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.

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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.

This coupled with the reluctance of today’s generation to strap themselves with a dirty job that requires massive amounts of hard work and education will continue to shrink the availability of people to repair cars.

The good news for those that are willing to accept the challenge is that they should have their pick of jobs almost anywhere in the country. This will also add a level of flexibility if relocation is required or desired.

A good example is I find myself in the state of Florida turning wrenches for local government. After spending most of my automotive career working in the state of New Jersey I never saw me moving to Florida.

I found the Florida job opening in a local New Jersey newspaper. The ad stated come to the sunny state of Florida and live, play, and work on the Gulf Coast. Relocation assistance is available for good mechanics.

I answered the ad and submitted my application. The local county paid for me to fly down for an interview and a drug test.

I went back to New Jersey and didn’t hear from them for three months. When they finally contacted me they stated that the job was mine if I wanted it. They would also pay to have my automotive tools shipped and assist with relocation expenses.

In my 25 year automotive career this was the single most important decision that I have ever made. I have absolutely no regrets about leaving my friends and family behind for this new position.

Good mechanics have choices

Even in a down economy there are many positions available for mechanics that are able to use diagnostic tools and are willing to relocate. Many of these positions are available in large cities and very desirable locations. The larger the population of a given area means the more availability of cars that will need to be fixed.

A certified mechanic with some experience is currently experiencing some of the lowest unemployment rates of any roll up your sleeves and get dirty field. Sure it’s not as affluent to be a mechanic as it is to be a doctor, lawyer or Indian chief. The pay is also nowhere near what it is for these positions.

With the average certified technician making between 40 and $70,000 a year, it is not a field that will make you rich. But the steadiness of the employment and being able to count on reliable income makes it a good choice for a growing family.

Good diagnostic skills makes the mechanic

The primary reason some technicians are unable to fix a particular problem is simply that they cannot find the cause of the malfunction. Today’s vehicles are complex which means that a great amount of knowledge and understanding is required to diagnose them.

Good mechanics will have good diagnostic skills. The technician who can identify and solve the car problem the first time the vehicle is brought in for service, will find that their reputation alone for problem solving lets them call the shots on where and when they want to be employed.

I myself complain a lot about the shortfalls of the auto repair industry. It is human nature to focus on the negatives and gloss over the positives. I am extremely guilty of this process. But as I looked around the room at my 25th high school reunion, I realized that I was not in such a bad position.

For the last 25 years I have been an excellent provider for me and my family. Although the car industry has had ups and downs, employment was still available for good mechanics as people decided to hold onto and repair old vehicles instead of buying new ones.

The same cannot be said for more than 50% of my high school graduating class. Many of these people had earned extremely large incomes but for short periods of time. It may be better to make $50,000 a year for 25 years then to have made 100,000 for just three or four years.

Becoming a good mechanic takes a lot of effort and may not be right for everybody. The job is backbreaking work and can be extremely frustrating. It can also provide a steady income. The individual will have to decide whether a career in the auto repair business is right for them.

This next link will take you back to the homepage. Here you can see the latest posts on the auto repair information blog.

ASE test results

Today I received my ASE test results. In a previous post I talked about taking ASE tests and we had a good discussion about the topic.

I thought that it would only be fair if I provided an update on how the actual tests turned out. I took a total of four recertification exams. I did pass all four that I took.

For me this means 4 down and 12 to go. As mentioned in the previous post my problem is not with ASE or taking the tests. My problem is the required recertification every five years.

This puts me firmly on a rotation that seems to never end. Some good comments were left on the taking ASE tests post.

Some of the more interesting ones pointed out that it is almost unheard of to have to recertify in any field every five years. In fact some medical certifications never require taking additional tests. Also noted are some technical certifications that require certification but on a seven or even 10 year requirement. So to me five years does seem excessive. The costs for the exams use to be reimbursed by my employer with a passing grade.

This is no longer the case. So now the frequency of the recertifications has become an issue to my wallet. This coupled with the recent reduction in pay can make it financially difficult to be a professional auto mechanic. And if you noticed I did not even mention the $40,000 I spent on tools over the last 25 years.

Open letter from ASE

With my ASE test results was a letter from the kind people at ASE. Since the included note stated that it was an open letter I thought I would share it with you.

From the ASE staff: If you passed one or more tests you should be proud. If you didn’t, you should be proud that you tried. Many of us here at ASE are also motor vehicle technicians, service consultants or parts specialists.

We worked in dealerships, independent repair shops, and we taught in tech schools. We have a great deal of respect for you, the professional who has accepted the challenge of the ASE tests. Some never even try.

recertified master tech

Whether or not you passed all the tests you should note these things. The questions are tough, and the passing standards are high. Some good professionals, even those with a good deal of knowledge and experience, might not pass.

All the test questions were written and carefully checked by panels of experts who are working in the field. We specifically avoid trick questions or questions when more than one right answers.

The questions are designed to have three believable wrong answers. That is, answers that may look correct, but are definitely wrong if you know an important piece of the information.

If you didn’t do as well on the test as you would like, visit our website and click on the button labeled prepare to test.

There you will find free information to help you locate training and prepare for the tests. Once again thanks for your efforts. We hope you continue to accept the challenge of ASE in the future, best wishes the staff of ASE.

Fuel Injectors

As automotive electronics continue to advance the car becomes increasingly complicated. As new technologies are uploaded they are unfortunately tested on the automotive consumer.

Problems with the systems are noted and upgraded on future models.

This is why a basic understanding of what types of electronic systems are installed on your vehicle is valuable knowledge.

An example of this situation would be when fuel injection hit the mainstream in the early 1980s.

Rough running engines and drivability concerns were often turned into small profit centers known as fuel injection cleaning services.

Later these early fuel injectors were often replaced and updated by more efficient units. This is why an understanding of electronics is a must for all automotive mechanics but is also helpful for automotive consumers.

Types of automotive electronics

Engine control module

Computers and electronic devices are used to control the engine and its support systems. Because of these controls today’s automobiles use less fuel and have higher performance.

These electronically controlled engines also have lower tailpipe emissions and are better for the environment then cars of the past.

Automotive electronics are also used in modern transmissions to activate shifting to again provide the right amount of power coupled with the maximum amount of fuel economy.

A little known fact is that about 75% of all function on modern-day vehicles is controlled by electronics. An example would be antilock braking systems.

These were once optional on vehicles of the early 90s. But now have become standard equipment. They have branched this system out to also control active suspension systems as well as traction control systems.

Some very cool technology is not very far down the road. Things like intelligent cruise control that uses infrared or radar technology will automatically knock the cruise off as you approach the vehicle in front of you.

Also an interesting development has been the use of headlights that are movable and now allow for your headlights to do a better job of illuminating the road ahead on twisting and turning roadways.

Why so much automotive technology

Automotive electronics

There are more than a handful of reasons for increasing the amount of electronics on today’s cars. First of all electricity moves at the speed of light. This means that systems can be monitored and their output controls operated very quickly.

Electronic components are also very light in weight reducing vehicle weight provides two advantages which would be increased performance at the same time as increasing fuel mileage.

Right now we are only limited by the creativity of the designers that work for the automotive manufacturers.

As these new systems are deployed the auto repair business must adapt and grow with the new technology.

Vehicle owners must also not only learn how to use these new systems but become educated on the possible costs involved with repairing them.

If you talk to an auto mechanic about these new technologies most will recommend that you wait until all of the bugs are worked out of them.

Ask questions when you purchase a car about the systems that are on board. Ask even more questions about how long these new technologies have been on the market and the reliability of them.

Avoiding high tech automotive technology that doesn’t have a proven track record or has not been out on the market long can save you a lot of headaches.

Basically what I’m saying is let someone else test and improve these automotive electronics before you get your hands on them. Also get some basic education on automotive electricity.

My ASE patches

Car mechanics need your opinion. I finished another round of taking ASE tests. I am currently certified in a grand total of 14 different areas.

I also have 2 more that I let lapse (collision repair and compressed natural gas) because every five years, I have to recertify in each individual area.

It has become a seemingly never-ending circle of recertification and test taking. And this time around, I may not renew all 14. First of all taking the tests costs money.

This last round, taking 4 tests cost me over $100. Recently like many my pay was reduced in order to save jobs. I’m back to making what I did in

1987. The costs of ASE tests remain the same. At my current employer to receive senior technician pay grade, you must have at least six ASE certifications.

ASE certified mechanic

The fact that I have gone way past the minimum number causes some friction between me and other technicians that struggle with taking the tests.

I have met many mechanics that were excellent at what they do,

but just didn’t have test taking skills to pass the exams. The technician a, technician b, both or neither format used throughout the tests can be tricky.

In trying to help some fellow technicians pass the exams that refuse to purchase up to date ase study guides, I have found that often, they know the answer to the question! But they spend too much time on each individual question until they talk themselves out of the correct answer.

When I take these tests, I use the stick and move tactic. If I can’t

answer the car question quickly I come back for it after completing that section.

The older I get the harder it is to pass the recertification exams. Automotive technology and the auto repair business are advancing faster than my training sessions.

In fact in the last four years I have been primarily a heavy-duty truck technician. Working on diesel engines and air brakes for long periods of time can make it harder to pass the ASE car certifications for light vehicles.

Why keep taking ASE tests

ASE Recertification

Now I know you believe that I have the freedom of speech to discuss this topic as I wish, but it’s not true. Expressing my opinion could land me in trouble with the good folks at ASE. Also let me clarify that I have supported ASE and their program for more then 2 decades.

ASE states on their about page that they were originally created in 1972 as a non-profit company.  They also state that the company was created so that the automotive consumer would be able to identify qualified mechanics.

This may be a good rule of thumb but as I mentioned above some of the best mechanics I have ever met have trouble taking ASE tests. The auto repair business embraced ASE certifications So that they could hang a sign in their waiting area that would instill a sense of confidence in their customers.

When I took the auto repair tests on November 12, 2009 there was only about 45 mechanics at the test center. There use to be more than 200 mechanics during the spring and fall test sessions.

I don’t know if it’s a sign of the economic times and people don’t have the money to take the tests or if there is something else brewing. Maybe ASE is losing its popularity as people become ad blind to the signs hanging in front of the shops. This is where you come in.

As an automotive technician I would like to know how YOU feel about this subject. If you see a sign that says, we employ ASE certified mechanics are you more likely to trust the auto repair business they work for. Do you even consider the qualifications of the car mechanics that work on your vehicle?

When I ask friends and family this car question their answer is usually, what’s ASE. When I question them further about their experiences with auto repair shops and how they find them, the answers are usually about the same.

If the guy fixes my car good I go back. If he does a bad job or tries to sell me too much I go somewhere else. How do you feel about the subject, should I keep taking ASE tests or just get the minimum to keep my job. Please leave your comments below.

But sometimes my bitterness subsides, and I look around at the skill level and dedication of my coworkers and I feel proud. This article is intended to shed some light on the professionalism of the average car mechanic. I will also show you some mind blowing advances on the cars of the near future, like intelligent cruise control.

Because electronics play an important part in the operation of all automotive systems, an understanding of electronics is a must for all auto repair mechanics. In fact a needed level of understanding comparable to that of a designer of these complex electrical systems is required. In many cases, a technician is faced with reverse engineering the circuit completely to discover its malfunction.

In addition to mastering the mechanical skills needed to remove, repair and replace faulty  components today’s auto repair mechanic also must be able to diagnose and service the most complicated electronic systems we have ever seen in the auto repair business.

Computers and electronic devices are used to control the engine and its support systems. Because of these complex controls today’s cars and trucks use less fuel, perform better, meet ever-increasing emissions standards and provide a level of safety also never experienced in the automotive industry.

What auto repair mechanics know

Some people just get in their car insert the key, turn and go. This is fine, and this is also why they paid a large amount of money for reliable transportation. I just wanted to identify a few things that happen in this turnkey operation.

Electronic controls are used to activate the shifting in the transmission, eliminate brake lockup in antilock braking systems or ABS. They also improve handling by controlling steering and suspension systems, and even provide a passenger with protection and comfort. The amount of electronics you’re auto repair mechanics are dealing with is increasing with each model year.

Car repair mechanic keeps learning

About 80% of all functions on a vehicle are controlled by electronics. ABS braking systems were once optional on some vehicles, but they are now standard equipment on most. There are automobiles that use 12 or more different computers to control different systems. Separate computers are used to control the engine, the transmission, security systems, instrumentation, climate control, the suspension system, and steering.

The vehicle diagnostic systems now anticipate breakdowns and contact emergency road service and guide technicians through the repair process. We saw the mandate of a third brake light in 1996. The next wave in this automotive technology will be a brake light that increases in brightness and size related to the pressure put on the brake pedal. This will enable following drivers to identify a panic stop situation.

Headlights now have movable reflectors that allow the lights to follow the twists and turns in the road ahead. Automobiles are now available with an infrared system that provides improved vision at night and in bad weather similar to avionic systems.

Auto repair business near future

Many automotive companies are now deploying vehicles with multiple video cameras to view the area all around the vehicle. This will eliminate blind spots and allow seeing below the rear bumper. So you don’t run over the neighbor’s kid when you’re backing out of the driveway.

Intelligent cruise control devices are one of my favorite developing automobile technologies. The vehicles brakes will be automatically applied to maintain a safe distance between the vehicles ahead of you. When the cruise control is engaged this distance will be monitored by a radar system. I’m sure you all share my excitement in this technology. Especially if you have been on a long trip and had to keep disengaging your cruise control in traffic.

Automotive technician of the future

Me, along with my friends in the automotive repair business are going to have to go to school to service these high-tech systems that are not only coming. But in some cases have already been deployed.

So even though I get mad at my boss for sending me on a road call on the Skyway Bridge in the middle of a 60 mile an hour wind and horizontal rain. I do not want to lose sight of the dedication of my car repairing coworkers.

It’s important to note that radial tires can be under inflated yet still looked normal, so check the tires with a gauge. Digital tire pressure gauges are the most accurate. An average tire loses about one psi of air per month and one psi for every 10 degree drop in temperature.

Changes in the ambient air temperature cause the tire pressure to fluctuate. This is why tire pressure should always be checked when the tires or cool, preferably in the morning before driving the car. It is recommended that you check your tires air pressure about once per month and before a long trip.

How does tire pressure effect miles per gallon

So how much does tire pressure affect mileage? A lot: under inflated tires cause fuel consumption to increase by as much as 6%, causes the tires to wear quicker, and can make it difficult to handle the vehicle. And while we’re on the subject of rolling gear, be sure your wheels are aligned and your brakes are properly adjusted to minimize rolling resistance. Out of line wheels, as evidenced by UN even tread wear should always be aligned by a professional.

Brakes should be checked for a dragging condition that can also drastically reduce fuel economy. Drum and disc brakes have lubrication points that I allow the brakes to fully release. These sliding mechanisms and lubrication points can become stuck or seized and increase the rolling resistance of the vehicle. These conditions will usually show themselves in, increased brake pad wear, and the need to replace breaks more often.

Thank you for listening to my two cents about fuel economy. Paying attention to the small details listed above will allow your vehicle to reach its maximum fuel economy potential. With gas prices well over three dollars per gallon this is very important.

In regards to increasing fuel economy beyond your vehicles, advertised capabilities. This is absolutely possible. There are groups of people that are thinking outside the box and taking action to increase their miles per gallon well beyond what the manufacturer states is normal.

There are several products on the market that use homemade hydrogen on demand systems to accomplish this. I found it so fascinating. I purchased one of these products and provide a full review that includes a couple of videos. Find out if water for gas is a scam.

when you are buying car maintenance you want to make sure that you receive what you paid for. A good example of this is that if you frequent a dealership and you purchase their 15,000 or even 30,000 mile maintenance service, there are a lot of things that are supposed to be performed on these checklists.

The 15,000 or 30,000 mile service is usually very expensive and includes many important car safety checks. If you are going to shell out $400 for a 30,000 mile service. Please take the time to review what is supposed to be accomplished During this expensive service.

How to buy car maintenance

A good way to verify that some of these vital safety checks were performed is to ask the dealership to provide information about some of the individual items that are checked. For example, there maybe a spot on the service that requires a brake inspection. Ask the dealership to document the percentage of the brakes that are remaining. In yet another example if the tire inflation is to be checked, again ask the dealership to document the tire pressure in all four tires as well.

As a mechanic that has worked at dealerships for more than 23 years, I can tell you that the technician is paid on a flat rate or percentage basis. The mechanic is motivated to move as fast as he can and may take some shortcuts. This means you have not received a good value for your car maintenance dollar.

Take some time to review, what is included in the individual car maintenance service and ask lots of questions about each item to your service adviser. This will put the dealership service department on notice that you are very hands on and involved in what is being done to your car. This will also make the dealership more likely to complete the maintenance service properly and to cut corners and rush on somebody else’s car.

Car maintenace tip

If your service includes a tire rotation take a minute to mark each tire with a crayon. So that you can verify the tires were rotated during the service. Also when the technician sees these marks on the tire.

He is immediately informed that you are watching him and is more likely to perform all the steps that are included in the maintenance service that you have paid hard earned money for.

Would you like to read more stories about car mechanics and what might happen during your auto service

carmaintenance carrepair autorepair automaintenance autoservice

I can’t help but break into a story about one of the sharpest most evil service advisor’s I ever met. This man would go through your vehicle and find out as much as he could about the vehicle owner.

He would look for bank statements past due bills and any thing he could get his hands on to find out what your financial position was. He would go through the trunk, the glove box under the seats he was relentless.

One time he came out to my bay and started going through a vehicle and I asked him what he was doing. His reply was making us money. Then He yelled out bingo. I said what did you find.

He said the best thing of all a baby seat and baby toys. He then said this vehicle needs brakes. I said I didn’t look at the brakes yet. He said it didn’t matter what it needed it only mattered what they were getting.

Most people are scammed at some point by the auto repair business

Now in this case the brakes were about 25% remaining so selling brakes to this person didn’t hurt anyone. But the service adviser asked about the baby to set up the sale for family safety reasons.

If the customer hesitated to buy, the service adviser would explain it was for the safety of the baby and how if she performed an emergency stop the vehicle would take longer to stop with worn brakes and he was looking out for her baby. This guy was a shark and pulled down more than $100,000 a year just for selling service.

I tell you this story so you can be on guard if you run into a shark. The shark will start asking you personal questions while you are waiting for the vehicle to be brought into the shop. Not because he cares about you. He is trying to paint a picture of you so he can find the button he needs to push to make a sale. And do not forget to clean out the inside of your car including the glove box. You must protect yourself!

Here is a perfect example of the auto repair business hard at work taking money for unneeded repairs. View one of my online auto repair stories here

carmaintenance carrepair autorepair automaintenance autoservice

The national Institute for automotive service excellence or ASE is a nonprofit organization founded in 1972 for the purpose of improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive mechanics. Currently there are over 400,000 professional certified automotive technicians.

ASE certification recognizes the knowledge and experience of professional auto mechanics. Taking and passing the ASE certification tests also demonstrates the employers commitment to professionalism. Becoming an ASE certified technician can mean better compensation and increased employment opportunities as well.

ASE, not only certifies technicians for competency. It also promotes the benefits of technician certification to the motoring public. Repair shops, an employee at lease one ASE certified technician can display the ASE sign. Established auto repair centers, where 75% of the technicians are certified with at least one technician certified in each area of service offered by the business are eligible for the ASE blue seal of excellence program display sign. ASE and urges consumers to patronize the auto repair centers that take this extra step towards the commitment to excellence.

How to become an ASE certified mechanic.

To become ASE certified, you must pass at least one ASE exam and have at least two years of related work experience. Technicians that pass, all tests in a series earned the master technician status. The ASE certification is valid for a five-year period of time after this time has elapsed. You must retest to retain certification, demonstrating that you have cut up with the changing technology in the automotive repair field.

The ASE tests consist of 40 to 85 multiple-choice questions. A panel of technical experts writes test questions from vehicle, parts and equipment manufacturers, as well as working technicians and technical automotive educational instructors.

All questions have been tested and quality checked on a national sample of technicians. The questions are derived from information presented in the task list, which details the knowledge that a technician must have to pass an ASE certification exam. This task list periodically updated by ASE in response to changes in auto repair technology and car repair techniques.

For more stories good and bad about mechanics visit my page about auto mechanics I have worked with.

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She was driving and her check engine light came on. She called me in a panic. I told her to take it to a chain store and hope for the best but to ask for the old parts back.

The shop said the vehicle needed an o2 sensor and my sister confirmed the light was out and received the old part.

When she got back in town I asked to see her old part, it was not an o2 sensor but an egr valve off of a large diesel engine. Definitely not from her little economy car gas engine.

When I looked under her car the old original o2 sensor was still in the exhaust stream.

To make a long story short the shop just cleared the check engine light and let her go after confirming with her she was heading back to her home state.
Two things to learn from this. One if you have out of state tags tell the shop you just moved to the state your in and have not changed your tags yet.

The shop knows that if you are a transient customer that they will never see you again and can give you the royal screw over with no problems.

The second lesson is if you ask for the old parts back know what the part looks like.

Have the shop show you the old part on the car before they remove it so you can confirm it is the part quoted in the repair estimate.

Learning some basic automotive skills will make you feel more confident about going in for auto service. The service writer or service manager will instantly recognize this confidence.

A consumer that understands the vehicle and how the auto service business works is usually passed over when it comes time to apply the rip offs and scams.

For more information on check engine light diy diagnosis. For more info on protecting yourself from auto repair rip-offs.

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They all view the service as an opportunity to up sell you something else.

The profit margin on an oil change service is very small. The shop considers this an acceptable loss because it provides them an opportunity to look your vehicle over very carefully.

The shop calls this an at bat. And sometimes they strike out but most of the time they hit a homerun.

Being under your vehicle and then in the engine compartment to refill the oil provides them with all the opportunity needed to work up a nice big list.

Even the quick lube centers that do not even have qualified technicians are selling services like coolant flushes transmission fluid changes fuel injection cleaning and more.

It cracked me up when they started selling windshield services where they would apply a rain shedding product and new wiper blades for about $75.00.

When I say that quick lube centers do not employee qualified technicians I am being truthful.

These auto repair service shops pay a very low hourly rate and there fore are unable to find a certified technician to work for $7.00 – $9.00 an hour.

This could spell trouble for some customers. An oil change is a simple operation but if done incorrectly major engine damage can result.

For more information on how to protect yourself from the common oil change service scam visit my inside the Auto repair business page.

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Disconnecting check engine lights has become a very difficult procedure to accomplish, even if you were to ignore the law. The good news is, that it is easier to repair the malfunction than it is to disconnect the check engine light.

Disabling the check engine light would require disassembly of the dash and removal of the bulb. On most late model vehicles, this is a difficult task to complete.

Also on some models when you remove the check engine light bulb, your computer that handles the air fuel mixture will go into a backup mode.
This will cause poor gas mileage and poor drivability. In essence your computer is monitoring the proper operation of the check engine light and its bulb. The technical term used to describe the check engine light bulb is the MIL or malfunction indicator lamp.

Do not disconnect the check engine light.

Believe it or not the check engine light is your friend. It is there to notify you that your car is suffering from either a minor or a major malfunction.

Overriding this indicator light is not only against the law, it is counter productive to your vehicle’s long-term health. Learning to fix your own check engine light malfunction can be a very rewarding experience.

On this website I supply lots of good information on how to accomplish this repair. Please visit my http://www.auto-facts.org/resetcheckenginelight.html“>
reset check engine light information page for valuable inside tips on how to retrieve the failure code and repair the problem quickly and easily.

Also visit my DIY auto repair page for http://www.auto-facts.org/online-auto-repair-tips.html“>
online auto repair tips and tricks on bringing professional results home to your driveway. I have learned over the years that when you try to cheat the system. You wind up putting in more time and labor than it takes to properly fix the auto repair problem.