Can anybody who already is a car mechanic give some tips?

Question

I'm looking at perhaps starting a career in that field where it will be on the job type of training but I was looking for any kind of helpful tips that would much be appreciated, I have a good grasp on oil changing, tire changing etc. but what are some good pointers that you experienced mechanics can give to a rookie? I plan on starting out at this Tire and Lube shop.

Answer 1

check with your local community college, many of them offer ASE recognized automotive programs that dealerships look for. This will give you a head start and a leg up against people just working their way to an ASE license. In the mean while, work, work hard and learn as much as you can.

Answer 2

Ask lots of questions and always pay attention to what the more experienced techs are doing. If one of them is having a problem or doing a major repair, offer to lend a hand and watch what is going on. You will learn the most by hands on experience. Some vehicles have problems that are common among vehicle makes, the best way to learn these things is by paying attention to what the more experienced technicians are repairing. Never be afraid to ask questions though, that is the best way to learn. If you get a job as an apprentice tech at a dealership, they will pay to send you to manufacturer training, you can use this elsewhere, if you ever do decide to change jobs. Take any and all chances you get to advance your knowledge of automobiles, from college courses, to factory training, to ASE certifications, It will pay off in how attractive you are to future automotive employers.

Update: Oh and one more little tip to help you on your way. If you have a habit of letting your mouth hang open when you are looking up:o, break that habit now, fluids, dirt, and rust taste really bad, except for antifreeze which is sweet, but can still kill you, Good Luck!

Answer 3

The few best things I can recommend are, don't forget to put the drain plug back in, make sure it has oil in it before you start it, and don't offer any advice you don't know to be right.
The part about not forgetting the drain plug is a common mistake made buy oil changers, as is presuming someone else put the oil in and then starting the engine. Both can destroy the engine and cost the company a booty load of cash to replace it.
Listen to what everyone tells you. Not just your coworkers, but your customers, too. Most have knowledge they can pass on to you. I have found you can learn more from your customers then you can from your coworkers. Pay special attention to the old guys. They have a lot more experience then you give them credit for. It was from old timers I found you can put a cow magnet into a metal tank. It attracts all the rust to it and keeps it from going through the fuel system and clogging up the fuel filter. That is just a tiny example of what you can learn.

Answer 4

You've got a looooong way to go if all you know how to do is change oil and tires. I suggest that you find a beater car that barely runs, then fix every little quirk thats wrong with it. That'll take a long time to figure everything out, but it would be an awesome learning experience.

Then you'll need training either as an apprentice or at a school....or heck even at a dealer. Dealer certified mechanics are required to know the ins and outs of the current cars in production.

Answer 5

I would joke and say ..save yourself now while there is still time:-)

But I do agree with the others... ask questions, read all the tech magazines the other techs throw on the side or in the customer lounge... Find a few techs willing to take you under their wing and show you some things... but main thing to learn is electical and electronics... Cars are going more and more into complex electronics and networking and you wouldn't beleive how many techs I work with are scared of the stuff.... Only me and a master tech in our shop are the ones not afraid of it out of 7. So one of the first things, is to understand electrical for sure...


I'll tell you the truth, I've been doing this 12 years, but I work in a shop where I'm considered one of the newbies (Most are 20+ years expereince) so don't be afraid to learn, question, and share..I still am 12 years later as I'm usually given the task to teach the new guy in the company policy,procedures, and wind up teaching him a little electrical and driveability before he heads off to the older techs who do more line work than I do

But hope all of us give you some ideas...

And here is your first lesson:
Try these courses out... supposedly they are free from Ford... Dunno I've never taken them here (nice to get them thru the employer) but try here:
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/retail/default.asp?pageid=trng_main&gutsid=demo

Answer 6

it can be a hard life man. busted knuckles stained arms and hands takes a good while to build up a good rep to make good money. a good tip if you are really mechanically inclined is to take jobs nobody else wants to do, look for ways to make work faster yet not cut back on quality, be the first one on the job and the last to leave, learn to work clean, stay organized, learn from the older guys try to make friends with them they can teach you alot of tricks, and i wouldn't stay in a lube shop too long, nobody really looks up to a grease man. keep a clean profile and professional look. if you screw up don't quit unless your just not any good. i had an old mechanic tell me that if you don't mess up every now and then your not pushing your self. he told me that right after i forgot to torque the cam bolt in a 12.7 liter Detroit diesel witch locked up seconds after i started it. if you have no business under a hood don't crawl in there. good luck.

Answer 7

be prepared to spend a small fortune on tools
you will be cold in the Winter and hot in the Summer
you will be filthy at times
wear plastic gloves under your mechanics gloves so your nails are not permanently dirty
Its the oddest job in the world- its like you are self employeed ( by having to purchase own tools) but yet someone tells you the hours you will work and what you will do
as the new guy working in dealership you will get all the warrenty work that only pays a set amount no matter how long it takes you to fix it
Good Luck.. its not for everyone

Answer 8

ask a LOT of questions. if anybody givs you additude or asking them, remind them that this could be your mothers car. i dont wanna screw it up. read as much as you can about the aftermarket world. once you have become acustomed to the harder you will feel more relaxed with the stock stuff. play with tools and remember their names. remember to put the oil pan bolt back before putting new oil in! most toyotas and honda basic bolts are 8mm.. imports are allways metric. and dont EVER let a co-worker see you try and use a metric socket on an american car or vice versa. ...................... and call an oil filter a frampon grease jockeys like that one. GOOD LUCK. and remember its all easy untill it gets to the turbos.

Answer 9

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