Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Clear out enough time in your schedule to do this properly.

Use the proper ones; using a butter knife as a screw driver doesn't always work.

Find a safe place to do the maintenance, preferably not in the middle of the street.

If you're doing some maintenance chore for the first time, read the directions carefully, or have someone do it with you.

Ensure that you have all the correct supplies you need; oil, transmission fluid, etc. before you start.

Make sure that this is a long-sleeved shirt that you don't plan on using for anything but greasy things again.

Long pants that you only plan to use for working on vehicles, because they're not going to be useful for much else.

These will be quite useful when taking on nuts and bolts that are tight, having to do any welding, etc...but wear them all the time anyway.

If not a hat, pull long hair back into a pony tail so that it does not get caught into engine parts while being worked on.

Preferably heavy-duty shoes or boots, with steel toes in them, just in case the vehicle falls on your foot.

A few of these on hand to wipe your hands on will help you grab hold of things much more easily.

Use this only as necessary, to put air in tires, or test some lines.

Use correct sizes where appropriate, with the correct handling, so you don't hurt yourself or the engine.

Using the correct ends, put them together, and use it correctly so nothing is stripped, and you don't get hurt.

Whether Phillips or flat, pick the right size so the screwdriver doesn't break.

Use a tire gauge for a tire, not to check something else in the vehicle.

If the vehicle needs to go up in the air for some under-body work, then use a lift, not some metal boxes or something similar. That's just asking for trouble.

If some tools are portable, and can be charged, keep them out of the way of water so you avoid electrocution.

Take advantage of these to organize your tools well, and keep them out of the way, as they will be heavy.

Keep these out of the way, up on a high shelf, so that no one wandering through will be able to just knock them over and cause a spill.

Vehicle maintenance always ends up taking longer than planned, so build in extra time to your schedule.

Make sure that you keep up your energy while doing the vehicle maintenance, so you can think properly and stay safe.

Know exactly what type of vehicle maintenance you are planning on doing, and the costs associated with it.

Working on vehicle maintenance can get very hot, so make sure to take breaks for water, you'll be safer because you will feel better.

Know exactly who to call, and what to do for quick First Aid procedures if it's needed for your or others' safety.

No matter what, there will always be some sort of problem that comes up, even during routine vehicle maintenance, so be prepared for it.