Job: Technician

While we’re in possession of our client’s car during the course of its repair, we are accountable for the vehicle’s condition and care.  As a technician, you have many opportunities to make a series of decisions about entering a car, setting a tool down, or closing a door that can have damaging consequences.  Getting into a vehicle, for example, with dirty shoes could leave permanent stains on a carpet, or another good example:  leaving a tool on the cowl or core support of a vehicle that might get knocked off.  The tool, upon impact, could break a headlight or land across a battery and short it out causing a fire.

So, keeping vehicle care foremost in our minds while we perform our repairs is a very important element of good service.  Below are the care points you will encounter most while working, but always stay alert and look for opportunities to avoid damage.

2. keep no tools in engine bay and keep a limited number of tools in vehicle’s cabin
          a. tools used for work under the hood must be placed on the workbench or in tool box
                    * tools left in engine bay result in the following:
                    * decrease safety if tools fall onto moving components
                    * increase the likelihood of vehicle damage if tools fall onto moving components
                    * increase the likelihood of personal injury if tools fall onto moving components
                    * increase the likehood of tool loss as tools can be left behind or fall into crevices
          b. it might be necessary to have tools inside the cabin for certain repairs, and if so, then:
                    *take a tool count before and after the repair
                    *police the work area before test drive

3.  maintain radio station presets, if possible, for the client
          a.  take note of radio presets and reset them if battery was disconnected
          b.  on SAAB radios 1986 - 1998 with the CODE IN anti-theft system, make sure to enter alarm code so radio will function

4.  reset the dashboard clock if the battery was disconnected

5.  use appropreiate fender protection/body protection during the course of repair
          a.  always use red soft cotton fender covers
          b.  if needed , tape green masking paper over fenders or work area
          c.  when working with tools near painted surfaces where there is a chance of tool slippage, always mask the affected area with green tape for protection
          d.  keep lug bolt covers safe from scratches
          e.  never allow grease, or engine fluids to contact painted surfaces
          f.  never allow grease, or fluids in cabin