General Precautions

Do not operate the engine for an extended period of time without proper exhaust ventilation.
Keep the work area well ventilated and free of any inflammable materials. Special care should be taken when handling any inflammable or poisonous materials, such as gasoline, refrigerant gas, etc. When working in a pit or other enclosed area, be sure to properly ventilate the area before working with hazardous materials.

Do not smoke while working on the vehicle.

Fig 1: Precaution For Operating Engine Without Proper Exhaust Ventilation
Before jacking up the vehicle, apply wheel chocks or other tire blocks to the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving. After jacking up the vehicle, support the vehicle weight with safety stands at the points designated for proper lifting before working on the vehicle.
These operations should be done on a level surface.
When removing a heavy component such as the engine or transaxle/transmission, be careful not to lose your balance and drop them. Also, do not allow them to strike adjacent parts, especially the brake tubes and master cylinder.

Fig 2: Jacking Up Vehicle
Before starting repairs which do not require battery power: Turn off ignition switch.
Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
If the battery terminals are disconnected, recorded memory of radio and each control unit is erased.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Negative Battery Terminal
To prevent serious burns:
Avoid contact with hot metal parts.

Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot.
Dispose of drained oil or the solvent used for cleaning parts in an appropriate manner.
Do not attempt to top off the fuel tank after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off automatically.
Continued refueling may cause fuel overflow, resulting in fuel spray and possibly a fire.
Clean all disassembled parts in the designated liquid or solvent prior to inspection or assembly.
Replace oil seals, gaskets, packings, O-rings, locking washers, cotter pins, self-locking nuts, etc. with new ones.
Replace inner and outer races of tapered roller bearings and needle bearings as a set.
Arrange the disassembled parts in accordance with their assembled locations and sequence.

Fig 4: Precaution For Handling Engine Hot Metal Parts
Do not touch the terminals of electrical components which use microcomputers (such as ECM).
Static electricity may damage internal electronic components.
After disconnecting vacuum or air hoses, attach a tag to indicate the proper connection.
Use only the fluids and lubricants specified in this manual.
Use approved bonding agent, sealants or their equivalents when required.
Use hand tools, power tools (disassembly only) and recommended special tools where specified for safe and efficient service repairs.
When repairing the fuel, oil, water, vacuum or exhaust systems, check all affected lines for leakage.

Fig 5: Identifying Hand And Power Tools
Before servicing the vehicle:
Protect fenders, upholstery and carpeting with appropriate covers. Take caution that keys, buckles or buttons do not scratch paint.

Fig 6: Applying Covers To Fenders, Upholstery And Carpeting

WARNING: To prevent ECM from storing the diagnostic trouble codes, never carelessly disconnect the harness connectors which are related to the engine control system and TCM (transmission control module) system. The connectors should be disconnected only when working according to the WORK FLOW of TROUBLE DIAGNOSES in EC and TM sections.