Should you become a Toyota Mechanic? Is this Career Worth it?

A Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician shares the truth about becoming an Automotive Technician from real world experience.

So Should you Become a Toyota Mechanic or Technician? In this much requested video I will share with you some basic information on the Automotive industry from the inside.

Then I will share with you the basic path from an entry level technician at a Toyota dealership all the way to a master diagnostic technician.

The automotive industry is a tough business that can really wear into it's technicians. Becoming a Technician in Today's world of over complicated cars and continuously changing technology can be very challenging but the basics remain the same. Take pride in what you do, Love what you do and you will succeed.

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The Car Care Nut
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0:00 Intro
0:53 Automotive Technician Career Overview
6:08 Toyota Technician Certifications
16:26 Things you need to know about the Automotive Busniess
18:08 Advice for New Technicians

[stepankuleshko]

“Toolboxes have wheels for a reason “ -quote of 2021.

[redwoodforest]

Here's my experience. As a flat rate dealer tech who finally said enough after 30 years. I've learned that the more you know the less you get paid by the dealers/manufacturers and actually changed occupations due to the flat rate pay structure. Working all week and doing online schooling for free on the weekends cause "you need to keep up" forever. Yes some dealers are a little better than others but most are cut from the same cloth. I have had countless new/green mechanics enter the trade and make more than me on flat rate because they were constantly fed simple brake jobs and front end work due to their lack of experience. Yet taking home a bigger pay check because it was mostly retail work. As an experienced mechanic doing high end electronic diagnostics engine/body/trans the best I got was straight time on flat rate on a good day. Mostly warranty. Lucky to make 8 hrs. Flat rate pay is the biggest reason for shoddy workmanship and cutting of corners in this trade especially when going by unrealistic factory warranty times for repair. It should be outlawed. It only exists because a dealer/manufacturer doesn't have to pay you for your tool box being there. No work no pay. It's all piece work. No wonder they can't get new blood in the trade. Only in this trade does this pay structure exist. Do you know how many times I've heard a dealer say starve the mechanic to make him find work and that I should be upselling every work order by 80% regardless of what it came in for. It got so bad I walked from the trade couldn't take it anymore. Hence the term "Stealership". Honestly they loose some of the best mechanics I've ever seen due to this. Two choices start your own business or run cause you can't stay at a dealer. I've taught my children to fix anything but cars it pays way better in this day and age. And that's 20/20 hindsight that's now generational. Mechanic's get a bad rep and the blame for whatever goes wrong but the problem really lies with the flat rate pay structure that is long outdated and due for a complete overhaul. And dealer principles that care about nothing but money over customer service and their employees. Rant complete.

[Camj]

Been a tech for 10 years. My advise is to learn another trade and keep cars a hobby. I know many union electricians, plumbers, and hvac techs who make double if not more than I make with full benefits.

[DLMorel]

After 40 years as a master tech in dealerships, you got it right.

[Nicedesk]

As with most crafts/trades, if you are honest and competent you should be working for yourself after you put in the time to learn the foundation and pay your dues and hone your craft to a sharp edge. A skilled and honest car mechanic will have his reputation precede him and work will come looking for you. That is/was my path, but in a different industry.

[OnTheEdgeNow]

I started a career as an auto mechanic in the 70's and was ASE certified as a general mechanic (the highest level at the time) in the early 80's. I was young and had a lot of energy, but it didn't take me long to see my body was not going to be able to handle this type of work till retirement. Back then, just about everything was made out of cast iron and was very heavy. V8 engines were the norm and when you pulled off the head on a 440 cubic inch Chrysler it seemed like you could almost stick your head down the cylinders and look for wear. In the summer it was always hot, and in the winter, it would get down to 20 below. I remember one winter was so cold the furnace was running 24 hours a day and the water still froze in the shop. It was brutal. When I was in my 30's I decided to switch over to doing industrial maintenance. The pay has been excellent, and the working conditions are much better. If I was getting into the automotive field today, I would concentrate my specialized training in electrical system troubleshooting.

[suzintru]

Retired mechanic of 27yrs, all dealerships. If your serious about becoming a mechanic, you have to ask yourself some hard questions: How strong is your body physically? Are you willing to work for a company that treats you like crap? Are you willing to work 8 to 10 hours and only get paid 4? Repeatedly? Can you afford 40 to 50 thousand dollars in tools out of your own pocket? You have to really enjoy working on cars, because you will pay the price! Personally, I have arthritis in my back, hands, and feet. Carpal tunnel in my wrists, and had to have both knees replaced. My body forced me to change careers, which was a blessing in disguise. I'll always enjoy working on cars, but not as a profession. Enjoy CCN vids.

[andybub]

I started my journey to becoming a Toyota technician a year and a half ago. I’m 1 year through the TTen program. Everything you said is very accurate. Overall I’m satisfied with my job as an entry level tech at a dealership right now. It could be better, but it isn’t horrible. My mentor left and went to Lexus several months ago, which was sad although I understand why he did it. So they put me by myself and it has been ok, just got on flat rate recently. Service advisors are aggravating and annoying at times but I’ve learned how to deal with it. There’s definitely some drama, more than there needs to be. I’ve been starting to get some bigger jobs lately like timing belts and ac compressors so I’m happy to be getting some more experience. I’m going to start full time soon since this semester of college is over, so we’ll see how that goes.

[landcruiser]

Great video. I think that flat rate system encourages people to take shortcuts. I just had my vehicle serviced at a Lexus dealer. I really question if they performed all of the checklist they give you. I could be wrong but I could see why they’d focus more on volume than quality.

[EnriqueReyesJrREALTOR]

I have over 30+ years as a professional mechanic. Everything that was said is true. Dont do this job unless you love it, you’ll definitely have horrible days, however you’ll have way more awesome days, that you probably without knowing you helped out a customer get to work & provide a great life for their family. Be knowledgeable, work with pride always do your best, & the best will come back to you. I guarantee that every job has good & bad that goes along it. Now go fix some cars! Keep America going. It’s up to each & every one of us to keep things rolling.

[pattyv]

The best advise: love what you do and take pride on how you do it. It works every time you try it, in any field.

[sweetdrahthaar]

Probably better off becoming a range rover mechanic because there will never be a lack of broken down vehicles to work on.

[drrussdc]

Pure pearls for any technical career, especially that last 5 minutes or so. I am in medicine but was just curious but watched the whole thing. Time well spent!

[rightlanehog]

AMD, This is a terrific video that is full of practical wisdom! Going back to my memories in unrelated trades in the 1980s, I would add one more piece of advice for the aspiring young technician. Find a place of employment that is willing to teach and provide guidance for as long as you are willing to work and learn. Too many employers expect a 'ready-made journeyman' at a discount wage. This puts the apprentice, who is already confronting a very steep learning curve, in a nearly impossible position.

[danbusey]

I spent 37 years in the dealership fixed operations world. I managed a large metro Toyota parts department for 26 years. You nailed it.

[michaelscottland]

Dear Mr. AMD,
I cannot appreciate you more. We just enjoy learning from you not knowing what you’ve been and still going through. We take your experience and expertise for granted not know the pain and suffering you endure all the time.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do while keeping smile on your face. There is no problem for me to admit that you are one of my best teachers in my life so far.
And of course we know that behind every successful Mr. AMD there’s a Mrs. AMD.
For all your sacrifices for the love of making this world a little better place,
Thank you 🙏.

[gianmariavolonte]

Outstanding video and 100% spot on. I was 18 years old when I started with the Ford dealership. I had nothing more than certification from Vocational school and being a shade tree mechanic with my Grandpa. Yes, I got the crappy jobs for crappy money. It didn't matter to me, because I was doing what I loved to do. Once I proved myself, that's when offers from management came to get more vocational training and certifications. Cars have advanced so much in the last 40 years, it seemed like every time I completed a course, it was time to learn a new one. When I started out, I would have never thought I would be sitting in a classroom in my 50s learning about Ford hybrid vehicles or in my 60s learning about Toyotas. Some of the new technicians that we get want the big money, right now. That's not how it works, like any other job. You start the never ending process of learning and certifications, Once you successfully prove yourself over the years, you start to reap the rewards. Hey, gotta pay for those $40K worth of tools somehow. :)

[Srdett]

I am a MDT at a Toyota dealership in Texas. I've been with Toyota for 8 years now. Here's some advice, don't get into the business. You have to really like what you do. It's extremely stressful at times. After 10 years of turning wrenches I'm seriously looking to get of out the business. You can't be a tech forever. It's not physically possible. There's something deeply wrong with our industry 😕

[TheThousandYardStare]

As a lube tech that's been working at a Toyota dealership for a few months, thanks for making this video. I'm wanting to make this job a career, and this have given me the confidence to stay the course to keep working hard towards the work and the training.

[shaolinman]

It seems the Toyota University for Hybrid certification is very intense and the mini steps to get the hands on experience is the greatest way to be a master at everything Toyota.