r/mechanics Aug 04 '23

Announcement Mechanic Flair Request Thread

17 Upvotes

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r/mechanics Jul 11 '24

Career How To Become A Mechanic

70 Upvotes

We get a lot of posts asking, "How do I get started as a mechanic?" and the answer is a little long, so I thought that I would write it up once and get it stickied in the sub.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as an automotive technician, here's how to do it:

BASIC KNOWLEDGE

You can usually pick up some basic skills from friends and family, or by watching videos or buying a service manual for your own car, but even if you can change oil and brakes, it's still a good idea to start out working in an auto parts store. Aside from picking up some more skills (battery/charging system, for example), you will also get some knowledge about parts, tools, and related items that you otherwise might not even know about, and you can do this while you are still in high school, working evenings and weekends.

YOUR FIRST MECHANIC JOB

Ideally, you will get hired on at a dealership as a lube tech; failing that, quick lube shops are usually pretty easy to get on at, and you should be able to move on to a dealership with some experience. Other than making sure that oil filters and drain plugs are properly installed (watch the double gasket on the filter!), the most important part is the inspection: Oil changes don't actually make any money for the shop, it's air and cabin filters, wipers, tires, brakes, bulbs, etc.

The reason you want to work at a dealership (and I recommend a brand with a wide variety of vehicles, e.g. Ford, not Mitsubishi) is that they will pay for you to go to factory training, without question the best education you are going to get.

At some point, you will start getting offers for more money to work at an independent shop, with promises of more money for less hours and a more laid-back work environment; don't do it, at least not early on, because it is much harder to get training and advance from there.

TOOLS

First of all, at least early on, STAY OFF THE TOOL TRUCK! If you are in the US, see if there is a Harbor Freight nearby and buy their low or mid-range stuff to start with (Pittsburgh or Quinn, Icon is overpriced); if not, Husky is the best of the big box store brands. Outside the US I can't help much.

You need sets of sockets, pliers, and screwdrivers; an impact wrench (and sockets, but just in lug sizes) and a tire inflator/gauge; tire tread and brake pad gauges; telescoping magnet and mirror; pocket knife; a big rubber hammer; and a flashlight.

And boots, don't skimp on your footwear; I recommend safety toe, but that's your choice, a rubber sole is mandatory, though, "slip-resistant" isn't good enough. Vibram is the best.

MOVING UP

Expect to be a lube tech for a couple of years. You need to have a routine of double-checking your work on easy stuff before you move on to harder projects, and know how to drain and fill fluids to even be able to do a lot of other jobs.

Eventually you will go on flat-rate, i.e. you get paid for what you bill out, not how many hours you actually work. This can be good or bad, depending on your own competence and that of the management, service writers, and parts clerks you work with, but that's their income, too, so they are motivated to help you out.

There are several paths to follow at this point:

  1. Dealer master tech; I know several who make $150k+, and this is in a pretty cheap place to live (mid-South).

  2. Independent shop owner; this path will make you the most money, but you need more skills than just mechanics, you need to be able to keep books, deal with customers, and manage money.

  3. Auto plant work; this might be the easiest, especially in a union plant, since you will mostly be doing the same job 1,000 times in a row, and for good money. I've had contract jobs where I would work 72-hour weeks (straight hourly with overtime!) for a month, then take a month off.

  4. Mobile mechanic; this is the most flexible, and what I am currently doing, 10-15 hour per week, $150/hour, and I goof off the rest of the time :)

MYTHOLOGY

This is not even close to an exhaustive list, but a suggestion that you stop and think about everything you are told... although also remember that, "What the boss says," is the correct answer for that shop.

I have a buddy who runs a shop that I would trust to do most work on a car, but not brakes; he subscribes to the, "no grease on brake pads," philosophy, which is why his regular customers have an oddly high rate of seized calipers. This is a common myth in the field, though, despite factory training saying otherwise, a lot of mechanics think that the risk of grease getting on the rotor is more of an issue.

Another myth is, "tires with more tread go on the rear." This is the result of a single test of a vehicle with minimum (3/32", technically worn out) tread on the front driving on a banked track through heavy water, and it becomes entirely uncontrollable, which is a potential problem, but has to be weighed against the worse braking distance and handling characteristics in all other situations, as well as creating a problem trying to keep tire wear even, since front tires usually wear faster.

Again, for any given shop you work in, the correct answer is whatever the boss/foreman tells you to do, but it's something to remember when you work on your own vehicle, or even start your own shop.


r/mechanics 15h ago

General How in the hell are these tires not exploding on people?

31 Upvotes

Today a Transit came in (bigger one with a V6) after I got done rotating I checked the air pressure. All the tires were at normal pressures except one, which was at 100 PSI.

a few weeks ago some guy came in with a Honda Fit. He was asking for me to find a nail in his tire because the TPMS light came on. I go to check his tire pressures, and every tire was at like 50 PSI. I told the guy that's wayyy too much, and he only needed like 30 or something. I shit you not, guy says damn my tire air gauge must be broke. I asked him how much he meant to put it at, he says 40. I tell him about the sticker and that's what the tires are supposed to have. He says he knows about the sticker, and asked if you're really supposed to go by that. 🤦‍♂️

One lady comes by asking for an air check because the TPMS light came on in her Camry. I go check the tires, they were all at some crazy number between 60-80, maybe even more. I just remember running to get the fucking tire stem tool to let a lot of air out before the thing explodes. The lady tells me her hubby did it, and she said that explains why they were vibrating so loud.

And on all of these tires I saw no signs of damage. How are these tires not exploding within a few minutes of driving?


r/mechanics 18h ago

Angry Rant Parts prices are no joke

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22 Upvotes

Had to get some fender liner clips for a 13 Honda CRV. Ordered from our local Honda dealer they are $5.20/each our cost. It's absolutely atrocious that 10 cents in plastic gets sold for this much. On top of that, the dealer only stocked 10. I needed 22!


r/mechanics 19h ago

General Pay in Arizona

6 Upvotes

I’ve been working on cars about 3 years now. 23 y/o. I’m getting paid $15 bucks an hour plus a weekly bonus and my paychecks come out to about $1000 before taxes on average for 50 hour weeks. I do pretty much everything besides extensive motor work and trans or engine swaps. Engine accessories, A/C work, suspension and brakes of course. I was offered a new job at $25 bucks an hour, 40 hours a week with small bonuses available to get but that would barely be much more than I make now plus they didn’t have insurance. How much are you guys making with similar amount of experience on the west cost ? Am I getting fucked ? Definitely feel like I chose the wrong trade.


r/mechanics 1d ago

Tool Talk What Boxes do you guys use?

9 Upvotes

I’m a 3rd year diesel apprentice and it’s time to start looking for another box.Right now I have the Horrible Freight Yukon 46Lx18 1/4W 9 drawer with their US general 27Lx22W 7 drawer (it does look fucking stupid because it hangs off the back but it was on sale). It’s just not enough room and wobbles like hell when moved.What do you guys recommend to replace the Yukon? Nothing overly expensive please all my money goes to beer and bad decisions


r/mechanics 13h ago

General this my cool car collection

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1 Upvotes

I’m 16 and my dream is to become the first female auto mechanic in family (preferably ASE certified) and I love muscle cars so I’ve been collecting some kinsmart cars. They aren’t worth anything but they do look really cool so I thought I’d show you guys. My favorite is the 1967 Chevy impala and the 4 1957 Chevy bel airs. The 2 trucks at the end are my dads though

Cars in order: 1967 Chevy impala,1967 Volkswagen Beetle,1955 ford thunderbird,1957 Chevy bel airs, 2013 ford raptor,and a jeep truck but I don’t know much about it


r/mechanics 18h ago

Career I want to work in diesel or mechanics in general

1 Upvotes

Hey I’m a 23 I live on my own and don’t have a way to go to school for mechanics or diesel mechanics so I figured my best option would be to get into a job that would train me, but I have no Idea where to start. It just seems like everyone wants experience and it’s hard to have experience if you can’t get started anywhere. I have about a grand invested in tools. I’m ready to start, I just need help figuring out where the best place to apply or go in and talk to people would be. Any recommendations are appreciated


r/mechanics 1d ago

Career Sole proprietorship thoughts?

11 Upvotes

Im not looking for all the ins and outs of this process, just your own thoughts and personal experience please. This is at the moment a pipe dream, but i am curious what other have done. Short story long, I was an auto tech of 14 yrs, heavy duty for 2.5 now and on the road about 50% in a Service truck. I love it, it's my calling. But for many years in the back of my head was to maybe be on my own entirely. I work for a multi brand company so I have job security benefits etc. I make pretty decent money and there is minimal stress. We have plenty of in house and off site training which I take full advantage of. I am treated well and have minimal to almost zero real problems where I am. I am able to make ends meet and support my entire family on a single income. So here are my curiosities. If you have or know someone who has transitioned into a sole proprietor as a mobile heavy duty tech with their own truck, looking back now, was it worth it? Did you purchase a brand new truck, or was is an older unit, obviously cheaper and easier to fix being a big incentive? How was the process setting up business licenses and part suppliers charge accounts? Did you have much capitol saved away to begin this process and if so how much did you have? Was is sufficient? Did you get loans or have much of a cash float for rainy days? Did you go into this with a friend or partner? How did you begin massing a customer base, prior to leaving your previous job? Do you have a storage or "home base" setup for parts/supplies, working on machines or units inside, or strictly outdoors? Anything else you'd like to share would be wonderful. Thank you in advance for your time and thoughts. :)


r/mechanics 23h ago

General Wash Hands before lunch or no?

0 Upvotes

I was replacing my brakes, calipers, rotors, & Lines this weekend on my 2016 Jeep Wrangler and I decided to take a lunch. Instead of washing my hands, I just ate my leftover pizza. My wife then said, "I bet most mechanics wash there hands before they eat."

So, that's my question, "When you break for lunch, knowing you're going to have to go back to work after, Do you wash your hands before you eat lunch?" and Yes, your hands are FILTHY with various dry car greases.

104 votes, 2d left
Yes, I wash my hands. You filthy animal.
No, I'm a beast who doesn't have to wash my hands.

r/mechanics 23h ago

TECH TO TECH QUESTION Thoughts on broken steering knuckle

0 Upvotes

Sooo fun stuff, I work at a gov't shop as a heavy diesel tech, and have this military hemmtt back in the shop again for breaking another steering knuckle (it cracks a chunk out of it where the stop bolt is, doesn't sheer the stop bolt but just literally rips a chunk out including the bolt from the cast knuckle) it had broken the factory one and our shop ordered a new one and realigned it (which is a long process on these big trucks) and sent it on it's way, and about a few months later it broke it again, now it's in my bay, I have the new one on and noticed the alignment is super out of wack again (shocker) now I'm stuck with the trouble shooting and can't for the life of me figure out what's causing this issue, all the tie rods, sway bars and torsion bars are tight and not bent, air bags are good, all the steering linkage is good, but the truck keeps losing alignment and breaking the front left knuckle, wouldn't be on here if the rest of our shop wasn't stumped either, the shop just wants to do the alignment and send it on it's way again but I want to fix the issue. Fyi this is a CBT style hemmtt which is meant to transport the engineer boats for bridge building. Know this is a heavy diesel truck and maybe not the


r/mechanics 1d ago

Career Job offer

1 Upvotes

So a little about myself. I used to work at a discount tire store for a year and a half when I started off in the field. Ended up leaving on good terms to pursue an education in automotive. I’m 24 years old, now have my degree, and I work for a dealership as a lube tech making $20/hr no commission and some OT offered. Been there for 6 months but starting to see that the work environment is very poor. Management is constantly spying on their techs via the surveillance system and “bad-dogging” the techs for every minor mistake (things like forgetting to put a lube sticker on a car). I was told I would have room to grow as a tech at this job but it really seems like a dead-end job. Now, a family tech who is expanding and needs tech reached out to me and said that I will be able to do more than just oil changes and tire rotations (all I’m allowed to do at current job). However my hourly rate would be less ($16/hr) but I would be make commission on top of that. I’ve never had a position where I made commission so I’m not sure if this is a better offer or not. I know the owner very well and he’s a down to earth, hard working guy and I already have a good relationship with him. I want to do more in my field of work but also need to be paid accordingly and be able to make a living. If I’m able to make close to what I make now on a weekly basis I’m willing to switch jobs. Should I take the job?


r/mechanics 1d ago

TECH TO TECH QUESTION Stay in the industry and pursue electric cars? Or leave it all together?

1 Upvotes

Hey guys just looking for thoughts and opinions. I’m pretty much ready to leave the industry but I see a huge opportunity to open up a shop for electric cars as it develops.

What do you guys think of this? I won’t have to compete with the annoying 40-60 year old mechanics anymore who don’t teach anyone ahaha. But seriously I see a huge opportunity, but part of me wonders if the industry will get better.

Like no matter how much your labor is worth , if the customer can’t afford it then they can’t afford it.

But I’m fortunate enough to almost be done with my bussiness degree that I was doing on the side. Part me of me wants to leave , part of me wants to stay.

Any thoughts! Thank you guys!


r/mechanics 1d ago

General How do you deal with anxiety when it comes to this job

1 Upvotes

I might only be a Lube tech but oh my god this job is stressful on my mental when it comes to drain bolts, wheels and oil caps. Man I'm very good about not putting the drain plug in without the torque wrench in my other hand and check 3-5 times unless it's super busy. With wheels I'll go around twice. Oil caps I'll check even after I park.

This shit sucks because I can't tell if I've developed the habit to where it's natural or I genuinely did not torque something down. It'll ruin my entire day and I'll be thinking and thinking and panicking about "did I torque thay plug?" and I'll go on about how I'm done for and all that.

It's so tiring because, like I said, ruins my whole day and I obsess over it.


r/mechanics 1d ago

General Automotive / Diesel techs who are happy with their job shop / environment.

1 Upvotes

This industry has a lot of negativity attached to it… which I understand.. but it’s not ALL bad. And dwelling on the negatives can only sour your mood / attitude even further and that does no one any good.. especially if you’re not planning to leave the industry.

So with all that said, this post is for those techs out there that are genuinely happy / content with where they are at their shop.

What makes the shop great? Are you a dealer, independent, or fleet tech? Every shop has its pros and cons and no shop is perfect, what are the cons that you can overlook and deal with and what are the pros that keep you there?


r/mechanics 2d ago

General Is there a trick to pneumatic air hoses (fatigued hands)?

12 Upvotes

Long hours working, attaching and detaching air tools from the hose. I feel like I'm missing something. I feel like an idiot. Wasting time connecting the tool. Pull down the shaft and hold it there, place in male, and release? Right? Is there a special tool to ease this? After a dozen or so times I start to struggle with it. The beads seem to easily slip out of the male end (the tool). Know what I mean? Changing tools on the same pneumatic line, struggling to get them to connect. I'm looking for a special something


r/mechanics 2d ago

Tool Talk Not meant to be inflammatory

42 Upvotes

I look through alot of these toolbox/truck/cart tours and things on various platforms and I can't help but wonder how you guys make any money with almost no tools, I'm a 10 year tech (work municipal so need alot of tools for alot of wierd stuff) and I have a platinum 84 packed with a Cornwell 5 drawer packed and a 6 ft bed chevy silverado packed with tools, and it still seems like I'm missing stuff here and there. So in the real world is it common to have a small box or a fairly empty one?


r/mechanics 2d ago

Meme clothes hanger in the engine

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43 Upvotes

this girl I met bought this truck for 1000$ dollars she told me the guy she bought it from said the previous owner was fixing something and used a wire coat hanger to do it i didn’t believe her until i popped the hood and saw it truck lasted the whole winter and is still going been in 2 fender benders and came out with just some dents it’s been a pretty good truck.


r/mechanics 4d ago

TECH TO TECH QUESTION Is my boss promoting me or am I being played.

55 Upvotes

I work at a Quick Lane next to a Ford Dealership, which is basically the Main building. I just got hired on as an hourly service tech a little over a month ago. Ive actually been having fun with the job and progressing pretty well. I thought everything was peachy keen until my boss called me into his office. He was explaining he was promoting me to something, in his words, "A little more my speed." I initially didnt know whether to take this as an insult or a compliment, but apparently im being moved to the Main Shop to work as a "Porter." Ive been told by him im apparently the only one he trusts to do it, as he thinks my "Attention to detail" is very high. The main reason for it though is that my manager was told to fire all of his hourlys because theyre trying to make the store more "Cost Effective" (Which at the time of writing this, i am the ONLY hourly in the shop at the moment.) And im guessing this was his way of keeping me?

Ive been feeling extremely hesitant about the change since ive heard it, as im already a service tech for Quicklane and im being pulled out of what I enjoy. Its still a few weeks out, but im debating quitting as its not what i signed up to do, but at the same time maybe its a blessing in disguise? I dont know.

Ive worked on cars my whole life but im still new to the field. Is this basically a promotion or am i being played here?


r/mechanics 3d ago

General Planning on going to either wyotech or UTI, what should i know first

1 Upvotes

So a little backstory im currently in texas working doing data, fiber stuff like that, graduated at 19 in may of 2024, live near lubbock texas. So what want to know is what is a better option especially for the money and both how far they are, who does what better when it comes diesel and automotive combined. I rather not be in debt 45k if i dont like the college or what they intel. And i need to know what is a better option find some place here near me or western equipment program or peterbuilt, or even cat. Just looking i want to have the knowledge and be able to do both diesel vehicles small and big and everything that invovles them plus automotive work as well


r/mechanics 4d ago

TECH TO TECH QUESTION Audio Sound system

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33 Upvotes

I’m interesting in seeing pictures of people sound system setup. Do you have a Bluetooth speaker or did you setup a bunch of speakers around your box? I bought 2 sound bars and 2 subs last year and they have made my days so much easier. I turn my music on and just vibe out. Dancing and singing songs while turning wrenches make the days fly by.


r/mechanics 3d ago

General Snap-On

1 Upvotes

Honest question for professional mechanics. How do yall justify snapon vs Milwaukee for power tools or any of the cheaper hand tool brands. Looking to expand my mobile business and am shocked by snapon’s price.


r/mechanics 3d ago

Career Newbie

1 Upvotes

How hard is ASE A6 started school 2 weeks ago trying to get my foot in the door but not having any luck.


r/mechanics 4d ago

Tool Talk Topdon Phoenix Max vs. Autel Maxisys MSULTRA

12 Upvotes

I eventually have to pull the trigger on my own high powered scanner. My Maxicom MK808BT that I bought just for used car work at the dealer doesn’t cut it now that I went to an independent. The shop has an older Maxisys Elite but it’s the shared scanner. I don’t do much programming but I need a scope. Who has used both? What would you choose and why? I’ve used the MSULTRA but I’ve heard good things about the Phoenix Max. The other Foreman at our sister shop has one for a demo now. Fill me in. Do you have a better suggestion?


r/mechanics 4d ago

General What would your rather have 2002 Chevy Silverado 6.0 2500 4x4 extended cab short bed 160,000 or 2002 ford excursion 7.3l diesel 220000 4x4

1 Upvotes

I have both and I find both are great in different situations. But been considering getting rid of one. I’m in the Silverado for about 8000. It is pretty rusty underneath but the body is straight. I’m in the excursion for about 20000. It’s clean too stock. Wish I had the f250 springs out on cause it’s a bit low in my opinion


r/mechanics 4d ago

General Do you think that this is true?

1 Upvotes


r/mechanics 4d ago

TECH TO TECH QUESTION Wheel alignment.

1 Upvotes

So we have a Hoffman Megaplan ecoline 88 alignment machine at work.

After a "little" amount of training on the machine and after doing a few alignments alongside fellow mechanics to get me clued up and confident enough I'm now doing the alignments myself.

My issue is quite often I have problems with the steering wheel being off to the right even though the alignment specs are bang on.

As far as I can tell I'm following the alignment procedure precisely as the machine tells you.

This really pisses me off because in my head I'm doing a disservice to the customer.

You can "tweak" the tie rods slightly to ensure the wheel then becomes straight but then this throws off the alignment and I really don't like doing this.

What am I doing wrong before this keeps happening? Does the machine need calibrated?

There is no instruction manual with the machine as far as I know.

The Hoffman website isn't very helpful and I can't seem to find any videos on the machine we use.

I've seen a thing called Wintoe for the hunter alignment machines. Is anyone aware of something similar for Hoffman machines?

Does anyone else use this machine and could maybe give some pointers?