Skills You Didn’t Know Automotive Technicians Need

An automotive technician is expected to have the knowledge to inspect, diagnose and repair most cars and light trucks on the market today, but automobile service centres are also looking for individuals that have great non-technical skills, such as writing, oral communication, critical thinking and problem solving. Each of these skills are just as important as professional expertise.

Good Writing Skills

Writing is a very important skill to have in an automotive career, as automotive technicians must be able to document what they did following the conclusion of a repair job. Each documentation must provide a detailed description of the repair work done on a car, in layman’s terms. They may also be asked to write a summation of the damage occurred in an automobile accident that could be used later as evidence in a legal matter.

Oral Communication

Sometimes, an automotive technician will show off their oral communication skills by working behind the service counter, and providing detail instructions to customers who want to make simple car repairs themselves. Also, they must give periodic progress reports to their supervisor on each car in the service area, and quickly inform customers via a phone call on the severity of the damage done to their car. Another added responsibility for an automotive technician is verbally relaying a parts order list to an outside supplier or receiving further instructions on how to install a part directly from the supplier.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a very important skill in an automotive career, as it helps an automotive technician to diagnose and judge the amount of time needed to repair a car. They use this skill to decipher the reliability of the information provided by customers and determine its relevance to the actual problem with the car. Others use critical thinking as a source to evaluate the usefulness of their working tools and if they’re compatible enough to assist on repair jobs for late-model cars. Critical thinking will also help to assess the condition of vital parts on a car, such as brakes, tires and the exhaust system.

Problem Solving Skills

Automotive technicians use their problem solving skills to help find suitable replacements for automobile parts that aren’t in-stock or simply weren’t delivered to the service center. Others use this skill to assist a co-worker on troubleshooting a car when they cannot resolve the problem themselves.

If you’re thinking about having an automotive career, then don’t forget to develop or improve your non-technical skills. Helping a supervisor resolve a conflict is just as important as fixing a mechanical problem with a car. A good automotive technician must be versatile and perform many roles in an ever-changing industry. Having good non-technical skills are designed to help automotive technicians advance in their automotive careers, as they gain more confidence in their ability.

Discovering Your Automotive Passion

Are you good at using your hands? Do you love solving problems and enjoy the tangible satisfaction of seeing a job completed right before your eyes? And most important of all, do you have a passion for automobiles? If you answered yes to these questions, a career in the automotive industry may be for you. Working with cars is not for everybody, but if you really love cars and enjoy fixing things, it is truly a career that feels more like a hobby than a job.

Auto Technician Training in the 21st Century:

Automotive technology has advanced incredibly in the last several years, and the career of an auto technician is technical, mentally challenging, physical demanding, and highly rewarding. This increased technicality means increased earning power and opportunities for specialization. Beyond your initial auto technician training, it also requires the ability to keep current with new automotive technologies in the field. Staying caught up with advancing automotive technology through ongoing auto mechanic courses can increase your earning power and put you in high demand with employers like car dealerships, private repair shops, and even allow you to go into business for yourself as you establish yourself as an expert in the automotive field.

How To Pursue Your Passion with a Career in the Automotive Industry:

To get your foot in the door, it will take more than just mechanical aptitude and a love of cars. These days the complexity of automobiles requires hours of training to be proficient at diagnosing and fixing the myriad problems that cars can have. There are lots of opportunities in the automotive field for beginners, those wishing to advance, and even those who have little mechanical aptitude.

Beginners can find places in the automotive industry with lube and tire shops, and as brake and alignment specialists. This will help you know if working in a shop is a good fit for you.

When you want to climb the ladder, auto mechanic courses can get you the certifications you need to increase your earning potential and find yourself in demand. There are all kinds of specialties such as engine specialists, transmission specialists, front end technicians, and much more. Auto Technician Training is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to finding a niche in the automotive industry.

If you love cars but lack mechanical aptitude, you still have the option of going into transportation dispatch. This puts you at the heart of the industry that keeps people and goods moving, and allows you to work in a fast-paced and communication-heavy industry that relies on cars and trucks to keep things going.

Auto technician training gives you the power to do what you truly love if cars are your passion and you want a career that feels like a hobby. Looking into auto mechanic courses can allow you to follow your dreams and embark on a rewarding career that offers the satisfaction of seeing a job well done pay off every day.

Significance Of Good Chassis Automotive Parts

A chassis is an internal framework that supports a man-made object. Automotive chassis and frame elements are necessary components of the vehicle you drive and repair. A vehicle’s suspension, balance and brakes are the key factors in ride and luxury. And in todays extraordinarily competitive market, even the most minuscule enhancements in automobile chassis style, engineering and assembly will play a crucial role within the overall market success of your brand name.

Chassis systems represents several of the basics of auto behaviour and character, specifically ride comfort and to a substantial degree of noise levels on one hand, and also the quality of steering, handling and road holding on the opposite hand. These don’t seem to be, by and large, the qualities that influence the choice to shop for, which is essentially smitten by external look, visible options and value. They are, however, aspects in conjunction with reliability play an outsized role in determining client satisfaction throughout vehicle operation – which can flip the choice for or against a repeat purchase.

Along with the engine and transmission, a vehicle’s chassis system is a formative issue which involves its handling capabilities. The chassis structure influences vehicle driving dynamics, safety, comfort as well as the road holding ability.

You can avail services from a number of the top firms within the automobile chassis trade that supply the most effectual automotive frame elements and automobile chassis. Theyll provide the most effective automotive repair and customisation services. There are many varieties of automobile frame elements obtainable from a colossal range of automobile chassis suppliers.

Automotive chassis and frames come with specific installation tips that have to be met, therefore opt for that company that has the particular certifications and talent sets to try and do the chassis work effectively.

Road Safe provides chassis components that are manufactured to satisfy the very best trade standards utilising their state-of-the-art technology and materials to deliver high-quality components. Theyre amongst the outstanding names within the trade for producing and supplying a good vary of automotive spares parts. These spare components are designed as per the modern industry standards that enable to satisfy your necessities in a very superior method. The auto chassis components and solutions as well as product from finishing abrasives and fastener adhesives to wheel weights and brake seals; will give you a competitive edge.

For more information on chassis parts, automotive spare parts, spare parts and steering and suspension, please visit http://www.roadsafe.com.au/about.html

Automotive Motor Oil Change Frequency

Believe it or not your vehicle is made up of thousands and thousands of parts the majority of which are metal in origin and composition. It is a known fact in the work of mechanics that metal rubbing against raw metal creates great friction, and wear and tear on the metal surfaces in collision with each other. Thus without adequate lubrication from oil type lubricants you’re the motor in your vehicle – be it car, truck or S.U.V. would not last long and would thus have a very short life span.

There are some partly or wholly non-petroleum oils which are referred to as “synthetic oils”. According to manufacturers of these synthetic oils , a car or truck can be driven up to 30,000 miles ( 50,000 km) without the requirement or need for an oil change. The most grueling auto racers use premium synthetic oils almost exclusively. All sorts of claims have been made for synthetics which after all were developed for tank use on the Russian front in WW2. The most vital and important claims reduced friction , reduced wear, improved fuel economies , and extended oil change interval times. While no motor oil will eliminate engine wear, synthetics do offer measurable improvements in engine life according to Alberta based auto industry analyst M. L. Labovitch. How much of course is of course still subject to tremendous and ongoing heated debate and debates. In terms of flow characteristics most synthetics flow like water at – 40 degrees Celsius below zero , a temperature point where most conventional motor oils and even Russian vodka freezes solid. If it happens ( as it sometimes does in case of limited or no routine auto maintenance and service) that the oil filter itself is so dirty that motor oil cannot pass through the oil filter, in most cases a bypass valve will open and the motor oil goes directly to the moving parts. There are some partly or wholly non-petroleum oils which are referred to as “synthetic oils”. According to manufacturers of these synthetic oils , a car or truck can be driven up to 30,000 miles ( 50,000 km) without the requirement or need for an oil change. The most grueling auto racers use premium synthetic oils almost exclusively. What are the drawbacks of synthetics ? Price is the primary concern with synthetics costing from three to five times as much as conventional motor oils and lubricants. But just considering the increased length of time between oil change intervals they provide, the real cost difference may not be all that great by any means or manner of form. Some people just must have top of the line – the very best lubricant money can buy – even dirty un-cleaned motor oil if necessary. It seems that half a loaf of bread is better than no bread at all, or in this essential though lubrication provide by dirty, as opposed to more pure, lubricating fluids.

The oil drain plug is in the oil pan at the the bottom of the engine. This has to be removed with a solid wrench or socket. If you do the work yourself as you remove the plug, be careful not to let hot oil drip onto your hand or arm. It usually and generally goes through the camshaft, up to lubricate the valve lifters and rocker arms, then down to the crankshaft, the pistons and down the inside interior walls of the engine’s cylinders. Gravity brings the motor oil eventually to the oil, where the process begins again. In this way, the motor-oil lubricates all engine parts, cooling the surface and surfaces and reducing wear. In addition the motor oil and oils also act as a liquid washer and sealant around the pistons. Motor lubricating oil serves to seal the area on the circumference of the pistons. This way none of the air/ fuel mixture that is compressed for the combustion purposes, – to drive your motor and power plant, can escape. As a result the lubricating oil acts in addition to simple lubricant benefits to increase engine power and horsepower and maintains a far more powerful and efficient power plant that would be available otherwise.

Most motorists take their engine oil for granted. Multiviscosity is a most highly desirable characteristic in an auto engine motor oil and lubricant. If the oil is relatively thin at low temperatures, it will flow easily overall and provide good lubrication. This is especially important in the cold northern Alberta winter time climate. From the time the engine starts in the minus 40 degree temperature and the engine oil begins to flow more engine wear and tear occur than in thousands and thousands of normal driving in warmer more moderate ambient temperatures. Current auto industry recommendations and protocol in 2010 is to start the vehicle and bring the temperature up to its normal operating temperature. The motorist can do this simply by letting the engine run for 10 to 20 minutes . Take care not to run the car in an enclosed space, underground garage or a garage with the large door ways closed. Dangerous fumes and carbon monoxide poisoning can result.
In one tragic terrible case a home owner left the auto running in an attached garage. The CO fumes entered the home poisoning his family – especially if are in extreme conditions such as commercial taxi or police use or drive in a very cold climate in the winter time.

Regular Automotive Service A New Years Resolution!

The New Year is usually a time to make resolutions for the coming year. The year 2015 may bring financial challenges to many people and, as a result, you may be looking at keeping your older vehicle a little longer than originally planned. It’s easy to overlook the small responsibilities of keeping up basic automotive service. Vehicle owners know that regular automotive service and timely automotive repair are investments that will pay off in the long run with a vehicle that will keep going strong for many more miles.

Consider these three resolutions that will help maintain your vehicle, save you money, and keep you driving safely in the New Year:

Resolution #1 — Schedule a basic automotive service check-up twice a year. A well-trained mechanic can spot problems ahead of time that you might miss. Taking the time to schedule an automotive service with a good mechanic twice a year may seem obsessive, but preventative maintenance is cheap insurance, and will help prevent major automotive repair later. A basic automotive service should include inspecting the tires, lights, windshield wipers, brakes, and car battery.

Resolution #2 – Keep up with fluid and filter changes. Checking on your vehicle’s fluids and filters are crucial to its longevity, making sure to include radiator fluid and the air filter. Mark one day on your calendar each month to make sure all fluids are topped off and filters clean. It can save you some serious automotive repair dollars down the road.

Resolution #3 Take care of small problems early. This is perhaps the easiest responsibility to overlook, but the potential consequences of doing so can lead to major problems and automotive repair costs. That strange noise you hear in your vehicle won’t go away on its own.

Remember…. Don’t put off minor automotive service. Your car will thank you by providing good service for many miles to come.

Need a quality automotive repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for professional advice about automotive service. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.