Automotive Specialty Technicians
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics > Facility and Mobile Equipment MaintenanceProjected Growth: Little or no change
Projected Job Openings
Medium Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Repair only one system or component on a vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, or radiator.
Common job titles of Automotive Specialty Technicians include:
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Experience and Education
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
48.69% said they needed a Post-Secondary Certificate.
28.79% said they needed a High School Diploma.
Tasks
Inspect propane or natural gas high-pressure tanks, piping, or pressure regulators.
Retrofit vehicle fuel systems with aftermarket products, such as vapor transfer devices, evaporation control devices, swirlers, lean burn devices, or friction reduction devices, to enhance combustion and fuel efficiency.
Convert vehicle fuel systems from gasoline to butane gas, ethanol, methane, or other alternative or biofuel systems.
Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
Repair or replace defective ball joint suspensions, brake shoes, or wheel bearings.
Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
Repair, overhaul, or adjust automobile brake systems.
Service internal combustion engine systems for hybrid electric vehicles.
Replace hydraulically assisted systems with electric-powered systems, such as power steering pumps or air conditioning compressors, to improve fuel economy.
Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
Rebuild, repair, or test automotive fuel injection units.
Install or repair air conditioners and service components, such as compressors, condensers, and controls.
Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
Service or repair butane gas, ethanol, methane, or other alternative or biofuel systems.
Replace defective mufflers and tailpipes.
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.
Diagnose and repair regenerative braking systems or hydraulic systems in hybrid vehicles.
Repair or rebuild clutch systems.
Service biodiesel fuel tanks for algae or sludge accumulation by cleaning, changing filters, or adding algaecides.
Repair or replace automobile leaf springs.
Tools
Workshop presses
Workshop cranes
Wire strippers
Wire cutters
Wire brushes
Winches
Wheel weight hammers
All ToolsWheel balancers
Wheel alignment machines
Welding masks
Voltmeters
Vises
Valve seating equipment
Vacuum pumps
Vacuum gauges
Utility knives
Tubing benders
Tube cutters
Transmission jacks
Torx keys
Torque wrenches
Tire pressure gauges
Tire changing machines
Test lights
Tape measures
Tachometers
Strobe wheel balancing systems for heavy vehicles
Strap wrenches
Straight blade screwdrivers
Stickleback rasps
Steering wheel column pivot pin pullers
Steam cleaning equipment
Spot welding kits
Spark plug testers
Spark plug sockets
Spark plug gapping tools
Soldering irons
Socket wrench sets
Slide hammers
Single-cut mill saw files
Shoe retaining spring tools
Shielded arc welding tools
Shears
Scribers
Screw extractor sets
Scrapers
Scan tools
Sandblasters
Safety glasses
Rotor/drum brake lathes
Rivet guns
Revolutions per minute RPM gauges
Refrigerant leak detectors
Refrigerant identifiers
Reciprocating saws
Reamers
Ratchets
Ratcheting gear wrenches
Ratcheting box wrenches
Radiator hose pinchoff pliers
Punches
Pry bars
Pressure brake bleeders
Power sanders
Power pullers
Power grinders
Polishers
Pneumatic wrenches
Pneumatic orbital sanders
Pneumatic fluid evacuators
Pneumatic drills
Pneumatic chassis lubriguns
Plasma cutters
Pipe wrenches
Phillips head screwdrivers
Personal computers
Paint sprayers
Oxygen sensors
Oscilloscopes
Open end wrenches
Oil injectors
Oil filter wrenches
Ohmmeters
Offset brake wrenches
Nut drivers
Non-contact thermometers
Nibblers
Needlenose pliers
Multimeters
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Metal cutting taps
Metal cutting dies
Mechanics’ stethoscopes
Manifold gauge sets
Magnetic pickup tools
Lug wrenches
Light emitting diode LED leak detector lights
Leak detectors
Leak detection smoke machines
Laser printers
Laser photo tachometers
Laser levels
Jacks
Jack stands
Internal retaining ring pliers
Inspection mirrors
Infrared digital thermometers
In-line ignition spark testers
Impact wrenches
Ignition testers
Hydraulic shop presses
Hydraulic bleed tools
Hose cutters
Hoists
Heat guns
Hand pullers
Hammers
Hacksaws
Grease guns
Gear pullers
Fuel injection cleaners
Frame racks
Flaring tools
Filter wrenches
Feeler gauges
External snap ring pliers
Exhaust/tail pipe cutters
Exhaust analyzers
Engine stands
Engine oil pressure testers
Dynamometers
Dwell meters
Drill presses
Disc brake pad spreaders
Diesel modulator shift testers
Dial indicators
Dial calipers
Diagonal cutting pliers
Desktop computers
Dent pullers
Deburring tools
Crescent wrenches
Continuity testers
Computerized suspension analyzers
Compression analyzers
Combustion leak detectors
Combination wrenches
Code readers
Clutch wrenches
Clutch holding tools
Clamp-on multimeters
Circuit testers
Channel lock pliers
Chain hoists
Catalytic combustion analyzers
Calipers
Butterfly air wrenches
Buffers
Breaker bars
Brake shoe tools
Brake drum lathes
Brake cylinder hones
Brake bleeders
Borescopes
Bore gauges
Bolt cutters
Battery jump starters
Battery hydrometers
Ball joint separators
Awls
Auto body dollies
Anvils
Antenna socket sets
Angle drills
Ammeters
Alternator testers
Allen wrenches
Air wrenches
Air hammers
Air conditioner chargers
Air compressors
Air chisels
Technologies
Alliance Automotive Shop Controller
Amcom AUTOS2000
Estimating software
Genisys Fast Fixes
Hunter WinAlign
Internet browser software
Mitchell OnDemand5 Manager
All TechnologiesNexiq Tech HDS Suite for Palm
Online service manual database software
Scott Systems MaxxTraxx Pro
Snap-On ShopKey
Technical manual database software
Work order management software
Skills
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Abilities
Quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Control Movement Abilities › Psychomotor Abilities › Control Precision
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Flexibility, Balance, and Coordination › Physical Abilities › Extent Flexibility
Occupation Sections
Knowledge
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.