Questions tagged [safety]
Questions relating to the safe use of tools, safety procedures, use of safety equipment and other methods of avoiding harm to yourself or others.
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Safety of coolant question
I have a pretty nasty coolant leak in my car. I have to fill my radiator about twice a day. Anyways— because of the frequency that I have to fill my radiator I keep a bottle of coolant in my car. ...
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Why don't cars have circuit breakers instead of fuses?
While there are exceptions the majority of cars use fuses instead of circuit breakers to protect electronics and I'm wondering why circuit breakers are not more widely used. Is it practicality, cost, ...
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Should I be concerned about a bent metal bar on the underside of Ram Promaster City?
Today while driving around sunny Tucson, a javelina met an untimely demise at the hands of my 2018 Ram Promaster City. It was a bit of a strange collision with me essentially just driving over it at ...
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Stolen catalytic converter -- safe to drive to mechanic?
A friend's catalytic converter was stolen, her mechanic is about 35 miles away. What are the risks of driving the car to the mechanic (instead of having it towed)?
I'm assuming that it would be ...
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Will zip ties hold on a bumper for 200 miles?
I’m 200 miles from home for the weekend and an in-ground pipe in the parking garage tore off my front bumper (2016 Camry). We zip-tied the top of the bumper back on through the holes where the clips ...
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Why does the manual warn you not to sleep in your car? [duplicate]
'Warning
Do not sleep in a vehicle with air conditioning or heating system on. It may cause serious harm or death due to a drop in the oxygen level and/or body temperature.'
https://www.kia.com/...
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Why does my car's manual tell you not to sleep in your car with the windows up? [duplicate]
''Danger
If you sleep while operating the air conditioner or heater with all the windows closed, You may suffocate to death due to lack of ventilation. When you operate the air conditioner or ...
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Why don't manufacturers also produce "day-time running" tail lights?
I see a lot of vehicles on the road at night that have no tail lights on. From countless observations I've made, this is usually due to the vehicle having decently bright daytime running headlights (...
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Past Clutch worries over smell/dust
A while back I was driving my '92 Mitsubishi around for quite some long journeys over a few weeks. The car was given to me, but something didn't seem quite right. After a while, I noticed that there ...
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Lug nut not fitting steel rim holes?
I recently purchased a second set of rims for my car, a 2009 Kia Cee'd SW (ED). This is a set of steel rims, and as the other one are not, they had a different type of lug nuts than normal.
So the ...
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Do these rotors pass inspection?
Hello all,
Bit urgent as I'm trying my best to help my mother. She needed a safety performed so she can go from a lease to buying her car directly from Honda. Honda is also the one that performed the ...
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Why do buses not have seat belts if cars have to have them? [closed]
This has always struck me as odd. People just board this huge thing that moves around and never even question why there are no seat belts.
But a normal car (even a larger bus-like one) has to have ...
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How to make a car less bouncy?
My 2016 Camry feels very "bouncy" even on seemingly smooth roads. It is bouncy at every speed, from 30km/h to 110km/h. I can feel every groove on the road. Which components should I modify/...
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Can rear shocks affect comfort at the front?
Can bad rear shocks affect the ride quality at the front of the car? Or are they only noticeable for back passengers?
My car was really "bouncy", so I replaced the front shocks. Even though ...
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Does a car battery's acid dissolve nitrile gloves?
My battery has some liquid spill on top and on the sides.
I didn't touch it, but I assume this is sulphuric acid leaking, and not any kind of oil.
Does sulphuric acid dissolve nitrile gloves? Could it ...
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How does towing small trailer vs carrying multiple passengers affect the car?
I currently drive 2013 Subaru Impreza hatchback, which seats 5 people (1 driver, 3 comfortable passengers and 1 unfortunate passenger on the middle seat in the back row). Its towing rating in Canada ...
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Severe static shocks from car after driving
I know that you can get a static shock when exiting your car after driving for a while from the friction on the seat. However I do have my car for several years and since a week or so I am starting to ...
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Do I need to worry about the airbag when replacing indicator switch?
I'm about to replace the right indicator switch on my N15 Nissan Pulsar and have been looking up tutorials on how to achieve this. Seems simple enough but I read a comment about disconnecting the ...
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Fixing a malfunctioning seat belt sensor
I'm in the far end of a road trip, and towards the end of the road trip my seat belt warning started going off erratically. Tapping on the driver side seat belt buckle seemed to silence the warning ...
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Check for functionality of Subaru EyeSight package
I'm purchasing a used Subaru Crosstrek this week. It's a 2017 Sport model with the "Technology Package" meaning it has rear/side vehicle detection (standard on Sport model) plus Subaru's ...
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Plastic hub adapter on aftermarket rims—is it needed?
I have aftermarket aluminium rims for my car, which were manufactured to fit multiple vehicle models. Therefore, the center hole is bigger in diameter than the hub of my car, and the rims came with a ...
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how would you prevent theft in a simple way other than a kill switch?
I know you can get a kill switch for to prevent theft.
I’m a bit busy right now but I’m any case what is wrong with just removing a relay or switching a main fuse with a broken one? Might the constant ...
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Is it ok to charge battery inside car or home with no one in it?
I read that when charging a battery(charger to battery) or battery to battery(I imagine) a toxic chemical/gas is released from the battery. As such you should ventilate and not be in the home whilst ...
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turning fastener left firsts prevents cross threading a wheel nut?
I was watching a video on how to prevent cross threading a nut. Guy in was saying rather than start by turning the nut right, keep turning it left until you hear a click, then go right until right.
I ...
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Ideas to avoid sun reflections from plated surfaces while driving
It is common to find plated decorations in the interiors of cars. They are sometimes small details, but sometimes they take big, smooth, and curved surfaces, to make sure there is some part of it in ...
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Steering safety precautions on a Ford Van
So I got some steering issues with my E150 Ford van from 1998 with a 5.4 v8 in it. It kinda groans and creaks like a giant wooden ship from the 1600s when ya turn it.
Somebody on here was tellin me I ...
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How do I safely fill and use an external diesel can?
I would like to purchase an external container and fill it with diesel fuel, for use in my personal vehicle. I want to make sure that I am doing this safely.
To that end I have some questions:
If I ...
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Can ceramic disc brakes pads contain asbestos?
I have been reading articles like this one and this one, talking about how asbestos is still a problem with car brakes. There is even a post in Mechanics stack exchange from 2016 asking about ...
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(Why) is it dangerous to leave the engine running while refueling?
I searched the web and I searched this Stack exchange and I've only found answers that seem to apply at all times (static electricity is always possible, and the engine doesn't cool THAT much in the ...
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is a seriously corroded driveshaft and u joints on an F150 safe? dealer who sold me car says no
I think a corroded drive train this corroded is a safety issue, bought used f150 from dealer get out on highway and was scared to hell whole truck shook so bad -drove truck back later same day saying ...
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Is this tire damaged? (ran on flat)
Flat and after-flat pics (it was installed on the other side after flat... I think)
Ran about 70 meters (76 yards) at very-very low speed with this tire completely flat, it only has 2000 miles on it,...
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Aftermarket seats
The drivers seat in my 2011 Honda Civic causes me back and knee pain. The rest of the vehicle is fine, so I can't justify getting another one. I've spent much time fiddling with the adjustments, as ...
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How much can I load on my trailer on my 2017 Subaru Legacy?
I have a 2017 Subaru Legacy with a standard trailer hitch installed at U-Haul. I pull a 5' by 8' utility trailer bought from Tractor Supply. I would like to carry multiple bookcases in the trailer ...
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What would be so wrong with using ATV preventative tire sealant in a street car?
I've been looking for a type of tire sealant like Tireject/Slime that will prevent flats, not the emergency repair kind. Both of these companies sell the preventative goop, but they specifically state ...
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Newly purchased tire showing signs of crazing around the rim -- is this expected/normal?
I unwrapped my newly acquired motorcycle front tire (sold as new), and noticed some cracks/crazing along the rim on both sides. The tire looks brand new and perfect otherwise. Should any amount of ...
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Mismatched brand tires on back, bad on high speeds?
Wouldn't post a new question if the internet wasn't full of "Yep, perfectly fine" one one side and "Nope, you're going to hit the closest tree" on the other side.
Driving a FWD Volvo S40 2.4i. ...
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Safety Recall - Dealers say "we don't have the parts for this"
So I've been consistently getting "recall" notices for my car and every time I receive one of those mails I immediately call the number on them. I am redirected to a dealer who always answers with the ...
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How are showroom/display vehicles prepared?
These vehicles are kept in buildings, so I imagine there are some safety considerations (e.g. no fuel and oil) being followed? Are they brought in straight from manufacturing so that there is no risk ...
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Safe working technique; four axle stands
I would never dream of going under a car without it adequately supported; axle stands plus wheels, if removed, laid under the sills (rockers).
I have a full set of brake lines plus a serious amount ...
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Do you really need to replace split pins? (aka: cotter pins)
Split pins missing. Mechanic 1 told me you must do it, it is essential for safety. Mechanic 2 told me its no big deal only japanese cars have it, you don't see them on german cars and car is still ...
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Cut on the sidewall - is this safe or should i replace?
I am not sure if this is a cosmetic damage or a structural damage in the tire. The tire is a Bridgestone Turanza 225/40R18 in front. About 18k miles and almost 5 years old. I don't know where I got ...
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Tires of the same model but different sizes - how much difference in quality and performance?
ADAC tested winter tires of size 175/65 R14 T and 205/55 R16 H this year (in English: 175/65 R14, 205/55 R16). I would like to buy a set of size 185/65 R15.
Question:
Does it make sense to base the ...
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Metalic smell when banging fender panel
I was trying to bang out dents in a fender panel from the backside. Whilst banging I smelt and inhaled a lot of metalic smelling particles go into the air and I inhaled through mouth and nose.
I did ...
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Can a rock in a tire tread cause a blow out?
A recent answer included this:
Actually rocks in tire treads can be life threatening, if they gradually cut through the rubber and eventually cause a blow-out, and you don't usually get any warning ...
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Rock in Disk Brake, Sounds Horrible
Short Back story: I bought a Honda Ridgeline Second generation (2016 - current), 11,000 miles from the dealer, with a state inspection performed on the purchase date. The next day and a maybe 35 ...
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Does power steering fluid go bad quickly?
I've always heard that brake fluid goes bad real fast (IIRC, it absorbs the moisture in the air).
What about power steering fluid?
Can you buy a large container and use it over the years? Or, like ...
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Curbed tyre is it safe to drive
I think I may already know the answer to my question, just want some second opinions.
I curved my tyre yesterday taking a chunk of rubber out of it. Does it need replacing or is it safe to drive for ...
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Is synthetic oil more harmful than conventional?
To humans, not the engine, obviously.
I use conventional oil (5w30) for my truck. When changing the oil, I obviously wear gloves, but inevitably end up getting some on my hands. It never seems like a ...
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How to raise front of car safely?
i need to get under front of car for oil change and some exhaust work.
Do I just put front on axle stands and what do I do about back tyres?
The might roll either way right? so do I put chock ...
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