I am 25 years old and have owned about 5 vehicles in the course of my lifetime. I have always wanted to work on vehicles but I don't know where to start. I was thinking about taking some workshop courses at a communitty college, but I want to learn the ins and outs of automobile repair and resteration! Can somebody please point me in the right direction? Is it to late for me to learn? I want to go from 0 knowledge about how a car works to master mechanic, time issue is not a problem to me because I want to do this as a hobby.
2007-02-20 09:28:35 · 7 answers · asked by big tit lover 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's not too late to learn, and it depends if you want a career change on what type of school you want. I attended Universal Technical Institute and it helped me learn the ins and outs of car very quickly so I could enter the job force sooner. I attended school for 8 months roughly and entered the job force and became a certified Mazda and jeep technician in less than a years time after graduation. If you don't have a technical school like that in your area, and do not want to make it a career then attending some courses at a local community college would be a good choice.
2007-02-20 09:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jason 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am currently in the Apprenticship program and its a 4 year course of 1800hours per year. Thats for the basic mechanics, additional courses will be needed for specializing. Its not an easy trade to learn, but its a worth wile trade to learn. Also, Master Mechanic is harder to achieve then just being a good mechanic. There are many courses needed for it (I believe 5 speciality courses per speciality field) and the courses arn't 2 or 3 day courses. they are months in the classroom. Also you must be ASE certified to become a Master. I'm not sure the entire technicalities of Master, but its quite hard to achieve. I work with Technicians who have been in the trade for 30 plus years and still have not yet achieved the status of master. Does this make them a bad Technician, No. I'm also known Master Mechanics who have been very knowledgable, but they just don't know how to do it when not on paper.
I would suggest, starting out taking a basic course at a technicial institute for an 8 week course and see if you want to get more involved in it, or if thats all you want to do. Mechanics get very expencive, I'm a first year apprentice and have been in the trade for about 2 years and I have about $15000 invested into my tools and education. Thats not even with good quality tools, That was with the best i could afford tools at the time. If I went with Snap-on then the $15 000 price tag would most likly dubble. If you're planning on becoming a back yard, do it yourself mechanic, go for a few smaller courses, but if you're looking at mechanics as a career, then I would try to get sponcered as an apprentice at a garage. Garages will start you out doing tires or washing/cleaning cars for a few months, and if they like your work then they'll put you up to doing a little more, and see how you do. If they like you're work and don't think that you will drop out if they sponcer you then they will take you on as an apprentice. Usually the apprentiship program takes about 4 years to do, and to get into the program it will take about 6 months to 3 years, depending on the shop. If you want more information, give me an email, I'm alwasy willing to help someone trying to get into this trade.
2007-02-20 09:54:41 · answer #2 · answered by gregthomasparke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes alot of time to learn all the inns and outs of auto repair. Expecially now with all the new technology that they are developing for autos. Its never to late to learn though. I have been tinkering with car since I was about 14 and I still dont know it all but I know enough.
I would suggest taking some courses like you said or if you know anyone who does any sidejobs for people then tell them to call you when they do the rapair work so you can do and get some hands on experience
2007-02-20 09:39:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Community college or a vo-tech program would be your best bet. It is inexpensive and should be thorough, as they are training people to get an ASE certification. Night classes are usually offered for those who work during the day.
2007-02-20 09:36:55 · answer #4 · answered by J.R. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not start with some simple maintenance on your own vehicle, so you can get that hands-on feel for it...
I would start with an oil and filter change, take it from there.
2007-02-20 09:58:52 · answer #5 · answered by netthiefx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your not too old to start.ive been working on cars for about 40 yrs now.in your spare time,untill you find a course to take,just watch someone work on their car and if hes not a snob,maybe you can ask him a few questions.
2007-02-20 10:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never too late to learn. Go for it.
2007-02-20 09:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋