Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

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Duties

Mechanics and technicians in the automotive service industry often perform the following:

• Analyze issues, frequently by utilizing computers to identify them.
• With the use of charts and instructions, as well as your own expertise, devise work methods.
• To make sure everything works as it should, do a series of tests.
• Checklists can be used to verify that all of the important components are inspected.
• Change the oil, check the fluid levels, and rotate the tires as part of your routine preventative maintenance.
• Brake pads, wheel bearings and sensors may all be repaired or replaced.
• Rebuild or repair a product in accordance with manufacturer and customer requirements.
• Explain to customers the causes and effects of their car's malfunctions and fixes.

This means that service professionals must be knowledgeable about a rising range of electrical systems as well as the more typical mechanical systems like engines, gearboxes and drive belts. Computers and electrical components regulate braking, transmission, and steering systems.

Accident-avoidance sensors and other integrated electronic devices are becoming more ubiquitous. It's becoming more and more common for technicians to work on electric and alternative-fuel cars such as ethanol.

Computerized diagnostic equipment and power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding torches, and jacks and hoists are among the various tools used by service technicians. Employers typically possess these tools.

Many common hand tools, such as wrenches, pliers, and sockets and ratchets, are also used by service professionals. These tools are often owned by service professionals. In fact, many skilled employees have invested thousands of dollars in their own personal tool collection. " Pneumatic tools, such as impact wrenches, are popular among certain tool collectors.

Some instances of service technicians are listed below.

Air conditioners and their components, including compressors, condenser units, and control units, are installed and repaired by automotive air conditioning experts. It is necessary that these individuals be properly trained and qualified in the use of refrigerants.

Braking specialists inspect and repair brake systems, including replacing rotors and pads, adjusting brakes, and more. Some mechanics have expertise in both brake and front-end repairs. See "Front-end technicians" for further information.)

Diagnosing problems with engines is a specialty of drivability specialists, often known as diagnostic technicians. They have considerable training in engine management, fuel, electrical, ignition, and emissions systems. They frequently make use of a car's onboard diagnostics and electronic testing gear like scan tools and multimeters to locate the problem.

Tire wear, handling, and ride quality issues can all be diagnosed by front-end mechanics. They usually utilize specific alignment and wheel-balancing machines to fix these issues.

In addition to working on gear trains, hydraulic pumps and other sections of transmission transmissions are repaired and rebuilt by transmission experts and rebuilders A thorough understanding of computer controls and the ability to identify electrical and hydraulic issues are prerequisites for working on such intricate parts.

The diesel service technicians and mechanics profile include descriptions of technicians who operate on big vehicles and buses.

The heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians profile includes technicians that operate on farm equipment, construction vehicles, and railcars.

There is a profile of tiny engine technicians who work on motorbikes, small all-terrain vehicles, and boats.

Education

Students who take high school courses in automobile repair, electronics, computers, and mathematics are well-prepared for a career as a service technician. Graduates from a four-year college or university often require further education and training in order to be completely certified.

The best preparation for entry-level work in automobile service technology is to complete a postsecondary education degree in automotive service technology. A typical program lasts six months to a year and focuses on preparing students for a job in a certain field. Additionally, short-term certificate programs in a specific field, such as brake repair or engine performance, are also offered for students.

An associate degree can be obtained by certain service technicians. Students often take math, electronics and vehicle repair courses. Customer service and other useful skills are included in certain curricula.

Associate degree programs are sponsored by a number of vehicle manufacturers and dealers. Students in these programs often work full-time in-service shops under the supervision of an experienced technician while attending classes full time.

Training

Those who have completed postsecondary programs in automobile service technology often need little on-the-job training to become service technicians.

Those without a college degree, on the other hand, are more likely to begin their careers as apprentices, technicians' assistants, or lubricant workers. As they work with skilled mechanics and technicians, they get more knowledge and expertise.

Registration, Certification, and Licensing

All technicians who purchase or operate with refrigerants must be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in safe refrigerant handling. You don't have to take a course to prepare for the EPA exam, although many trade schools, unions, and employer groups do.

In the automotive repair industry, ASE certification is the standard accreditation for technicians. Certification is a sign of expertise and, in most cases, leads to a raise in salary. Certification is a requirement for many companies.

It's possible to earn ASE certification in nine different specialty areas of automobile repair: automatic transmission/transaxle; brakes; light-duty diesel engines; electrical/electronic systems; engine performance; engine repair; heating/air-conditioning; manual drivetrain/axle; suspension and steering.

An exam and two years of work experience are required for technicians to get certified. They can also have relevant training with a year of relevant work experience. ASE Master Technician designation can be achieved by technicians who are certified in all of the aforementioned categories (light vehicle diesel engine certification is not necessary).

Qualities that may matter

Skills in providing excellent service to clients. Customers and mechanics talk about their car's problems and possible solutions. Because of the potential for recurring business, employees should be polite, attentive, and prepared to answer any questions that customers may have.

A stickler for the smallest of details. Because mechanical and electronic faults are often caused by misalignments or other easily overlooked factors, service personnel must pay attention to the smallest details while examining or repairing vehicle systems.

Dexterity. For example, installing parts and subassemblies requires stable hands and strong hands–eye coordination from service personnel.

Mechanistic ability. It is essential that mechanics have a thorough understanding of engine systems and components. They frequently have to disassemble large components and reassemble them correctly.

Possessing a strong sense of direction. To guarantee the safety and accountability of parts, service technicians must keep their workplaces clean and tidy.

The ability to exert one's physical might. Technicians are often required to lift and move large items, like engines and body panels.

Skills in troubleshooting. Engine diagnostic technology is used by service workers to find and solve issues in increasingly complex mechanical and electrical systems. Electronic control systems and the instruments required to fix and maintain them must be known to them.

Pay

Automobile service technicians and mechanics earned an average yearly salary of $44,050 in May of 2020. It is the pay at which half of the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. The lowest tenth made less than $25,790, while the top tenth made more than $71,940 a year in wages.

Job Projections

From 2020 to 2030, job growth for automotive repair professionals and mechanics is expected to be flat or perhaps negative.