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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Related: Bus & Truck Mechanics & Diesel Engine Specialists  Electric Motor, Power Tool, & Related Repairers  Engine & Other Machine Assemblers  Motorboat Mechanics & Service Technicians  Rail Car Repairers 
Industries: Retail  Service 

  • Summary

  • Details

    • Work Activities

    • Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
    • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
    • Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
    • Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
    • Align vehicles' front ends.
    • Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas.
    • Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
    • Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
    • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
    • Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
    • Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
    • Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
    • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
    • Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
    • Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
    • Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
    • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
    • Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
    • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
    • Rebuild parts, such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks.
    • Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
    • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
    • Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
    • Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
    • Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
    • Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
    • Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience.
    • Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
    • Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
    • Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
    • Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
    • Maintain cleanliness of work area.
    • Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
    • Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
    • Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
    • Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
    • Diagnose and replace or repair engine management systems or related sensors for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) with ignition timing, fuel rate, alcohol concentration, or air-to-fuel ratio malfunctions.
    • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
    • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
    • Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
    • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
    • Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
    • Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.

    Skills

    • Systems Evaluation
      • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
    • Technology Design
      • Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
    • Persuasion
      • Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
    • Mathematics
      • Using math to solve problems.
    • Reading Comprehension
      • Reading work-related information.
    • Learning Strategies
      • Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
    • Installation
      • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
    • Quality Control Analysis
      • Testing how well a product or service works.
    • Judgment and Decision Making
      • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
    • Active Learning
      • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
    • Active Listening
      • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
    • Negotiation
      • Bringing people together to solve differences.
    • Programming
      • Writing computer programs.
    • Service Orientation
      • Looking for ways to help people.
    • Operations Monitoring
      • Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
    • Management of Material Resources
      • Managing equipment and materials.
    • Coordination
      • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
    • Social Perceptiveness
      • Understanding people's reactions.
    • Operations Analysis
      • Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
    • Critical Thinking
      • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
    • Writing
      • Writing things for co-workers or customers.
    • Speaking
      • Talking to others.
    • Science
      • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
    • Monitoring
      • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
    • Complex Problem Solving
      • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
    • Operation and Control
      • Using equipment or systems.
    • Troubleshooting
      • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
    • Management of Financial Resources
      • Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
    • Equipment Selection
      • Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
    • Repairing
      • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
    • Management of Personnel Resources
      • Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
    • Instructing
      • Teaching people how to do something.
    • Equipment Maintenance
      • Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
    • Time Management
      • Managing your time and the time of other people.
    • Systems Analysis
      • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.

    Abilities

    • Mathematical Reasoning
      • Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
    • Spatial Orientation
      • Knowing where things are around you.
    • Control Precision
      • Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
    • Extent Flexibility
      • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
    • Rate Control
      • Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
    • Glare Sensitivity
      • Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
    • Gross Body Coordination
      • Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
    • Response Orientation
      • Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
    • Explosive Strength
      • Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
    • Far Vision
      • Seeing details that are far away.
    • Visual Color Discrimination
      • Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
    • Flexibility of Closure
      • Seeing hidden patterns.
    • Number Facility
      • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
    • Static Strength
      • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
    • Dynamic Flexibility
      • Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
    • Peripheral Vision
      • Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
    • Stamina
      • Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
    • Auditory Attention
      • Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
    • Sound Localization
      • Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
    • Speech Recognition
      • Recognizing spoken words.
    • Speed of Limb Movement
      • Quickly moving your arms and legs.
    • Trunk Strength
      • Using your lower back and stomach.
    • Near Vision
      • Seeing details up close.
    • Manual Dexterity
      • Holding or moving items with your hands.
    • Written Expression
      • Communicating by writing.
    • Information Ordering
      • Ordering or arranging things.
    • Oral Comprehension
      • Listening and understanding what people say.
    • Deductive Reasoning
      • Using rules to solve problems.
    • Memorization
      • Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
    • Time Sharing
      • Doing two or more things at the same time.
    • Fluency of Ideas
      • Coming up with lots of ideas.
    • Category Flexibility
      • Grouping things in different ways.
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
      • Keeping your arm or hand steady.
    • Selective Attention
      • Paying attention to something without being distracted.
    • Multilimb Coordination
      • Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
    • Gross Body Equilibrium
      • Keeping your balance or staying upright.
    • Finger Dexterity
      • Putting together small parts with your fingers.
    • Wrist-Finger Speed
      • Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
    • Speech Clarity
      • Speaking clearly.
    • Problem Sensitivity
      • Noticing when problems happen.
    • Visualization
      • Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
    • Written Comprehension
      • Reading and understanding what is written.
    • Originality
      • Creating new and original ideas.
    • Oral Expression
      • Communicating by speaking.
    • Inductive Reasoning
      • Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
    • Speed of Closure
      • Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
    • Night Vision
      • Seeing at night or under low light.
    • Dynamic Strength
      • Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
    • Depth Perception
      • Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
    • Reaction Time
      • Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
    • Hearing Sensitivity
      • Telling the difference between sounds.
    • Perceptual Speed
      • Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

    Knowledge

    • Production and Processing
      • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
    • Chemistry
      • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
    • English Language
      • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
    • Customer and Personal Service
      • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
    • Philosophy and Theology
      • Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
    • Engineering and Technology
      • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
    • Psychology
      • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
    • Economics and Accounting
      • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
    • History and Archeology
      • Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
    • Personnel and Human Resources
      • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
    • Biology
      • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
    • Foreign Language
      • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
    • Telecommunications
      • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
    • Physics
      • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
    • Education and Training
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
    • Mechanical
      • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Food Production
      • Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
    • Sociology and Anthropology
      • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
    • Building and Construction
      • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    • Geography
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
    • Computers and Electronics
      • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
    • Public Safety and Security
      • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
    • Communications and Media
      • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
    • Medicine and Dentistry
      • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
    • Mathematics
      • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
    • Therapy and Counseling
      • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
    • Administration and Management
      • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
    • Design
      • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
    • Sales and Marketing
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
    • Administrative
      • Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
    • Fine Arts
      • Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
    • Law and Government
      • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
    • Transportation
      • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

    Education

    Education
    Postsecondary certificate
    Work Experience
    No work experience
    Training
    Less than 1 month on-the-job training
    Education and Training Opportunities

    Pay

    Washington Annual Salary
    57790/yr
    Washington Hourly Wage
    27.78/hr

    Washington Employment Trends

    Currently Employed
    16,860
    Yearly Projected Openings
    1740

    Personality

    Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They do well at jobs that need:
    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Integrity
    • Analytical Thinking
    • Independence
    • Persistence

    Tools

    • Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
    • Acoustic sensors
    • Adjustable widemouth pliers
    • Adjustable wrenches
    • Air compressors
    • Ammeters
    • Anvils
    • Automotive cleaners
    • Automotive exhaust emission analyzers
    • Automotive honing machine
    • Awls
    • Ball peen hammer
    • Bar code reader equipment
    • Battery acid hydrometers
    • Battery chargers
    • Battery testers
    • Bench vises
    • Blow torch
    • Bolt cutters
    • Borescope inspection equipment
    • Box end wrenches
    • Brake drum lathe
    • Brake repair kits
    • C clamps
    • Calipers
    • Capacitance meters
    • Catalytic combustion analyzers
    • Circuit tester
    • Claw hammer
    • Cleaning scrapers
    • Cold chisels
    • Combination pliers
    • Combination wrenches
    • Compressed air gun
    • Compression testers
    • Cutting die
    • Deburring tool
    • Desktop computers
    • Diagonal cut pliers
    • Dial indicator or dial gauge
    • Digital testers
    • Dollies
    • Drill bit set
    • Drill press or radial drill
    • Dynamometers
    • Engine ignition systems
    • Engine or vehicle stands
    • Feeler gauges
    • Flat hand file
    • Forklifts
    • Gas detectors
    • Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
    • Grease guns
    • Growler tester
    • Hacksaw
    • Hammers
    • Hand clamps
    • Hand reamer
    • Heat guns
    • Heat tracing equipment
    • Hex keys
    • Hoists
    • Hole gauge
    • Hose cutter
    • Hydraulic press brake
    • Hydraulic press frames
    • Impact wrenches
    • Inspection mirror
    • Integrated circuit testers
    • Jacks
    • Laser printers
    • Leak testing equipment
    • Levels
    • Linemans pliers
    • Liquid leak detectors
    • Locking pliers
    • Longnose pliers
    • Magnetic tools
    • Metal band sawing machine
    • Metal inert gas welding machine
    • Micrometers
    • Mill saw file
    • Motor starter controls
    • Multi gas monitors
    • Multimeters
    • Needlenose pliers
    • Nibblers
    • Nut drivers
    • Ohmmeters
    • Oil gun
    • Open end wrenches
    • Organic light emitting displays
    • Oscilloscopes
    • Oxygen sensors
    • Paint sprayers
    • Personal computers
    • Picks
    • Pipe bending tools
    • Pipe or tube cutter
    • Pipe wrenches
    • Plasma arc welding machine
    • Pneumatic drill
    • Pneumatic hammer
    • Pneumatic impact wrenches
    • Pneumatic sanding machines
    • Pneumatic vacuum equipment
    • Portable data input terminals
    • Power buffers
    • Power drills
    • Power flaring tool
    • Power grinders
    • Power riveter
    • Power sanders
    • Power saws
    • Pressure indicators
    • Pressure or steam cleaners
    • Protective gloves
    • Pry bars
    • Pullers
    • Punches or nail sets or drifts
    • Rasps
    • Ratchets
    • Razor knives
    • Refrigerant compressors
    • Remote reading thermometers
    • Retaining ring pliers
    • Rivet tools
    • Safety glasses
    • Safety shoes
    • Screw extractors
    • Screwdrivers
    • Scribers
    • Shears
    • Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine
    • Socket sets
    • Sockets
    • Soldering iron
    • Spark plug tester
    • Spark plug wrench
    • Specialty wrenches
    • Speed sensors
    • Steering wheel puller
    • Strap wrenches
    • Stripping tools
    • Tachometers
    • Tape measures
    • Taps
    • Tire changing machines
    • Tire pressure gauge
    • Tongue and groove pliers
    • Torque wrenches
    • Torx keys
    • Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathe
    • Trim or molding tools
    • Tube bending machine
    • Two way radios
    • Ultrasonic examination equipment
    • Utility knives
    • Vacuum gauges
    • Vacuum pumps
    • Valve seat cutter
    • Voltage or current meters
    • Welding masks
    • Welding or soldering kit
    • Wheel alignment equipment
    • Wheel balancing equipment
    • Wheel nut or lug wrench
    • Winches
    • Wire brushes
    • Wire cutters
    • Wire or cable cutter
    • Workshop cranes

    Technology

    • Accounting software
    • Analytical or scientific software
    • Calendar and scheduling software
    • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
    • Data base reporting software
    • Data base user interface and query software
    • Electronic mail software
    • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
    • Facilities management software
    • Information retrieval or search software
    • Internet browser software
    • Office suite software
    • Operating system software
    • Project management software
    • Spreadsheet software
    • Video creation and editing software
    • Word processing software

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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