5 Must Follow Tips For New Auto Mechanics

What does it take to be a good auto mechanic? If you are a new auto mechanic or new technician there are some things that will really help you in your automotive career. Including some advice from Joey Logano's crew chief, on what it takes to be on a NASCAR team.

Join me today as we discuss:
~Knowing your role as a new tech
~NEVER stop working
~Give it a try first
~Be patient technician(it's harder than you think)
~Advice from Todd Gordan, Joey Logano's crew chief
~and more

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[Txdartaholic]

One piece of advice my boss gave me when I started out and has stuck with me all these years was, don't let a vehicle leave your bay unless you would be comfortable putting your family behind the wheel.

[sgtjoe]

i started out as a helper, the 'hand me this' guy. the master mechanic tells me 'hand me that wrench', 'hand me that no.14 socket', 'clean this part and that'..etc. seeing how he does things, overhauling, fixing, replacing parts. not for long i was doing most of what he did and learning new things along the way. fast forward, now when a new guy is intently watching me work and helping out, i can see the spark in their eyes, the willingness to learn, so i let them do it guiding them and seeing them feeling accomplished and more confident makes me love my job even more!

[heavydiesel]

If someone is explaining how to do something, even if you know how to do it, listen, you may learn something new or they may be trying to steer you in the correct direction before you make a fool of yourself.

[aaronreniers]

About trying it first...
When I was still in school 2 of classmates had to rebuild the engine on a 1.4 mk4 golf.
They took the engine apart not knowing what the heck they were doing. And left it like that for almost a week.
Then the teacher walked up to me and told me to drop what I was doing and finish the golf engine.
I had never rebuild an engine before, but being one of his best students he had the confidence that I could make it work.
So he gave me a list with the torque specs and told me where to find the parts and materials needed.
I was really unsure if I could do it. But at the end of the day the engine was back together (without any instructions or help) and the next day we put the fluids in and it started right up.
After that I was a lot more confident about trying new things.

[nicholas]

"Fear of failure" or "analysis paralysis" or "perfectionism" could be cause of not wanting to try.

[garygardner]

Something I always recommend to guys just getting started is- Never Stop Learning. You should be reading daily. Not just Facebook posts but get into the shop manuals. Learn theory, wiring schematics, diagnostic flow charts, disassembly/assembly procedures etc. Do your learning at home not on a customers car and your feeling pressure to get it done.
It's OK to ask other tech, s questions but do your own homework first.You will earn your reputation. You don't want to be the guy that asks a lot of simple questions.

[koncuzion]

Not being afraid to ask questions no matter how dumb they may seem is another good tip. I've seen it many times with new people, unsure on what they're doing just going ahead, no questions asked, taking on a job that's way over their head. If you're unsure on a job ask someone who knows.

[ScrubFXGames]

Just got my first full time job at Honda as an express technician, I feel so great about myself especially since I have a great group of coworkers that want me to succeed and do the jobs right. First day was just watching and learning how the shop works and the second day I was able to do a few cars on my own. Yes it’s just oil changes and rotations and smaller jobs to start but I was able to do them on my own after watching the procedures the guys take in getting these cars in and out. First and foremost is making sure you do the job right and build a routine to stick to so you know if you haven’t done something in the car or if you have. The hours are great and they know I’m the new kid fresh out of a (bad) tech school and they want to help me grow as a technician. I was so nervous to do this but I officially started my career this week and to anyone thinking about doing tech school try to apply to these dealerships before you do so because they told me that I would’ve already been at Honda for 1 year if I hadn’t done the schooling I did.

[sramoore]

Lead tech: take out the trash.
FNG: Roger that sir.
FNG: The trash is empty, the floors have been swept, and the toilets are clean. May I have another.
Lead tech thoughts: Well fuck, help me pull this fuel tank out.

[kidwes]

Another good tip is to ask questions. When I first started off I was nervous to ask questions about something I didn't know for fear of being thought of like I didn't know what I was doing. But not everyone knows everything. So if you're not sure how to get that harness off the battery in the trunk of the BMW. Ask the guy in the bay next to you. Chances are he's done a few of them himself and struggled with it how you are and may have found a trick around it. Don't be afraid to admit you don't know something.

[jameswilsoncroft]

I just put in my first day at a new garage in an entirely new city I just moved to as a 19 year old tech school graduate and it’s really reassuring to hear your story of how it takes time to learn and become fluent. There is times I still need GPS where I’m at but I’m passionate about cars and it’s really my end goal to learn and excel as a technician to become better. Thank you for the video, being the new guy is tough but good things don’t get handed to you

[amishdinkledork]

makes complete sense! I know that sweeping the shop or making a fresh pot of coffee (or cleaning the bathrooms!!!) has nothing to do with working on cars. It has to do with management observing my level of work ethic and discipline

[madeleinegillett]

I have two weeks until I start my apprenticeship with Honda, but from a company called Fish Bros. I had a one week work trial where by the end of it (I will state I had no car mechanics experience before this), I was trusted by the tech who was training me to change a tyre and balance the wheel, and inspect all the suspension struts and brake conditions myself. I worked my arse off in that week which is why I got the position and then a few days ago, I went back and asked if they had any training manuals that I could read in the time I had off, to get a head start on the training and so I'd be further on than the other apprentices. Now I'm reading Honda institute electrics I and II and Hillier's fundamentals of motor vehicle technology to do that.

I've also been in while not even employed at the time, to help with an engine rebuild, just because I was curious. The workshop manager couldn't believe what he was seeing 😂

[justinhudson]

This is great information for my little cousin. I just got him a job working for the dealership I worked at b4 I was disabled.
I would add 3 things.
1.) If there’s a option, choose the bay closest to parts.(just to cut down on ur walking time)
2.) Make friends with the rest of the technicians, help them in your down time so they’ll be more inclined to help you.
3.) This goes along with yours as far as staying busy, but take everybody’s parts to them. (The more you help everyone, the more you will get help once you’re on commission.

[NPurvis]

I worried a lot about how I was even going to get into this field. I went to UTI for one month, got sick, never went back, so on paper I have no experience. Since that happened though, I did a transmission, head gasket, water pump, timing belt kit, and misc replacements. Pretty extensive stuff for not being educated on it. I wanted to work in a shop so bad I started going to all the shops in a 20 mile radius, just for the chance, and I finally got it. It's my 2nd week, and I'm still getting my ears wet, but I couldn't be happier.

You said just try it, and absolutely. I was told to tear apart a v8 from a Cadillac Deville. Did I do it? Hell no, but I got a good bit of stuff out of the way for the head gasket replacement, and showed my promise that I wouldn't back down from a job, even if it was intimidating. I also learned a lot just from that engine, and that's important in this field, learn as much as you can. That's why I spend at least an hour a day on Ericthecarguy, EngineeringExplained, HumbleMechanic, and ChrisFix. You will have something to watch from these people, and it will be rewarding.

I'm pretty sure I commented on this video before, but I wanted to rewatch and share my experience thus far. Thanks again HumbleMechanic

[vidard]

one thing about the work ethic. (doing the crap jobs and staying busy) if you where the boss who would you invest in? (training, promotion and pay raise). but in this line I would add one other thing. be willing and eager to learn. 'hey boss, how do I get (blank) certified?' 'hey would you mind letting me help you with that alignment?' 'if I do the oil change for you would you mind showing me how to....'

[jamesbukkaki]

Perfect timing i have my first day of work as a technician tommorow at valvoline :) THANKS!

[MrAirsoftKid]

Just noticed the awesome Chris Fix sticker on the drawer!

[JimmyMakingitwork]

Stickers, it takes stickers to be a better technician.

[Bmizzzle]

I'm a journeyman flat rate tire stacker.