Balancing an ACO Lifestyle Safe Field Practices

Diane P. Webber, NACA

•Oil and oil filter changes •Fuel filters •Coolant and radiator flushes, air conditioning/ heating systems •Transmission fluid changes •Inspect all belts and hoses •Inspect tires, replace as needed •Check brakes and brake fluid •Batteries and power steering fluids •Windshield wiper blades and fluid •Headlights, brake, warning and directional lights

Begins BEFORE you leave on a call. Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you!

Vehicle Safety

Checking Your Oil • Park on level ground. Be sure area is well lit.

• Wait a few minutes after turning off the engine for your oil to settle.

• Dipstick is a long rod that goes deep into your engine to check the oil level. It should have an orange handle.

• Pull the dipstick out, wipe the end clean with a towel, reinsert dipstick into the engine, pull out to read level (where the oily part ends and dry part begins).

• Don't add more than a quart of oil at once.

Checking Your Oil

A level between the

two dipstick lines

means you're level

is A-OK.

Checking / Filling Your Coolant / Antifreeze

• Look for white opaque plastic overflow tank next to the radiator

• Note markings on side indicating low and high levels.

• Always check coolant when vehicle is cold.

• If low, top off with 50/50 mix of coolant/water.

• Unscrew/pop off cap of reservoir, add mixture to full mark. Tightly replace cap.

Checking / Filling Your Coolant

Add coolant to the white reservoir.

Tire Pressure Should be checked at least monthly,

if not more frequently.

• Crucial to safety next to brakes

• Incorrect pressure can compromise cornering, braking and stability

• Improper pressure can lead to tire failure and possible serious accident

• Improper pressure will affect your comfort, fuel economy and tire life

Tire Pressure If pressure is too high

• less tire touches the ground causing vehicle to bounce around on road

• traction suffers, alters braking ability

Too low

• too much tire surface touches ground, increasing friction between road and tire

• tires wear prematurely, and can overheat leading to tire separation and accident

• tire squeals is a sign of low pressure

Tire Pressure • Tire pressure also changes with temperature

fluctuation.

- pressure decreases by approx 1 lb per sq

inch for every 10 drop in outside air temp

Quiz: How many lbs per sq inch are your tires

underinflated if the last time you checked

your tire pressure was July (80), and now it’s

January (-20)?

How do you determine the correct

tire pressure for your vehicle's tires?

• Correct pressure can be found on the driver's

door pillar, the glove compartment door or

sometimes on the gas filler door.

• Pressure listed on tires is actually the MAXIMUM

allowable air pressure – not the recommended!

• Recommended pressure is

almost always LOWER than

the maximum.

Checking the Pressure

• Use an accurate tire gauge – analog or dial-type (see photo) – pencil-style gauges are often inaccurate.

• Check pressure when the tire is cold.

• Check air in all 4 tires – not just one or two!

• Remember to check the spare periodically.

Checking Your Tires

Tires should be checked

seasonally or BEFORE

you head off on a road trip.

TIP: Check tire pressure even if tires look fine. Radial tires can be deceiving and can be

down 10 lbs of air or overinflated 10 lbs and still look normal.

Step 1: Choose your spot well

• Pull off the road so that you are safely out of the

flow of traffic

• Apply the parking brake, put car into "Park"

position.

• Step 2: Place a heavy object (e.g., rock,

concrete, spare wheel, etc.) in front of the front

and back tires.

How to Change a Tire

Step 3: Take out the spare tire and the jack.

• Locate the jack plate - usually located just in front of

the rear tires, and just behind the front tires

• Raise the jack until it is supporting

(but not lifting) the car.

• Loosen the lug nuts by turning

counterclockwise - Do not remove

the lug nuts, only loosen them!

• Remove the hubcap, if necessary

How to Change a Tire

Step 4: Pump the jack to lift tire off the ground.

Step 5: Remove the flat tire

• NOW remove the lug nuts from the bolts, and put them aside

• Grab the wheel

– it is easiest to grab the tire at the "nine o'clock" and "three o'clock" positions

• Pull the wheel straight toward you, and off the car

How to Change a Tire

Step 6: Put on the spare tire

• Position the spare tire directly in front of the

wheel well, aligning the hole in the center of the

spare tire with the bolts on the car

• Position the tire on the threaded bolts, and

push tire onto the car completely.

• Replace the lugnuts on the bolts and tighten

them, but not too tight...just enough to hold

the tire in place while you lower the car

How to Change a Tire

• Lower the car with the jack until the car is again resting on all four tires

• Tighten the lugnuts, starting with one, then moving to the one opposite it, and so on...

Step 7: Lower the vehicle

How to Change a Tire

Step 8: Put the tools away • Place the flat tire where the spare was located, and

replace the jack and lug wench in their proper locations

• Carefully inspect your work area making sure that you're not leaving anything behind.

• Continue on to your destination, and have the flat tire repaired ASAP!

How to Change a Tire

Keep Your Brakes at Full Force Check for clean brake fluid levels to keep system operating correctly…

Easy as 1 – 2 – 3!

• Always clean the area around the cap.

• Add brake fluid slowly.

• Recheck in a few days.

• NEVER shake brake fluid bottle!

Top Off Your Washer Fluid

• Use only real

windshield washer fluid

– it doesn’t freeze!

• Locate opaque white

plastic bottle with wind-

shield wiper symbol on

cap – usually blue.

• Unscrew and fill

Check to be sure that your windshield wipers are working and can clear debris from the windshield!

AC System Look for warning signs of trouble: • Loud noises when the air conditioner is turned on.

• AC not cooling like it should.

• Water on vehicle’s floor mats.

• Blower makes noises or doesn't blow at all.

• Unusual odors coming from vehicle when it is running.

• Defroster doesn't work.

• Moisture on front or side windows.

• Vehicle starts to run hot.

• EXTRA moisture under the front of your vehicle when it is parked.

Headlights and Brake lights

• All lights on your vehicle should be working at all times.

• Always check headlight operation at night or in a dark garage.

• Inspect the headlight lens and other lenses for cracks and clarity (dull or milky).

• Turn the headlights on - the headlights should shine bright.

Headlight Functions

Tail Lights, Side Marker, Reverse, Running Light & Stop Light Bulbs

• Check operation at night or in dark garage.

• Step on brake pedal to check brake lights.

• Make sure all brake lights illuminate, including

the middle third brake light.

• Turn headlight switch to first

selection.

• Inspect all side marker, front

running lights, and tail lights.

Third or Upper Brake Lights

To check on this light

operation:

• Turn key to the "on"

position (do not start).

• Step on brake pedal

• All brake lights should

illuminate, including the

third or upper brake light.

Emergency Flashers or Hazard Lights

• Locate the emergency

switch and activate.

• Check around vehicle to

make sure all lights are

functioning properly.

• Deactivate emergency

flasher switch to stop

flasher operation.

Directional Arrow Bars

Directional Arrow Bars alert drivers to changing traffic patterns or an emergency incident.

Vehicle Equipment

•Tool Kit and Emergency Kit

•Leash / Catch pole / Snappy Snare / Nets

•Clip board / report forms / pen / Citation Book

•Camera / Radio

•First Aid Kit / Roadside safety items

•Local street directory and Atlas

•Animal transport items

Heating and cooling systems •Service regularly •Clean or change filters •Test system once a week!

Fresh Air System •Dual fan, reversible flow system •Check vent fan covers for leaks, worn/broken gaskets •Clean vent cover screens of dust, hair and lint •Test weekly

Animal Transport Area

Animal Transport Boxes

With all the bells and whistles.

Without.

Check each cage •Look for loose screws, broken brackets, etc

•Confirm all cages latch securely

•Cages are cleaned, sanitized and ready to receive

animals

Replace/replenish supplies immediately! •Leashes, nets, control poles

•Fresh news paper

•Clean towels and blankets

•Food and water bowls

•Forms, citation book, pens, clipboard, etc.

Clean /decontaminate the ENTIRE vehicle each

day! •Everything cage , anything used or touched, needs to be

decontaminated!

Keep a current “Next Exit” book in

your vehicle

•This will give you the location and

types of a fuel/service stations,

hotels, restaurants and rest areas

along all major highways.

Safety on the Road

Roadside Safety

• Flares, Reflectors, Safety cones

• Weather Alert Radio

• Emergency Road Service

agreement

• Flashlight (2) Batteries (lots)

• Chains, shovel

Know your limitations •If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe about what you are be

asked to do, speak up!

•Know and obey the law! •Wear your seatbelts

•Drive at or just under the speed limit

•Use turn signals

•Laws differ from state to state for

commercial vehicles

Drive with headlights and running lights on •In daylight hours also!

Be well-rested!

Driver Safety

Distractions

Basic Safe Driving Tips to Remember • Proper use of lights and emergency signals • Consistent use of directional lights, rear/side

mirrors • Safe passing and lane change practices • Safe speeds for road conditions • Staying with the traffic tempo • Follow at safe distances – “2 second rule” • Yield the right-of-way • Full and gradual stops at all traffic stops,

railroads, and when required

• SLOW DOWN!!!!

• In a marked vehicle, your vehicle is a moving billboard

• Keep vehicle (and uniform) clean and presentable

• Be courteous; allow others to cut in

• Maintain extra distance between vehicles

• People will be interested in what you are doing!

• Bring flyers/pamphlets to hand out

Represent Your Agency Well!