Should YOU Become An Auto Technician in 2022 (Brutal & Honest Truth) I Don’t Know How To Vlog 003

Flat rate is great if tour motivated. But the downside is you have a bunch of employees rushing to beat the clock so they make the most. I've only paid one man flat rate. Rushing through suspension work can be very dangerous

...Make America work Flat Rate , every job, Everywhere in America.... Lol...

Flat rate in itself is not necessarily a bad thing.
However dealerships use warranty time and ridiculously miniscule diagnostic times to cheat the tech and the customer.
I've been in this trade over 30 years and worked for every type of company.
Unless you have advanced to a higher level as a diagnostic technician or are the darling of the service desk, you will be beating yourself up to make hours.
Learn and master electrical and performance diagnostics.
You can set your price or be successful in your own business.

Thanks

no... just don't do it

completely true mate . same here in Australia , I have to be lucky to find a manager workshop who take care of the mechanic , even double harder if you are foreign. been a mechanic is stressful and when someone start on the field, a stressed and unfriendly mechanic begins to shut up and saying sh.t to everyone and everywhere at the end you finish as same as them . few companies pay enough and create a respectful environment where team work is important . after couple of years working in an automotive industry all my class mate from school are doing different things . now as well I am considering leave the field . not good payment , cold and unfriendly environment, long hours of work . when you finish work you don't have energy for a couple of chiquichiquies.

There are zero qualified tradesmen on the market in all sectors. We’ve been hiring for 2 years straight and there’s no qualified bodies

I can agree with what you say about not loving the job anymore. On the flipside i would try and sway people towards heavy equipment or small engine repair. I do both and can make well over 100k a year. I only work 2 days though because i have better stuff to do with my time. But in 2 days i can make a decent weekly wage lol

Ford is junk too! That eco boost engine is crap! I had a Ford hydrolock 4.2 V6. Ford dealership ford engineering said not our problem! So never ever again will I buy junk ford crap!

I cant wait for dealerships to start closing their doors. Ford ones are pretty bad only slightly behind CDJR. Techs will still have work but the scum(management, some salespeople) wont.

Auto mechanic is probably the absolute worst industry one can get into. The cost of school, and tools will be more than any house you’ll ever own ( as an auto mechanic), and your only guarantee is minimum wage, and a serious back issue by the time you turn 40. Don’t walk. RUN. Get yourself a real job, with a future to it.

I learned I loved working on cars and got into being a technician in my 20's. That was when I learned that I love working on MY car, and I don't give a f*ck about other people's cars.

Thank you for your honesty. I ruined my hobby at a young age and became burned out "car audio". I grew up in a machine shop building high performance engines "pulling tractors" I still love working on cars and definitely don't want to ruin that for myself too....

Experience is everything

Maybe not such a hot idea to do this while driving?

As a licensed aircraft mechanic for 4 years. I can say you should totally get your A&P and move on. You will make so much more even starting out.

Your better off becoming a A+P mechanic working on airplanes cleaner better pay and better off benefits

You got into it because you were good at it. Also, you're clearly very smart and could become many different things. But life doesn't always make that easy. We don't all have the same advantages that afford us wealth.

I appreciate this video man I’m young and I’ve always been good at auto repair and cars in general but the more I think about it the more I’m leaning towards auto body because I love fixing cars but I’ve realized that I don’t want to fix other peoples sh*t box’s so I’m probably going to try to get a job in a body shop and try my hand at it too see how I like it but I know I can always fall back to repair if I have too but honestly I’m pretty much happy to do any job pertaining to cars and I just realized all of that said sense in my head but not when I said it

Tech with 12 years experience here:
1) Rather than diving into the engine bay with a low profile ratchet and 2 swivels. consider using a 36" extension through the bumper or wheel well with your 1100+ ft/lb gun.

2) Reselling vehicles makes money faster and easier than maintaining vehicles.

Simple answer is no. Unless you’re just starting out and you’re trying to learn about mechanics and get hands on training, you’re better off being your own mechanic. Educate yourself, build your toolsets and equipment. Charge lower prices than the dealers and auto shops and pocket all profits. I spent 4 years as an automotive/diesel mechanic. I love working on vehicles or anything with a motor essentially. I aquired my knowledge and certifications at an early age (im 22) because i started studying and learning early. I figured it was my age that was a leading factor in being underpaid but becoming my own man doing the same work vs working under someone else was the best decision I’ve ever made 💯

Would the system pay us more if every worker stopped working?

theres one ford tech that says hes better off doing hvac steady hours and benefits some days you make no money at ford doing electrical or any warranty work. and they dont need to put up with angry come back customers b.s.

My dad was a mechanic for 30 years. He never gave me much advice, but one thing he told me was to never be a mechanic.

Im thankful i went with equipment and large trucks/trailers instead of the automotive side.

Trucking is in the same boat on broker loads out 7 days a week making less than 1K a week sucks. A few weeks I had only $300 check being out for 7 days OTR can't even pay bills with that low of a check. 😢

plus to work on other peoples cars you gotta know how to drive. but working ion a friends car or building a project you dont need a licence also to get too the job you need a license an to be in auto motive you need to be an apprentice but you also need to go to school

Very well put, I preach the same points to those who ask me this question. Personally, never cared for flat rate, though I know my capabilities. This along with auto side paying too little when I started out led me to heavy duty diesel. Very physically taxing.. but I cannot stress the fact that all passion for turning a wrench was stripped a few yrs in at the end of the day..

All that in mind, I’ve adopted a different answer, these points still within consideration.. for car enthusiasts looking to make a go at it, learn all you can to get into a specialty shop doing tunes and performance. From what I’ve seen, most of those guys still have a burning passion years later.. but then again, something about working on things you love vs anything coming in through the revolving door.

Tech will always be the "necessary evil" in dealerships and the less they can get away paying them the better. Get rid of flat-rate/piecemeal and things may change with an excellent pay package/bonus system.... but then again this has been an issue for at least the last 40 years and it will never change.

Holy crap imagine having to take apart the entire engine and not getting paid for half the time 😂

There will always be demand because people will always be crashing.

It’s still a good post. Thank you for posting. Enjoying as a mechanic, but not good as electric. Always thinking about changing my career.

No don’t do it. I wish I applied myself in other aspects as a kid. This type of career is a waste of your life. I’m fully educated working 45 hours a weeks with over 6 years of expirerenc and my time is worth 25 an hour. Granted I live in Houston area but regardless go and get an associates in any other field almost and it’s worth a lot more.

I work at Ferrari and I love the way they take care of me, now just like any other company in this industry you definitely feel like the backbone while also gettin the shit end of the stick. Ferrari however pays salary and commission, 1500 2x a month, and starts and basically ends at 26(unless you do more but even up to 160 you get paid, 28.5flag) however you do get crazy damn hours working these car. More of the story find a company or brand that values you as a technician.

Make you sure you take dumps dude

ABSOLUTEY NOT!!!!!!!! Until flat rate goes away and warranty times go away, nobody should be a dealership tech. I worked for Volvo for 17 years as a BEV/PHEV Expert technician. I made over $120k/year in Kentucky and North Carolina. I left last year and never been happier in my life. Ask yourself, why are so many master techs walking away? I can tell you but it would be too much to type. STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAREER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I began my career with a local car dealership back in 1976. The dealership sold 3 brands, Toyota, GM and Chrysler. I worked on all 3 and found if I specialized with Toyota I was able to attend Toyota Schooling at least every 2-3 weeks and after a year I obtained my Toyota Master Tech. I also passed all but one ASE. and I also obtained my State Inspection Lic. I went to my service manager and requested a $5.00 increase per hour. Iwas told they couldn't pay me that much. I saw an opening at a local high school for an Assistant Teacher and was hired with a great salary and full benefits. A year later the Head Teacher retired and I became the new head Instructor. They also requested I attend college and earn my teaching certification. I finally retired after 30 years with a full pension. I kept in touch with many co workers that stayed at that dealership and there were many changes. Not the best benefits and salary is still flat rate. Many work 5-6 days a week to earn only half what I made. They have to really hustle to earn a decent salary with little benefits!

Before college I was going to but I saw enough to switch careers

someone has to fill in the boots of old techs

in my drive way sets 1979 F-151 / sat ten years now - needs it's juice changed

I grew up under some ones hood - fixed stuff ------- by Gess and by golly. Wish I had training

You said yourself you are dumb, driving while making a video with all the distraction. Hmmmmmm should I take your advice ?
Having said that your video is correct

ford GO TO WORK AT CHEVY SAVE YOUR SOLE/// GOD FORGIVES

Flat rate pay screws a technician over so it’s a bad choice

Been in the industry about ten years now, it’s all I’ve ever done for work. The first thing I’ll say is that there’s no “one size fits all” answer to this question. Although I respect everyone’s opinions and understand their viewpoints, I’m going to play a little devils advocate here.

Quality of life as a tech really depends on the market in which you live, and if you’re a dealership tech, it depends on the market in which you live AND the brand you work for. I live in a relatively wealthy area and work as a master tech for a luxury dealership. As long as you know what you’re doing and know how to budget your earnings (like any other job), you’ll make a prosperous living. Sure it’s tough on your body, but so are most trades (HVAC/plumbing/carpentry/etc.)

At the end of the day, if you ask most normal people whether or not you should follow in their footsteps, they’re likely going to say no. If you get into a dealership with a good benefits program and contribute to a 401k/Roth program from an early age (and take care of your back), you’ll be able to retire just like anyone else. Your earnings are based off of your desire to learn and work. There are guys in my shop who make $50k/year and there are guys who make $120k+. All depends on your skillset and your ability.

If you’re young and thinking about taking the plunge, do it. Don’t let anyone else’s opinions of an entire industry determine whether or not you try it.

I’ve been stuck in an interesting position. I’m currently in college studying automotive systems- currently in my second year now after taking 3 semesters. I’ve always considered myself much more talented and gifted in say the arts than the trades. However, I’m trying to be persistent as I can in regards to the trades. But I still genuinely don’t know if it’s something I want to pursue in as a career. But my gosh I’ve been doing some deep research on the whole trade shortage issue in regards to the automotive industry, and all these comments I’m seeing- especially in regards to the pay is not very pleasing at all. In the past I’ve tried to take electrical system courses, but ending up moving on cause of my fear of falling off heights. For those of you who are electricians I’m sure you can understand what I mean by that. But I’m still very curious, and I only graduated high school like a year ago.
Nevertheless I appreciate this brutally honest video. It’s definitely making me reconsider my future career choices.
If anyone else is reading this comment who’s been in the automotive field and or other similar fields, I’m curious as to what you guys may think.

Don’t do it. Much easier ways to make a living. This is hard work.

The C.A.F.E standards are killing the industry.

I'ma be honest I like working on cars it's the only thing I know how to do I'm not good at anything else but working on cars so its a obvious pass for me I don't wanna be at Walmart for the rest of my life