Those people whose job is to examine, preserve and fix motor vehicles like light trucks and cars are referred to as automobile mechanics. When we fall sick, we go to the doctor so that he can give us medicines to help us recover quickly. Likewise, when your car is unable to operate or does not operate properly then you take your car to the automobile mechanic for repairs. So we can say that automobile mechanics are doctors of motor vehicles.

The automobile mechanics check your car on a regular basis so as to ensure that every thing is well with your car. After checking out the engines and different parts of your vehicles, they will tell you whether your vehicle is in a good shape or not. Basically, the mechanics have to follow a checklist so that they can be satisfied that they have inspected the possible problems of the car. Certain parts of the vehicles, which the automobile mechanics scrutinize carefully, are brakes, plugs, belts, fuel system and hoses.

Furthermore, these professional mechanics can also fix your windshield wipers and heaters. Service technician is one other term, which we use to refer to an automobile mechanic.

Work of an automobile mechanic

You will notice that automobile mechanics will ask you about the problems, which your car is giving you when you take your car for repair. After that, these professionals will check or scrutinize your vehicle carefully and get rid of all those things that are creating problems to your car. There are also times when these mechanics will take your car for a test drive in order to ensure that your car is performing well. There are a number of instruments, which they will use to check your car such as compression gauges and hand-held diagnostic computers. For the purpose of repairing different parts of the car, the automobile mechanics also use pliers and screwdrivers. Now there are also come expert mechanics that make use of instruments that work by electricity like computerized diagnostic instruments and infrared engine.

If certain parts of your car are not working properly then you may have to change those parts and the automobile mechanics will help you decide the quantity as well as the size of the parts. Apart from repairing and checking the cars, automobile mechanics have to make a record of information relating to the cars that they repair or check. These mechanics can work inside a shop as well as outside the shop though most of the time they have to work from outside the shop. For certain tasks they are required to wear gears like earplugs or goggles to protect themselves from harm while repairing your car. They have to work very carefully so that no error occurs, as one small error on their part can be fatal. If you think that this is an easy job then you have to think once again because this job requires a lot of concentration and the mechanics may have to stand for a long period at a stretch.

Job description

The job description of an automobile mechanic includes:

– At the time of routine check up of cars, they have to scrutinize and lubricate different parts of the vehicles including the engines.

– To calculate approximately the potential expenditure of repairing the car.

– To inspect the vehicles by following a systematic pattern.

It is very important on the part of the automobile mechanic to communicate their thoughts clearly so that the owner of the car will be able to understand the problem of the car and the solution to that problem. Like I said earlier, an automobile mechanic will need to focus on his work carefully because this is that line of work that requires focus and concentration while working on the cars. They have to take notice of the different parts of the car so that they can prevent any potential problems from taking place. While thinking of plans to repair or fix the car, they have to be very practical.

Some of the requirements for automobile mechanics are as follows:

– They should have a fair idea about technology and engineering.

– They should know how to make use of computers and different kinds of software.

– They should be able to repair cars and use the different kinds of equipments that are required for the purpose of repairing cars.

If you are interested in this profession then you can begin by joining as a mechanic’s helper or a trainee. The training is as long as two years and it can extend to five years. After the training, you will have the skills to repair even the trickiest problems of the car. All that it takes is concentration and the willingness to be a good and successful automobile mechanic.

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Choosing which garage to get your car serviced at is an important consideration, as your car will need servicing on a regular basis.

There are independent garages and dealer garages. Some people like dealer garages because they know everything about your specific car; and often they could be the company you bought the car from.

The main problem with dealer garages is they charge more than independent garages. That means independent garages are favoured for their lower costs, but also, they are liked because they are quite easily accessible. The problem with these is reputation, and they tend to be smaller businesses. It is important you are aware of certain things when choosing where to have your car serviced.

As a customer, it is always important to ask questions, and it’s a good idea to get an assessment of the price, or request an estimate when you explain what you think is wrong with your car – if indeed there is anything wrong at all (you could just be going in for a fixed-price MOT).

If the price seems too high for the scale of the work needed, challenge this and they may reduce it. You should also research a reliable garage service. Using the internet means you can make car servicing appointments more easily, and further minimise the cost by comparing garage prices.

Main dealer garages tend to charge more than independent garages, but with dealer garages you are guaranteed to speak with reputable dealers who have tie-ins with specific car brands and are therefore bound by high operating standards. If they do a bad job, it reflects badly on their dealership. Asking them to do the car’s MOT as well could mean they may do a more thorough job.

Independent garages are often found in community areas, which means you can foster a relationship of trust if you know the person who owns the garage and know their character. However, independent garages do not know everything about every car, so you need to make sure the garage has familiarity with the brand of car you have. This consideration is often the deal-breaker that makes people opt for dealer services instead.

A car is an investment and, as drivers want to look after their cars, they are therefore willing to pay more for the car service.

If you do want a low cost car service then it is best to find a car centre that can regularly fix your car’s problems. You need to check their policies, reputation and history of customer satisfaction. Some car service companies, for example, give free services for customer loyalty on occasions. It is best to get estimates from different servicing centres before making a decision. You can then compare each and decide on the best deal. You may come across discounts or loyalty bonuses that other car servicing companies may not offer.

Word of mouth is considered when choosing where to get your car serviced. Recommendations – whether it is from family, friends or neighbours – tend to pay off well. Not only could they give you a discount, but may also offer to repair your car again for the foreseeable future. Good contacts therefore lead to a reduction in costs.

It is even better if you have a trained mechanic in your family as you could get work done for nothing or, if it is not their expertise, get advice from them or they may provide you with useful contacts. Local community contacts also may reduce price and tend to have good reputations because they are well known people in local, tight knit areas.

The most important thing, of course, is that your vehicle is serviced fully and any problems are properly dealt with.

With independent garages, people may opt for low cost over the potential quality of the job done. For main dealers, the advantage is they will know all about your car and get the job done fully – but at a potentially greater price.

Many independent garages are very reputable, good value for money and good to go to when you want to avoid the high prices charged by dealers. As time is another factor, you may want to ensure they can get a service or MOT done quickly. In the end, it is down to your own personal preference, financial situation and previous experiences that determine where to get your car serviced.

Matt Robbins – Online Manager of Halfords Autocentre (previously Nationwide Autocentre) have more ATA trained mechanics than any other independent garage group being the UK’s leading provider of Tyres, MOTs and car servicing and repairs across the nation.
For all other enquiries, call 0800 096 4216.

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Cars have been steadily becoming more and more specialist, and more and more complex in the last decade. With the advent of electric motor technologies, with computer controlled systems and electronic fuel injection, the cars of today are nothing like the FJ Holden your Dad could be found underneath every Saturday morning! The range of vehicles that can safely have minor car repairs performed on them by amateurs is shrinking. Here we look at eight signs that you should take your car to a shop, and save yourself the hassle and possible expense of breaking something extra.

1. Your car is less than ten years old

Cars newer than ten years old usually have quite advanced systems integration. Even car repairs like changing a battery or a fuse, replacing brake pads and doing common car service tasks can actually cause other components of the system to fail if the correct procedures aren’t followed.

2. The car repair you’re considering isn’t in your new car handbook

If the manufacturer isn’t telling you to do it yourself, it is probably safest not to. If you’re in doubt, why not call a mobile mechanic to have a look at the job first? They’ll be able to advise you on safety points to remember, if its likely that you’ll need to make the fix again in the future. You can make sure that you won’t have to spend more having the mechanic fix your work as well as the original problem, and possibly save money in the future.

3. The repair requires something to be lifted out of the car

Block and tackle safety is a serious issue. Any time you lift something heavy out of your car into the air, you’re risking the other parts of your car as well as your own body. We always advise that you have professionals perform this sort of work.

4. The car repair requires tools you don’t have

Contrary to Clint Eastwood’s belief, not every car repair job can be done with a shifter and sticky tape. If you don’t have the tools to do a repair job yourself, the cost in buying them often outweighs the savings you could make on labour.

5. Your car has electronic fuel injection

If your car has electronic fuel injection (and in many cases, this is stamped in big letters right on the head, or along with the model name somewhere on the body), it is not safe to work on it by yourself. Even repairs that aren’t related to the timing could throw the computer out, and then cost you more to fix at the mechanic’s than it would have originally.

6. You aren’t 100% confident of your diagnosis

If you have even the shadow of a doubt about what exactly is causing a specific problem, you shouldn’t work on it. Even experienced mechanics have often found that the complexities of the petrol engine and drive train have tricked them … when they were 100% confident. If as an amateur you aren’t confident, it makes much more sense to take it to someone that can be.

Mobile mechanics will often provide fixed quote prices – so even if they make one of these mistakes, they are still bound to honour the price they gave you before beginning work.

7. You haven’t done the repair yourself before

Online forums and guides are certainly handy, but there is a reason that automotive mechanic apprenticeships last for a long four years! A wealth of hands-on experience in what to do when things go slightly wrong, if a bolt is too tight or another part is blocking your way, and the order in which to complete tasks, belongs to qualified mechanics. There simply isn’t enough space on the net to explain all this is a forum.

8. The time it will take you to perform the repair is more valuable to you spent doing other things

It may take a qualified car repair-person 1 hour to replace your brake pads and check over the braking system. It might take you 3 hours without the proper tools, knowledge of sensors etc. Sure, you didn’t pay for those hours – but unless you truly enjoy working on and learning about cars, you are prepared to deal with any mistakes you might make and are performing only repairs that are non safety-critical on an old car – in most cases they aren’t worth it.

Lube Mobile are “The Mobile Mechanics” equipped and trained to perform any Car Repair or Car Service. We have a mechanic come to you at a time and a place convenient – 6 days a week. Convenience, Quality and Service are guaranteed. For more information or to make a booking, visit Mechanic.

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