Kaidan Alenko (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
not_a_whiner) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2013-02-19 11:16 am
not_a_whiner) wrote in fandomhigh2013-02-19 11:16 am
Entry tags:
Industrial Arts, Tuesday
They were back in the automobile-themed Danger Shop today. Kaidan had an oil stain as well as a sunny smile on his face as the class started. "So today we're moving on to actual maintenance," he said. "Now there's a lot of things that are kind of universal when you're talking automated transportation, and some things that kind of... aren't. I'm going to try and keep the 21st century stuff to the end of the lecture. I mean, I know in my time cars don't have tires, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one here."
He shot a wry look in Anakin's directionif he was there.
"Anyway, maintenance. There are a couple of things you're going to want to check periodically. We'll start with oil..." He took a few steps towards one of the cars with the hood open. "This is where you'll find the oil on a 21st century car. Most types of vehicles I've been in use it - it helps lubricate the engine, no matter what engine you've got, it cleans, and it cools. Which is why it's really important to make sure you've got enough of it."
He reached out to pull a long stick from the car. "In the 21st century, this is customary," he said, "You take out the dipstick, you wipe it clean, you put it back in and then pull it back out so you can check the oil level." He pointed. "Here is the mark for 'low'. You'll want to add some. Depending on when and where you're from, though, the system might be a little different, so look into that." He cleared his throat. "Never add too much oil. That's gonna cause some trouble."
He put the stick back. "Sometimes you'll need to give it a full oil change," he said. "Every ten thousand miles or so. Drain the oil and replace it. Anyway, in most instances, oil won't be the only thing keeping your engine cool." He tapped a white container on the left side of the compartment. "Engine coolant. I don't think I need to explain what that does. Make sure the engine has been off for a while before you top it back up, but otherwise, it kind of speaks for itself."
He put his hands down on both sides of the car. "This is less obvious," he said. "Shock absorbers. They're important." He gave a push down; the car bounced twice, then came to a stop. "These are good," he said. "If it bounces more than that...? They're shot. You'll have to get new ones." He let go.
"Next one on our list of fluid containers is the brake fluid," he said, pointing it out at the back of the compartment. "That can be... anywhere under the hood of your vehicle. A lot of brake systems uses fluid to activate the braking unit near the wheel. Of course, if your car doesn't have wheels, you can pass on this step. Just make sure it's filled up to the max line and you'll be good."
"More stuff about the brakes: you got to test them every now and again," Kaidan continued. "If you push in the pedal and it's not firm, or you have to push it all the way in before you notice anything? There's something wrong with your brakes. Likely the brake-fluid's too low. If you feel a weird vibration, it's probably the rotors. The rotors are what your brake pads clamp onto to make the car stop, so they're kind of a big deal - again, if your car has wheels. Finally, if it squeals, it's the pads - and if it grinds, you have to take it in to the garage."
He shot the kids a wry look. "Okay, if you're not likely to run into a lot of cars that use wheels, you can tune out now," he said. He closed the hood of the car and squatted down by one of the wheels.
"You'll want to check your tires regularly to see if there's anything stuck in them, if they're cracked, or the pressure is off," he said. "Most tires are going to have these little ribs, these blocks across the bottom. If the profile of your tires has worn down to get level with them? You need to get your tires replaced." He patted the wheel. "Always check the pressure too. If it's too low, your car's going to be guzzling fuel, just for a start. If it's too high, it can mess with your brakes, your handling, your grip on the road."
He stood up again. "Your mission for today is to go over these cars and see if they're road-worthy," he said. "Perform what we call a FLOWER check. Fix what you can find. There's a manual on changing tires lying over there, as well as instruments to check tire pressure and containers full of the major fluids. Once you're done, check with me, then you can get back to your 'bots."
With that, he went across the room, giving each student their own clipboard to make notes on. At the top, it read:
He shot a wry look in Anakin's direction
"Anyway, maintenance. There are a couple of things you're going to want to check periodically. We'll start with oil..." He took a few steps towards one of the cars with the hood open. "This is where you'll find the oil on a 21st century car. Most types of vehicles I've been in use it - it helps lubricate the engine, no matter what engine you've got, it cleans, and it cools. Which is why it's really important to make sure you've got enough of it."
He reached out to pull a long stick from the car. "In the 21st century, this is customary," he said, "You take out the dipstick, you wipe it clean, you put it back in and then pull it back out so you can check the oil level." He pointed. "Here is the mark for 'low'. You'll want to add some. Depending on when and where you're from, though, the system might be a little different, so look into that." He cleared his throat. "Never add too much oil. That's gonna cause some trouble."
He put the stick back. "Sometimes you'll need to give it a full oil change," he said. "Every ten thousand miles or so. Drain the oil and replace it. Anyway, in most instances, oil won't be the only thing keeping your engine cool." He tapped a white container on the left side of the compartment. "Engine coolant. I don't think I need to explain what that does. Make sure the engine has been off for a while before you top it back up, but otherwise, it kind of speaks for itself."
He put his hands down on both sides of the car. "This is less obvious," he said. "Shock absorbers. They're important." He gave a push down; the car bounced twice, then came to a stop. "These are good," he said. "If it bounces more than that...? They're shot. You'll have to get new ones." He let go.
"Next one on our list of fluid containers is the brake fluid," he said, pointing it out at the back of the compartment. "That can be... anywhere under the hood of your vehicle. A lot of brake systems uses fluid to activate the braking unit near the wheel. Of course, if your car doesn't have wheels, you can pass on this step. Just make sure it's filled up to the max line and you'll be good."
"More stuff about the brakes: you got to test them every now and again," Kaidan continued. "If you push in the pedal and it's not firm, or you have to push it all the way in before you notice anything? There's something wrong with your brakes. Likely the brake-fluid's too low. If you feel a weird vibration, it's probably the rotors. The rotors are what your brake pads clamp onto to make the car stop, so they're kind of a big deal - again, if your car has wheels. Finally, if it squeals, it's the pads - and if it grinds, you have to take it in to the garage."
He shot the kids a wry look. "Okay, if you're not likely to run into a lot of cars that use wheels, you can tune out now," he said. He closed the hood of the car and squatted down by one of the wheels.
"You'll want to check your tires regularly to see if there's anything stuck in them, if they're cracked, or the pressure is off," he said. "Most tires are going to have these little ribs, these blocks across the bottom. If the profile of your tires has worn down to get level with them? You need to get your tires replaced." He patted the wheel. "Always check the pressure too. If it's too low, your car's going to be guzzling fuel, just for a start. If it's too high, it can mess with your brakes, your handling, your grip on the road."
He stood up again. "Your mission for today is to go over these cars and see if they're road-worthy," he said. "Perform what we call a FLOWER check. Fix what you can find. There's a manual on changing tires lying over there, as well as instruments to check tire pressure and containers full of the major fluids. Once you're done, check with me, then you can get back to your 'bots."
With that, he went across the room, giving each student their own clipboard to make notes on. At the top, it read:
Fuel - check that you have enough fuel for your journey.
Lights - check all lights, indicators and brake lights are working.
Water - check the levels of your engine coolant and windscreen washer fluid.
Electrics - check all electrical features: horn, wipers, and so forth.
Rubber - check the tyres are fit for purpose, and that they are at the correct pressure. Check the wiper blades too.
Yourself - make sure you are fit to drive, that you aren't tired or under the influence of drink, drugs or medicines.
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
who is doing DALEK MAINTENANCE.
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In
Re: Sign In