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Exercise Extreme Caution when Working on your vehicle
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially hazardous area. If you are not fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do not attempt the adjustments described on the following pages.

This caution applies to the entire vehicle.

Fire and Explosion Hazards

Many vehicle fluids are highly flammable, e. g. fuel, engine and transmission oil. Fuel vapors can cause an explosion. When a battery is being charged, highly explosive gases can develop.

• Do not smoke or allow an open flame around the battery or fuel.
  Pay attention to sparks, e. g. when coming into contact with cables.
  Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand.
• Ensure that there are no open flames in the area of your vehicle at any time when fuel fumes might be present. Be especially cautious of devices such as hot water heaters which ignite a flame intermittently.
• Only work on your vehicle outdoors or in a well ventilated area.

Fluid Health Hazards

Refill fluids, e. g. engine oil, brake fluid or coolant are hazardous to health (poisonous, irritant, caustic).

• Keep these fluids out of children's reach and dispose of them in accordance with the appropriate State, Local and Federal regulations.
• Only work on your vehicle outdoors or in a well ventilated area.

Exhaust Gas Inhalation

Engine exhaust is dangerous if inhaled.

Engine exhaust fumes have many components which you can smell. They also contain carbon monoxide (CO), which is a colorless and odorless gas.

Carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and even death if inhaled.

• Only work on your vehicle outdoors or in a well ventilated area.

Hot Engine Parts, Exhaust System and Fluids

The engine and surrounding components, exhaust system and coolant become very hot when the engine is running.

The coolant reservoir is pressurized. Careless opening of the coolant reservoir can lead to hot coolant suddenly spraying out.

• Take care when working near hot parts of the vehicle, in particular engine parts and parts of the exhaust system.
• Before working in the engine compartment, always switch the engine off and let it cool sufficiently.
• Allow the engine to cool down before opening the cap of the coolant reservoir and protect your hands, arms and face from any possible escape of hot coolant.

Moving Engine Parts

Take great care to ensure that hands, fingers, articles of clothing (e. g. ties, sleeves, etc.), necklaces or long hair cannot be caught up by the radiator fans, drive belt or other moving parts.

The radiator fans in the front of the vehicle may be operating or unexpectedly start operating when the engine is switched on.

• Exercise extreme care that parts of the body, articles of clothing or jewelry do not get caught in the radiator fan, drive belt or other moving parts.
• Carry out work in these areas only with the engine off and exercise extreme caution.

Electric Shock from Ignition System

When the ignition is on, all cables and wires of the ignition system carry a high voltage.

• Exercise special care when working on the ignition system.