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By SCI Administrator
Today, a mechanic is not just someone with an affinity for cars who happens to be good with a wrench. For this reason, there are many different types of auto mechanic certifications.
Modern-day Automotive Technicians are highly trained and certified in a number of areas. Depending on the types of engines worked on and specific areas of specialization, there is more than likely some type of necessary certification involved.
There are several job occupations for people who work on vehicle engines. Heavy-duty, diesel, motorcycle, aircraft, light truck, and passenger car engines each require a specific set of training and skills. Those who specialize in passenger cars and light trucks receive instruction that enables them to work on engines, transmissions, brakes, and electrical systems. They diagnose problems and perform maintenance on every aspect of vehicles and might also focus on body repair.
Here are main areas of focus for automobile technicians:
It takes about 9 months to complete basic training to become an auto mechanic. After training you can test to earn one or more auto mechanic certification available. Graduates are then ready for employment and can begin working to become certified in one or more areas.
You might be wondering, do I need to be certified to work as an auto mechanic? To answer your question, most employers of automobile mechanics prefer applicants who have received formal training. Once employed, auto mechanics become eligible to be certified. Automotive air-conditioning technicians, in particular, must have the certification that enables them to handle refrigerants. Auto mechanic certifications show the mechanic’s competence to do the job and it usually has higher pay attached. Mechanics must have two years of experience (or relevant training and one year experience) and pass an exam to become certified.
The standard credential for automotive service technicians is certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE certification identifies auto mechanics who can demonstrate the knowledge and skills to diagnose, service, and repair cars, light trucks, and SUVs. Testing to become certified is available year-round at testing centers across the country. The computer-based test is not available online, but registration to take the test is. There is a testing fee involved.
The ASE test includes between 40 and 75 multiple-choice questions that measure knowledge in various content areas. To prepare for the test, the NIASE makes sample tests available online. There is also a demonstration at testing centers where test-takers can view samples of the actual examination to get a feel for what it’s like. ASE certification credentials are valid for five years. After that time, mechanics must apply for re-certification which requires taking another test.
There are currently eight different specialty areas to earn auto mechanic certifications for automobiles and light trucks (A series).
Technicians who pass all eight tests are recognized as ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians. Certification is also available for light vehicle diesel engines, but this certification is not required to become a master automobile technician.
In addition to the automobile and light truck certification, there are over 40 ASE certification exams offered that cover every aspect of the automotive repair and service industry. Here is a list of those certifications and what they cover.
B2-Painting and Refinishing; B3-Non-structural analysis and damage repair; B4-Structural analysis and damage repair; B5-Mechanical and electrical components
h2-Compressed natural gas (CNG) systems; h3-Diesel engines; h4-Drive train; h5-Brakes; H5-Suspension and steering; H6-Electrical/electronic systems; H7-Heating ventilation and air-conditioning; H8-Preventive maintenance and inspection.
S1-Body systems and special equipment; S2-Diesel engines; S3-Drive train; S4-Brakes; S5-Suspension and steering; S6-Electrical/electronic systems; S7-Air-conditioning systems and controls.If you have a passion for change and you are interested in a new career as an ASE-certified auto mechanic, contact Southern Careers Institute today. We have campuses in Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, San Antonio, and Waco, Texas.
You can also study online.
Sources
Blog Disclaimer: Information stated in this blog is for general information purposes only. SCITexas.edu not assume or guarantee income earning potential or salary expectations based on the programs offered at Southern Careers Institute.
This article was published on: 02/4/20 6:51 PM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
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Students in the motorcycle repair training program can gain hands-on experience after completing their online studies through a work experience option. This is not required for graduation and students are responsible for finding their own location to complete the training.
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Due to more people becoming interested in and owning motorcycles and ATVs, the need for trained motorcycle mechanics within the workforce should remain steady over the next ten years.
Most motorcycle mechanics find jobs in motorcycle repair shops, dealerships, or even start their own repair business.
According to national averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for motorcycle mechanics was $18.28 per hour*. However, the amount you are paid can vary based on your experience, your employer, and the state in which you work.
Most employers of motorcycle mechanics require applicants to have a high school diploma before hiring them. Many mechanics will receive on-the-job training and, while postsecondary education isn't required to perform the job, job prospects can be better for those who have earned a credential or diploma.
Formal education in motorcycle repair can vary depending on the school you attend. With Penn Foster's online Motorcycle Repair Technician classes, you can work at your own pace and complete your studies within a year.
Yes! While motorcycle repair is a hands-on job, you can learn the fundamentals and basic skills through online study. Additionally, our accredited online Courses for Motorcycle Repair include practical exercises to help you apply what you learn to real-world situations.
Sources:
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Motorcycle Mechanics." Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Accessed April 20, 2021.
Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.
Snap-on Student Excellence Program
Students enrolled in the motorcycle repair technician program are eligible to participate in the Snap-on Student Excellence Program.
This program allows students in trades and technology education programs to purchase high-quality Snap-on tools at a preferred student discount. Some restrictions may apply for total purchase and quantities of certain items. Click here to see the new Snap-on Catalog.
On average, learners can complete their program in as few as 7 months. Faster learners, or those with more time to dedicate to their coursework, can finish in as little as 3 months. If you don’t have lots of time to dedicate to your program, that’s ok too! You can learn at the pace that works for you and your schedule.
We are often asked what kind of license is needed for an ATV, who can drive it, and is it necessary to get a license at all if you plan to ride only in rural areas?
Our answer: yes, of course it is. Any self-propelled vehicle with an engine capacity of more than 50cc. cm must be registered with Gostekhnadzor.
From the date of purchase, you have no more than 5 days to register the equipment.
The document received at the inspection confirms that you have successfully passed the theory and practice, and have the necessary level of special skills to drive a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle.
In the absence of rights, a license plate or a banal helmet, the traffic police inspector, even on a country dirt road, has the right to fine you up to towing an ATV to a parking lot. Remember that, in addition to random collisions with law enforcement officers on the roads, it is very easy to get into a special raid, which can be organized near settlements to detect offenses.
Yes, as you know, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Therefore, it is better not to risk your life trying to escape from the police, but to get all the necessary documents in a timely manner.
To drive an ATV, you must have the rights of a tractor driver-driver of category A1.
At the same time, you do not have to go to a tractor school at all. In the bodies of Gostekhnadzor there is an institute of external studies. This means that you can learn how to drive an all-terrain vehicle on your own.
You can be forced to take a tractor driver course only if you have not passed the theoretical exam three times. It is recommended to take a special course strictly in a specialized accredited institution.
If you are not sure about your skills for the practical part, the best option is to spend about an hour or two studying with an instructor. After that, pass the ride in front and back, emergency stop, start on the overpass, figure eight and snake will succeed on the first try.
Important! An additional paragraph of the rules reads: “For persons who have a driver’s license of category “A”, issued before 01/01/2000, a tractor driver-driver (tractor driver) certificate with a permit mark in column “A1” is issued without re-passing exams.
Many parents are concerned about whether it is necessary to obtain a driver's license when buying a children's ATV and how to do it. In this matter, everything is quite simple.
If you plan to use this type of transport for traveling on roads, then obtaining a category M license (engine capacity up to 50 cc) is mandatory. However, this is only possible if your child is over the age of 16.
Therefore, in practice, a children's ATV is bought for riding in the country, in closed villages and park areas. In this case, the traffic police inspector has no right to stop the driver and punish him with a fine.
You can find points of Gostekhnadzor bodies in regional district centers. Most often, there is no large influx of people who want to get the rights to an ATV, so the procedure does not take too much time.
You will need to fill out an application, find out about the date of the exams and sign up for the next number.
Having successfully passed the theoretical and practical part of the exam, you will receive a license and state license plates, thanks to which you can even move on public roads, but with registration and regular technical inspection. The certificate is valid for 10 years.
Buying an ATV through a private ad is almost a lottery. Even an outwardly perfect copy with low mileage may have problems with the electrics and piston due to the fact that it was drowned in a swamp. Conversely, if an ATV with 6,000 km has been used carefully and maintained regularly, it will last a long time.
Buying an ATV or snowmobile from your hands, you can play it safe with a few simple rules. We will talk about them in the article.
Find out if the SMP and other documents are in order
First you need to find out if the documents are in order - this will help to avoid buying stolen equipment and other troubles.
To register equipment, you will need a passport of a self-propelled vehicle (PSM), a contract of sale, an act of acceptance and transfer. You can ask the seller for a certificate of conformity or issue it yourself - to do this, contact the dealer and provide him with the certificate number from the PSM.
Check the frame and engine numbers in the PSM and on the vehicle. Find out on the Internet exactly where the VIN is located on your model. On many ATVs, it is located near the front right lever. Also, do not forget to check the owner's data from the PSM with a passport or driver's license - if they do not match, the equipment may be stolen.
Talk to the owner before inspecting the equipment. Find out why and how often it was used, what mileage it has. Whether it was regularly serviced and whether it was prepared for storage in the off-season - this increases the service life of the equipment. Specify which parts have changed and why, which systems require repair in the near future. Also find out the reasons for the sale.
If the owner admits that the ATV or snowmobile was in an accident or was used as a rental, then it is better to refuse to buy it.
After talking with the owner, you can proceed to the inspection. As we have already said, the good external condition of the equipment says little. But a visual inspection helps to immediately weed out frankly bad options.
Due to design differences, ATV and snowmobile inspection procedures will differ.
ATV with a "boiled" frame is better not to buy
If the luggage racks are bent, most likely the ATV has rolled over.
Deep scratches and rust, dents from stone impacts indicate a high mileage. Cloudy headlights are a sign that the ATV has been sunk. Tires worn only in the central part indicate their pumping. From this, the suspension suffers greatly when driving. Wrinkled discs are most likely damaged from hard landings, which are also bad for the suspension. Cracks, extensive corrosion, welding spots on the frame are a good reason to refuse a purchase.
Pay attention to the tunnel - it should not have dents or signs of deformation. Snowmobile frames rarely break, but cracks can occur.
Check the condition of the tracks. A caterpillar with defects and damage will eventually have to be repaired. Worst of all, if the caterpillar is non-separable, it will have to be changed to a new one.
Inspection of the front suspension is very important as it bears the main load. Check the condition of the levers and ski racks. Make sure all suspension components are in place.
Measuring the diameter of the slides will help to assess their wear. The plastic fasteners of the slides break over time and need to be replaced. When inspecting, evaluate their condition and the need for replacement.
After the initial check, you can begin to study the mechanics - the service life and the cost of repairing equipment depend on its condition. As with a visual inspection, the inspection procedure for ATV and snowmobile will be different.
Check shock absorbers for oil leaks
Suspension. Shock absorbers must be free of oil and "walk" evenly. Raise the ATV with a jack and shake the wheels - if there is play, then the bearings are worn out. If the suspension arms play, most likely, you will have to change silent blocks and ball bearings.
Transmission. Gearboxes must be free of oil and cracks. Stand near the front of the ATV and turn on the 4WD button. Turn the left wheel with your hands - the right one should rotate in the opposite direction, and vice versa.
With the differential locked, both wheels turn in the same direction. Transmissions should turn on easily and without extraneous sounds.
The engine must be free of oil. Turn the ignition key: a serviceable engine will start in 2-3 seconds. At idle, it runs smoothly and without extraneous noise. Black oil, black, white or blue smoke from the exhaust pipe and the smell of burning indicates a poor condition of the motor - most likely, expensive repairs are needed. Miscellaneous bolts or traces of sealant on the crankcase signal that the engine was taken apart for repair.
Electrical. Check the operation of the dimensions, turn signals, high and low beams, heating, winch and other equipment. Pay attention to the operation of the electric power steering - the steering wheel should not turn on its own.
Check the condition of the CVT belt
Engine diagnostics. Snowmobiles usually have low mileage, but it's still best to check it.
The forums recommend measuring the pressure in the cylinders, although for this you will have to go to the service. Ideally, the pressure difference in the cylinders should be no more than 10%. To check the engine, it is better to ride a snowmobile and listen to its sound - if there are any extraneous noises in it.
CVT condition assessment. Check the coolant and oil levels in the gearbox. Pay attention to the variator belt - if it has cracks, dark stripes or scuffs. A worn belt will need to be replaced.
Check gearbox (on models where equipped). Remove the dipstick and examine the oil - metal chips will indicate heavy wear on the gearbox.
Suspension , as in the case of an ATV, should “walk” evenly on all sides. The electronic control units of the technicians are checked at the service center.
Used equipment is better to buy from an authorized dealer
When inspecting a used ATV or snowmobile, check the documents.
