Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
- Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
- Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
- Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
- Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
- Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
- Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
- Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
- Align vehicles' front ends.
- Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
- Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
- Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
- Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience.
- Maintain cleanliness of work area.
- 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.
- Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
- Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
- Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
- Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
- Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
- Rebuild parts, such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks.
- Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
- Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
- Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
- 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.
- Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
- Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
- Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
- Repair or rebuild transmissions.
- Retrofit vehicle fuel systems with aftermarket products, such as vapor transfer devices, evaporation control devices, swirlers, lean burn devices, and friction reduction devices, to enhance combustion and fuel efficiency.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
98%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
96%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
95%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
91%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
90%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
90%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
90%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
89%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
88%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
87%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
86%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
84%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
83%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
83%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
80%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
80%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
79%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
76%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
74%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
72%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
69%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
66%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
66%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
66%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
65%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
64%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
64%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
61%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
57%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
56%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
55%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
53%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
52%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
52%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
52%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
51%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
50%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
49%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
49%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
47%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
45%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
37%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
37%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
26%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
21%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
20%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
18%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
18%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
17%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
16%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
13%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
13%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
8%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
6%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
5%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
4%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
1%
Education
Post-secondary certificate
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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