Reasons for Professional Auto Repair
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 Read more
Being A Car Mechanic
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. Read more
Need for Good Mechanics
Today’s automobiles will continue towards the unstoppable trend of becoming more complex. This will only increase the need for good mechanics.
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. Read more
Modern Automotive Electronics
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. Read more
Respecting the Auto Repair Mechanic
I am a auto repair mechanic. There I said it! Sometimes the bad things that have happened to me over the last 25 years can sour me on the automobile industry as a whole.
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. Read more
