Tag: become an auto mechanic

Certifications You Need T...

Auto body technicians are not expected to have any certifications if they wish to work in an auto body or repair shop. However, automotive mechanics who like to become successful auto body technicians should seek certifications ready, so they become well-equipped to distinguish themselves from other competitors for the top jobs.

Most auto repair shops need their technicians to keep up an ASE certification. Though it is not always mandated, it is, however, recommended that technicians achieve it to help advance their careers. Having this certification can also make you look attractive to potential employers and can assist you to stand out among other competitors when looking for your next job vacancy.

ASE Certifications

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, popularly known as ASE, gives the standard certificate for automotive service technicians. Those who aspire to become certified automotive technicians must clear the ASE test.

ASE offers auto mechanic certifications across the following eight specializations. If you wish to become an auto mechanic, these certifications will assist you gain an edge over others.

1. Engine Repair

This certificate verifies that automotive mechanics understand how to analyze and rectify engine issues. It also ensures that these machines can execute engine repairs before they result in long-lasting vehicle damage.

2. Engine Performance

This certification guarantees auto mechanics can verify a car’s engine and recognize issues that hamper a car’s action or prevent a or other vehicles from running. It confirms that these technicians understand the effect of temperature, humidity, and other characteristics that can affect the engine performance.

3. Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

This certification ensures that technician automotive understands the working of automatic transmission and what they can do to repair transmission issues.

4. Brakes

This certification validates that auto mechanics recognize the different types of car brake systems, their working pulse and their related components.

5. Electrical/Electronic Systems

This certification ensures that auto mechanics can rapidly identify a bad alternator, defective battery wires, or other electrical or electronic system problems that impact a car’s performance.

6. Heating and Air-Conditioning

This certification confirms that auto mechanics can find out why a car’s heating and AC system may not work appropriately. It also guarantees that these technicians can keep a car’s heating and AC system running at the top levels year-round.

7. Manual Drivetrain and Axles

This certification confirms that auto mechanics know the intricacies of a manual transmission in a mechanic car, so they can cure any drivetrain and axle issues.

8. Suspension and Steering

This certification verifies that auto repairing mechanics know the suspension parts used to support your car safely on the road. Moreover, the certification assures that these technicians can find out and improve any problems that disrupt a driver’s potential to properly steer a car.

You can give an ASE exam at any time, and it comprises 40 to 75 MCQ. The test focuses on various automotive duty areas, and practice tests are suitable to help you prepare for the examination.

If you pass the ASE test, you can serve as an Ase-certified automotive mechanic. Your ASE diploma will continue to be acceptable for five years; following this duration, you will be obliged to apply again. For certification and to take another exam.

Other Certifications Available

While ASE certifications are the greatly learned and frequently sought-after certifications that an auto mechanic can hold, others are abundant out there that those in the automotive world can work for.

Manufacturer-specific certifications are another incredible way to exhibit proficiency in working on a particular brand of car, mainly if you plan to work in a dealership, manufacturer, or speciality shop.

Many customers like to go to brand-specific auto shops to get their work done with cars. When they select such a shop, they get more confident while getting auto technicians that work particularly on their brand of car and can deliver the best care.

All leading car brands and factories offer certificates of knowledge and mastery when working on their vehicles. These manufacturer-specific certifications illustrate to employers and customers that they have an extraordinary level of knowledge when it comes to the brand that they are certified in.

Those who earn these kinds of certificates always work at dealerships or brand-specific auto shops and are authorized to solve problems, follow specific repair protocols, understand the structure and layouts of the engine and its fuel needs, and work on the vehicle safety systems. Other electrical components.

Does Certification Pay?

In life, knowledge is the biggest and highest power. This is also true in the automotive trade. The better you know, the better a mechanic (technician) you will be! Achieving an ASE certification or a manufacturer-specific certificate is an incredible way to show all you know to current and prospective employers.

These certificates and the knowledge required to earn them can also assist you to earn higher salaries. On average, the salary for an automotive technician is over $44,000 per year, according to the year 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Still, those who are ASE-certified commonly earn more. The BLS data demonstrates that auto mechanics who earn the top ten% make nearly $72,000 each year. Moreover, certifications can furthermore lead to extra pay raises as you move up the career ladder.

August 3, 2023Tags: Auto repairing, become an auto mechanic, Mechanic car, Technician automotive

Types of Certifications Y...

Automobiles and auto repair technicians are a crucial part of our daily lives. Whether it is commuting for our jobs, getting ready for our next family trip, or running errands, most of us prefer our own SUVs for the same. We love our cars so much that we always want someone as qualified as an auto repair technician to take charge of all the repairs and maintenance.

Becoming certified helps put clients at ease and ensures their confidence in you. More skills attract more customers; you become more viable, your prospects of a higher salary are maximized, and you could possibly kickstart your own auto repair business. Before watching out for the certifications you need to become an auto technician, it is imperative to decide which type of auto technician you want to become.

Types Of Automotive Technicians

Brake Technicians

A brake technician ensures that your brake linings, brake fluids, brake pads, and rotors work adequately. They repair, and replace the braking system of your car in case it malfunctions.

Front-end Technicians

These technicians are accountable to diagnose the riding and handling aspects of a vehicle, such as the vehicle’s wheel alignment, steering, tires, and suspension systems.

Diagnostic Technicians

These technicians diagnose the health of the car’s engine, check its engine performance, identify the problems, and perform engine repair to keep the cars running efficiently and smoothly.

Transmission Technicians

This auto body technician works on transmission systems of cars, such as the clutches, gear trains, and couplings.

Automotive Air-conditioning Technicians

This type of auto technician mechanic specialises in automotive air-conditioning. They install and repair the cooling and heating systems in your car.

Automotive Body and Glass Repairers

They replace and restore vehicle bodies, window glasses and windshields. They refinish the paint and dents on cars.

What Is The ASE Certification?

The independent, non-profit organization called the ‘National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence’ tests and certifies skilled auto mechanics and technicians. The ASE certification is the set standard credential that helps identify auto repair mechanics who have the desired skills and knowledge to effectively diagnose, repair, and maintain cars, trucks, SUVs, and every type of automobile.

One has to be present at the testing center for a CBT(computer-based test) which consists of about 40-75 multiple choice questions that helps assess the incumbent’s knowledge. One can prepare for the test and familiarize themselves with the testing environment by taking the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence’s sample tests online.

Once a person has registered for the test and is done paying the testing fee, he/she can give the certification test on the allotted date. Once the test is cleared, the person is certified to become an auto mechanic.

The Core Areas Of The Auto Mechanic Certification

ASE offers 8 different and core certificates for different vehicle types, such as cars, buses, trucks, and secondary systems. These certifications for each vehicle type ascertain one’s knowledge of repair and maintenance.

The career path for an auto repair mechanic generally starts at the Automobile repair shops and service centers. Recent graduates and the entry-level mechanics can kick start with the A-series exams, also known as the core areas necessary for a fulfilling career in the industry.

The A-series core certificates comprise Automobile and Light Truck certification exams which identify auto technicians who are able to render basic automotive services.

ASE also furnishes an additional A9 certificate for certain light vehicles. These below mentioned are the nine certificates that an auto mechanic can apply for:

A1: Engine Repair

A2: Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

A3: Manual DriveTrain & Axles

A4: Suspension & Steering

A5: Brakes

A6: Electrical/Electronic Systems

A7: Heating & Air Conditioning

A8: Engine Performance

A9: Light Vehicle Diesel Engines

How To Become A Master Technician?

ASE recognizes candidates who have passed all the A-series eight tests as Master Technicians. One can even obtain this Master technician’s status by clearing certain exams in a particular series like the collision repair (B series), E series, parts specialist(P series), and many more.

All the certificates in a series must be up to date. If their validity in the series expires, one loses their status of being a master technician and even a prosperous career in auto mechanics. If that is the case one will have to refer to recertification.

How to get an ASE Recertification?

An ASE certification is acceptable for five years only after which one can apply for the recertification tests to get recertified. He/She can do the same by paying the prescribed fee. One can also use the ASE Renewal App to easily extend the date of their certification using their phones, tables, or PC without visiting the test center in person.

Conclusion

An ASE certification is a great way to demonstrate one’s ability and skills as a qualified and proficient auto repair technician. The certification shows the customers that the technician is well-versed with their craft and also demonstrates that they have invested their time and effort into being a professional auto mechanic. ASE certifications boost one’s credibility and indicate a noteworthy achievement.

August 1, 2023Tags: Auto Body technician, become an auto mechanic, career in auto mechanics, technician mechanic