ase certification
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cdg1984 said:
i got my ASE certification in auto-refinishing and bodywork. I never had a formal class regarding bodywork, i started out as a shop boy sweeping floors, then i ended up at the end painting BMW's, audi's and other higher end cars everyday. I took my test about 2 years after i picked up a spray gun. Passed the test on the first try. I strongly believe that you will learn more with hands on work rather than an instructional course ( although i would assume that it couldn't hurt for one or two classes)
That's for auto-body stuff, as far as mechanics idk a lot about the tests, only from what i hear from my father. He's been a ASE master mechanic for almost 25-30 years IIRC. The one test he has trouble when he gets the re-certification is the auto trans test, the performance and other sections looked a lot easier.
I will only say this, learn everything you can about the computer systems on the new cars, a lot of mechanics that ive come across that are in the 40-50's have to keep up with the changing systems. These cars are not even remotely similar to our g-body cars, everything has a sensor and electrical connection. Hell you practically don't have to open the hood anymore , you just use a computer to read the diagnostics from the OBD port.
anyone correct me if im wrong in saying this, but it would probably be a better pay off to go diesel mechanics or find a government type job fixing township cars like mail trucks and cop cars. Also, don't forget to factor in the cost of tools and things like that, a lot of new techs have no clue at all. I figure you would need about $500 in tools ( a good impact gun, sockets, ect) to start off with being able to do brake jobs and oil changes. As a side note to give a little bit of perspective, my Iwata gun costs about $250 and my Sata Nr2000 was around $500 brand new.
Keep those things in mind and i think you'll be fine and good luck!
I have 5 ase's
The tests are general not specific to a division of car manufacture. Most of it is diag.
The tests are general not specific to a division of car manufacture. Most of it is diag.
I don't have any ASE certifications but here's my take on mechanic jobs. I worked on CH-46E helicopters in the military and it was cool at the time. After I got out I thought I'd like working on private jets and it sucked because there were customers involved.
AlanB made some good points too. I'm a year away from finishing my BA in a field that I'm no longer interested in.
And what I see as most important is being passionate about what you do for a living. Nothing is worse than going to a job you hate everyday or waiting until you're almost 40 years old and looking back at what you should have done instead.
Don't confuse your hobby with your profession either. It's one thing working on YOUR car AT YOUR LEISURE, doing things YOU WANT TO DO. When I wrenched for a living I didn't want to work on my own car anymore because I got burned out.
Whatever you decide good luck!
AlanB made some good points too. I'm a year away from finishing my BA in a field that I'm no longer interested in.
And what I see as most important is being passionate about what you do for a living. Nothing is worse than going to a job you hate everyday or waiting until you're almost 40 years old and looking back at what you should have done instead.
Don't confuse your hobby with your profession either. It's one thing working on YOUR car AT YOUR LEISURE, doing things YOU WANT TO DO. When I wrenched for a living I didn't want to work on my own car anymore because I got burned out.
Whatever you decide good luck!
I agree with G_Body_Vet, I worked on aircraft for years and it was more of a chore than a hobby sometimes to work on my car. Now I'm self employed doing nothing mechanical I have a blast crewing on a race car and working on my own project..
Being ASE Certified help me in all the jobs I have had in past and present as well. It help me get hired over the other applicants that had applied for the same position. They may have been better than me but they weren't certified. There are a lot of hacks out there that are ASE Certified but don't know crap, these guys give the ASE Certification a bad name, everyone who wrenches knows these guys. It also helped getting a dollar or two per hour more than the other guys.
The down side is that you get stuck with the cars the other guys hacked up and can't fix because you are ASE Certified, your times drop because you are now fixing the nightmare cars or sometimes the comeback cars. Or Driveability issues, I had to drive a car once 8 hrs to get it to act up. If I was on flatrape at the time, would I have been paid to do this? But that is my job now, to fix cars the other guys can't and seems sometimes they won't (but I can perform magic and make them disappear)..
If I were a young guy just starting out, I would go to College or the Military (which is the route I went) get my training, if I could I would get into an OEM Automotive program, stay at home a few years, save money every week for tools (10 to 30 Grand in tools to get started) work in a shop that pays hourly as long as you can then try to get picked up by a large fleet or city/state/government job and go from there. In the dealership world you will only be kept around as long as you can produce or if the new service manager likes you. (They usually last a year or two then they are replaced). Once you hit between the late 40's your body doesn't hold up as well and your hours/pay drop..
Good Luck if you choose this path to go down, you need to approach as career choice and not just a hobby. BTW after you are done wrenching for the day your hobby working on a car is not much fun anymore..
The down side is that you get stuck with the cars the other guys hacked up and can't fix because you are ASE Certified, your times drop because you are now fixing the nightmare cars or sometimes the comeback cars. Or Driveability issues, I had to drive a car once 8 hrs to get it to act up. If I was on flatrape at the time, would I have been paid to do this? But that is my job now, to fix cars the other guys can't and seems sometimes they won't (but I can perform magic and make them disappear)..
If I were a young guy just starting out, I would go to College or the Military (which is the route I went) get my training, if I could I would get into an OEM Automotive program, stay at home a few years, save money every week for tools (10 to 30 Grand in tools to get started) work in a shop that pays hourly as long as you can then try to get picked up by a large fleet or city/state/government job and go from there. In the dealership world you will only be kept around as long as you can produce or if the new service manager likes you. (They usually last a year or two then they are replaced). Once you hit between the late 40's your body doesn't hold up as well and your hours/pay drop..
Good Luck if you choose this path to go down, you need to approach as career choice and not just a hobby. BTW after you are done wrenching for the day your hobby working on a car is not much fun anymore..
anakputa said:
I hear you you on that you between working on the equipment at work and everything else the "project" ride doesn't get any attention other the the occasional weekend.....
The ASE do help help somewhat though and you can separate the "booksmart" mechanics from the ones who actually know what they are doing . But i would recommend getting them anyways as some jobs help pay for them and it looks good on a resume. Be prepared for the aches and pains as well...I am 23 and a master tech with l1. The tests are really a joke. Anyone who can retain information and take tests can pass. I know how a trans works but I can't fix one my job dosnt get into them, but I passed manual and auto. I did go to school but if you read a study book you can pass them. All they really meen nowadays is get you more $ and a better job.
And, in most cases, ASE also means that you have basic problem solving skills. Diagnosis takes less time when you know where to look first, what to replace first, and what to check next. ASE doesnt guarantee a better mechanic, but in most cases, its a safer bet to a smarter one, and smarter mechanics make less mistakes, more money, and require less time with your car.robhowardiii said:
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