5 Performance-Boosting Car Features You’ll See During Your Auto Mechanic Career

On today’s competitive automotive scene, car producers are releasing more and more performance-enhancing modifications to catch the consumer’s eye. Companies are going the extra mile with simple bolt-on or add-in features that allow drivers to upgrade vehicle performance, feature by feature.

If you pursue a career in auto mechanics, you’ll prepare to meet the needs of any car that rolls into your future shop.  The right training will give you the theory and practice you need to offer each client various repairs, diagnostics, and features that can improve their car’s performance.

Here are five new performance-boosting features you can expect to encounter during your career:

1. Installing New ‘Performance Seats’ as an Auto Mechanic

Who doesn’t want a more comfortable seat? These seats can optimize a driver’s positioning for great pedal control and comfort—but they do tend to make for a slightly bumpier ride than standard foam seats, which maximize shock absorbency.

That’s a small trade-off when performance seats offer better options for body support and internal heating capacities. These seats can provide a taste of luxury to the average mid-range vehicle driver looking for a small upgrade.

2. Adaptive Cruise Control: Needing Specialized Auto Mechanic Training

Once you’ve graduated from auto mechanic training, you’ll be an expert in the electrical fundamentals involved throughout a vehicle’s general electrical system. Cruise control options have become more advanced than ever before, featuring new radar and laser sensor systems that detect traffic speeds and proximity to passing cars.

With companies like Jeep, Chrysler, Mercedes and more creating innovative cruise control upgrades, you’ll likely be responsible for performing repairs and diagnostic on these increasingly complex systems.

3. Expect Hybrid Motors in Your Auto Mechanic Career

It’s no secret that the ‘green revolution’ of environmentalism is impacting the automotive industry and auto body shops worldwide. Hybrid vehicles are a great option for consumers wanting high power without high emissions.

Now companies like BMW, McLaren, Acura, and more are introducing innovative electric motors that take cars up to 1000-hp. Expect to put your training to use installing these performance-enhancing motors for many energy-minded clients you’ll service.

4. Wider Wheels: The Newest Tire Trend

A large part of most auto mechanics’ jobs is tire work—the servicing and changing of a car’s wheels, tires, hubs, and bearings. Responsible drivers need their tires checked by a professional at least once per season, according to Transport Canada. That’s why every good mechanic program dedicates full courses to developing expertise in tire safety and handling.

A trend in performance-enhancing purchases is drivers opting for wider tires. Often referred to as ‘plus-sizing’ wheels, it involves trading in a car’s tires for proportionally wider ones, with reduced sidewall height and increased wheel diameters.

This makes for improved road-holding, precision, and braking, but can also overwhelm shock springs—so be wary of a car’s potential for reduced tracking stability when your future clients ask for wider tires.

5. Upgrade Clients with Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines

Stainless-steel braided brake lines offer quicker brake response and less chance of ruptured brakes for drivers, and involves a painless installation process for mechanics. The operation and servicing of hydraulic brake systems is a key tenet in any good mechanic training program.

Costing as little as $100, this enhancement means that (compared with typical rubber brake lines) more pressure is transferred to the brake caliper with greater ease on the brake pedal. Stainless-steel braided brake lines may be the way of the future.

The right training will prepare you to work with all these and more—meeting the auto industry’s latest innovations head-on.

Are you interested in starting your own auto mechanic career?

Visit ATC to learn more or to speak with an advisor.