The following article will discuss what makes an expert auto repair technician. Auto Repair Experts are trained to diagnose and fix major problems with automobiles, including brakes, lights, interior electronics, engine performance issues. They also work on the body of the car by repairing dents or scratches in paint jobs. The training for this profession can take years and includes apprenticeships as well as schooling at a vocational school or community college. There are many factors that go into making someone an expert at their trade; here is some insight into what it takes to be one of these experts:
1) Knowledge – To become an successful auto repair professional you need to know how cars work inside and out because you’ll be working on them regularly–you need to know what goes wrong, why it’s wrong, and how to fix it. You’ll need to know all the parts of a car–both inside and out–and what tools to use for any job. Being thorough is important in this profession because if you miss something there’s no going back once the repair has been made.
2) Troubleshooting – Auto Repair Experts will be expected to come up with their own solutions for problem solving. If your customer brings their car into the shop due to an issue, being able to determine what will need to be done before even looking at the problem area is essential because not every part can simply be ordered from the same manufacturer or supplier that you would order other replacement parts from. Little things, such as a power window switch or a windshield wiper motor, can be difficult to locate. You may need to order directly from the OEM (manufacturer) in some cases.
3) Communication – Auto Repair Experts are expected to communicate with customers and diagnose issues accurately over the phone. Determining what the problem is from an explanation of symptoms alone will allow you to suggest different possible solutions depending on what your customer says their car is doing wrong. In some cases you may not even need to see the vehicle in person if you’re able to accurately diagnose and fix problems over the phone or through email/text messaging.
4) Technical Skills – A good auto repair professional needs to be proficient computers and technology because cars today run on computers. It doesn’t matter if they only use the computer to scan for trouble codes or as a diagnostic tool, you must be able to understand and use technology. Customers will expect more from their repair shop as time goes by; we’re already seeing cars that can be started with a phone app and car washes that connect wirelessly to your car’s computer system.
5) People Skills – Auto Repair Experts need to be courteous and professional when dealing with customers and other professionals (such as suppliers and parts manufacturers). Knowing how to solve an issue using multiple tools is very important because not every part can simply be ordered from the same manufacturer or supplier that you would order other replacement parts from.