Know How to Change a Tire
Changing a tire is one of the most basic and vital skills you’ll need as a mechanic. Below are some tips for how to do it effectively:
- Loosen the lug nuts using your tire iron, then remove them by pulling firmly on each lug nut in turn.
- Pull out the jack from its storage spot under your car’s trunk, place it under the axle, and raise it slowly until you’ve lifted the car enough to remove the flat tire.
- You may have to get underneath your vehicle for this step if there isn’t enough room for you or your toolbox on top of it.
- Remove any debris from underneath or around where you’ve jacked up your car before removing its old flat tire, then replace it with a new one by attaching its lugs onto those already attached to other parts of your vehicle (called mounting).
- Use caution when handling sharp objects like these! It’s also helpful if another person helps hold things steady while mounting all four tires at once, especially if they’re heavy ones like truck wheels.
Have a Jack Handle That Can Wrap a Cable Around It
A jack handle is used to turn the nut at the end of the car’s axle. To use it, you’ll need to wrap a cable around it and use that cable to turn it. You can also use a jack handle as a lever when changing your car’s tire or any other part of your vehicle that requires extra force.
For instance, if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with no spare tire and only one working tire left, you’ll need every ounce of strength possible to get back underway again. If this happens while driving alone (and there are no other vehicles around), simply grab onto your bumper with both hands and lift on one side until you gain enough leverage for balance. Then, repeat this process on both sides until all four tires are off their rims.
Lastly, replace them with some spares from inside your trunk (preferably from an older model because they’re usually cheaper).
Keep White Lithium Grease in Your Toolbox
Many lubricants are available to mechanics, but white lithium grease is one of the best. It’s a synthetic wax-based grease that keeps nuts and bolts from rusting and is waterproof. It will not dry out like other lubricants, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying later.
White lithium grease is also great for lubricating hinges in doors or drawers. This help keeps the hinge working smoothly without wearing out too quickly. If you choose not to use white lithium grease on hinges because it may stain your door or drawer, other options are available at any hardware store: spray-on silicone lubricants work well as alternatives!
Preparing your Garage for Hazard
It’s important to remember that garage fires can happen, even in non-hazardous work environments. Here are a few tips for keeping your garage as safe as possible:
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby at all times. It should be within reach of anyone working in the area and should be visible from any location in the garage so everyone knows where it is and how it works.
- Have a first aid kit on hand if you plan on doing any high-priority or dangerous tasks that might result in injuries, such as fixing cars or building bicycles (or any other project).
- Keep the area well-lit with bright lights that can be turned on easily whenever someone uses their tools or workspace, so they can see everything clearly without having to strain themselves while looking around blindly due to darkness around them–this may seem like common sense, but people often forget about this simple solution when working away from home!
- Be ready for floods. Living in a place where your residence is prone to flood and not having the resources to be prepared for it can be a hassle. Perhaps, you need something that would help prevent the flood from causing damage to your car.
Nowadays, there are lots of companies offering 4-post car lifts that are for sale. So, why not invest in one and take advantage of it, especially when you’re located in flood-prone areas? More importantly, this tool can also give your garage a more spacious look than ever.
Store a couple of spare tires
Spare tires might seem like an unnecessary luxury, but they’re not. If you get a flat tire on the road, finding someone who will let you use their jack or lug wrench can be difficult, and then wait while you change your own tire.
You could try calling roadside assistance, but good luck getting through when everyone else is trying to do the same thing. Plus, if your spare has gone flat as well (which can happen), there’s no way around it—you’ll need to buy a new one at some point anyway. So why not just spend a little of money on keeping two or three spares in your car? If they’re properly stored—and not allowed to go flat—they’ll last for years without needing replacement.
Just remember that if your spare tire is damaged by driving over sharp rocks or other debris on the road, leaving it under these conditions for too long may cause its inner tubes to leak air and reduce its effectiveness as an emergency resource when needed most.
Check the brake lights on your car regularly.
Check the brake lights on your car regularly. Brake lights are a safety feature, but they also warn other drivers to keep their distance. The brake light system is made up of two bulbs. Check them both regularly and when you change one bulb, make sure to change the other at the same time.
If you are unable to see properly inside your engine bay, try using an inspection mirror. Using an inspection mirror is a great way of checking the condition of your engine. Just be sure that you are in a place where you can safely pull over if there is something wrong with your vehicle.
In Closing
These tips can be invaluable if you’re a mechanic and want to get better at your job. The more time you spend on the job, the more you’ll have to learn about what’s going on with your vehicle and other machines in your home. These tricks will help make your job easier so that you can focus more on the task at hand!
