Automotive Specialty Technician Responsibilities

Cars are an integral part of our daily routine, as we need them for various purposes like traveling to the offices, schools, going to the shops, or even in some emergency situations. Thus, it is essential that they remain in good condition. Automotive specialty technician responsibilities need to be executed well to ensure that each and every part of the car is repaired, replaced, and maintained to eliminate the technical problems and ensure safe driving.

Key Responsibilities of an Automotive Specialty Technician

Automotive specialty technicians are special professional experts who specialize in the repairing and maintenance of only one specific system or part of the automobile after proper inspection. Their responsibilities include testing, repairing, replacing, and installation of a part or a system. Some of the key responsibilities that need to be shouldered by them are as follows:

1. Testing: To examine the condition of the vehicle and convey the rough cost estimates to the client. To test whether there are any other electronic components that need to be repaired. They conduct these tests with the help of different testing equipments. After proper inspection and reviewing, they record the observations, so that further repairing process can proceed. They also test the auto fuel injectors and various other components

2. Repairing: They repair the brake systems, defective suspensions, wheel bearings, air conditioners, defective fuel injection systems, gasoline filters, carburetors, clutch systems, automated lift mechanisms, and several other parts

3. Replacing: They conduct replacement of all the relevant and associated parts that are beyond repairing and check that the parts that need to be replaced are free of all defects

4. Installation: They are responsible for proper installation of a part or whole of the system after conducting proper inspection and ensuring that it needs to be replaced by new ones, after confirmation that it cannot be repaired. They are also responsible for proper alignment of wheels, torsion bars, steering mechanisms, etc., with the help of special alignment and wheel balancing equipments

Essential Skills

To become a specialized automotive technician, you need to have passion and an interest in solving the technical issues related to automobiles and a mechanical aptitude too. Along with these basic skills, you need to have some of the following skills:

• Good judgemental skills
• Excellent eye and hand coordination with good finger dexterity
• Strong communication skills
• An eye for detail to identify major and minor defects
• Ability to provide quick resolutions for the technical issues
• Should be customer centric and should have thorough knowledge about the tools and procedures relevant to repair and maintenance

Educational Requirements for an Automotive Specialty Technician

To be eligible for the post of an automotive specialty technician, you need to have a relevant vocational course, post secondary education, or a high school diploma. For advancement in this career, a bachelor's degree may be essential. Some employers may even provide on the job training or apprenticeship. A program from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence would prove to be a significant asset.

Work Hours

A typical working day of an automotive specialty technician includes working for forty to forty five hours per week with occasional overtime. The work hours get extended due to the work load which needs to be completed on a priority. .

Salary Details

The salary varies in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 annually. It also depends on the relevant work experience, skills, and academic background.

Career Prospects

The opportunities exist for these kind of specialists even in the slow economic conditions. The growth prospects are really bright and those with updated technical and advanced knowledge are sure to progress in their chosen career.

Thus, if you are aiming to establish and make a mark in this automotive industry, make sure that you carry out the automotive specialty technician responsibilities with utmost efficiency.