What Do Car Mechanics Do?

Automotive mechanics perform a wide variety of tasks, all designed to keep customers' cars working properly and safely. Just as the modern automobile is different from the earliest cars so, too, has the job of a car mechanic evolved over time. Today, mechanics work to maintain and repair traditional mechanical systems as well as high-tech automotive technology.

Employment as a Mechanic

The majority of car mechanics work either for a dealership where cars are sold and serviced or for an independent car repair company unaffiliated with automakers. Such independent companies may be single shops that serve their local area or international chains of repair shops and parts retailers. Some mechanics are employed by private individuals to maintain car collections or as members of a racing team. Others work for a company that uses a fleet of vehicles in its operations, such as a local municipality, delivery service, or car and truck rental agency.
In all forms of employment, car mechanics enjoy a great deal of job security. This is mainly due to the relatively high cost of new cars, which means that even costly repairs are a preferable option rather than buying a new car. Also, even the most mechanically sound cars require routine maintenance.

Maintenance

A large portion of the work done by a car mechanic involves routine maintenance. Most automakers specify intervals for maintenance, such as oil changes every 3,000 miles. Car mechanics maintain a vehicle's fluid levels, including engine coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Rotating tires (as often as every 6,000 miles) and changing air and oil filters are also common tasks done on a routine basis.
Other forms of maintenance occur on a less regular basis but are nevertheless common. Certain components such as brakes, batteries and tires are not designed to last the life of a car and must be replaced as necessary. Car mechanics may suggest when replacements are necessary based on the patterns they observe on other similar vehicles or with special knowledge of a specific driver's needs.

Recalls

One form of work frequently done by mechanics who work for a car dealership involves factory recalls. These recalls are issued to owners of certain models or cars that include a component with known problems. If a car is found to be prone to failure or as posing a serious safety risk, the manufacturer may issue a recall and require all owners to bring their cars to a dealership for free service to correct the problem. Recalls may be voluntary or federally mandated, as in cases when driver safety is at risk.
In instances when a recall is issued, mechanics may receive an enormous amount of work in a short time as thousands of cars requiring the same service are brought to them. Car mechanics generally follow a procedure mandated by the manufacturer for installing new parts or correcting the problem that causes the recall to be issued.

Inspections

In many states, safety or emissions inspections are required before cars can be licensed or registered. These services are performed by car mechanics with a special certification that allows them to act as agents of the state in determining if a car meets certain standards. In the case of safety inspections, a car will be checked in a variety of ways. The mechanic will ensure the tires have adequate tread, the brakes have sufficient material to stop effectively, the lights, horn, and windshield wipers are in good working order and that the car complies to all standards concerning its dimensions and appearance. Emissions inspections require the mechanic to measure the amount of certain chemicals emitted in the exhaust of a car while it is run. This procedure requires mechanics to use a computer to analyze the car's exhaust and then to interpret the data to determine if the legal standards have been met.

Repair

Finally, car mechanics repair cars that have been involved in accidents or experienced mechanical failure. This is often the most visible part of the job and can involve a wide ranging set of tasks. Repairs can be anything from rebuilding an engine to hammering out dented body panels to rewiring a car's electrical system. In modern cars, repair often begins with attaching the car to a computer system that analyzes error messages stores in the car's on-board central processing unit. This can give the mechanic important data regarding the source of the problem and which procedures are most likely to fix it. It also helps mechanics to isolate malfunctioning components and avoid trial and error repair attempts.
Related to repairs are the procedures done to improve a car's performance that may not be necessary for basic operation. This may include the addition of high-performance parts, adjusting the timing of an engine, or applying a custom paint job.

References

• Car Mechanic Job Description
• Automotive Mechanic--Job Description

Resources

• Local Auto Repair (Edmunds)