When it comes to car repair problems, there’s a lineup of usual suspects: from spark plugs and brake pads to fuel injectors and more. Whether you would like to work for an independent local automotive business or a national auto body franchise, the right training will prepare you with the skills and knowledge needed to address a full range of auto repairs.
If you are planning to enroll in auto repair courses, or you have already started your program, read on to learn more about five of the most common car repairs you’ll encounter once you break into the industry.
Brake Work: A Pillar of Auto Repair
Once you earn your diploma and become a mechanic you will find yourself frequently (and meticulously) working on car brakes. Professionals in auto careers know that effectively repairing brakes is a vital task—Stats Canada reports a failure to give way or stop causes nearly one quarter of all Canadian car accidents, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and over 2,500 serious injuries per year.
Training will provide you with hands-on knowledge of a car’s entire brake system.
Oil Changes: Routine Tasks for Auto Industry Pros
A good automotive course teaches students about the modern methods that mechanics use to ensure a vehicle’s safety and lengthen its road life. An oil change keeps a car in its best possible running condition. Experienced mechanics know that oil changes are a necessary part of every vehicle’s maintenance. A vehicle’s oil should typically be changed after every few thousand miles.
Over time, dirt and metal filings build up in a car’s oil, making it less effective at lubricating the engine. Regular oil changes lengthen the life of the engine itself. In fact, service records that show frequent oil changes can help the resell value of vehicles, too.
Fixing Automotive Fuel Injector Issues
Faulty fuel injectors are the cause many of today’s visits to the garage. Rough idling, poor fuel economy, misfiring engines and gas leaks can all be traced back to fuel injection system issues—often clogs in the injector itself.
Injectors can become clogged when vehicles are consistently driven at less than ¼ of a tank of gas. Once you become a mechanic, you will be responsible for cleaning clogged injectors with a pressurized solvent, or replacing them altogether. Ensuring that a car’s injectors are functioning properly will prevent potential accidents and untimely break downs.
Replacing Spark Plugs to Meet Auto Industry Standards
Experts in auto industry careers recognize the importance of fixing small parts to avoid big problems. If you’re a detail –oriented person who notices when things aren’t quite right, you’ll thrive in this aspect of the industry.
Spark plugs are responsible for igniting fuel in a car’s cylinders. According to CarMD, many car owners attempt to replace these crucial ignition parts themselves. However, these replacements are often done poorly, reducing gas mileage and melting expensive catalytic converters. Certified mechanics are capable of effectively replacing spark plugs with due care and attention.
By having a mechanic change their spark plugs, drivers will save money in the long run, and they can also be certain that such auto repairs meet industry standards.
Checking Tires: Preventing Blowouts and Accidents
Tire patches or complete replacements are commonplace in most professional body shops. But good training will help you notice the state of a car’s tires even when a client has brought in their vehicle for an unrelated repair. Over-inflation and under-inflation lead to blowouts, causing major accidents on the road.
A good mechanic checks the tires of every vehicle he or she services before letting it hit the pavement. Though car owners are encouraged to check tire pressure regularly, specialized attention from a mechanic’s well-trained eye can detect an issue and save a life.
Are you interested in pursuing an auto repair career? Visit ATC for more information or to speak with an advisor.
