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An auto mechanic (automotive technician in most of
North America, light vehicle technician in
British English
British English (BrE, en-GB, or BE) is, according to Lexico, Oxford Dictionaries, "English language, English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere". More narrowly, it can refer specifically to the English language in ...
, and motor mechanic in
Australian English) is a
mechanic
A mechanic is an artisan, skilled tradesperson, or technician who uses tools to build, maintain, or repair machinery, especially cars.
Duties
Most mechanics specialize in a particular field, such as auto body mechanics, air conditioning an ...
who services and repairs
automobile
A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods.
The year 1886 is regarde ...
s, sometimes specializing in one or more
automobile brands or sometimes working with any brand. In fixing cars, their main role is to
diagnose
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine " cause and effect". In systems engin ...
and repair the problem accurately and quickly. They often have to quote prices for their customers before commencing work or after partial disassembly for inspection. Their job may involve the repair of a specific part or the replacement of one or more parts as assemblies. Basic
vehicle maintenance is a fundamental part of a mechanic's work in modern industrialized countries, while in others they are only consulted when a vehicle is already showing signs of malfunction.
Education
Automotive repair knowledge can be derived from
on-the-job On-the-job training (widely known as OJT) is an important topic of human resource management. It helps develop the career of the individual and the prosperous growth of the organization. On the job training is a form of training provided at the work ...
training, an
apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading). Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners to gain a ...
program,
vocational school
A vocational school is a type of educational institution, which, depending on the country, may refer to either secondary or post-secondary education designed to provide vocational education or technical skills required to complete the task ...
, or
university
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States ...
.
Apprenticeship
* Apprentice technicians work under master technicians for a specified number of years before they work on their own. Some areas have formal apprenticeship programs, however many automotive repair shops utilize an informal apprenticeship system within their facilities. A master technician is often incentivised to train an apprentice by earning additional wages from the work produced by the apprentice.
Secondary Education
* In the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, many programs and schools offer training for those interested in pursuing competencies as automotive mechanics or technicians. Areas of training include automobile repair and maintenance, collision repair, painting and restoring, electronics, air-conditioning and heating systems, and truck and diesel mechanics. The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) is responsible for evaluating technician training programs against standards developed by the automotive industry. NATEF accredits programs in four different categories: automotive, collision, trucks (diesel technology) and alternative fuels.
Diesel mechanics have developed into a trade somewhat distinctive from gasoline-engine mechanics. NATEF lists secondary and post secondary schools with accredited programs on their website.
Skill Level & Certifications
It is common for automotive repair companies to assign skill levels to their employed technicians so that each repair can be appropriately matched to a qualified professional. Some use an alphabetical ranking system whereby an upper-level technician is referred to as an "A tech" and a lower-level technician as a "C tech." Diagnosis and driveability concerns tend to be upper-level jobs while maintenance and component replacement are lower-level jobs. A technician's skill level is usually determined by years of experience and certifications:
ASE
* The National Institute for
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a non-profit organization that tests and certifies automotive professionals so that the shop owners and service customers can better gauge a technician's level of expertise before contracting the technician's services. In addition to passing an ASE certification test, automotive technicians must have two years of on-the-job-training or one year of on-the-job-training and a two-year degree in automotive repair to qualify for certification. ASE Master technician status is earned when an individual achieves certification in all required testing areas for that series. Certification credentials are only valid for five years. Each certification in the series must be kept current in order to maintain ASE Master Technician status. While it's not required by law for a mechanic to be certified, some companies only hire or promote employees who have passed ASE tests.
OEM
* A vehicle's
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is generally perceived as a company that produces non-aftermarket parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. It is a common industry term recognized and used by many professional or ...
(OEM) often provides and requires additional training as part of the dealership franchise agreement. In doing so, technicians become specialized and certified for that particular vehicle make.
Some automotive
vocational schools
A vocational school is a type of educational institution, which, depending on the country, may refer to either secondary or post-secondary education designed to provide vocational education or technical skills required to complete the tasks ...
such as
Universal Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI) is a private for-profit system of technical colleges throughout the United States. The school offers specialized technical education programs under the banner of several brands, including Universal Tech ...
(UTI) offer manufacturer training programs with certain vehicle brands including BMW, Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Mopar, Porsche, Toyota and Volvo which can provide a technician with OEM training before entering the dealership environment. These types of programs may be paid for by a student with no obligation, or by the manufacturer with a contract that requires a technician to work for the OEM for a designated amount of time upon graduating. An OEM usually has multiple technician skill levels that can be achieved, but the Master status is typically one of them.
EPA
* The United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires any person who repairs or services a motor vehicle air conditioning system for payment or bartering to be properly trained and certified under
section 609 of the
Clear Air Act. To be certified, technicians must be trained by an EPA-approved program and pass a test demonstrating their knowledge in these areas. This certification does not expire.
Types & Specialties
Auto Body
* An auto body technician repairs the exterior of a vehicle, primarily bodywork and paintwork. This includes repairing minor damages such as scratches, scuffs and dents, as well as major damage caused by vehicle
collisions.
Some specialized auto body technicians may also offer
paintless dent repair
Paintless dent repair (PDR), also known as paintless dent removal, describes a method of removing minor dents from the body of a motor vehicle. A wide range of damage can be repaired using paintless dent repair as long as the paint surface is i ...
, glass replacement and
chassis straightening.
Auto Glass
* An auto glass technician repairs chips, cracks and shattered glass in
windshields
The windshield (North American English) or windscreen (Commonwealth English) of an aircraft, car, bus, motorbike, truck, train, boat or streetcar is the front window, which provides visibility while protecting occupants from the elements. Mo ...
,
quarter glass
Quarter glass (or quarter light) on automobiles and closed carriages may be a side window in the front door or located on each side of the car just forward of the rear-facing rear window of the vehicle. Only some cars have them. In some cases, ...
, side windows and rear glass. Glass damage is often caused by
hail, stones, wild animals, fallen trees,
automobile theft and
vandalism
Vandalism is the action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.
The term includes property damage, such as graffiti and defacement directed towards any property without permission of the owner. The term ...
. Depending on the type and severity of the damage, an auto glass technician may either repair or replace the affected glass.
Diesel
* A diesel mechanic repairs
diesel engines, often found in
trucks
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction ...
and
heavy equipment.
Exhaust Specialist
* An exhaust system specialist performs repairs to the engine
exhaust system
An exhaust system is used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes. Depending on the overall syste ...
. These mechanics utilize large tubing benders and
welders
In a broad sense, a welder is anyone, amateur or professional, who uses welding equipment, perhaps especially one who uses such equipment fairly often. In a narrower sense, a welder is a tradesperson who specializes in fusing materials together ...
to
fabricate a new exhaust system out of otherwise straight lengths of pipe.
Fleet
* A fleet mechanic maintains a particular group of vehicles called a
fleet
Fleet may refer to:
Vehicles
*Fishing fleet
*Naval fleet
*Fleet vehicles, a pool of motor vehicles
*Fleet Aircraft, the aircraft manufacturing company
Places
Canada
* Fleet, Alberta, Canada, a hamlet
England
* The Fleet Lagoon, at Chesil Beach ...
. Common examples of a fleet include
taxi cabs
A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choic ...
,
police cars,
mail trucks and
rental vehicles. Similar to a lubrication technician, a fleet mechanic focuses primarily on preventative maintenance and safety inspections, and will often
outsource larger or more complex repairs to another repair facility.
General Repair
* A general repair technician diagnoses and repairs electrical and mechanical vehicle systems including (but not limited to) brakes, driveline, starting, charging, lighting, engine, HVAC, supplemental restraints, suspension and transmission systems. Some general repair technicians are only capable or certified for select systems, while master technicians (generally speaking) are capable or certified across all vehicle systems.
Heavy Line
* A heavy line mechanic performs major mechanical repairs such as engine or transmission replacement. Some heavy line mechanics also perform overhaul procedures for these components.
Lubrication
* A lubrication technician, often shortened to lube tech, is an
entry-level
An entry-level job is a job that is normally designed or designated for recent graduates of a given discipline and typically does not require prior experience in the field or profession. These roles may require some on-site training. Many entry ...
position that focuses on basic
preventive maintenance
The technical meaning of maintenance involves functional checks, servicing, repairing or replacing of necessary devices, equipment, machinery, building infrastructure, and supporting utilities in industrial, business, and residential installa ...
services rather than repairs. The tasks that can be performed are typically limited to automotive fluid, filter, belt and hose replacement.
Lube techs are employed by nearly every type of automotive repair shop, however, they are most prevalent in quick lube or express service shops because they lower business overhead resulting in a less expensive service as compared to traditional automotive workshops.
Mobile
* A mobile technician performs most of the same repairs as a general repair technician, except does so at the customer's location rather than inside a
brick and mortar
Brick and mortar (also bricks and mortar or B&M) refers to a physical presence of an organization or business in a building or other structure. The term ''brick-and-mortar business'' is often used to refer to a company that possesses or leases r ...
facility. In the United States, companies such as Wrench and
YourMechanic
YourMechanic is an American company that provides mobile automotive repair and maintenance services to vehicle owners at their location, such as their home or office.
The privately held startup company was originally based in Mountain View, Cali ...
leverage the lower business overhead of not having a physical
automobile repair shop
An automobile repair shop (also known regionally as a garage or a workshop) is an establishment where automobiles are repaired by auto mechanics and technicians.
Types
Automotive garages and repair shops can be divided into following categor ...
to offer consumers more competitive pricing.
Pit Crew
* A pit crew mechanic performs an assigned maintenance or repair task to a racecar during a pit stop along a racetrack. Pit crew jobs include raising and lowering the vehicle with a jack, filling the car with gasoline, changing the tires, and cleaning the windshield. Although these are basic tasks, they must be performed in an extremely quick and accurate fashion.
Challenges
Physical
* The auto mechanic has a physically demanding job, often exposed to extreme temperatures, lifting heavy objects and staying in uncomfortable positions for extended periods. They also may deal with exposure to toxic chemicals.
Technological
* With the rapid advancement in technology, the mechanic's job has evolved from purely mechanical, to include electronic technology. Because vehicles today possess complex computer and electronic systems, mechanics need to have a broader base of knowledge than in the past and must be prepared to learn these new technologies and systems.
Financial
* Automotive technicians utilize many tools, equipment and reference material to perform their duties. While equipment and reference materials are typically provided by the employer, all other tools are purchased, owned, and provided by the technician.
Resources
Scan Tool
* Due to the increasingly labyrinthine nature of the technology that is now incorporated into automobiles, most automobile dealerships and independent
workshop
Beginning with the Industrial Revolution era, a workshop may be a room, rooms or building which provides both the area and tools (or machinery) that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods. Workshops were the on ...
s now provide sophisticated
diagnostic computers to each technician, without which they would be unable to diagnose or repair a vehicle.
Reference Material
* The internet is being applied to the field increasingly often, with mechanics providing advice on-line. Mechanics themselves now regularly use the internet for information to help them in diagnosing and/or repairing vehicles. Paper based service manuals for vehicles have become significantly less prevalent with computers that are connected to the Internet taking their position, giving quick access to a plethora of technical manuals and information.
Online Scheduling
* Online appointment platforms have surged allowing customers to schedule vehicle repairs by making appointments. A newer method of mobile mechanic services has emerged where the online appointment made by a person seeking repairs turns into a dispatch call and the mechanics travel to the customers location to perform the services.
Related careers
A mechanic usually works from the workshop in which the (well equipped) mechanic has access to a vehicle lift to access areas that are difficult to reach when the car is on the ground. Beside the workshop bound mechanic, there are mobile mechanics like those of the UK Automobile Association (the AA) which allow the car owner to receive assistance without the car necessarily having to be brought to a garage.
www.theaa.com/about
The AA. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
A mechanic may opt to engage in other careers related to his or her field. Teaching of automotive trade courses, for example, is almost entirely carried out by qualified mechanics in many countries.
There are several other trade qualifications for working on motor vehicles, including ''panel beater
Panel beater or panelbeater is a term used in some Commonwealth countries to describe a person who repairs vehicle bodies back to their factory state after having been damaged (e.g., after being involved in a collision). In the United States an ...
'', ''spray painter'', ''body builder'' and ''motorcycle mechanic''. In most developed countries, these are separate trade courses, but a qualified tradesperson from one sphere can change to working as another. This usually requires that they work under another tradesperson in much the same way as an apprentice.
Auto body repair involves less work with oily and greasy parts of vehicles, but involves exposure to particulate dust from sanding bodywork and potentially toxic chemical fumes from paint and related products. Salespeople and dealers often also need to acquire an in-depth knowledge of cars, and some mechanics are successful in these roles because of their knowledge. Auto mechanics also need to stay updated with all the leading car companies as well as newly launched cars. Mechanics have to study continuously on new technology engines and their work systems.
See also
* Exhaust gas analyzer
* Service (motor vehicle)
A motor vehicle service or tune-up is a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set time interval or after the vehicle has traveled a certain distance. The service intervals are specified by the vehicle manufacturer in a service schedule ...
* Jerry Truglia, automotive instructor and author
References
{{Authority control
Industrial occupations
Mechanics (trade)
Technicians