Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics — Tasks

Task statements

• Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas.
• Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
• Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups.
• Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
• Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
• Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
• Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
• Align vehicles' front ends.
• Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems.
• Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
• Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
• Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
• Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
• Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
• Maintain cleanliness of work area.
• Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps.
• Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
• Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings.
• Diagnose and replace or repair engine management systems or related sensors for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) with ignition timing, fuel rate, alcohol concentration, or air-to-fuel ratio malfunctions.
• Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages.
• Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience.
• Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
• Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
• Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
• Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
• Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
• Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
• Repair or rebuild transmissions.
• Rebuild parts, such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks.
• Retrofit vehicle fuel systems with aftermarket products, such as vapor transfer devices, evaporation control devices, swirlers, lean burn devices, and friction reduction devices, to enhance combustion and fuel efficiency.