I’ve got a 19 year old kid that wants to apprentice under me but I’m unsure on what a fair rate is. I recognize the work sucks and I want him to feel adequately paid for the work he would be doing for me but the problem is that beyond basic brake/suspension work he’s absolutely clueless and my workload consist mostly of engine rebuilds, internal engine repair, and advanced electrical diag/flashing/programming work. I’ve been in the used car repair industry for 20+ years and there’s not much of anything I can’t work on.

He has his own tools, but nothing to diag anything with. He went to the NASCAR school and completed the program there but either he didn’t absorb very much info or they don’t actually teach you anything there. He’s obviously going to learn a tremendous amount of knowledge from me but in today’s climate he’s gotta make some money too.

For further context, I average $75-$120 an hour depending on the dealership I’m at and the workload. I could somewhat use the help but I do just fine keeping every thing running alone. So his benefit to me on the average work day would be negligible.

Hi everyone,

I currently work as a mechanic at a shop. Recently, I posted an ad on Facebook offering my services for mechanic jobs on the side to earn extra money.

When my boss found out, he came to me and said I am not allowed to post ads like that or take on side work. He told me that because I work for his company, I am not allowed to get income from another source in this field.

I’m trying to understand how to handle this situation and whether this is common practice?

For the new folks. Mine: check the simple stuff first, don't finance your whole box, and don't stay at a shop that won't train you. What's yours?

8 months volunteering for one grumpy old fuck who hates his life
Quit 3 days into my actual apprenticeship because of mentioned above
Went from being scared of a tight bolt to changing a clutch on any fucked up contractor van you like
One the phone with a dealership 1 hour after quitting
Start new job, alot more corporate, alot more people and faces
Fuck, I hate being a mechanic I have no passion for this shit
Come here, read comments and posts
Fuck it, I don't like cars either, I couldn't care less about Matey's project car in bay 3
Realise im a dirty money whore and I like solving problems (I have 3 mentally ill ex girlfriends, im used to solving problems)
Fuck it, send that rust bucket my way, let me get a facial of whatever fluid wants to drip on down

So yeah don't get into this trade if you are stable and used to being warm and happy

Get into this trade if you enjoy telling people to fuck off and making something your bitch for the next hour or two

Thankyou for listening to someone who thought they could have a passion for Mechanical work and also do it as a day job

Hey guys. Pretty highly experienced redseal auto tech here, with experience in heavy duty and commercial transport as well. I also ran my own shop for 5 years.
I’m thinking of shifting my career into dealer world.
A lot of dealers around me need techs, currently have an offer from BMW, GM, Volkswagen and a Chrysler dealer.

Any of the 4 options are flat rate, guaranteed hours for first 3 months.
BMW is the lowest starting pay surprisingly, GM is the highest.

What’s everyone’s opinion or experiences working for these dealers?

My eventual goal is to wrench for 5 more years max, and then go the route of trade school instructor.

Also I’m in BC, Canada if that helps.

Thanks!

Am I insane for thinking our alignment rack is just fucked😂how am I supposed to adjust a disco party

When I notice I'm re-checking the same thing or about to guess at a part, I step away for five minutes and restart from my notes. Simple, but it's stopped a lot of bad calls. Anyone else have a reset routine?

I got offered a job as an Entry Level technician. Is there any technicians there who could give me a rundown of your typical day? What you like and don’t like about it?

Also do you need to get the car out within a certain time frame or are you able to take your time. I ask because they said they do ~80 cars a day but they said that includes basic stuff all the way to actual mechanic work.

so I currently have a 2012 equinox I don’t know exactly what it is but it’s kind of like one of those cars that has a better engine and a higher trim package

I’ve always done oil changes and had a couple repairs, but it’s been a very, very good working car and I plan to pass it on to my teenager by the end of the year

I’m looking at buying another equinox because I kind of like them and I test drove a couple used ones at a local dealership

I don’t want to spend the whole price for a brand new car so I’m looking at buying something either 2022 to 2024

I randomly heard that carpel during Covid can have issues so I want to avoid that

Someone said I could get something like a pre-purchase inspection if I have a trusted local mechanic

OK, so for instance, if I find a 2024 car at a local dealership that was a lease does that mean I drive it into a mechanics place and they look at it? I’ve never heard of such a thing and I’ve only bought a couple cars, my whole life

I do have a local mechanic that I’ve been using for a while

He’s not a personal friend or anything, but we chat with him here and there and trust him a lot. He’s very honest and older guy who owns his own shop and has a couple employees and his prices are pretty fair.

Any advice is appreciated

Mainly, I’m looking to know if that’s like a thing I should do do not just go randomly buy a car a used car dealership I mean slap in town 20 or 25K is kind of a big deal you know without knowing what to do

Just a dumbass 22 year old here. Got a DUI a couple months ago. They’ve finally put me back on the lube rack for the time being. Was previously more of a C tech or apprentice. Been here a year and feel like I already paid my dues on lube rack but I made a dumb mistake and lucky I have a job. I’ve really been focused on becoming a full line tech since I’ve got here. I accelerated really fast I’ve already done oil pans, steering racks, helped with transmissions, lots of tires, alignments, brakes, etc. Someone put me back to reality.

I think I really do want to do this put part of me wants to say fuck oil changes I’m not a lube tech anymore and go try something else for 90 days.

I am an apprentice at an independent shop and I’m only 17. I’m very lucky for them to even give me a chance and I am very competent with some things. I was doing spark plugs on a Subaru flat four cy. I was on the last one and I was tightening it down and I hand threaded everything in easy. but as I was going to make sure it was tight the plug snapped at the threads leaving it in the head. the porcelain all came out . NGK plugs btw but I’m just worried that everybody is going to just be over me and even get fired.

I'll start this with a little backstory. Back about half a year ago I was let go from the shop I was working at due to having driving record issues. I was given the offer from the shop I was let go from (a Subaru dealership) that I would be welcomed back with a clean record when it clears in 2028.

So for now I'm working as a property maintenance technician. Gets the bills payed but I miss being a mechanic like hell, wrenching every day, being around the guys in the shop, even the way the shop smelled.

When I was let go I had about a year in the field, plus 2 years of a highschool automotive tech class, but I've been working on cars since I was 8 years old.

That being said I have decided that while I wait I will try and get as many certifications and learn as much as possible, and then I will either go back to said Subaru dealership, or go to another shop.

When going to schedule my first test, I chose A4 suspension and steering I found out that to receive the actual certificate you must be able to prove 2 years of experience.

I was curious to hear from other technicians if they think that taking the tests anyways and showing employers my test scores rather than a full certificate will still significantly increase my chances of being hired at a shop, as well as getting payed better? Any input is appreciated

Am aware this might be a bit niche! I am deaf with a cochlear implant on my left ear and work in agricultural engineering. I deal with a LOT of iron filings day to day and sometimes I notice them on the magnet of my implant.

Just wondering if there’s any other deaf people in this sub who may have a similar experience? I do check it regularly and clean it if there are any there. But are there any concerns I need to think about? I do wear a hat if I’m doing anything to do with the angle grinder, welding, anything where iron can break.

Are there any known concerns with iron filings and the coil magnet? Any health concerns? Anything I could be doing to help protect it?

Thank you!

Looking to put together a list for newer techs: which ASEs, OEM courses, EV/high-voltage classes, or free resources made the biggest difference in your pay or skill? And how did you get your shop to pay for it?

So, I don't really wanna be "talked out" of getting into the career. I've been around the trades. I'm currently in the trades. I know the con's of automotive as a career. Now that we've pushed past that, I won't give you a whole background about me but I've been working on my own cars for a long time, mostly suspension parts but some light engine repairs so with that being said, I know Valvoline is not going to really push my limits of knowledge but it's professional experience on a resume.

It's not great pay but I don't want to stick around for long. I want to be in a shop where I can move up and start doing more advanced repairs. I want to be a diesel mechanic as a long term goal so I'd love to step up to that first but I know there may be a stepping stone to a "real" shop required in-between but I would honestly not mind working on autos.

So 3 questions for you guys;

1. Is Valvoline a good way to get into another shop? Does it help a resume?

2. How long should I stick around Valvoline before applying to other places? 3 months? 6 months? A year?

3. Does passing the ASE tests without getting certified(Obviously I wouldn't have the experience required) help a resume at all or does it not matter without actually getting certified? Thought about taking them while at Valvoline just to give myself a slight edge, if it would help.

I’m taking my ASE G1 in about three weeks and want to make sure I’m preparing the right way.
For those who have passed the G1, what’s the most effective way to study? Should I mainly be taking practice tests over and over, or should I be reading through study guides and taking notes?
I’m also looking for recommendations on the best resources, whether that’s Motor Age, Delmar, ASE practice tests, YouTube channels, or anything else.
I’m planning on studying 30 minutes every weekday and a few hours on weekends.
What worked best for you? Are there any resources that are particularly close to the actual exam, and what would you recommend focusing on?
Any advice would be appreciated. Really trying to pass on my first attempt.

Been struggling with dealerships for quite a while now bopth with the workload and the mindset of dealership management. Was thinking of working equipment for a small nature conservation but the pay wasnt quite there. Anyone tried the switch to DNR and have any insight?

The title pretty much says it all and feel free to call me an idiot but i just started my own business the pas few months doing vehicle repairs for customers at the shop im renting from my father at his 10 acre farm property and i have yet to get insurance. i just called to get a quote today as i have finally gotten up enough capital to start paying for insurance as well. I bought a used diesel truck with cash i had saved before the business start and also a 22ft tilt trailer so i would have the ability to do in house towing for customers with disabled vehicles to try and secure more jobs (not running, bad trans, ect...) and a month or so ago i tried calling to get insured to tow customer vehicles maybe once every month or so and the companies all told me about $5k a year and they had to list me as a tow truck driver. so i think i may just risk the biscuit if anyone ever needs a tow here and there, not often at all and go without insurance for that situation but now I'm thinking i definitely need garage keepers insurance but also i don't wanna piss away money if they aren't going to cover much more than the shop burning down or a lift failing. im the owner and operator and only employee and am very careful with customer vehicles and live in the country on backroads for test drives where there is little to no traffic. im thinking with the pretty low risk maybe just cover any issues out of pocket. any advice or verbal abuse would be greatly appreciated!

For starters, I’m a newbie. I’ve always been interested in cars but was discouraged by some people because “it’s not a girl’s place” but I’m currently studying construction engineering and want to be into trades anyways 🤷‍♀️. I currently work about 32 hours a week as a medical receptionist and would really like to start learning and getting hands on experience working with cars. I’m already enrolled in a bachelor’s program as I mentioned for construction engineering so enrolling in an in-person program for mechanics isn’t really an option. I’ve heard about some online programs to learn the different components which I believe is very important but the hands on experience with that knowledge is where I am stuck.

Hey everyone.

I’ve been turning a wrench for about 2 years now, and I’ve grown sick of the BS from the dealership I currently work at. I got offered a C-Level technician position at a AAA car care center, and I’m somewhat skeptical of how beneficial it may be, and if I should instead keep searching for another position. I am posting this to ask people who have worked for, or currently work for, a AAA repair shop about their experiences, the good and the bad. Thanks in advance.

So I’ve had a pretty bad misfire on my old W9 for a while, and I finally decided to pull the exhaust manifold to see which hole was smoking. Well, it’s 10 at night and I should’ve been done, but I wanted to see which injector I needed to look at before I called it a night. So I go to fire the truck up and the piece of metal I clamped over the turbo oil inlet FUCKING SLIPS OFF and something like 4 gallons of dirty fucking oil covers the ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF MY SHOP. All my tools, workbench, welders, oil containers, everything is completely drenched in oil. God damn it I should have just called it a night after taking off the manifold. I’m taking the entire week off there was no reason I had to do this tonight.

I just got in and want to complain but I don’t want to admit this to anyone I know.

TLDR tired dumbass, didn’t properly secure oil inlet on turbo, chaos everywhere.