Iridium Spark Plug

Can increased spark plug maintenance intervals put people out of work? We live in a changing world and sometimes we don’t realize what a big impact seemingly small changes have in our lives. When I got into the auto repair business there was plenty of work to go around. This has changed drastically over the last 2 decades. Maintenance intervals have increased and the car doesn’t need as much attention as it use to.

Today I’m going to talk about spark plug maintenance in particular but you could also add to the list of things that changed the automotive maintenance business, synthetic engine oil, extended life anti-freeze, new transmission technology requiring less fluid and filter changes and direct ignition systems that did away with the distributor cap and rotor.

But let’s talk about spark plugs. When you get right down to it a spark plug provides an electrical lightning bolt that ignites the air fuel mixture in the combustion chamber on command. Voltage surges supplied from the coil travel down spark plug wires to the correct plug. The voltage jumps across two specific points, being from the electrode to the ground strap.

Spark-Plug Diagram

This miniature thunder and lightning system will still need maintenance over time but nothing like it use to be. In fact if you replace your vehicle every 3 to 5 years you might miss a scheduled spark plug maintenance altogether. So how can this be and what did they do to change the maintenance interval so drastically.

It all boils down to the materials that the electrode is made of. This has the largest overall effect on the longevity, power and efficiency of the plug. The construction and shape of the tip of the electrode are also important. The electrodes of the standard spark-plug that was common in the 80s were made with copper and nickel alloy.

They did a good job of conducting electricity and providing an excellent spark but they would wear down over time. This is where the idea came to use platinum electrodes on spark plugs as it did a good job of conducting electricity but lasted much longer. When platinum spark-plugs came on the scene they would last till about 5 years or 60,000 miles as compared to 35,000 miles of a standard copper nickel alloy electrode plug. When that happened we began to see customers less often at the shop.

But that wasn’t the end of it. Iridium spark plugs came on the scene and provided even longer electrode life then platinum tipped plugs. Iridium is a precious silver white metal and one of the densest materials found on Earth. It is common for these types of spark plugs to have maintenance requirements at 100,000 miles or 10 years whichever comes first.

Long-lasting spark plugs mean people need me less

platinum spark plug

There is no question that the car is a different animal than it was just a few years ago. Although I could cite many other examples the spark-plug maintenance interval makes my point. What made me write about this today? My ex-girlfriend stopped by and asked if her car needed a tune-up.

I looked in her owner’s manual and it said that her 2003 Toyota Corolla had iridium spark plugs installed and that maintenance was not required for 10 years 100,000 miles. A nice little side job went rolling down the street with the news. When I got into the auto repair business it was replacing spark plugs that kept a lot of shops going. The customer was conditioned to think that replacing the spark plugs better known as a tune-up could solve a lot of common problems.

Therefore when a driver took a vehicle in for service if the shop told them a tune-up was required, not only was it believable but it was probable. The recommended maintenance interval from the vehicle manufacturers back in the 80s was to replace them every 3 years or 35,000 miles now it’s 10 years 100,000 miles. In the long run this will most likely mean that less auto repair shops will be required going forward as maintenance intervals increase.

In my town alone, five auto repair shops have closed up in the last year. Two of them where major franchises that had strong advertising budgets. The world changes and so does the auto repair business and I guess there’s not much we can do about it. Want to put more mechanics out of work? Here is a video showing how to replace spark plugs yourself. Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom or you can return to the homepage from this next link to read more articles on the auto repair information blog.

Big Block Working Engine Model

It’s no accident that I became a mechanic in the auto repair business. It all started with my first big block model engine project. My father bought me this kit when I was about 8 years old. He wanted me to learn how things worked. He thought that it would be an important life skill to be able to fix things including my own car when I was older.

My Mother tells people a different story. She says he pushed me into being a mechanic so he could get his cars fixed for free. Not sure if my Mom was right but it did work out that way. In fact I not only fix the cars of the entire family for parts cost only but I also replaced the engine in my Dads 26 foot boat. So it worked out well for him.

The same exact 1/4 scale big block model engines kit that dad bought me is still available today. I wrote a detailed review for the model engine kit by Revell for the you fix cars website if you’re interested in something like that. Note that it can be challenging to put together and is recommended for humans over the age of 12.

It’s a working model that you can see inside! The see through V8 Engine features moving pistons and connecting rods. A hand crank moves the crankshaft, rods and pistons. A timing chain moves the camshaft, rocker arms and valves. The kit includes a rubber like fan belt and vinyl ignition wires. This model engine kit is a superb educational tool on the inner workings and construction of a V-8 engine.

Big block engine models

427 Ford Wedge motor

I decided to put together a collection of my favorite engines of all time. I bought a 427 Ford Wedge model after first seeing it at a friend’s house on display. A local hobby shop retail store had it for $32 but I found it on Amazon for about $15. It is very detailed and one of the easier models I have assembled. One thing I really liked about it was there is no painting required. I always hated painting models when I was younger and still don’t care for it much today.

The big block engine model goes together pretty quick but I did have to file down a few rough edges but nothing major. Also worth mentioning, a few of the chrome parts where slightly nicked up but again nothing that anyone else can see but me. Other than that it was easy to assemble with no problems at all.

This is what I would consider a beginner skill level model kit. I do not think that advanced model builders would be too interested in this project. For me I am putting together a display of all of my favorite and historic engine models. My mechanic friends are going to love it when they come over to visit. The 427 Ford big block model (available below) was not too involved and this was perfect. It took me about a week working here and there. Not only was it cheap and fun to put together it is also a nicely detailed piece for my display.

The Hemi engine models

My first Dodge Charger

Would any quality display of engine models be complete without the 426 hemi dodge big block? This happens to be my favorite engine of all time. My first car was a Dodge charger. My father made me get a small block car because he thought I would get killed in a big block car. But a kid at my school had a Hemi charger with the historic 426 big block. He took me for a death ride that I would never forget.

Riding in this Charger was like being on a roller coaster ride! It plastered you back in the seat like you where launching from the deck of an aircraft carrier. His Hemi charger could pull the front wheels of the ground when slicks where mounted up on the rear axle. So to preserve the memory I added the hemi to my collection of 1/4 scale engine models.

I got the Lindberg Super Stock Dodge Hemi die cast model kit. It is a quality replica of a drag racing engine from the 60′s. They say it is duplicated from factory parts to maintain historical accuracy. I can tell you it is a detailed replica that is already painted and ready to assemble plus it has die cast parts and the stand is included. To me this big block engine model was also a near beginner skill level and it went together quickly.

Here are links to some of the 1/4 scale big block engine models I have built and displayed.

 

For more of the latest articles posted to the auto repair information blog this next link will take you back to the home page from this post about big block model engines.

Car Auction People

People who follow my websites have probably seen my articles on how to buy auction cars. I have written several posts on this subject primarily on Auto-Facts.org Since that location now has hundreds of pages of content the really good articles about the car auctions subject have gotten buried in the massive amounts of automotive information available there.

Friends and longtime followers are familiar with my history in the auto repair business but might forget when it comes to auctions I not only attend events, purchased automobiles but also my prior work experience as a management level employee for some of the larger companies.

Since I am familiar with all angles of the process and like to talk about the subject I decided to share some important tips on how to buy auction cars with visitors to the auto repair information blog. One of the most exciting things about auction day to me when I was buying cars was the very real chance to get a genuine bargain.

Auction car buyer beware

In most cases there are some high quality automobiles available. Unfortunately these can be mixed in with units that are not so desirable. Because of this situation it is recommended to have the vehicle checked out by a mechanic. When you buy cars online send an inspector out to evaluate the automobile before shipping takes place.

There are a bunch of different companies that provide this service and the prices will vary. One company I am affiliated with is Alliance Inspection Management, LLC. They provide a full report in writing which is nice to have when it comes time to resell the automobile.  Auction houses realize that the quality level of their inventory fluctuates.

Auction Cars

Most reputable companies will stand behind units sold under a green flag. Some will provide extra services to certify the vehicle’s true condition before money changes hands. As an example the company I worked for offered a frame certification for vehicles purchased through the auction. This was a guarantee that no frame damage was present. If it was discovered later a full refund would be available up till 90 days after the sale.

The frame inspection certification was around $75 and well worth the money. A vehicle that is involved in a heavy accident will in some cases suffer from frame damage. This reduces the value of the vehicle immensely. Often frame damage vehicles are impossible to sell.

Another interesting tip on how to buy auction cars would be to find out more about the seller. When the car originates from a rental agency or a lease company these can often be the vehicles with not only the best physical condition but the best overall condition. Lease companies and rental companies have guidelines for maintenance and care. This protects the value of the vehicle when they go to sell it.

If you are searching around a new car dealerships used-car inventory, pick out a few vehicles you like and ask them to run a vehicle history report. You’ll be surprised how often dealerships will supplement their trade in inventory with vehicles from the local car auction. The used-car managers at these dealerships understand that some of the best quality vehicles are lease returns and retired rental cars.

On the other hand if the automobile originated from a place that sells cars this can be an indication that the vehicle was either hard or impossible to sell on their own lot. It doesn’t automatically mean that it’s a bad automobile but it does mean that extra caution should be applied. As an example I was the service director at a high-end used-car lot.

Almost all of vehicles originated from the auction. The owner of the dealership had a policy that if of vehicles sat on the lot for more than 90 days he would take it back to the sale and try to flip it for a small profit. He would use the money to buy a different automobile so that his inventory stayed fresh.

One of the best tips I can provide on how to buy auction cars is to take someone with hands on experience along with you the first couple of times you go. The first time you buy at auction is also the most dangerous. After you go a few times you’ll look back on the first trip and laugh. Hey, have you learned something about going to auctions? Share some tricks and treats with site visitors in the comment section below!

Automobile mechanic wrenching

There are lots of nicknames for mechanics. Maybe the best known one of all time would be grease monkey. Be sure to leave a comment at the end of this article about your favorite nicknames for car mechanics. What got me thinking about this subject was watching a rerun of the Battle Star Galactica series.

I heard a good reference towards the mechanics that worked on the spacecraft. The mechanics are called knuckle draggers amongst themselves and the crew. The interesting thing was these futuristic fantasy sci-fi mechanics wore the nickname with pride. They were proud to be covered with dirt and work hard.

They hung out with other spacecraft mechanics and didn’t associate much with the officers, pilots or the general public because these people often misunderstood them. I found it interesting because whether you’re working on spacecraft, automobiles, heavy machinery or military vehicles mechanics pretty much have the same mindset.

Often us knuckle draggers have an analytic thought process accompanied with a  high degree of mechanical aptitude and hand eye coordination. We fix the things that other people drive and want to know what happens after the key is turned. The interesting thing about car mechanics is not only do they have nicknames provided by the outside world, they also assign nicknames for mechanics inside the business.

Mechanics call each other what?

It’s true that the public will have its popular nicknames for mechanics like grease monkey or motor head but there are some other good names shared between mechanics. One that comes to mind is gravy lapper. The term gravy lapper is used to describe a mechanic that is only interested in easy to perform maintenance services that pay well. This is most often when the mechanics are paid on a flat rate basis and compete for the next job. Flat rate basically translates into the employee is paid by the job instead of by the hour.

It can be a double edge sword as they make money and lose money depending on the situation. Gravy would be a term applied to jobs that have a high likelihood of being performed under the flat rate time providing a juicy profit with less physical effort. The Gravy Lapper will usually try to dodge bigger jobs such as engine replacements or prolonged complicated electrical diagnosis that might pay only straight time slowing profits down.

Often the gravy Lapper needs some support from upper management in the form of a service manager or work dispatcher. I have worked with mechanics that have painted the service manager’s house or performed free services on the dispatcher’s family vehicles to assure a steady flow of gravy. The next nickname for a mechanic would be used to describe someone for lack of a better term might be thought of as crazy or unusual. No matter what business you’re in you may find some off-the-wall people (it makes life interesting). When they are a crazy mechanic they might be referred to as a wing-nut by other wrenches.

Me the truck mechanic

Well there is another nickname for mechanics. People in the auto repair business often say they have been turning wrenches for 26 years. They may also say they have spun a wrench. This is a somewhat neutral term because its meaning is determined by the words in front of or behind it. People in the business might say he is a good wrench. General Motors liked it so much they coined the phrase.

They didn’t come up with it on their own, they heard it thrown about the shop to describe good mechanics. People at General Motors dealers due to a training film put out in the good wrench line of in house training movies might refer to a careless mechanic as a slip wrench. Johnny slip wrench or Billy slip wrench whatever their first name was followed by the term slip wrench can be used in a derogatory manner.

As a mechanic that has turned a wrench for more than 25 years I have met all kinds of good people in this business. Some of my best friends still do it for a living and some have left it for greener pastures. In my opinion it takes a special person to walk up to a disassembled engine pile and not only put it together but have it running like a clock when it’s completed.

You can visit this next link for more stories about the auto repair business both good and bad. Or you can visit the auto repair information blog home page for more of the most recent automotive related articles and posts.

09 Cadillac Tires

What does a mechanic due about getting tires for his own vehicle? I had to buy 2 tires for my own personal vehicle which is a rear wheel drive 2009 Cadillac SRX. This is one of those situations where I am forced to have someone else in the auto repair business work on my vehicle. This can be difficult for a mechanic.

As they say doctors make the worst patients and I would think that car mechanics make the worst auto service customers. I was completely shell-shocked when I discovered exactly how expensive the H speed rated tires were on the SRX. The tire size not being exactly a common one 255/60/17 is also different than the front 235/65/17.

This means that tires cannot be rotated and will actually wear out faster than on a vehicle where they are able to be rotated. Although I wish this article could be about rear wheel drive and how often tires wear out, this story is actually about the things you should be looking out for and the horrible experience I had when I tried to obtain some estimates for getting 2 tires replaced.

Getting tires at the dealership

Cadillac tires I got Online

I wouldn’t say that I love my local dealership but I would rather go there then the other places in town. I did get a Cadillac recall done there and felt that the mechanics were competent. I have also seen the General Motors dealerships advertising that they now have competitive tire pricing. The estimate for replacing two rear tires on the SRX provided was $800.

This did not seem exactly competitive to me as indicated on the TV commercials. But I suppose they use the word competitive because it is open to interpretation. Say what you will but the ad made me consider going to the dealer for tires for the first time in my car owning lifetime.

I knew that I could purchase the tires themselves online for about $200 apiece so this meant that there was $400 of labor and mark up figured into the dealership’s estimate. There is no doubt that the car dealer or tire shop deserves to make money on the job. But double over cost seemed a little steep so I decided to look around a little further.

Getting tires at a tire store

There are three different tire chain stores in my town. I visited all three and the experience was very similar in each location. The first place I went to didn’t carry and would not order the same brand of tires that were currently installed on my vehicle. But they said that this was good news because if I bought three I would get one for free.

I received a written estimate for three tires installed and the total was $900. The problem was the brand of tire was a Chinese knockoff that I would never let them install on my fine automobile. When I looked at the estimate I noticed a lot of extra charges which is the main reason that I am writing this article about getting tires.

Wheel Balance Machine

There are things you’ll have to pay for at a tire store such as a tire disposal fee and mounting and balancing. But there are things that are optional and are often thrown right into the estimate. All three locations included the optional services in the estimates. The first up-sell option was a lifetime wheel alignment program.

My vehicle was getting rear tires and did not need an alignment but it was included in the estimate and was expensive because it was the lifetime alignment option. Another thing that they threw in was a deluxe Road hazard warranty. One of the things that made me shake my head was the addition of $20 worth of shop supplies.

I have written about unfair shop supply charges in other articles and invite your comments about the subject. Next to the shop fees in the estimate was an * that led to an explanation of the additional charges. Here are the exact words. “This charge represents costs and profits to the motor vehicle repair facility for miscellaneous shop supplies or waste disposal”.

I think that the key word to focus on would be profits. This is just yet another profit center to push up the price. Also remember that this shop supply was on top of the state-mandated tire disposal fees. To make a long story short $900 for 4 cheap tires I wouldn’t even take the time to throw in the trash did not seem like a good option.

I purchased the name brand tires that came on the car from the factory, online from the tire rack which I happen to be affiliated with. I then took these tires to a repair center and had them mounted and balanced. The labor was $26 a tire so I saved a grand total of $200 over the cheapest estimate. Special Offers: Save on quality tires with these manufacturer’s promotions available from Tire Rack.

Getting tires online might not be right for everyone but it is good to at least get a price so you can compare it with the estimates you get from your local tire repair centers. Always go over your estimate with a fine tooth comb and understand each line of charges before you approve the repairs. The next link takes you back to the homepage for more of the latest articles to the auto repair information blog.

Recommended Maintenance Notice

Shop supplies and waste disposal charges are not new to the auto repair business. But after my recent visit to a General Motors dealership for a recall it reminded me just how out of control these extra charges can become.

I went into a Cadillac dealership to get the SRX recall performed on my 2009 model year crossover. Although I am a certified mechanic I still need to take my vehicle into a dealership auto repair shop for any recalls that are required by the manufacturer.

Keep in mind I do not announce that I am a certified master technician with 26 years experience to the service adviser at the time of write up. So I was not surprised when the service writer approached me with a list of things “the mechanic” thought should be done while the vehicle was in for the recall.

I wrote about this in more detail on last week’s post about my Cadillac recall experience. But what I didn’t mention about the nearly $400 of recommended repairs was the shop supply and waste disposal charges that were included in the estimate of things the mechanic wanted to do.

Recommended auto repairs estimate

There were a total of three recommended services that the dealership wanted to bring to my attention. In my professional opinion none of these services were actually required and the dealership spokesperson didn’t say they had to be done, they were just recommended.

Each recommendation was broken out separately on the estimate which included parts, labor and shop supply and or waste disposal fees. To make this clear, there was not a single charge for shop disposal, there were three separate charges for shop supply and waste disposal.

Throttle body cleaner

This meant a grand total of over $30 for supply and disposal. After looking closely at the estimate it was clear to me that the dealership was taking these fees and turning them into a healthy profit center. In my case the recommended auto repairs did not result in significant disposal of any kind.

And as far as shop supplies go, for the throttle body service there was a parts charge of $10 for cleaning solvent. So I asked my service adviser what shop supply and disposal activities were included in the $30 charge. He stated that this would cover things like rags and the cleaning of those rags.

This may be a valid point that rags are required to perform a throttle body service. Let me be clear that I also believe in proper disposal of automotive waste of all kinds. But what I don’t see is why this charge is not included in the parts and labor estimate. I also did not believe that they were going to use $30 worth of rags to perform the operations.

Car repair in the old days

Back in the day when somebody brought their vehicle in for auto repairs, shop supplies where considered a courtesy and usually included in the estimate of repair. Back in the day waste disposal was not covered by as many environmental regulations and was not as costly, but they still needed to pay somebody to get rid of things like waste oil.

This part of doing business was just included in the prices that were quoted to the auto repair consumers. Now all too often they are broken out into a separate line item and in my case where applied to each individual recommended repair. When I pushed the service adviser to explain further about how these charges are calculated he stated that they are a percentage of parts and labor automatically added by the dealerships auto repair estimating software.

Ask questions about shop supply and waste disposal

As I was sitting in the waiting area with about 10 other people the service adviser came out and tried to up sell the same exact services to the other customers that were waiting for their cars. In one case a nice lady was there to have an alternator light diagnosed.

Cadillac alternator

When the service advisor came out to discuss the repair and give her an estimate he stated that the alternator did need to be replaced. As the lady looked over her estimate she noticed a separate charge for shop supplies and waste disposal.

When she asked the service advisor about this charge he stated that things needed to be thrown away properly and that some chemicals may be needed to perform the repair properly on her Cadillac.

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with what it takes to replace an alternator on a 2007 Cadillac DTS, but I can tell you that the chances that any chemicals are needed for the operation are slim to none. I can also tell you that there is nothing to throw away when this repair is performed. In fact the alternator is returned to the parts supplier to be reconditioned and then sold as a re-manufactured unit to another customer.

You have the right to question and negotiate these extra repair charges with the service adviser and or the dealership. If you are being charged for shop supply and waste disposal you have the right to know what they throwing away and what kind of supplies they are going to use. You can also ask for these charges to be removed from your estimate and go somewhere else if they do not comply.

The above article just covers my opinion about the subject of shop supplies and waste disposal fees that are in some cases automatically created by a computer program. In my opinion they have no place in the estimate and are just the cost of doing business. If you would like to see more of my opinions the next link will take you back to the homepage for this auto repair information blog.

Engine Control Module

I got the 2009 Cadillac recall done on my SRX yesterday. I thought that sharing my experience with visitors would be therapeutic for me and helpful to people that are often recommended services by the dealership. I suspect that this recall more than likely affects all Cadillac models with the 3.6 L V-6 engines.

One thing that is interesting about this Cadillac recall (#10287) is that the recall itself boils down to a software type update for the engine control module. Cadillac states the reason for this upgrade is to prevent excessive wear on the timing chain. How often can you connect software with hard engine parts wearing out?

To clarify the upgrade forces the engine control module to recommend more frequent oil changes. Here is a quote from the recall notice that was sent: “we have determined that under certain driving conditions, and with extended oil change intervals, the timing chain could wear prematurely and cause the illumination of the service engine soon light. Timing chain wear can be affected by the age of the engine oil and driving conditions”.

What will the Cadillac recall do

Here is another quote from the letter that was sent that covers what they will do in the recall. “To ensure your vehicle will not experience this condition, your Cadillac dealer will change the calibration of the engine control module, including the engine oil life monitor, which in most cases will recommend more frequent oil changes”.

2009 Cadillac Recalled

I certainly appreciate that General Motors is looking out for me and my automobile because not only was it expensive, I really like the car and hope that it will last a long time. But I did wonder how long will the Cadillac recall take to complete? Leaving the vehicle would certainly be an inconvenience even though the dealership offered shuttle rides.

I set up an appointment with my local dealership to wait for the 2009 Cadillac recall to be performed. They stated that it would take about two hours. The time estimate was fairly accurate but came in closer to 3 hours. When I got my receipt that stated what was done, it showed a warranty laborer operation number and how much time the dealership was compensated for the task.

The time was .4 which is about 20 minutes in the real world. It would be nice if the dealership had more efficient scheduling so my wait time would’ve been closer to an hour. Another thing about going into a dealership for a free service is that they will in most cases suggest that you spend some money while you are there.

Services recommended by the Cadillac Dealer

Before my vehicle was released the service adviser approached me with a nice list of things that I could do to my less than two-year-old vehicle with about 27,000 miles. The total of the estimate was over $350 of cash services. Two things that stood out were they called for a climate control ventilation service.

Throttle Body

This is where they would clean and treat the evaporator to prevent mold and mildew. The price for this service alone was $153 and included a waste disposal charge of $13. The other service that was recommended, that is worth noting was a throttle body service. The explanation they provided of a throttle body service is that this operation is designed to quickly remove deposits from the throttle body assembly to help smooth the idle.

The thing about these recommended services was for one I didn’t have a problem with the idle and for two I didn’t have a problem with the air conditioning that would lead me to believe I had mold and mildew that needed to be removed. The service adviser stated that these services are recommended for the good of my vehicle. As an ASE certified Master technician in my opinion these services were recommended for the benefit of the dealership.

The interesting thing about the recall process is it pulls you into the dealership for a free service that can often lead to expensive auto repairs. Vehicle recalls are very important and you should always be vigilant about checking for campaigns that are due on your vehicle. Make sure they are applied to your automobile. But remember to carefully review any work that is recommended by the service department while you in for the no charge service.

The next link will take you to the homepage and the latest posts to this auto repair blog. If you are interested in checking on recalls for your vehicle you can call your local dealership and provide them with the vehicle identification number. You can also use auto repair online manuals to find more Cadillac recalls and technical service bulletins.

car maintenance schedule

The reason I decided to write this article about the subject is a recent visit that my sister had with her Chevrolet Malibu to one of these locations. A few years ago I moved across the country and I am now about 2000 miles away from my sister and other family members.

Since the family is on their own as far as automotive maintenance each member has taken a different approach to needed car repairs. My sister has tried both the dealership service and the aftermarket quick service locations. She called me from the waiting area of a quick oil change business.

She stated that her Malibu had just turned about 22,000 miles and she was there for a regular oil change. The service adviser informed her that the mechanic recommended a few additional services. And that is what leads me to write this story today.

The list of recommended services was pretty impressive with the low mileage of the vehicle. I could let things like wiper blades and air filters slide as it can be a matter of opinion if these items are required. But they recommended a coolant flush and a transmission service on a vehicle with extended life fluids in both of those locations.

Problems with the quick lube business

maintenance requirments

In the early 90s I took a job as a manager of a quick lube franchise (no longer in existence) that opened up in my area. At that time I got an inside look at how this business works. It was pretty scary stuff and was not right for me so it didn’t last more than about six months.

One of the first problems is that at a competitive price of around $20-$25 there is a very small profit margin. In order to make this business model feasible the quick oil change center must up sell services that are more profitable if they want to stay in business.

The idea is to only up sell services that are recommended or required. Unfortunately sometimes the individual repair center may not take the time to verify what is required and necessary. As an example a transmission service is not recommended on my sister’s vehicle until 100,000 miles. And the cooling system is also not serviced until 100,000 miles.

It will be the job of the consumer to check into what is recommended to them and to verify that it is at least recommended by the vehicle manufacturer as well. Your owner’s manual does a great job of explaining what is due on your vehicle at particular mileage intervals.

The quick oil change business

2009 Cadillac recommended oil

Another problem that is built into the quick oil change business again refers back to the small profit margin for its main service. With such small profit margins you can’t afford to hire certified experienced automotive mechanics. If you clear four dollars from a half-hour service and your mechanic makes $20 an hour you lose $8 every half-hour.

Therefore many of these locations will hire and train oil change technicians that may not have a lot of experience. The problem with this is when they start recommending services. If the service adviser say’s that the mechanic is providing the recommendations, you might want to check on just how much experience he has as well as verifying that the repairs are recommended by your car manufacturer.

The franchise that I was the manager of for a short time sent me to a company training session that was designed to keep me focused on the up-selling process. This is when I realized that this was not right for me because of the generic approach that at the time was company policy.

In a closing thought I really couldn’t hold anything against the owner who had no automotive experience and was a good person. He was promised a viable franchise business model that was really just starting to take off in the early 90s. Although I may have a jaded view on the quick oil change business this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your oil changed there. What it means is you should verify recommended services as well as checking on the credentials of the people recommending those services.

I wrote an article about an item that is commonly recommended during an oil change service and you might really need, this is air filter maintenance. For more of the latest posts to this blog this next link takes you back to the homepage from this article about the quick oil change business.

Auto Mechanic

You can find bad mechanics in the auto repair business just as easily as you can find good ones. This is no different than it would be for the plumbing business or any other skilled or professional trade. I thought I would take a minute to give my opinion on what separates the good and the bad when it comes to solving auto repair problems.

Two things prompted me to write this article. One I received an e-mail from a site visitor that was about a 1000 words that intimately described a bad experience they had with a particular shop and what they considered a group of bad mechanics.

The second thing is I work with a mechanic that is gaining a bad reputation even though he has about 20 years of experience and has certainly taught me a few tricks as I am heading into my 26th year of being a certified master technician. I work with 14 other mechanics and there is a lot of finger-pointing about who does the right thing and who does the wrong thing.

So that I am not singling out a particular person I am going to change the details of the car problem while keeping the integrity of the lesson to be learned. It is my hope that an example of  automobile diagnosis done wrong would help people seeking solutions to their own auto repair problems.

How bad mechanics handle auto repair problems

Check Engine Light

In this instance when I say bad mechanics I really believe that it’s more accurate to say a lazy mechanic because I know for a fact this guy knows his stuff. The specific example is on a domestic truck that came in with the check engine light on.

The mechanic pulled a trouble code for an EGR malfunction. When he pulled up the online auto repair manual page that contained the diagnostic chart for the code there was a quick link to a technical service bulletin stating that the manufacturer had seen many EGR valve failures on this year, make and model truck?

Without even opening the hood or performing any additional diagnostics the mechanic ordered an EGR valve to solve this auto repair problem. The part arrived and he installed it then cleared the codes and took the vehicle for a ride. Within 2 miles the check engine light came back on and set the same code for an EGR malfunction. The mechanic approached me and stated that he had been having a run of bad luck lately and wondered if I could take a look? My first thought was, what does luck have to do with car repair? Curious I decided to give him a hand to see what the specific problem was.

On this particular vehicle there is a five volt reference signal sent from the computer to the electronic EGR valve. When I broke out my automotive meter and tested the wire that should have 5 Volts on it there was nothing. I checked the fuse and found no blown fuses. I started to trace the wiring harness back and found a section of the EGR wiring harness that had been chewed through by some type of critter.

Is this guy a bad mechanic?

Auto Repair Problems

I believe the answer to this question is no; he has just gotten a little lazy. After we worked together and he saw my path of diagnosis he started banging his head against the truck. He kept saying over and over again that he “knows better” then to jump to conclusions when it comes to solving auto repair problems.

He further explained that if he didn’t see that technical service bulletin pointing out that many EGR’s had failed that he would’ve followed the same diagnostic steps that I had. When it comes to electrical and emission components they are usually nonrefundable. So although we fixed the problem with a minor wiring repair there was no returning the part itself.

I tell this story because we are all human and we can all get lazy, take shortcuts and make mistakes. But when it comes to getting your personal auto repair problems solved you want to make sure that your mechanic is taking the time to perform proper diagnosis by asking all the right questions.

If the shop states you have a bad sensor ask them what steps they took to diagnose it. Then ask them if they guarantee that the replacement of the part will solve that particular problem. Let the car repair shop know that you understand good and bad mechanics all make mistakes, but that you are not willing to pay for it.

Being an auto mechanic is not an easy job and I respect all that take the time to learn the profession. Not only is there a lot of time and money invested in the training but also the tools and equipment required to do the job properly. If you doubt what I say I have a previous article that talks about how to become a car mechanic. Or you can head back to this blogs main page for more auto repair information articles.

ASE Test Results

After taking the last round of ASE tests included with my results was a short letter that things would be changing for test takers. I guess everything in life changes but I was a little surprised by ASE’s decision to go with the computer-based testing format and doing away with the written tests that have been offered for the last 25 years or so.

The official snippet in the letter that relates to this is to follow. “And if you haven’t heard, ASE is changing from paper and pencil testing to a computer-based format.

The written test will be offered for the final two times in May and November of 2011. Beginning in January 2012, only computer-based testing will be offered, but it will be available eight months of the year at a secure proctored test Center”.

First I would like to go on record as saying that I have taken the ASE computer-based tests. The system works well and has many advantages over the old style of paper and pencil testing.

For one thing after I was done taking the computer test I knew whether I had passed or failed immediately. This was much better than waiting 6 to 8 weeks for test results. Another advantage to the computer-based tests was being able to set up a specific testing day and time.

Disadvantages of ASE computer-based testing

One of the disadvantages of only offering computer-based testing is that they are no longer going to be available at my local high school. I am now going to have to drive a lot further to take the recertification tests when they are due. This may be one thing that will change over time as new computer-based testing centers are opened. This will also vary depending on your location and may not be an issue for you at all.

Another issue for me that may not apply to you is that when the paper and pencil tests were offered at the local high school I got to socialize with old friends and ex-coworkers that I haven’t seen in a long time. Since the ASE tests were offered during the spring and fall there was large turnouts at the test centers.

While we were gathered outside waiting to be let in, it was good to shake hands with old coworkers and swap stories with other automotive technicians. Now that the tests will be computer-based and offered during eight months of the year I do not believe that I will be running into a lot of these old friends anymore.

ASE 25 year Medal

At least there are two more paper and pencil testing sessions still scheduled for 2011 in may and November. Hopefully I will be able to get some phone numbers and stay in touch with the people I enjoy seeing at these testing events.

In closing I would like to say that there is no stopping progress and that all good things must come to an end. It kind of reminds me about how my local Blockbuster DVD video store closed down because everyone signed up for Netflix and now has the movies streamed into their home.

In other words if you do not adapt to the modern times you will become extinct. The ASE computer-based testing has a lot of advantages. This old-fashioned mechanic with 25 years in the auto repair business will have to adapt or become extinct.

Please join the discussion and leave a comment below. For more articles on this topic you can click this next link that takes you to more information about ASE testing. If you are looking to study for your next testing session I also have a page with ASE study guides on my other website. If you would like to see the latest posts to this auto repair information blog this next link will take you to the homepage from this page about the changing ASE test formats.

ASE 25 Year Medal

Let me tell you about how the ASE tests have changed. On November 18, 2010 I took another round of ASE recertification tests. After taking these exams for the last 25 years, for the first time I can truly say that not only has the format changed but also the testing experience.

When I first started taking these exams in the mid-1980s almost every question was in the format of technician A, or technician B, both mechanics are correct or neither technician is correct.

On the exams I took just a few days ago there were only a couple of questions in this type of format. Also each test had 30 questions and if I remember correctly the recertification exams use to have 25.  Many of the questions had pictures associated with them.

The question would describe a customer complaint and the picture would sometimes provide readings, measurements or statistics. With those two pieces of information you are provided with four answers and you then have to pick the best one.

For me and for most mechanics we resist change (it’s just human nature). Add to that the fact that my older ASE study guides where geared to the old format and I felt somewhat unprepared for this round of recertification exams. So the ASE tests have changed but it does not appear that the study guides have followed close enough behind. I would expect to see updated study guides before the next testing session.

Be prepared for the new ASE test

With the new format of the ASE tests some additional preparation may be required. For me after turning wrenches for more than 25 years my eyesight is beginning to fail. I was not expecting tiny little pictures to be included in the test. I do not wear glasses but after the last testing session I think I should get some. The pictures were extremely small and hard for me to see.

So on top of getting a good night’s sleep and eating a light meal before your test session I also now recommend that you bring a magnifying glass so that you can examine the small pictures that you will be required to understand in full if you hope to get the questions right.

Recertified Master Technician

Although I have not seen any new ASE test preparation manuals released in the last year I would suspect that they should be made available in the near future. Meanwhile any study time is still a good thing. On top of reviewing any available ASE test preparation materials it couldn’t hurt to break out your automotive technology textbooks. In my case my textbook was written in 1984.

So I went to the local college bookstore and bought an updated version (available below) that I hope will better prepare me for the ASE tests in the future. Since I’m on a never ending cycle of recertification and test taking to stay currently certified in 16 areas that I have achieved I will have to adapt to the new tests.

I guess if you want to get reflective it is true that the automobile has gone through extreme changes in the last 25 years. I guess it’s time for the industry standard mechanic certification exams to go through some changes as well.

ASE prep guides

This is the description from the study guides I am recommending today. These are the latest ones I could find at the time of this writing. Keep your eyes open for newer releases before the next testing sessions. Technicians seeking certification in any of the automotive ASE exam areas will benefit from the valuable preparation offered by this newly revised package of test preparation booklets.

Each title in this popular series features the most up to date task list available, along with practice test questions like those typically seen on an ASE certification exam. This can help users feel more comfortable and prepared to pass the actual tests. Comprehensive coverage includes overviews of each task list topic, including descriptions of the actual repair procedure being discussed.

Also included are test taking strategies and detailed explanations as to why a particular answer is correct or incorrect. Each chapter begins with a pretest that provides insight into the depth of preparation required to become familiar with the information contained in the chapter. This is then followed by a description of each task and the must-have information related to it. ASE type questions at the end of each chapter can help you be better prepared for the automotive certification tests.

For more information about taking these exams and some articles about previous attempts and results visit my auto repair business page. If you would like to see the latest posts to the auto repair information blog the next link takes you to the spot from this page about the changes in ASE testing.

It’s nice to know that ASE is keeping track of how long the technicians that participate in their program have been certified. It’s even nicer that they recognize these technicians with a medal that has a magnetic backing so you can stick it on your toolbox.

When it comes to being an automotive mechanic there is no substitute for experience. The longer you turn a wrench the better at it you become. This is mainly because every day you learn something new. These learning experiences build up in your brain and you are able to call upon them when needed.

Taking ASE tests

25 year auto repair career

This ASE 25 year medallion couldn’t have come at a better time. This is because it is once again time to register for my recertification tests in November. After 26 years of being a mechanic I feel worn out with all the test taking and back breaking work.

This medallion seems to have rejuvenated me to some extent. I have about 12 certifications that are due to be renewed over the next two years. This is out of the total of about 16 that I currently hold.

Although I am not looking forward to studying and taking the tests after a long day of working it is at least nice to know that someone is keeping track and does care about the hard work it takes to remain certified.

What is the ASE 25 year medallion all about

ASE 25 Year Medallion

The 25 year anniversary medallion was designed to recognize and thank technicians who have demonstrated dedication to professional automotive service through 25 years or more of ASE certification. Since 1972, more than 1.6 million people have registered for ASE testing. About 21,000 technicians or a little over 1%, have qualified to receive the medallion as of 2008.

Some mechanics ask why they have not received the medallion. This is most likely because your certifications lapsed at some point during your career. To receive the recognition ASE will count the total number of years you have been certified, not how long ago you were first certified. Also note you must be currently certified to qualify.

You can have gaps in your certification history and still receive the anniversary medallion. But the total number of years certified has to be 25 or more. And again you must be currently certified in at least one area. If you have let all of your current certifications lapse, you don’t get credit for those expired years. If you later recertify you will continue to add to your total years of certified service.

If you’re interested in taking ASE tests I put together a page that contains some helpful tips on how to prepare for the tests. I also made available some ASE study guides. If you are looking for automotive information and articles this next link will take you back to the auto repair information blog.

My Toolbox

Most people bring their vehicles into a professional auto repair shop because they believe this will be the fastest and most cost efficient way to get their vehicle back on the road. In a perfect world this is absolutely the case.

As an automotive consumer you should be vigilant and ask questions to make sure your auto repair shop is holding up their end of the bargain (even if you trust the shop).

This is more important when you are paying for things such as check engine light diagnosis or even when you are trying to get drivability problems repaired that require pinpoint troubleshooting.

If you go in for an intermittent stalling condition or rough running car problems the way that the shop handles the troubleshooting and diagnosis can affect the total cost of the repairs. Your repair shop should be using a standardized diagnostic method that brings them to the failure in an orderly and efficient manner.

If the mechanic starts guessing at what is wrong and begins to replace parts he hopes will fix the problem this will add dollars to the repair bill. This is the exact opposite of the reasons that you brought your car in four professional auto repairs.

Professional mechanics don’t guess

When car problems baffle an experienced mechanic they know where to go and what to do. This can vary with the symptoms of the automobile that they are trying to repair. But in general it would be consulting vehicle specific publications.

Diy repair manuals

Professional and Diy mechanics have access to a mind blowing amount of information. Symptom charts and technical service bulletins can put the mechanic back on the path of efficient auto repairs.

A good mechanic also knows that it is Okay to discuss the vehicle’s problems with other technicians, shop foreman and other experienced coworkers. For smaller shops technical assistance is also offered by phone and Internet.

If a mechanic feels like asking for assistance will hurt his pride or damage his reputation he could wind up going down the path of replacing parts that are not needed (guessing). If they are electrical components then they will not be returnable.

In the end the customer winds up paying for parts that were not actually needed. Sadly in this situation the shop and the mechanic may cover up the fact that these parts were replaced in error.

Ask questions about the auto repairs

When you go to pick up your vehicle examine the parts and labor break down closely. If the information provided to you is not clear ask that it be explained. Take a look at the list of parts that were replaced. In general one car complaint should equal one part replaced.

TPS Sensor

This is not always the case! But ask questions if it is not the case. Let me give you an example. If a dealership mechanic replaces more than one warranty covered part per complaint the repair is reviewed by the factory. The reason being is that the factory knows that in most cases one complaint equals one part replaced.

If you brought your vehicle in for a rough running condition and there is a list of four or five electrical components such as throttle position sensor, oxygen sensor, idle air control motor, EGR valve, egr solenoid then you need to find out why so many parts were used to fix one complaint.

Remember that you are paying for professional auto repairs. You should not be responsible for unnecessary repairs, parts that were not required to fix your complaint and the training of shop mechanics.

If you are interested in more information about this subject visit my auto-facts.org website and this page that talks about the auto repair business. For more of the latest posts to this blog this next link will take you to more auto repair information.

Learn about car repair

This article about being a car mechanic is just my opinion after 25 years of working in the auto repair business. There are so many options and opportunities when you get into the field and each decision you make can have long-term effects.

Most mechanics will go through some form of education whether it is from local college programs or special manufacturer training or even learning car repair at a high school auto shop.

After the training is completed and you get your first job it can set you down a path that can last a lifetime. It is this first career decision after training that may be the most important. An example would be if your first position is at a franchise car repair shop.

You may find yourself working your way through the different brand stores and working in this type of facility until you retire. This may not be a bad thing and there is plenty of good money to be earned by working at a franchised facility.

Another example would be if you entered a Toyota sponsored training program. Chances are you would work at a Toyota dealership after graduation and may find yourself retiring from one after 30 years or so of working. Again this may not be a bad thing.

Being a car mechanic

My personal experience has not been much different. I entered a General Motors training program and worked at General Motors dealerships for most of my career. This solid work history and the high level of training that the dealerships provided, led me to what I consider the most solid job of my career.

Truck Mechanic

This is working for a government fleet agency that provides a fair wage and excellent benefits. This has been a good move for my family and provided job stability in a poor economy. But looking back this was not my favorite job.

And this is what has led me to write this article. In my opinion being a car mechanic can provide opportunities and flexibility.

A new mechanic entering the auto repair business should consider his first step down the career path an extremely important one. But he should also remember that opportunities will arise and the ability to change that path can exist.

Looking back on my career I had one job that was so much fun and I made so much money I wish that it never ended. As stated above I was trained by General Motors and worked at their dealerships for most of my career. At one point I deviated from this path.

My favorite car mechanic job

I got a job as a lead technician at an upscale used car lot. I considered this a temporary position but it turned out to be the best mechanic job and the most fun than I ever had. The used car lot business model that the owner deployed was pure genius.

He specialized in selling used premium automobiles like Infinities, Mercedes-Benz, BMWs, Jaguars, Lexus and Acura’s. These were the kind of automobiles that sold like hotcakes because everybody would like to be behind the wheel of such a car.

Nice used car

The owner of this business who was truly talented would go to car auctions and purchase these vehicles for pennies on the dollar. My department would recondition these (in some cases in poor condition) vehicles to be reliable. He would then detail the vehicle and put it out on a lot for sale at top dollar.

Most of these vehicles were high mileage but people could not resist them because they looked so good and ran so well. The owner of this used car lot would provide a 90 day warranty and up sell an aftermarket warranty for another large profit. This gave our service department a constant stream of work.

The owner provided an extremely fun environment and High line Demos for all of the mechanics. Yes we all got to drive top-of-the-line cars while working at the dealership. Fuel and car insurance was covered by the business. This was extremely smart because many sales developed from getting these vehicles in front of people’s eyes. Also securing the best mechanics in the area was an easy task.

For me I would go with the owner to the car auctions where he purchased these vehicles. I would evaluate them before the bidding began. This gave the owner an idea of how high he was willing to go as the car crossed the auction block. I and he developed a fantastic relationship and we had a lot of fun.

Unfortunately this owner had some serious personal troubles that affected the overall operations of the business. Eventually it was these personal problems that led to the closing of this used car dealership. I worked there for about 2 1/2 years and it was the best times of my life.

A job that when I woke up in the morning I was excited to go to. And it wasn’t just because he gave me a Mercedes Benz to drive to work in. Everybody that worked there was happy and this included the super model sales team and customers that bought cars there.

After the closing of the premium used car lot I was forced to return to the GM service departments, which is a good way to make a living but certainly not as much fun. When it comes to being a mechanic remember that you always have options. And exploring them may be some of the best times in your life.

Return to the homepage and see the latest posts on the auto repair information blog.

It is very important for me to pass these tests on the first attempt. It does not always turn out the way I want but I do give it my best shot.

The inconvenience of re-certifying every five years coupled with the financial expenses motivates me to make sure I am properly prepared for each test.

I do believe in purchasing ASE study guides along with other supporting information for each topic. I will even read through the service manuals provided by vehicle manufacturers for vehicle specific information.

Preparing for ASE tests

There are some excellent tips included in the ASE study guide that cover not only the amount and type of questions you’ll be asked but also best practices for being ready, both physically and emotionally for taking these difficult exams.

Here is one mistake that I made that will never happen to me again I forgot to bring my admission ticket to the test center.

Guess what, they will not let you take the test without the admission ticket.

Since I was 45 minutes away from the test center I had to apply for a refund and missed out on that testing session.

Not only do you need to bring your admission ticket and drivers license but I recommend you bring a couple of number two pencils because they may not be supplied at the test center.

Make sure you get a good nights sleep the night before you are to take the tests. I also recommend that you take the day off from work if at all possible.

It is difficult to turn wrenches all day and then rush yourself to the tests and then take the exams all night. If you do not take off from work you could be looking at a 14 to 16 hour day. This will for sure make you hate taking ASE tests.

My number one tip for taking ASE tests

When working with other technicians and helping them prepare for taking the ASE tests I find that many of them know the answer to the question yet they get it wrong.

Sometimes they talk themselves out of the right answer. My advice is to read through each question carefully and completely through the first time. Don’t stop reading and back up to reread a section, blast completely through it at least one time.

If you don’t know the answer to a question and need to think about it in depth your best bet is to move onto the next question and come back for this one later.

Whenever possible read through the question and pick your best answer and then move on. This will prevent you from talking yourself out of the right answer.

When you skip a test question make sure that you stay on track as far as filling in the ovals for the next question. The blank oval will also help you identify the questions you have to go back for.

If you are running out of time and still have unanswered questions take an educated guess at the answer. This is better than leaving it blank and for sure getting it wrong. And keep a look out for the except questions where you actually have to pick the wrong answer.