It seems like every month a different auto manufacturer is either introducing a new hybrid vehicle, showing off plans for one or showcasing their plans for future “green” cars, and that’s a good thing for an auto mechanic. Why you ask? Well, as long as you’re willing to learn new technology and keep an open mind, you’ll always have a job. You’ll always have a job because you will be a versatile auto mechanic. If you have the expertise to diagnose and repair internal combustion engine powered vehicles as well as hybrids and electric vehicles, then dealerships will be clawing for the chance to get you on their team.

Just like typical automotive technology has advanced itself in not a long period of time, expect hybrids and other alternative powered vehicles to rapidly advance in technology. Most likely at a quicker rate of speed. In fact, its been said that within the next few years, every auto manufacturer will have at least one hybrid vehicle. Even Ferrari has hinted that they are considering the idea. As much as there is a shortage of qualified individuals to diagnose and repair today’s cars and trucks, there is an even bigger shortage for those who can competently and SAFELY diagnose and repair hybrid vehicles. And don’t think for a second that there will be a need for electric vehicles and any other alternatively powered vehicle (BMW has been experimenting with hydrogen powered vehicles).

So while you are on your search for an auto mechanic school to attend, it would be a very smart idea to find a school that either specializes in hybrid and alternative power technology or has a program that will teach you about these vehicles. This technology is not going away, in fact it is being implemented more and more so possessing the knowledge to work on these vehicles is a serious plus for your resume.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide that you want to specialize in hybrid and alternative powered vehicles, you will have to invest in some extra tools to get the job done safely. Many tool manufacturers like Snap On offer tools made of carbon fiber and other non-conductive materials for hybrid and electric vehicle auto mechanics. The reason is with the these vehicles there is a much greater risk or electrocution and death from the vehicle batteries compared with your normal gas or diesel vehicle.

Sure you will have to drop some extra money on special tools to get the job done, but don’t forget that you are adding a specialized skill to your arsenal that not everyone you work with will have. So what does that mean? MORE MONEY! If you remember when we discussed salary and job description information for an auto mechanic it was said that experience, skill and knowledge allows your paychecks to keep growing. So you will have an even bigger opportunity to max out your earning potential with hybrid and electric vehicle certifications.

Remember, a versatile auto mechanic is an in demand auto mechanic. And if you’re in demand, then you can demand more pay!

So by now you’re well informed on buying tools and a few good techniques to help you become a better auto mechanic, here are a few more tips to help you out. This is a career you plan on doing for a long time, and you want to remain healthy and problem free so you can do this comfortably for a long time. Following these tips now while you are younger and you’ll be able to do your job well for many years to come.

As discussed before in previous posts, you’re going to be on your feet a good amount, if not you’ll be underneath a hood, or under a dashboard. Keeping good posture, being loose and staying comfortable is key to being able to do your job efficiently and for years to come. First things first, get a little stretch in before bringing in that first vehicle. The most important area to stretch out is your back. The back is usually the first things that aging auto mechanics complain about. Taking good precautions now will prevent issues later on. Also, don’t worry about your co-workers giving you any lip or making fun of you. The joke will be on them down the road. Check out this graphic here, for proper stretching positions. Pay close attention to the one for the back (especially lower back) as well as thighs and knees.

Though, being stretched out will go a long way, keeping good posture whenever possibly will keep you out of pain’s path. Unfortunately, this tends to be easier said than done, but there are a few tips you can use to aid in keeping proper posture. The first and most obvious is when picking up heavy objects to always bend down at the knees, keep your back straight and lift with your legs, not your back. For the times you are working in the engine bay, try adjusting the vehicle on the lift to a height where you can get at what you need without bending over (if possible), keeping your back straight and spreading your legs to adjust your body height. Another good idea, especially if you will be working on mostly SUV’s and trucks is to purchase an over the engine creeper for those extended periods of time when you will be working in the engine bay. This will keep you comfortable and keep your back in better alignment.

For the times when you will be working underneath a dashboard, find yourself an inexpensive floor creeper, remove the wheels and cover the bottom with foam padding to prevent scuffs scratches or tears to the interior of the vehicle. Insert the creeper inside the vehicle with the head of the creeper facing the firewall and rest yourself on the creeper. Not only will you be more comfortable working on the vehicle but you will keep your back straight!

The final thing to consider is something not many auto mechanics think about until later on when pain sets in, and that is footwear. Since you will be on your feet for most of the day make sure to find a good, comfortable pair of work boots or work shoes to wear. Or, find a pair of work boots and purchase some insoles for them. Your feet are your initial contact with the ground, keep them comfortable and positioned properly and you can be assured of few issues with pain and posture as the years go by. Another good idea is to purchase a rubber foam mat to keep in front of your toolbox or just to stand on when working. This will put less stress on the balls of your feet.

So you’re done with school, you’ve purchased a tool box and have begun filling it with tools to start you off as an entry level auto mechanic. Now What? Well it’s great that you’ve completed your education, gained the required knowledge and have a growing collection of tools to do that job but those things are going to do nothing for you if you have no place to use them on a daily basis. Lets discuss the differences between a good place of employment and a not so good place of employement.

Let’s be real here, being an auto mechanic is not the easiest job in the world. There is a good chance that somewhere down the road you will hurt yourself in some way shape or form, no matter how careful you are (it happens to all of us, think of it as a right of passage). Granted common sense will prevent 99.9% of injuries, some just can not be avoided. For instance even if you wear eye protection all day long there is still a chance of a small piece of metal shaving flying into your eye that will need to be removed at a hospital. For this reason make sure you find a place of employment that offers excellent medical benefits. You want to be sure you are covered in the event something does happen. Also, being a place that offers some form of short/ long term disabilities is a plus. Make note of what is covered on your basic plan and how much it costs to add other areas like dental and vision. Above all this, you’ll want to be employed by a place that pays at the very least half of your benefits. This is the mark of a company that cares about its employees. If the employer only pays 10% of your benefits, keep moving!

The next thing to look at is the shop, this is where you’ll be spending 95% of your time so make note of how clean and organized it is. How much natural light comes into the shop (windows). Is all of the shop equipment like AC machines and tire balancers newer? What about the diagnostic computers, are there enough of them present in the shop so you don’t have to wait around until someone is done using one? Also take into consideration the size of the shop. If you have a big job to do and need to spread out some of the components do you have the room to do so without disturbing the person next to you?

Finally make sure to find out about your co-workers, not just your fellow auto mechanics in the shop but everyone at the establishment. For instance if you’re working at a dealership, does the sales staff get along at least marginally with the service staff? Are the people who are supposed to be helping you helpful enough? How easy is it to interact with the parts department and the service advisers.

Typically a good rule of thumb for a newer auto mechanic, fresh out of school is to find an establishment that is newer. With older/ dirtier shops and dealerships you tend to find grumpier people where as with newer businesses people tend to be in better moods and have a greater sense of pride in the place that they work. Though keep in mind this is not always the true, sometimes you will find the opposite. Make sure to interview at as many places as possible before choosing your first place of employment.

One of the most daunting things a new auto mechanic has to wrap their head around is buying tools. Especially when entering a new job with co-workers who have been in the business for years and years. A new mechanic looks around and sees a wall of toolboxes that seem larger than life. They get scared and start to wonder how they’ll ever afford all of those auto mechanic tools. The truth is it is a daunting and scary thought at first, especially when you’re brand new in the business. But, since you are starting at the bottom (or close to it) and working your way up, it is expected that as your experience and knowledge grows, so will your tool collection. In fact some repair facilities take tool collection into consideration.

Lets start with buying a tool box. First be aware that many dealerships are building service facilities with built in toolboxes, so entry level mechanics (and experienced mechanics) will not need to buy a tool box. If this is the case where you are working or going to be working then you can skip ahead. If you are enrolled in an auto mechanic school there is a good chance that there is a representative from one of the top auto mechanic tool manufacturers coming by your school once or twice a week. There is also a very good chance that they offer deep discounts to students who want to purchase tools. Make sure to take full advantage of this. As far as tool boxes go, you will want to buy one that is of good quality, and is large enough to handle your collection for the next number of years. It is a far better idea to invest in something of superior quality up front then to have to go through several lesser quality products before upgrading. Don’t worry about running out of room way down the road, you can always upgrade to something bigger. Buying a professional quality toolbox will also pay off in the long run when you need to upgrade to something larger as you will get more money back for a toolbox like this rather than a toolbox like this. One feature your new tool box should absolutely have is ball bearing drawer slides. These allow for easy opening and closing of each drawer, especially if drawers are holding a large number of tools (they get heavy). Ball bearing drawer sliders are a sign of a high quality tool box. You’ll feel the difference.

Now that you have your tool box, you need to fill it up. Is there a certain brand of auto mechanic tools you should buy? Is one better than the other? The answers to those are up for investigation. It’s really a matter of which is more comfortable to use. The tools you will be using every day are there to make you money, they are extensions of your hands and arms, therefore they should be comfortable in your hands. Just because one ratchet or screwdriver is more expensive than the other doesn’t always make it better. While Snap on is the most well know, most widely used and trusted brand of automotive tools, don’t discount the other professional brands like Mac Tools, Matco or Cornwell.

It is also not a bad idea to invest in a few cheaper, lesser quality tools. Why? As you become familiar with the work you will be doing you may find that grinding down a wrench or a screwdriver in a certain fashion will allow you to finish a job faster. Sometimes grinding a wrench in a certain spot so it fit will void the lifetime warranty of the tool. For that reason, grab a few cheap sets of different hand tools to modify for certain tasks. If it breaks on you, no big deal, you can get another one for cheap. Whereas if you did it to one of your more expensive, professional quality tools and it breaks, you’re stuck with a paper weight. Finally make sure to keep your auto mechanic tools clean. It is a good idea to wipe them down with a rag soaked in a cleaning solvent (like brake cleaner) at the end of the day. Also make sure to keep your tools well organized within your new tool box. Having to spend a lot of time searching for a socket or a screwdriver is not a productive use of your time. And remember in the auto mechanic business, time is money.

Sometimes, an auto mechanic is just born; wrench in hand and an ear for a loud, perfectly tuned engine revving. For others its a love that is grown over time, typically from within their family. A father or maybe an uncle that had that sweet vintage car in the garage, always working on it. Others just like to take things apart and put them back together again. Whatever the reason, working on automobiles can be a rewarding career.

The auto mechanic world is an exciting one. Long gone are the days of the dirty, foul mouthed “grease monkey” working at the local gas station. Jobs in the automotive industry, especially in the service sector are on the rise and so is the pay! The automobile has come a long way in the last 20 years. Vehicle systems used to be much simpler and easier to diagnose and fix, it used to be it was either one thing or another and that would solve the problem. Today, professionals who service and repair automobiles must posses critical thinking and a knowledge of computers to be able to diagnose and understand complicated automotive computer systems that are not standard on all automobiles these days.

These days its a whole lot easier to become and auto mechanic (otherwise known as an auto technician, more on that in a different section). You no longer have to be the rough around the edges kid who walks right up to the local mechanic and asks for work sweeping floors, eventually getting a chance to actually work on a vehicle. High schools and vocational schools offer students a look into the world of automotive technology, a chance to learn about this field and a chance to get their hands dirty.

Some students will go directly from high school/ vocational school directly into the business, starting off at low level jobs, usually changing oil and tires as well as other entry level work. Some choose to accelerate their path by choosing to go to a post-secondary automotive program. These programs can range from one to four years and once finished, students will have a much deeper understanding of the modern automobile and be ready to dive head first into the business and develop their skills.

Some schools will have access to post graduation programs, usually offered to high achieving students, that can further advance their knowledge and skills, making them a more desirable auto mechanic to independent shops and dealerships. These programs tend to be manufacturer specific and once completed, a student is guaranteed a job.

As one cane see, becoming an auto mechanic is a fun, exciting and rewarding career to get into these days. Someone interested in taking this path has many options these days, not only about where to go to school, but also where to work. And always remember, as your skills and knowledge increase so does your desirability. You can easily move up to a manager position, or higher if you are the right candidate.