Automotive Service Technician

Automotive Service Technician

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers inspect, diagnose, repair and service mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and components of cars, buses, and light and commercial transport trucks. They are employed by motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships, fleet maintenance companies, and service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies and retail establishments which have automotive service shops. This unit group also includes mechanical repairers who perform major repairs and replacement of mechanical units on newly assembled motor vehicles. They are employed by motor vehicle manufacturing companies.

Main duties

Automotive service technicians

• Review work orders and discuss work with supervisor
• Inspect motor in operation, road test motor vehicle, and test automotive systems and components using computerized diagnostic and other testing devices to diagnose and isolate faults
• Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of automotive systems including fuel system, brakes, steering and suspension, engine and drive train, emission control and exhaust, cooling and climate control, and electrical and electronic systems using hand tools and other specialized automotive repair equipment
• Test and adjust repaired systems to manufacturer's performance specifications
• Perform scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune ups
• Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle condition and future repair requirements.

Mechanical repairers - motor vehicle manufacturing

• Inspect and test mechanical units, such as engines, transmissions, axles and brake systems, to locate faults and malfunctions
• Diagnose faults or malfunctions and confirm findings with supervisor to determine whether to repair or replace unit
• Repair or replace mechanical units or components using hand and power tools
• Test and adjust units to specifications for proper performance
• Complete reports to record problems and work performed.

Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics

• Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of commercial transport truck systems including chassis, frame, cab, body, engine and drive train, air brakes, steering, and fuel, hydraulic, electrical and electronic systems
• Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of truck-trailer systems including structural, brake and electrical systems.

Employment requirements

Automotive Service Technicians

• Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
• Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
• Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in Ontario. Automotive service technician (steering, suspension and brakes) trade certification is compulsory in New Brunswick and Ontario.
• Automotive service technician (service station mechanic) trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Mechanical repairers - motor vehicle manufacturing

• Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
• On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers.

Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics

• Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.
• Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship or a combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Trade certification for truck and transport mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon.
• Transport trailer technician trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified truck-trailer repairers and truck and transport mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.