Profession vehicle technician

Car mechanics repair, maintain and service (components of) vehicles

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Tasks vehicle technician

• Examine vehicles to determine extent of damage or faults and to estimate repair costs.
• Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems, and to discuss work to be performed.
• Inspect vehicles ensuring all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, etc.
• Test components and systems, using suitable equipment such as compression gauges.
• Plan work procedures.
• Repair, replace or adjust worn and faulty parts using suitable tools and equipment.
• Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications, etc.
• Test and adjust repaired parts or assemblies to make sure they work properly.
• Carry out minor body and trim repairs.

Related professions cars

• Automotive body repairer
• Automotive glass installer or repairer
• Bus mechanic
• Car seller
• Car tyres mechanic
• Cars and other vehicles inspector
• Diesel engine mechanic
• Engineering maintenance supervisor
• Garage receptionist
• Garage supervisor
• Motor-vehicle engine fitter
• Motorcycle mechanic
• Rental clerk road or water vehicles
• Road vehicles loader
• Truck mechanic
• Vehicle patrolman/woman
• Vehicle spray painter
• Vehicle upholsterer

Knowledge

• Principles of mechanical engineering

  Understand principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.

• Mechanical requirements for vehicles in urban areas

  Know legal requirements that vehicles must meet in order to operate in urban areas. Inspect and maintain components of vehicle subsystems; ensure safety of vehicle, reliability, and driving comfort.

• Health and safety measures in transportation

  The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.

• Vehicle electrical systems

  Know vehicle electrical systems, including components such as the battery, starter, and alternator. The battery provides energy to the starter. The alternator provides the battery the energy it requires to power the vehicle. Understand the interplay of these components to resolve malfunctions.

• Emission standards

  Know the legal limitations of the amount of pollutants that can be emitted into the environment.

• Mechanical components of vehicles

  Know the mechanical components used in vehicles and identify and resolve potential malfunctions.

• Car controls

  The functioning of specific car equipment such as how to operate and handle the clutch, throttle, lighting, instrumentation, transmission and the brakes.

• Teamwork principles

  The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.

• Types of vehicles

  Field of information which distinguishes rental agency classification systems, containing types and classes of vehicles and their functioning and components.

• Components of air conditioning systems

  Know the different components that constitute air conditioning systems such as condensers, compressors, evaporators and sensors. Identify and repair/replace malfunctioning components.

• Automotive diagnostic equipment

  The equipment used to examine automotive systems and components.

• Mechanics

  Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Skills

• Maintain vehicle records

  Maintain vehicle records by accurately recording service operations and repairs.

• Position vehicles for maintenance and repair

  Place vehicles in the right position (such as on top of a pneumatic lift) for repair and maintenance tasks. Follow safety procedures.

• Wear appropriate protective gear

  Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

• Use automotive diagnostic equipment

  Use diagnostic equipment to perform test on motor vehicles, components and systems to detect defects.

• Follow given instructions

  Follow instructions to achieve goals and meet deadlines.

• Carry out repairs and maintenance of vehicle bodies

  Execute repair and maintenance tasks to damaged vehicle bodies; follow customers' individual requests and instructions.

• Follow control of substances hazardous to health procedures

  Adhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result in illness or injury.

• Identify customer's needs

  Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.

• Provide customer information related to repairs

  Inform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.

• Perform manual work autonomously

  Show the ability to pursue basic manual tasks without the help or assistance of others, not needing supervision or guidance, and taking responsibility for one's actions.

• Use traditional toolbox tools

  Use tools found in a traditional toolbox, such as hammer, plier, screwdriver, and wrench. Observe safety precautions while operating these instruments.

• Perform vehicle tests

  Test, inspect and maintain vehicles; refresh oil and change tires; balance wheels and replace filters.

• Perform road testing

  Perform road tests with vehicles; ensure that all functions are working safely and correctly; test vehicle in extreme weather and road conditions.

• Maintain updated professional knowledge

  Regularly attend educational workshops, read professional publications, actively participate in professional societies.

• Think analytically

  Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Repair vehicle electrical systems

  Use appropriate tools, machinery, and equipment to solve problems related to components of the electrical system of vehicles, such as the battery, alternator, or starter.

• Diagnose problems with vehicles

  Diagnose issues with vehicles and assess the efforts and costs required to resolve them.

• Carry out repair of vehicles

  Provide repair for vehicles and routine level checks, such as engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotation and changes, wheel balancing, replacing filters, repair engine failures; repair mechanical and electrical systems malfunctions; replace parts and components; repair body damage.

• Apply health and safety standards

  Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.

• Adapt to new technology used in cars

  Adapt to new technology integrated in cars; understand systems operation and provide troubleshooting.

• Perform technical tasks with great care

  Avoiding possible risks and unwanted outcomes by watching carefully over all parts of a machine, device or vehicle and executing processes of production, maintenance or repair with great care.

• Maintain work area cleanliness

  Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB