I’ve been a mechanic for 30 years and I love what I do. I started wrenching in high school, did UTI’s full auto/diesel program, and have been employed as a mechanic or in fleet management ever since. The key for me has been variety. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on a little of everything: imported and domestic cars, medium and heavy trucks, farm equipment, material handling equipment, fire apparatus, hot rods, classics, the works. While there have been bad days, it’s been a great career and I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Nutz4Gunz45 yet we are the most underpaid workers in the market I think. Plus other mechanics can give bad rep to other cuz they want to make a quick buck.
Generally, I respect the engineers - and hate the bean-counters that force said engineers to cut corners to save a few pennies per vehicle. Sadly, engineers who do the entire design usually lay out great, logically-designed mechanicals - and are quickly out of business, as they can't compete on price.
Agreed, I remember when VW launched the Amarok in Argentina (2010) I went to the tech launch of the vehicle and all the engineers and design team was there and I asked for their emails so I can get back to them with all the design faults
I have been a mechanic for 40 years. My father (also a mechanic) used to say that same thing “your toolbox is on wheels for a reason” He taught me so many good things. Keep up the good work Charles!
Mo Chubby's Music Most of my years have been medium/heavy truck. I still love what I do, however the trade takes a toll on your body. My suggestion to young mechanics is to take care of your body, eat right and exercise. You will be glad you did no matter what field you go into. The technology keeps me going also. SCR DPF emission systems etc. always a challenge. Keeps your mind healthy also. Lol.
I work on Mercedes now and I wish I could've worked on the older cars when they were new. Dont get me wrong I love the new stuff but the old stuff has so much character!
Man, the last 30 seconds or so of this video were words I’ve been telling myself this whole year... needed to hear them. I really do love doing this job, I’m just doing it I’m all the wrong ways.
yup so true. i used to like a lot of cars then i worked on them. quality and tech now is so bad. i hate working on cars. i only like working on my own truck because i dont need to impress anyone
It’s funny. I never “loved” cars. I have always enjoyed fixing things. When I was younger, and chasing hours, i did fall out of love with the industry. But then I decided to try to be the best diagnostic tech possible and I’ve loved it again, since.
It's a good video and one that has parallels to so many other careers and such. I'm in IT and for a long time I was just a lowly tech support guy. Same principles as you stated. Now I'm a windows server admin and doing more projects and less support.
You’ve just summed up my last 2-3 years out of 16 at the Volkswagen Dealership I work at. Since diesel gate, things have gotten so micro managed from the mother ship, that I’m no longer a technician. I feel like an administrator who just writes more information than I’m actually working on a car. Forget about diagnostics... it’s all about following guided functions like a robot. The challenge of finding my own solution is not even an option anymore. “You need to follow VW rules or we don’t get paid” is the mentality of the dealership that gets hammered in your head day in, day out. I’d really love to see what else is out there. Great video topic Charles
I'm not even an automotive professional, but there are takeaways this vid that still apply to everyday life. Solid life and attitude advice here. Thanks for doing what you do Charles!
I work with quite a few shop owners that have experienced this too! The solution for these business owners is stepping back from working as a tech and stepping into the shoes of a manager where they oversee the shop and assist employees rather than turning the wrench themselves. I also experienced this same thing after a couple years working as a personal trainer. I HATED being in the gym after already being there day in and day out. Great video!
I enjoy photography. I went to school and acquired a certificate in fine art photography. Even though that was 25 years ago, I still enjoy photography, as a hobby. I've found that the only times I no longer enjoy photography, is when I'm doing it professionally, so I only do it as favors for friends and family. I'm glad I'm not a full time professional photographer. 😊
One of my friends is caught up in that mundane going to work every day and his passion for cars went down the drain. But what I have experienced in my own life is that the repetition of life needs to be broken up when it comes to working on cars. Take on a strange project on the side, I love doing automatic to manual swaps and that really helps to break up the daily routine of the same old thing. I am lined up soon to do not just a auto-manual swap but also put in a different engine in a old Toyota 4runner. These variations from the daily fluff helped me to not loose my passion for cars.
I worked for the same corp for 30 years. There were times I hated my job, @nd times when I loved it. It all depended on who my manager was, which determined how we were treated. Some know how to treat people, some are only interested in their own career. I have always loved cars, but am not a mechanic. I drove chevys my whole life until ten years ago when I retired I fell in love with a Honda DelSol... then a Civic Si hatch, then a mk6 GTI, now a mk7 GTI. The only mod is a beefed up rear sway bar. Just ordered wheels...black with polished lip. I go thru a lot of McGuires spray wax. Life is good. Peace Love Volkswagen
No. I love my truck and find cars and equipment more interesting than I ever have. HOWEVER I do hate working on vehicles now. I send my truck and car to a shop rather than do anything myself; those same things I would have done in my driveway, 5 years ago. There is a reason most mechanics I have seen in Canada drive either new vehicles still under warranty, or drive small cars which are cheap to have others repair. (I can not actually watch the video as I’m on break in a public room, so that is purely a response to the title.)
Thanks for the vids Humble. I almost started going down the dealer technician rabbit hole. After watching a lot of your vids I decided probably wasn't the best move for me. Thanks For All Your Hard Work
Charles, thank you very much for putting this into words. I'll be using your wisdom as a leadership tool for some of the younger folks I work with. I'm a communications professional working for the United States Air Force. (Retired at almost 24 years, and have returned as a civilian) This is the mindset I have always taken more out of personal values than anything else. The challenge comes in passing that philosophy on to other folks. When you can, it makes the work environment massively more productive and much more fun.
Absolutely. My dad tried to warn me and i didnt listen. Now I literally only play with jeeps and and race cars and diesel trucks. All things I didnt work on. It did help me jump into industrial maintenance where I make master tech money doing half the work
As a owner of a car who depends on pro mechanics to keep my car working, you guys are truly appreciated. Don’t let the grind kill your passion. Me, and a million other car owners need you!!!
It always helps to have a fun place to work, my last year at the VW dealership there were 10 of us and the oldest was 33, so we were all like brothers, so never a dull moment. It’s weird you talk about being the hero to the customer...I used to tell the teacher at VW school I had just been saving the world one car at a time.
I'm so happy you made this video. It's so important for people to value great work ethic and to have a mastery and excellence in their field of work. That alone can help society so much. Again thanks dude! I wish you were my mechanic 😢😫😭
Absolutely great advice. I started out just working on my own cars through high school and found i loved it so i decided to go to UTI. While going there i started working in a couple of shops and got accepted into the VW program. By that time though i realized i no longer loved what i was doing. Work really killed my hobby. But since i got into a different but similar line of work and my passion for my car has returned
Qualify next week over the 4 years of learning on the job and still learning. Learning about 1 car maker will know the in and out, then going to another dealer (Subaru my new job) to pursue new avenue. Pre-certified used car at dealer on the make that you worked on before(Mazda), will end up going to you and know common problems. Its also harder to know further faults as I haven't done much in ie repair/diagnosis previous make as I was given the same diagnosis/repair/recall/warranty jobs at Mazda, but I notice/remember/assume what other techs suspect/possible cause. Even though I'm at another dealer from Mazda(not learning) to Subaru (learning), learning new things and repairs. Its a learning curve and to grow as what you said, finding rattles by using 5th/6th gear under 40km where rattle comes from rear to front and finding where the customer concern. Never learnt that way of finding rattles from Mazda.Or replacing my first shift plate assembly and installing then testing operation to only find out the Manual mode was flipped back to front, took 3 hours to do but part of learning process. Recall protocols ie measurement of play, uploading evidence of work to recall, torquing certain parts to spec etc... I also hate working my car when I don't want to but I know I have to, sometimes getting lazy to pay someone to do it but I know its cheaper for me to do it and also learn/break parts while removing/fitting on the vehicle. Especially when a popping noise from front of my car which I suspect its strut V brace nuts, strut top and spring seat, bump stop, front bush bolts/rubber, axle nut over bumps/turning at certain occasions and yet its still not diagnosed when it happens randomly. But I always reflect, if I hate working on cars then its not the right trade and you will always do the same job and contemplating. Why did I get into the trade? Passion and love for cars in modification, learning, hands on and technology changing every year that's why I became a Tech/Mechanic
Same happened to me. Went to tech school. Cars were pretty much all I cared about. Once I started working in a shop and the ability to feed myself was centered on cranking out repair work, especially tire rotations and oil changes, I kinda started to hate cars, and the people that neglected them. I'm now taking a bit of a break from working on cars in my free time, and I've also changed industries. I'm now getting my passion for cars back as the time goes on. If you're an auto tech and you're starting to get burned out on cars (and the lack of money in the automotive industry), I'd recommend looking into another industry. It really helped me.
The biggest thing that helps me rekindle my love of fixing vehicles is helping the next generation. Seriously, help the neighbor kid change her oil; HELP, not do it for her. Go through the diagnosing of a problem with that teen who’s first car is giving him problems. Change a set of brakes with the brothers sharing their pickup through high school. That - THAT is what will rekindle your love. Make some kid pack a wheel bearing in his hand and laugh at the complete mess they make. Force them to learn that a simple fuse is where you start if it don’t start. And, this is important, share in the defeat when something kicks your butt and you cannot figure it out to save your life.
As someone who works in IT I can really relate to 8:00 explanation, few things are more satisfying than walking in after the previous tech couldn't fix the issue and the customer has sent hours working with other people. And then you got it fixed in 10 minutes and the person is just dazzled. It's a very much a "you can walk on water" feeling.
I agree 100% with your comment about remembering what you are doing for the customer, not just for the car. Let's face it, as a mechanic, you really do have the owner's life and their family's lives in your hands. Making sure that car will go, stop and handle correctly saves lives. I'm a training specialist, working in the defence environment, and this is something I constantly remind my team of - it might be boring to spend hours in some spreadsheet matching training outcomes to lessons or assessments, but making sure we get these boring things right is what stops an aircraft ending up as a smoking hole in the ground. There are time I really miss turning spanners (this now happens at home in the shed as fun, rather than work), but I know that what I do day to day ensures that others are able to operate and maintain aircraft safely, and missions are achieved.
While I’m not a mechanic or technician, I had a similar idea about driving professionally. I thought if I got a CDL I’d lose my passion for driving. And I didn’t. It’s actually made it more exciting. Thank you for all your positive ideas for finding that passion again. I’ve always said that I’d rather love what I do than make lots of money.
Agree, 20 years on the bench as a Master Technician and each year I've lost the love of cars. My project Mustang took 20 years to complete because I lost the motivation after getting home each day. Becoming a Master Tech gave me a sense of accomplishment and a raise but also gave me the strange problems or comebacks that the other techs couldn't or wouldn't fix. I find it more satisfying to help the young guys that want to learn than the actual work itself.
I've been doing this professionally for 26 years. I started at a Toyota/Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Plattsburgh NY. I loved working on cars then. It was also a pride thing for me. I used to love going into the parts stores with my Toyota uniform on. People just ASSUMED I knew what I was doing when I wore it. After that it was the ASE certifications. Took 4 years, I ended up with 7 automotive and 4 HD truck certifications. 20 years later, I can't wait to get OUT of this. I hate working on cars at this point. I still run 50 hours a week, but the joy is gone. Thanks for the Video! Some good points to think about!
Well said, I been working on cars for four years, first couple of years I loved it, I loved every minute of it. I told myself that everyday was a challenge as I would get up at 6 am to start working and that there’s always something new to learn but overtime I started to slowly hate what I was doing because it got too repetitive. Now I own my own business, have working knowledge of how cars work and have no regrets.
I completely agree. I was a tech for 15 years in 3 different brands. (Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, so I've seen my share of issues) At an independent shop as well as the dealer. I feel that I had a great experience at the dealer because they supported me in several ways from the other techs up to the ownership of the company. The Independent shop was a fun, slower paced environment that was also involving restoration and customization as well as maintenance and repairs. While I was working, I definitely got tired of working on broken cars and basic maintenance. The part that drove me crazy with the newer cars is that it can be completely mechanically sound and the issue is completely with the software, sometimes with no update to resolve the issue. Somehow I still was able to keep up my passion for cars through it all. I will say that I wasn't interested in fixing my own vehicles when something went wrong as quickly. Sometimes because I knew what the problem was and wasn't worried about it, and sometimes because I didn't want to stay at work an extra unknown amount of time trying to figure out what the issue was after a full day working on other peoples strange issues. I've since stopped working on cars professionally (at least for now) and I still want to build some for myself. I guess I got out at the right time!
I'm a VW tech at a dealership and I think I go through waves love/hate/love/hate/hate/hate/hate :) I'm always way more excited to work on my own car but the dealership can be such a drag at times.
I like stopping by to see what your doing Charles. I'm not in the business, but as a professional customer I can appreciate the information. Plus your really good about interacting (responding) to comments.
I'm not a mechanic although I work on my own car (Passat B5 '03) but as a Carpenter and Artist, I find this video to be of great inspiration to rediscover my passion for my chosen vocation(s). What you are saying here is relevant across the spectrum of vocations. That you are a real person with similar trials and tribulations (within subjective context) really makes me enjoy your channel even more. Thanks and keep up the great work. ps: do more videos on B5's please :)
What made me get into cars is actually fixing the broken stuff. My love affair started with my moms 98 Windstar that first blew a head gasket but did not come back from a blown transmission. Fixing the broken stuff is what gives me the satisfaction and how my passion evolved. Mods/performance/resto is the cherry on top.
I've been a tech for 30 years. Being a class A and working hard has provided well for me and my family. I still have the passion for my racecars and the hotrods I get to work on. As far as my everyday grind, I don't hate cars. I hate engineers. It's quite clear that many cars are designed by someone who has never had to repair one.
I don't work on cars full time anymore now I love it again. I hate flat rate and it sucked the what I wanted out of it. What I wanted out of it was exactly what you describe d. I use to walk 7 miles one way to work take the city bus both took about the same time. The amount of time I wasted and lost with family and friends and I had no energy. I did that for 2 years till I got dodge colt. One of the most gratifying things I remember from early in my career was I put a starter in a guys 4runner and he was ecstatic when I got it to start. He was worried it was his livelihood and didn't have much money and is on his way of being selfmade. I can relate to that. After working with a condescending boss who wanted to tear me down for getting excited about that because he is a trust fund baby who like to cherry pick, and works harder polishing his silver tounge than sharpening his diagnostic skills, and use me to flag his hours while he sleep in a car. I got to a point where I felt my purpose was gone. Now I work on cars in the side, and part time for a chain store. It's like going to the gym or football practice after school for me know. Management in that store gives me more credit than they should they don't pay me shit but I have a lucrative day job now so whatever. I also train newer techs that really do want something better for their self. I also flip cars. After I turn enough profit I find a good beater to make into a reliable runner and donate it to people who need a car. That has been more fulfilling than anything I did in 8 years as a line tech.
Here is a little Rant! As a German, Car Lover and someone that has been running a mechanic shop in the past, I'm in Love with old Chevy's. I am just taking a very pragmatic approach to this, I just Future proofed my Former Army Truck K30 with a 450HP 6.0, 4l80E trans and a self learning Holley ECU, Vintage Air, New Upholstery and Paint, that I drive every day as a work truck and when anything brakes down, I can visit the nearest Parts store and they most like have any part on the shelf i need and fairly cheaply too. I'm still in love with MK1, MK2 and MK3's VW and me and my brother getting ready to do a TDI swap on his 81 Caddy because that old POS 50HP diesel is an antique and has got to go, it can not keep up with todays traffic. Let's talk about an extreme case when considering A Brand new Mercedes S Class or 7 series BMW which is fantastic but only as long there is a warranty! Don't expect them to be on the road 20+ years as they become as disposable as an outdated iphone. with 100 Modules and Computers that need constant software updates. It is an Environmental travesty if you really think about it. Every Visit i make at my local Pick n pull I see so more and more 10 year old young vehicles that are just to expensive to keep on the road and with every past year cars become finically totaled and written of by Owners and Insurance companies and end up at junk yards as stuff breaks on them or end up in a wrecks. The more advance technological vehicles are, especially Autonomous electric cars that have +12 cameras and sensors, most bodyshops refuse to repair simply because they are taking the liability if the customer ends up in a wreck again because the sensor or camera was not installed or aligned correctly so the end user pays 5 times more for a simple fender bender at a specialized and authorized manufacture bodyshop compare to a regular car. So what happens when you finally buy your Dream Tesla that you can only afford Used for $20-30K and end up in a crash but the repairs cost 70% of it's value due to the complexity? It ends up in the land-field. So as a Car Guy I only invest my money on cars that I can maintain and everything else is just a Samsung phone that ends up in the trash. Keep your Life Stress free folks.
I worked 14 years as a mechanic and had two ASE certification (engine and brake repair). I got out of it and work in IT. I loved cars but I got really cynical about it. The fun part was the cars but the people are either really fun or really annoying. I got out of it because of back problems. Sometimes I miss it while sitting in a front a computer. Than again, I don't miss working outside in 100 degree heat or when it's raining and everything is wet.
My experience. I agree to you for the most part. There were times when it was very satisfying to fix it right and help out the owner. But after decades of dealership life, I have to say that the whole service industry needs overhaul. The flat rate system doesn’t work any more. What used to pay 0.5 hr became 0.3 and then it eventually became free. 3.0 hr job became 2 hr then 1.5 and so on over the years. That forced techs and advisors to cut corners, sell unneeded services, hide work from others and working over 60-70 hours a week just to make ends meet. I’ve seen enough bad things happening and had opportunity to leave and that was the best decision I’ve ever made. Now I hate even looking at cars. The auto technicians need be treated with more dignity and respect and the environment has to change.
One of the reasons I don't work as a mechanic. I still finished my car mechanic trade school degree, but only really to get the papers and it was so easy. I also live in a small and "poor" country so basically the best job would be a dealership mechanic and I would much more like to work in a hot rod shop or something like that, but there just really isn't any here. So because I really love cars I haven't really worked on them to keep the spark alive. Someday I would still like to open a hot rod shop and work on it part time after I figure out a "real" job.
Im not a mechanic, i love cars, am a mechatronics student and im struggling with motivation lately, big thanks for this video, its relevant for so much more than just fixing cars! :D its all about the attitude (and i definitely have to work on mine)
One doesn't need to turn wrenches every day to start to hate cars. I had been an advisor for six years when I moved from an independent tire shop to a Hyundai dealership. After two months there, one Sunday I was trying to recover from my second consecutive 6-day, 70-hour week, and I was so despondent that actually considered quitting my job, selling my car (which after 10 years I love more and more), walking everywhere, and having nothing more to do with the auto industry ever again. Toward the end of the next day, Monday, I got called into the boss's office and was dismissed from my job. 5 days later I was in my car exploring the majesty of Yellowstone National Park and being reminded why I love cars.
Oh boy my friend I can totally relate . I started working on cars professionally at age 20 and by the time i got to 31-32 I was feeling that same way. It took building my own audi wagon engine and pretty much full build to re spark my passion for the work
I own 2 VWs. They are a pain in the ass. I've put $8k in my vr6. Another $1k is in the mail now. I get angry at what I'm doing sometimes. The enjoyment of driving my car after all the frustration is well worth it! I want your tools, personable demeanor, and your beard.
I hope a lot of managers sees this video because they have a lot to learn from it. It is they who should aid and guide the new employee to set (reasonable but challenging) goals both long and short time. It is they who should congratulate you when you reach a goal because it helps lift the level at the company as a unit and will spur others to do the same. It is the managers that should make sure everyone gets a fair spread of the workload that suits everyone so that both the daily grind and the challenging stuff gets shared. Because we all need development now and then in one way or the other. If we don't develop we decay
I'm a computer network administrator. I kinda hate computers... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I mean, they're great when they're running fine. I love to use them. But when they start acting up... ugh. So many weird issues come up.
renragged Becoming a sysadmin kills love of computers, mostly because people who use them grind them to failure through misuse, stupidity, no maintenance, applying blind high security. You have to learn not how things work right, but the multitude of how things break.
I lasted 5 years doing mechanics before the job and the people I worked with sucked me dry of passion then left and become a machine engineer as I loved that stuff as a child as well and the same happened again, ended up in a resto company and it combined mechanics and engineering and he screwed me over so in the end I hated cars so much I ended up in retail working on push bikes. I now work as a heating engineer and now do mechanics on the side as a hobbie I enjoy it so much more
4 years in now myself and still loving it That’s not to say I’ll never turn, but as of now I love what I do, and the day that changes is the day I get out
I love that you mention setting goals. In the US Army regardless of what job you're in, our careers are basically mapped out for us and it's up to us how far we want to go and reaching those milestones. What would you say are good milestones or goals to set when working as a technician, whether it's diesel or auto, that one can follow to always keep your eye on the prize?
You nailed it on the head with this one! It's mainly a matter of perspective but there are so many resources available to keep you going and it's easy to forget that and just get angry at your current situation. Thanks for another great video, keep up the great work!
Been working on vehicles for 35 years. Love it most days other days want to walk away. Worked in production for a short time, missed working on vehicles. Enjoy the challenges of it
My dad worked for ford for years as a Tec before going into aircraft, it was always such a choir to get him to go out in the garage to teach or show me anything, he absolutely discouraged me in going into automotive industry in any way, and was unsupportive in that as a goal. I think you are right, if you do anything long enough it becomes a job. Now i have worked restaurants for 23 years and hate it. A few years ago i got a break an got into construction, and wile i still have a night job cooking to make ends meet wile i work my way up the pay scale, i still dream of quitting it all and moving back to California, where I'm from, and getting into cars in some way. But i have 4 kids to support, maybe when there on there own I'll take that chance, my youngest is 12 now, but i always wonder what could have been if the support was there and i had taken the chance. I already think like a Tec, i hate working on my own car, but love helping others. Lol. Anyway, as always great content and please keep up the good work. 👍
...because they're too busy earning money, making and mending shoes for everyone else (for those who need an explanation. It's a very Old English saying)
I've always loved working on cars. Friends have told me I should have became a mechanic. Like this video, I was concerned the the thing that I loved doing was going to stop because it was no longer fun anymore. I always liked working on my own car because it was mine. Working on a Customers car would scare me because I know how I am about my own car. I have a lot more patients now then what I did 10 years ago when this first became a thought. I like watching people work on my car, I always found it fun and informitive. Most places don't allow it anymore due to liability, which is understandable. I'm finding now with computers, cars are getting more complexed and I personally don't want to deal with it. At the end of the day though, I still love doing oil changes, tire changes, tire repairs and installing new LED lights and what not.
This video came in a perfect time for me. I am facing right now situation that I can either choose between making a career with a good wage and having a small project car as a hobby or take a formation and become an automotive technician. I always loved cars and try to understand how and why things work a certain way when I was a child.
I love engines but i hate some cars now, minis (crazy misfires), toyotas (2.4 crap), nissans (2.5 crap), chevys (3.6 timing chains/phasers/broken valves). I just want to enjoy watching other people fix or upgrade engines on tv( speed channel) or watch nascar and learn more. I got tired of being the underpaid hero. $90/hour shop labor cost was too much for some of them. Anyways... I am trying hard again to save the love for cars again
I always like doing brakes. I think it’s kool putting new drilled and slotted rotors and new calipers on no matter what. I just hate when people what to put the cheap stuff on and they come back and complain about it when you told them to buy the good stuff in the first place.
When I was in high school, I absolutely LOVED working on my 1972 Camaro, doing the usual hot-rodding things. During that time I worked part-time for short periods in an automobile repair shop and an auto body shop. I realized REAL fast that I loved cars, but I hated working on other people's dirty, dishevelled and poorly maintained junk. I completely agree with what you are saying about helping people and I applaud your work ethic. But I think you can admit that the automotive repair industry puts up an impregnable wall between the technician and the customer at dealers, which I believe tends to cause technicians to completely lose sight of what you are saying about caring for their customers. I suspect that the lack of feedback is disheartening to technicians. The dealer technicians never get to directly hear a customer say "I really appreciate everything you do for me and my car." So instead of becoming an automotive technician, I became a physician instead. So for the past 36 years, I work on actual people instead of machines. Thus it is completely obvious to me 24/7 that I have to care very deeply for each of my patients. I suspect that if technicians were more involved in the "people aspect" of auto repair, that they would more highly value their own extreme importance in the lives of their customers. Automotive technicians should be more highly esteemed in my opinion, but I think this lack of interaction with customers severely hinders that ideal. I still do my own automotive service including oil and filter changes, brake jobs, valve-adjustments, timing belt replacements, and clutch replacements. I understand very well how "liking" or "hating" automotive repair and maintenance can cause one to either do very good work or mediocre or even damaging work. I am glad you are succeeding in your work and with your RUclips channel. You are an excellent speaker.
How do you feel about the way being a tech affects your body. I had always wanted to be a tech, but my father was a aircraft mechanic his whole life and when I graduated high school he sat me down and lectured me on "working with my brain not my body"... he has some gnarly health issues from working on aircraft his entire life, shoulder issues from having his hands above his head for hours, back issues from heavy lifting and bending into tight spaces for odd jobs, and no upper registry of his hearing left from jet engines (that's kinda airplane specific though lol).... I'm in the auto industry now, went to college, got a pretty solid gig as a finance manager at a dealership, I dont LOVE the work but I really do like being around cars and the people I work with are great, some of my best friends now... But there is a part of me that still wants to be hands on every day, I hate working in front of a computer, and putting on a show for a customer, the real me isn't a suit wearing smart talking guy, the real me is a greasy handed loud guy who loves nothing more than that feeling of problem solving you get from working on any sort of DIY project. I'm not convinced I want to restart my career and choose a different path or anything drastic, but I would love to hear your opinion, or the opinion of some other experienced techs that watch your videos on if being a mechanic really does catch up to you after many years!
I enjoyed working on my 70's and 80's UK cars. Simple, carbureted four cylinders, bags of room in the engine bay. The rust was the biggest problem. I'm now working on a 2003 E46 BMW 320i and it's a pig just to get sockets in where you need to. Cracked hoses everywhere. You need tiny hands and £££ just for the parts.
Applies to other aspects of the car biz as well. When I was in high school I was a lot porter for an Infiniti store. It killed the passion for cars for sure. I stopped seeing the history, the passion, the thing that made this car special over another. They all just became hunks of metal, glass, rubber, and plastic. Had to leave the car biz to get that passion back. Years later went into the sales side of the biz. Within 5 months, nothing was special to me anymore. Work on the railroad now, the passion is definitely back now.
Worked as a technician for about 8 months and by the end of it, i did start to hate cars. Got tired of seeing car videos on youtube and car related posts on instagram. I think a lot of it was the workplace was miserable so cars started to have a negative stigma related to that. Once i got a different job I’m definitely more into cars and excited by them lately. Also having my work be 100% recalls got old quick.
I find it impressive when someone who’s been a tech for over 10 years that still likes being on the car scene or working on project cars. I’ve seen so many apprentices come in with such enthusiasm towards being a tech and after 2-5 years quit the business because they’re burned out. They come in thinking they’ll do the dealership thing for a couple of years and think they will open up there own speed shop. Then they get to see the real face of the business and lose interest. Let’s be honest when you come into the business everything is new. Everything is a challenge. After time things like shop politics, trying to make a pay check, and trying to stay up on the product. Then some things become repetitive and the things that aren’t repetitive generally cost you hours wise. Yes trying to concentrate on the customers helps, but then you get the customers you go the extra mile for that still complain. Then you get the never ending warranty situations.
Hey Charles, I think you might be interested in a course in systems thinking. You mentioned learning new ways of diagnosing and everything, but if you have training related to thinking it's possible to develop your own strategies a lot faster than without. Although I stopped working on cars for a living I like to watch your videos from time to time because you're so passionate about it. Happy to see you were able to leave a situation of being dependent on someone to making it on your own. Hope I can do that one day as well. But that reality is a long way away!
I’d love that type of course. I’m trying to focus on my education and putting it into practice. And I want you to find what you want too. The path is very long. I started down the road in 2007/08. Long before my first internet post.
@@HumbleMechanic There are so many free online courses that universities offer that you can take. There's a fee if you want a certificate, but for someone like yourself who can use the knowledge but may not care about a piece of paper: edx.org As for me, I'm clear about the path I'm taking. Going to get in to engineering since there's a lot of inventions I want to build and research I want to get involved in. Knowing I can always fall-back to a trade if necessary is a good feeling but it would only be in a do or die situation. Techs like you are rare. Or in general. Most people these days don't take pride in what they do. Or at least there is not much pride in the quality of work. I learned early in life not to trust blindly as it's something that should be earned no matter how qualified someone appears to be.
I worked at VW for 2 days. I knew what was going to happen a month or 2 down the line. it was going to turn out that you need to be someone who needs to turn out cars asap. where from my point of view, i need to who turns out cars, but stretchs the clock for 8 hours. Off to something that's more performance based car wise vs. turning numbers.
I once bought a camshaft position sensor at a BMW dealership for my E36 1998 318ti with M42 engine. The part turned out to be defective since new and to get it RMA'd I had to have the dealer diagnose it as a bad part. First time I have ever received a brand new defective part from a dealer. Not too bad for me got treated as if I had a new BMW got a brand new 3 series loaner at the time. However, no one at the shop could work on my 318ti and troubleshoot electrical issues with a multi-meter and look at diagrams required to test all the circuits that went through the sensor. The shop manager/foreman was the only one to be able and to work on my car. I think that is telling of the industry. Too many part swappers and not a whole lot of actual technicians employed. Most just do it as a job to pay the bills not passionate to learn more and get into new territory. If all mechanics were like that foreman or yourself I would be more willing to have mechanics work on my stuff but it's impossible to find and many times not worth a headache to find out they suck. I have an odd one for you my 20 year old GTI is exhibiting a whissle under load or quick throttle jabs. I diagnosed it to be the built in PCV valve on the intake boot as it's 20 years old. Under vacuum it doesn't make noise since it's pulling vacuum and the PCV is shut but on WOT or quick jabs air gets sucking into throttle plate through PCV causing that damn whissle. The problem is I can't find the boot anywhere used or new. You don't happen to have one laying our I can but off of or a way to delete and use another style PCV valve in place of this one. It's part number 1J0129684AA
Great video i’m seriously considering my life and a career change at the moment. I’m still in the fence about if I want to be a tech or not but having you share your experience with us helps a lot and I have a similar way of thinking with my current job. Not the customers fault our company is badly managed lol
Hey man I honestly like your videos it helps a lot and I really know what you mean the place that i worked first was at landini tractors very bad people and boss but i pushed trough that I’m still getting my qualification i was 14 when I started stripping and rebuilding my first truck diesel motor i am 18 now I rebuild both of my own cars first car was the jetta mk2 ended up selling it bought me a golf 4 gti I ended up bending valves (lol my own fault) and I finished the full rebuild 1st of may and I honestly love it I don’t work at a mechanic place now and thats okay because this is my hobby all my friends and family know that if something is wrong with there car then thy call me and i love that. Thanks man be safe (I’m from South Africa)
I don't have a car to fix, and in no way see myself becoming a mechanic, but I did enjoy this video. One of the reasons being, you did videos with EE, and you're a VW focused guy (I didn't know you were a master tech tho, cheers to that!). I'd like to see you rebuild that 2.0T engine by the way, and I can't be the only one! Stock form or upgraded, whatever, I'm a sucker for engine rebuilds!
Great video. I think this video should be titled "Will working in the auto industry hurt your love for cars?" Maybe this could be an on going series. Get people who are mechanics, builders (of some kind), sales and people who work in HR or accounting for their views. Different facets of the auto industry. As for people who work in the business development, maybe HR and accounting departments I don't think it will tarnish a person's view if they love cars. Because they are not dealing with customers and broken cars. But as for a mechanic/technician stand point, I can maybe see why a person may hate their love of cars. Again, if they like cars and don't view it as a job. I guess I equate it to lawyers defending criminals. From what you did at the dealership, all you saw were broken cars in one form or another so I can see why that can make someone hate cars. But there are other reasons why a person who loves cars then all of the sudden hate cars. It might be what you do for a living as in working on cars, maybe on the sales side of things or it could be a person who doesn't work in the auto industry and hates the car culture people you have a few shallow people. Or no matter if you work in the car industry or not but starting to hate cars because cars are starting to be considered as a an appliance with automation and removing the human element. There are alot of factors. As for me, I would love to work in the auto industry. Not working on cars or in sales, but maybe product development or be the guy that teaches new customers how to work on their cars or even better (for me) work in the back office. But what prevents me from doing this is that I love cars. But I am afraid if I work in the auto industry I would end up hating it. Sometimes I feel I am there already. What you should do bring Boggie (sorry if I spelled her name wrong if she is reading this comment), ETCG and Engineering Explained and have a round table discussion to see what their view points are.
I started out loving cars then I hated it after doing it ten years for a living. Recently got out hopefully I can pick up my tools again as a hobby and have a project to enjoy in my garage but for now I only work on my own stuff when it breaks.
Ive been an express tech for like a year and up until 2 weeks ago i was working in a bad environment (racism, bad mouthing, illegal activity on the side, doing most of the work, advisors walking all over me, etc) and i was already getting to that point of hating cars, my management has since moved me to the building on the other side of the lot to work on my own doing the same thing but having my own space and although i work on less "tech friendly" cars i have never felt sp relieved to not have to work with such a bad group
I like your attitude it’s soo true a lot of places don’t value the techs I been moving trying to seek the best place that will value me and give me training, starting a new job next week, I was working at VW but the new service manager cut my pay and didn’t want to send me to train even tho I was scheduled
Maintenance Schedule: replace air filter
Service Manual: Step 1- remove transmission
LOL
Omg I almost peed in my pants when I seen this.
😂😂😂
Levi Cochran stuff like that actually doesn’t bother me, it makes me more money.
I bet its from Land Rover manual. + Replace every bolt and tighten every bolt with different torque...
I work on BMWs and Mini Coopers. I hate BMWs and Mini Coopers. 😄
LOL It can be tough when you see almost all broken cars. LOL
I also work for bmw and mini. Good cars but won’t buy one because i work on them every day.
They only design new cars ,not new parts,15 years ago problems, 15 years after the same.
Emission control make the earth good ,but not the motor.
Yeah, so repetitive on minis ugh
Still better than the French bois :D even tho Peugeot shares some Mini Engines and backwards
I’ve been a mechanic for 30 years and I love what I do. I started wrenching in high school, did UTI’s full auto/diesel program, and have been employed as a mechanic or in fleet management ever since. The key for me has been variety. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on a little of everything: imported and domestic cars, medium and heavy trucks, farm equipment, material handling equipment, fire apparatus, hot rods, classics, the works. While there have been bad days, it’s been a great career and I can’t see myself doing anything else.
I don't hate the cars. I hate the engineers who designed them without a single thought about us poor bastards that have to fix them.
Nutz4Gunz45 yet we are the most underpaid workers in the market I think. Plus other mechanics can give bad rep to other cuz they want to make a quick buck.
Nutz4Gunz45 this unironically
for a fraction of the pay😃😃
Generally, I respect the engineers - and hate the bean-counters that force said engineers to cut corners to save a few pennies per vehicle. Sadly, engineers who do the entire design usually lay out great, logically-designed mechanicals - and are quickly out of business, as they can't compete on price.
Agreed, I remember when VW launched the Amarok in Argentina (2010) I went to the tech launch of the vehicle and all the engineers and design team was there and I asked for their emails so I can get back to them with all the design faults
I have been a mechanic for 40 years.
My father (also a mechanic) used to say that same thing “your toolbox is on wheels for a reason” He taught me so many good things. Keep up the good work Charles!
Mo Chubby's Music
Most of my years have been medium/heavy truck. I still love what I do, however the trade takes a toll on your body. My suggestion to young mechanics is to take care of your body, eat right and exercise. You will be glad you did no matter what field you go into. The technology keeps me going also. SCR DPF emission systems etc.
always a challenge. Keeps your mind healthy also. Lol.
Used to work on Mercedes, did it for 10 years, now I’m into restoring classic cars, classic cars is what made me love cars in the 1st place
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!!
I work on Mercedes now and I wish I could've worked on the older cars when they were new. Dont get me wrong I love the new stuff but the old stuff has so much character!
Man, the last 30 seconds or so of this video were words I’ve been telling myself this whole year... needed to hear them. I really do love doing this job, I’m just doing it I’m all the wrong ways.
yup so true. i used to like a lot of cars then i worked on them. quality and tech now is so bad. i hate working on cars. i only like working on my own truck because i dont need to impress anyone
Agreed
It’s funny. I never “loved” cars. I have always enjoyed fixing things. When I was younger, and chasing hours, i did fall out of love with the industry. But then I decided to try to be the best diagnostic tech possible and I’ve loved it again, since.
I can relate to that very much! It was more about fixing things and helping people than the cars themselves
I work on Toyotas and Hondas most of the time
I like Toyota and Honda
BASITH PH lol only techs that can say that.
Moa Vic yep
How's that Odyssey sliding door latch recall? Love Honda's now?
Joseph Judge okay that’s one thing I hated about the Odyssey which is why I’m for Sienna
Joseph Judge i do those all the time. Theyre very easy.
Kind of a different video here, but I want to inspire you guys to do what you love. If that is getting out of the biz, I am good with that.
It's a good video and one that has parallels to so many other careers and such. I'm in IT and for a long time I was just a lowly tech support guy. Same principles as you stated. Now I'm a windows server admin and doing more projects and less support.
Check out amp ramping with an o-scope. It's pretty good at showing the health of a load.
You’ve just summed up my last 2-3 years out of 16 at the Volkswagen Dealership I work at. Since diesel gate, things have gotten so micro managed from the mother ship, that I’m no longer a technician. I feel like an administrator who just writes more information than I’m actually working on a car. Forget about diagnostics... it’s all about following guided functions like a robot. The challenge of finding my own solution is not even an option anymore. “You need to follow VW rules or we don’t get paid” is the mentality of the dealership that gets hammered in your head day in, day out.
I’d really love to see what else is out there. Great video topic Charles
I've been in the trade for about 10 years now, and I've learned that: if you enjoy something alot keep it a hobby and don't make it a job
Amen to that fix only you feel like it
Yep, An old timer told me that and that's the truth.
After building 2 cars I was done.
I wish I had back all the money I spent, especially the VW.
I'm not even an automotive professional, but there are takeaways this vid that still apply to everyday life. Solid life and attitude advice here. Thanks for doing what you do Charles!
I work with quite a few shop owners that have experienced this too! The solution for these business owners is stepping back from working as a tech and stepping into the shoes of a manager where they oversee the shop and assist employees rather than turning the wrench themselves.
I also experienced this same thing after a couple years working as a personal trainer. I HATED being in the gym after already being there day in and day out.
Great video!
Thank you! I think this is something that most everyone goes through. I hope a little tuning up of focus will help. It did for me
This is something of concern across all professions
Nancy Perrault here’s an idea, a career is something you do to make money and should not be the focal point of your existence!
I enjoy photography.
I went to school and acquired a certificate in fine art photography.
Even though that was 25 years ago, I still enjoy photography, as a hobby.
I've found that the only times I no longer enjoy photography, is when I'm doing it professionally, so I only do it as favors for friends and family.
I'm glad I'm not a full time professional photographer.
😊
One of my friends is caught up in that mundane going to work every day and his passion for cars went down the drain. But what I have experienced in my own life is that the repetition of life needs to be broken up when it comes to working on cars. Take on a strange project on the side, I love doing automatic to manual swaps and that really helps to break up the daily routine of the same old thing. I am lined up soon to do not just a auto-manual swap but also put in a different engine in a old Toyota 4runner. These variations from the daily fluff helped me to not loose my passion for cars.
Why I like fixing cars on the side. Pick your work and help real people. No bosses. They save a lot of money too.
Joe this exactly
I worked for the same corp for 30 years. There were times I hated my job, @nd times when I loved it. It all depended on who my manager was, which determined how we were treated. Some know how to treat people, some are only interested in their own career. I have always loved cars, but am not a mechanic. I drove chevys my whole life until ten years ago when I retired I fell in love with a Honda DelSol... then a Civic Si hatch, then a mk6 GTI, now a mk7 GTI. The only mod is a beefed up rear sway bar. Just ordered wheels...black with polished lip. I go thru a lot of McGuires spray wax. Life is good. Peace Love Volkswagen
No. I love my truck and find cars and equipment more interesting than I ever have. HOWEVER I do hate working on vehicles now. I send my truck and car to a shop rather than do anything myself; those same things I would have done in my driveway, 5 years ago.
There is a reason most mechanics I have seen in Canada drive either new vehicles still under warranty, or drive small cars which are cheap to have others repair.
(I can not actually watch the video as I’m on break in a public room, so that is purely a response to the title.)
Thanks for the vids Humble. I almost started going down the dealer technician rabbit hole. After watching a lot of your vids I decided probably wasn't the best move for me.
Thanks For All Your Hard Work
It's a mixed bag for sure. So much depends on where you work.
Charles, thank you very much for putting this into words. I'll be using your wisdom as a leadership tool for some of the younger folks I work with. I'm a communications professional working for the United States Air Force. (Retired at almost 24 years, and have returned as a civilian) This is the mindset I have always taken more out of personal values than anything else. The challenge comes in passing that philosophy on to other folks. When you can, it makes the work environment massively more productive and much more fun.
Absolutely. My dad tried to warn me and i didnt listen. Now I literally only play with jeeps and and race cars and diesel trucks. All things I didnt work on. It did help me jump into industrial maintenance where I make master tech money doing half the work
As a owner of a car who depends on pro mechanics to keep my car working, you guys are truly appreciated. Don’t let the grind kill your passion. Me, and a million other car owners need you!!!
It always helps to have a fun place to work, my last year at the VW dealership there were 10 of us and the oldest was 33, so we were all like brothers, so never a dull moment. It’s weird you talk about being the hero to the customer...I used to tell the teacher at VW school I had just been saving the world one car at a time.
I'm so happy you made this video. It's so important for people to value great work ethic and to have a mastery and excellence in their field of work. That alone can help society so much. Again thanks dude! I wish you were my mechanic 😢😫😭
Absolutely great advice. I started out just working on my own cars through high school and found i loved it so i decided to go to UTI. While going there i started working in a couple of shops and got accepted into the VW program. By that time though i realized i no longer loved what i was doing. Work really killed my hobby. But since i got into a different but similar line of work and my passion for my car has returned
Qualify next week over the 4 years of learning on the job and still learning. Learning about 1 car maker will know the in and out, then going to another dealer (Subaru my new job) to pursue new avenue. Pre-certified used car at dealer on the make that you worked on before(Mazda), will end up going to you and know common problems. Its also harder to know further faults as I haven't done much in ie repair/diagnosis previous make as I was given the same diagnosis/repair/recall/warranty jobs at Mazda, but I notice/remember/assume what other techs suspect/possible cause.
Even though I'm at another dealer from Mazda(not learning) to Subaru (learning), learning new things and repairs. Its a learning curve and to grow as what you said, finding rattles by using 5th/6th gear under 40km where rattle comes from rear to front and finding where the customer concern. Never learnt that way of finding rattles from Mazda.Or replacing my first shift plate assembly and installing then testing operation to only find out the Manual mode was flipped back to front, took 3 hours to do but part of learning process. Recall protocols ie measurement of play, uploading evidence of work to recall, torquing certain parts to spec etc...
I also hate working my car when I don't want to but I know I have to, sometimes getting lazy to pay someone to do it but I know its cheaper for me to do it and also learn/break parts while removing/fitting on the vehicle. Especially when a popping noise from front of my car which I suspect its strut V brace nuts, strut top and spring seat, bump stop, front bush bolts/rubber, axle nut over bumps/turning at certain occasions and yet its still not diagnosed when it happens randomly.
But I always reflect, if I hate working on cars then its not the right trade and you will always do the same job and contemplating. Why did I get into the trade? Passion and love for cars in modification, learning, hands on and technology changing every year that's why I became a Tech/Mechanic
i really liked this, because there was some truth in there that’s relevant no matter what career you’re in
I’ve shared this video with my employees it’s very inspiring words and can apply to any job thanks Charles
You won't hate cars, you'll hate engineers
LOL Jason (engineering explained) and I have talked about this before. We decided we should all team up and hate the bean counters.
And people in general. Love my cars!
Well, isn't that mostly the fault of higher ups and constraints. xD?
So true,@@dudley7540. A fine drummer and songwriter once wrote, "cars don't talk, back, they're just four-wheeled friends now."
Bean counters push engineers to design things cheaper and easier to put together at the factory. Not neccessarily easier for the technicians.
Same happened to me. Went to tech school. Cars were pretty much all I cared about. Once I started working in a shop and the ability to feed myself was centered on cranking out repair work, especially tire rotations and oil changes, I kinda started to hate cars, and the people that neglected them. I'm now taking a bit of a break from working on cars in my free time, and I've also changed industries. I'm now getting my passion for cars back as the time goes on. If you're an auto tech and you're starting to get burned out on cars (and the lack of money in the automotive industry), I'd recommend looking into another industry. It really helped me.
The biggest thing that helps me rekindle my love of fixing vehicles is helping the next generation. Seriously, help the neighbor kid change her oil; HELP, not do it for her. Go through the diagnosing of a problem with that teen who’s first car is giving him problems. Change a set of brakes with the brothers sharing their pickup through high school. That - THAT is what will rekindle your love. Make some kid pack a wheel bearing in his hand and laugh at the complete mess they make. Force them to learn that a simple fuse is where you start if it don’t start. And, this is important, share in the defeat when something kicks your butt and you cannot figure it out to save your life.
As someone who works in IT I can really relate to 8:00 explanation, few things are more satisfying than walking in after the previous tech couldn't fix the issue and the customer has sent hours working with other people. And then you got it fixed in 10 minutes and the person is just dazzled. It's a very much a "you can walk on water" feeling.
I agree 100% with your comment about remembering what you are doing for the customer, not just for the car. Let's face it, as a mechanic, you really do have the owner's life and their family's lives in your hands. Making sure that car will go, stop and handle correctly saves lives. I'm a training specialist, working in the defence environment, and this is something I constantly remind my team of - it might be boring to spend hours in some spreadsheet matching training outcomes to lessons or assessments, but making sure we get these boring things right is what stops an aircraft ending up as a smoking hole in the ground. There are time I really miss turning spanners (this now happens at home in the shed as fun, rather than work), but I know that what I do day to day ensures that others are able to operate and maintain aircraft safely, and missions are achieved.
While I’m not a mechanic or technician, I had a similar idea about driving professionally. I thought if I got a CDL I’d lose my passion for driving. And I didn’t. It’s actually made it more exciting. Thank you for all your positive ideas for finding that passion again. I’ve always said that I’d rather love what I do than make lots of money.
Agree, 20 years on the bench as a Master Technician and each year I've lost the love of cars. My project Mustang took 20 years to complete because I lost the motivation after getting home each day. Becoming a Master Tech gave me a sense of accomplishment and a raise but also gave me the strange problems or comebacks that the other techs couldn't or wouldn't fix. I find it more satisfying to help the young guys that want to learn than the actual work itself.
I've been doing this professionally for 26 years. I started at a Toyota/Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Plattsburgh NY. I loved working on cars then. It was also a pride thing for me. I used to love going into the parts stores with my Toyota uniform on. People just ASSUMED I knew what I was doing when I wore it. After that it was the ASE certifications. Took 4 years, I ended up with 7 automotive and 4 HD truck certifications. 20 years later, I can't wait to get OUT of this. I hate working on cars at this point. I still run 50 hours a week, but the joy is gone. Thanks for the Video! Some good points to think about!
Well said, I been working on cars for four years, first couple of years I loved it, I loved every minute of it. I told myself that everyday was a challenge as I would get up at 6 am to start working and that there’s always something new to learn but overtime I started to slowly hate what I was doing because it got too repetitive. Now I own my own business, have working knowledge of how cars work and have no regrets.
I completely agree. I was a tech for 15 years in 3 different brands. (Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, so I've seen my share of issues) At an independent shop as well as the dealer. I feel that I had a great experience at the dealer because they supported me in several ways from the other techs up to the ownership of the company. The Independent shop was a fun, slower paced environment that was also involving restoration and customization as well as maintenance and repairs. While I was working, I definitely got tired of working on broken cars and basic maintenance. The part that drove me crazy with the newer cars is that it can be completely mechanically sound and the issue is completely with the software, sometimes with no update to resolve the issue. Somehow I still was able to keep up my passion for cars through it all. I will say that I wasn't interested in fixing my own vehicles when something went wrong as quickly. Sometimes because I knew what the problem was and wasn't worried about it, and sometimes because I didn't want to stay at work an extra unknown amount of time trying to figure out what the issue was after a full day working on other peoples strange issues.
I've since stopped working on cars professionally (at least for now) and I still want to build some for myself. I guess I got out at the right time!
I'm a VW tech at a dealership and I think I go through waves love/hate/love/hate/hate/hate/hate :) I'm always way more excited to work on my own car but the dealership can be such a drag at times.
I like stopping by to see what your doing Charles. I'm not in the business, but as a professional customer I can appreciate the information. Plus your really good about interacting (responding) to comments.
I'm not a mechanic although I work on my own car (Passat B5 '03) but as a Carpenter and Artist, I find this video to be of great inspiration to rediscover my passion for my chosen vocation(s). What you are saying here is relevant across the spectrum of vocations. That you are a real person with similar trials and tribulations (within subjective context) really makes me enjoy your channel even more. Thanks and keep up the great work. ps: do more videos on B5's please :)
when you have your own business
cars = money and i love it
i love fixing broken things
and getting paid
win win
What made me get into cars is actually fixing the broken stuff. My love affair started with my moms 98 Windstar that first blew a head gasket but did not come back from a blown transmission. Fixing the broken stuff is what gives me the satisfaction and how my passion evolved. Mods/performance/resto is the cherry on top.
I've been a tech for 30 years. Being a class A and working hard has provided well for me and my family. I still have the passion for my racecars and the hotrods I get to work on. As far as my everyday grind, I don't hate cars. I hate engineers. It's quite clear that many cars are designed by someone who has never had to repair one.
I don't work on cars full time anymore now I love it again. I hate flat rate and it sucked the what I wanted out of it. What I wanted out of it was exactly what you describe d. I use to walk 7 miles one way to work take the city bus both took about the same time. The amount of time I wasted and lost with family and friends and I had no energy. I did that for 2 years till I got dodge colt. One of the most gratifying things I remember from early in my career was I put a starter in a guys 4runner and he was ecstatic when I got it to start. He was worried it was his livelihood and didn't have much money and is on his way of being selfmade. I can relate to that. After working with a condescending boss who wanted to tear me down for getting excited about that because he is a trust fund baby who like to cherry pick, and works harder polishing his silver tounge than sharpening his diagnostic skills, and use me to flag his hours while he sleep in a car. I got to a point where I felt my purpose was gone. Now I work on cars in the side, and part time for a chain store. It's like going to the gym or football practice after school for me know. Management in that store gives me more credit than they should they don't pay me shit but I have a lucrative day job now so whatever. I also train newer techs that really do want something better for their self. I also flip cars. After I turn enough profit I find a good beater to make into a reliable runner and donate it to people who need a car. That has been more fulfilling than anything I did in 8 years as a line tech.
That’s awesome what you’re doing now!!!
Here is a little Rant! As a German, Car Lover and someone that has been running a mechanic shop in the past, I'm in Love with old Chevy's. I am just taking a very pragmatic approach to this, I just Future proofed my Former Army Truck K30 with a 450HP 6.0, 4l80E trans and a self learning Holley ECU, Vintage Air, New Upholstery and Paint, that I drive every day as a work truck and when anything brakes down, I can visit the nearest Parts store and they most like have any part on the shelf i need and fairly cheaply too. I'm still in love with MK1, MK2 and MK3's VW and me and my brother getting ready to do a TDI swap on his 81 Caddy because that old POS 50HP diesel is an antique and has got to go, it can not keep up with todays traffic. Let's talk about an extreme case when considering A Brand new Mercedes S Class or 7 series BMW which is fantastic but only as long there is a warranty! Don't expect them to be on the road 20+ years as they become as disposable as an outdated iphone. with 100 Modules and Computers that need constant software updates. It is an Environmental travesty if you really think about it. Every Visit i make at my local Pick n pull I see so more and more 10 year old young vehicles that are just to expensive to keep on the road and with every past year cars become finically totaled and written of by Owners and Insurance companies and end up at junk yards as stuff breaks on them or end up in a wrecks. The more advance technological vehicles are, especially Autonomous electric cars that have +12 cameras and sensors, most bodyshops refuse to repair simply because they are taking the liability if the customer ends up in a wreck again because the sensor or camera was not installed or aligned correctly so the end user pays 5 times more for a simple fender bender at a specialized and authorized manufacture bodyshop compare to a regular car. So what happens when you finally buy your Dream Tesla that you can only afford Used for $20-30K and end up in a crash but the repairs cost 70% of it's value due to the complexity? It ends up in the land-field. So as a Car Guy I only invest my money on cars that I can maintain and everything else is just a Samsung phone that ends up in the trash. Keep your Life Stress free folks.
I worked 14 years as a mechanic and had two ASE certification (engine and brake repair). I got out of it and work in IT. I loved cars but I got really cynical about it. The fun part was the cars but the people are either really fun or really annoying. I got out of it because of back problems. Sometimes I miss it while sitting in a front a computer. Than again, I don't miss working outside in 100 degree heat or when it's raining and everything is wet.
My experience. I agree to you for the most part. There were times when it was very satisfying to fix it right and help out the owner. But after decades of dealership life, I have to say that the whole service industry needs overhaul. The flat rate system doesn’t work any more. What used to pay 0.5 hr became 0.3 and then it eventually became free. 3.0 hr job became 2 hr then 1.5 and so on over the years. That forced techs and advisors to cut corners, sell unneeded services, hide work from others and working over 60-70 hours a week just to make ends meet. I’ve seen enough bad things happening and had opportunity to leave and that was the best decision I’ve ever made. Now I hate even looking at cars. The auto technicians need be treated with more dignity and respect and the environment has to change.
Dude! You are awesome! Staying positive is the key to success. I love fixing my cars but I would not want to do it for a living.
One of the reasons I don't work as a mechanic. I still finished my car mechanic trade school degree, but only really to get the papers and it was so easy. I also live in a small and "poor" country so basically the best job would be a dealership mechanic and I would much more like to work in a hot rod shop or something like that, but there just really isn't any here. So because I really love cars I haven't really worked on them to keep the spark alive. Someday I would still like to open a hot rod shop and work on it part time after I figure out a "real" job.
Im not a mechanic, i love cars, am a mechatronics student and im struggling with motivation lately, big thanks for this video, its relevant for so much more than just fixing cars! :D its all about the attitude (and i definitely have to work on mine)
I just watched this and I agree 100%. Your advice is applicable to anyone working, not just techs. Well done.
One doesn't need to turn wrenches every day to start to hate cars. I had been an advisor for six years when I moved from an independent tire shop to a Hyundai dealership. After two months there, one Sunday I was trying to recover from my second consecutive 6-day, 70-hour week, and I was so despondent that actually considered quitting my job, selling my car (which after 10 years I love more and more), walking everywhere, and having nothing more to do with the auto industry ever again. Toward the end of the next day, Monday, I got called into the boss's office and was dismissed from my job. 5 days later I was in my car exploring the majesty of Yellowstone National Park and being reminded why I love cars.
Quick Answer: YES, it will take any joy out of working on cars.
Keep your hobby a hobby, don't make it a profession.
David Parker get into something that pays well so you can afford your hobbies
Oh boy my friend I can totally relate . I started working on cars professionally at age 20 and by the time i got to 31-32 I was feeling that same way. It took building my own audi wagon engine and pretty much full build to re spark my passion for the work
I own 2 VWs. They are a pain in the ass. I've put $8k in my vr6. Another $1k is in the mail now. I get angry at what I'm doing sometimes. The enjoyment of driving my car after all the frustration is well worth it!
I want your tools, personable demeanor, and your beard.
I hope a lot of managers sees this video because they have a lot to learn from it.
It is they who should aid and guide the new employee to set (reasonable but challenging) goals both long and short time. It is they who should congratulate you when you reach a goal because it helps lift the level at the company as a unit and will spur others to do the same. It is the managers that should make sure everyone gets a fair spread of the workload that suits everyone so that both the daily grind and the challenging stuff gets shared.
Because we all need development now and then in one way or the other. If we don't develop we decay
I'm a computer network administrator. I kinda hate computers... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I mean, they're great when they're running fine. I love to use them. But when they start acting up... ugh. So many weird issues come up.
renragged Becoming a sysadmin kills love of computers, mostly because people who use them grind them to failure through misuse, stupidity, no maintenance, applying blind high security. You have to learn not how things work right, but the multitude of how things break.
I lasted 5 years doing mechanics before the job and the people I worked with sucked me dry of passion then left and become a machine engineer as I loved that stuff as a child as well and the same happened again, ended up in a resto company and it combined mechanics and engineering and he screwed me over so in the end I hated cars so much I ended up in retail working on push bikes. I now work as a heating engineer and now do mechanics on the side as a hobbie I enjoy it so much more
I understand. I have a Tech degree, already. And, I've fixed computer hardware and software for IT clients.
4 years in now myself and still loving it
That’s not to say I’ll never turn, but as of now I love what I do, and the day that changes is the day I get out
I love that you mention setting goals. In the US Army regardless of what job you're in, our careers are basically mapped out for us and it's up to us how far we want to go and reaching those milestones. What would you say are good milestones or goals to set when working as a technician, whether it's diesel or auto, that one can follow to always keep your eye on the prize?
That is an AWESOME question. One that frankly I don't have a good answer for right this minute. Let me noodle it.
You nailed it on the head with this one! It's mainly a matter of perspective but there are so many resources available to keep you going and it's easy to forget that and just get angry at your current situation. Thanks for another great video, keep up the great work!
🙏
Been working on vehicles for 35 years. Love it most days other days want to walk away. Worked in production for a short time, missed working on vehicles. Enjoy the challenges of it
My dad worked for ford for years as a Tec before going into aircraft, it was always such a choir to get him to go out in the garage to teach or show me anything, he absolutely discouraged me in going into automotive industry in any way, and was unsupportive in that as a goal. I think you are right, if you do anything long enough it becomes a job. Now i have worked restaurants for 23 years and hate it. A few years ago i got a break an got into construction, and wile i still have a night job cooking to make ends meet wile i work my way up the pay scale, i still dream of quitting it all and moving back to California, where I'm from, and getting into cars in some way. But i have 4 kids to support, maybe when there on there own I'll take that chance, my youngest is 12 now, but i always wonder what could have been if the support was there and i had taken the chance. I already think like a Tec, i hate working on my own car, but love helping others. Lol. Anyway, as always great content and please keep up the good work. 👍
Cobbler's kids have no shoes...
And most won't understand what you are saying.
And anyone who can see his comment can also look the word up.
...because they're too busy earning money, making and mending shoes for everyone else (for those who need an explanation. It's a very Old English saying)
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Amen brother. I really do appreciate the “tune up”. Maybe Monday won’t be so bad now...
This is why I love the collision industry. No dent is the same. It's always a learning process. I enjoy it and I'm not great at it yet lol
I've always loved working on cars. Friends have told me I should have became a mechanic. Like this video, I was concerned the the thing that I loved doing was going to stop because it was no longer fun anymore. I always liked working on my own car because it was mine. Working on a Customers car would scare me because I know how I am about my own car. I have a lot more patients now then what I did 10 years ago when this first became a thought. I like watching people work on my car, I always found it fun and informitive. Most places don't allow it anymore due to liability, which is understandable. I'm finding now with computers, cars are getting more complexed and I personally don't want to deal with it. At the end of the day though, I still love doing oil changes, tire changes, tire repairs and installing new LED lights and what not.
This video came in a perfect time for me. I am facing right now situation that I can either choose between making a career with a good wage and having a small project car as a hobby or take a formation and become an automotive technician. I always loved cars and try to understand how and why things work a certain way when I was a child.
Take the good wage and the project car. You will maintain the love of cars that way.
I’ve worked on cars and trucks for 7 years now and haven’t owned a car or truck in 5. I do own 3 motorcycles though. #BIKELIFE
I love engines but i hate some cars now, minis (crazy misfires), toyotas (2.4 crap), nissans (2.5 crap), chevys (3.6 timing chains/phasers/broken valves). I just want to enjoy watching other people fix or upgrade engines on tv( speed channel) or watch nascar and learn more. I got tired of being the underpaid hero. $90/hour shop labor cost was too much for some of them. Anyways... I am trying hard again to save the love for cars again
The one getting all the gravy work, is called a baker in my shop, because everything they do is cake work.
Andrew V Then when the gravy work is given to someone else. He starts crying about why he didn’t get it....😂
@@gilbertrudy626 yup, angry Baker, to much salt lol
I bet they don't get paid as much though 👌 less valuable to the shop
I always like doing brakes. I think it’s kool putting new drilled and slotted rotors and new calipers on no matter what. I just hate when people what to put the cheap stuff on and they come back and complain about it when you told them to buy the good stuff in the first place.
Great messaging. This applies, as you mention, to pretty much any profession and it is important to take that time to realize.
When I was in high school, I absolutely LOVED working on my 1972 Camaro, doing the usual hot-rodding things. During that time I worked part-time for short periods in an automobile repair shop and an auto body shop. I realized REAL fast that I loved cars, but I hated working on other people's dirty, dishevelled and poorly maintained junk.
I completely agree with what you are saying about helping people and I applaud your work ethic. But I think you can admit that the automotive repair industry puts up an impregnable wall between the technician and the customer at dealers, which I believe tends to cause technicians to completely lose sight of what you are saying about caring for their customers. I suspect that the lack of feedback is disheartening to technicians. The dealer technicians never get to directly hear a customer say "I really appreciate everything you do for me and my car."
So instead of becoming an automotive technician, I became a physician instead. So for the past 36 years, I work on actual people instead of machines. Thus it is completely obvious to me 24/7 that I have to care very deeply for each of my patients.
I suspect that if technicians were more involved in the "people aspect" of auto repair, that they would more highly value their own extreme importance in the lives of their customers.
Automotive technicians should be more highly esteemed in my opinion, but I think this lack of interaction with customers severely hinders that ideal.
I still do my own automotive service including oil and filter changes, brake jobs, valve-adjustments, timing belt replacements, and clutch replacements. I understand very well how "liking" or "hating" automotive repair and maintenance can cause one to either do very good work or mediocre or even damaging work.
I am glad you are succeeding in your work and with your RUclips channel. You are an excellent speaker.
How do you feel about the way being a tech affects your body. I had always wanted to be a tech, but my father was a aircraft mechanic his whole life and when I graduated high school he sat me down and lectured me on "working with my brain not my body"... he has some gnarly health issues from working on aircraft his entire life, shoulder issues from having his hands above his head for hours, back issues from heavy lifting and bending into tight spaces for odd jobs, and no upper registry of his hearing left from jet engines (that's kinda airplane specific though lol)....
I'm in the auto industry now, went to college, got a pretty solid gig as a finance manager at a dealership, I dont LOVE the work but I really do like being around cars and the people I work with are great, some of my best friends now... But there is a part of me that still wants to be hands on every day, I hate working in front of a computer, and putting on a show for a customer, the real me isn't a suit wearing smart talking guy, the real me is a greasy handed loud guy who loves nothing more than that feeling of problem solving you get from working on any sort of DIY project. I'm not convinced I want to restart my career and choose a different path or anything drastic, but I would love to hear your opinion, or the opinion of some other experienced techs that watch your videos on if being a mechanic really does catch up to you after many years!
I enjoyed working on my 70's and 80's UK cars. Simple, carbureted four cylinders, bags of room in the engine bay. The rust was the biggest problem. I'm now working on a 2003 E46 BMW 320i and it's a pig just to get sockets in where you need to. Cracked hoses everywhere. You need tiny hands and £££ just for the parts.
Applies to other aspects of the car biz as well. When I was in high school I was a lot porter for an Infiniti store. It killed the passion for cars for sure. I stopped seeing the history, the passion, the thing that made this car special over another. They all just became hunks of metal, glass, rubber, and plastic. Had to leave the car biz to get that passion back. Years later went into the sales side of the biz. Within 5 months, nothing was special to me anymore. Work on the railroad now, the passion is definitely back now.
Worked as a technician for about 8 months and by the end of it, i did start to hate cars. Got tired of seeing car videos on youtube and car related posts on instagram. I think a lot of it was the workplace was miserable so cars started to have a negative stigma related to that. Once i got a different job I’m definitely more into cars and excited by them lately. Also having my work be 100% recalls got old quick.
I find it impressive when someone who’s been a tech for over 10 years that still likes being on the car scene or working on project cars. I’ve seen so many apprentices come in with such enthusiasm towards being a tech and after 2-5 years quit the business because they’re burned out. They come in thinking they’ll do the dealership thing for a couple of years and think they will open up there own speed shop. Then they get to see the real face of the business and lose interest. Let’s be honest when you come into the business everything is new. Everything is a challenge. After time things like shop politics, trying to make a pay check, and trying to stay up on the product. Then some things become repetitive and the things that aren’t repetitive generally cost you hours wise. Yes trying to concentrate on the customers helps, but then you get the customers you go the extra mile for that still complain. Then you get the never ending warranty situations.
Hey Charles, I think you might be interested in a course in systems thinking. You mentioned learning new ways of diagnosing and everything, but if you have training related to thinking it's possible to develop your own strategies a lot faster than without. Although I stopped working on cars for a living I like to watch your videos from time to time because you're so passionate about it. Happy to see you were able to leave a situation of being dependent on someone to making it on your own. Hope I can do that one day as well. But that reality is a long way away!
I’d love that type of course. I’m trying to focus on my education and putting it into practice.
And I want you to find what you want too. The path is very long. I started down the road in 2007/08. Long before my first internet post.
@@HumbleMechanic There are so many free online courses that universities offer that you can take. There's a fee if you want a certificate, but for someone like yourself who can use the knowledge but may not care about a piece of paper: edx.org
As for me, I'm clear about the path I'm taking. Going to get in to engineering since there's a lot of inventions I want to build and research I want to get involved in. Knowing I can always fall-back to a trade if necessary is a good feeling but it would only be in a do or die situation.
Techs like you are rare. Or in general. Most people these days don't take pride in what they do. Or at least there is not much pride in the quality of work. I learned early in life not to trust blindly as it's something that should be earned no matter how qualified someone appears to be.
Good topic.Been retired for 4 yrs now and still interested in repair vehicles
I worked at VW for 2 days. I knew what was going to happen a month or 2 down the line. it was going to turn out that you need to be someone who needs to turn out cars asap. where from my point of view, i need to who turns out cars, but stretchs the clock for 8 hours. Off to something that's more performance based car wise vs. turning numbers.
Yes i hate cars now. Wish i never even had to drive a car now.
i ride a bike to work, great de-stresser
When I looked at my YT subscriptions, the title of this was "Will Being a Professional Mechanic Make You Hate". I laughed.
LOL :)
I once bought a camshaft position sensor at a BMW dealership for my E36 1998 318ti with M42 engine. The part turned out to be defective since new and to get it RMA'd I had to have the dealer diagnose it as a bad part. First time I have ever received a brand new defective part from a dealer.
Not too bad for me got treated as if I had a new BMW got a brand new 3 series loaner at the time. However, no one at the shop could work on my 318ti and troubleshoot electrical issues with a multi-meter and look at diagrams required to test all the circuits that went through the sensor. The shop manager/foreman was the only one to be able and to work on my car. I think that is telling of the industry. Too many part swappers and not a whole lot of actual technicians employed. Most just do it as a job to pay the bills not passionate to learn more and get into new territory.
If all mechanics were like that foreman or yourself I would be more willing to have mechanics work on my stuff but it's impossible to find and many times not worth a headache to find out they suck.
I have an odd one for you my 20 year old GTI is exhibiting a whissle under load or quick throttle jabs. I diagnosed it to be the built in PCV valve on the intake boot as it's 20 years old. Under vacuum it doesn't make noise since it's pulling vacuum and the PCV is shut but on WOT or quick jabs air gets sucking into throttle plate through PCV causing that damn whissle. The problem is I can't find the boot anywhere used or new. You don't happen to have one laying our I can but off of or a way to delete and use another style PCV valve in place of this one. It's part number 1J0129684AA
Great video i’m seriously considering my life and a career change at the moment.
I’m still in the fence about if I want to be a tech or not but having you share your experience with us helps a lot and I have a similar way of thinking with my current job. Not the customers fault our company is badly managed lol
Hey man I honestly like your videos it helps a lot and I really know what you mean the place that i worked first was at landini tractors very bad people and boss but i pushed trough that I’m still getting my qualification i was 14 when I started stripping and rebuilding my first truck diesel motor i am 18 now I rebuild both of my own cars first car was the jetta mk2 ended up selling it bought me a golf 4 gti I ended up bending valves (lol my own fault) and I finished the full rebuild 1st of may and I honestly love it I don’t work at a mechanic place now and thats okay because this is my hobby all my friends and family know that if something is wrong with there car then thy call me and i love that. Thanks man be safe (I’m from South Africa)
I think you have a great attitude towards cars and beyond.
I don't have a car to fix, and in no way see myself becoming a mechanic, but I did enjoy this video. One of the reasons being, you did videos with EE, and you're a VW focused guy (I didn't know you were a master tech tho, cheers to that!). I'd like to see you rebuild that 2.0T engine by the way, and I can't be the only one! Stock form or upgraded, whatever, I'm a sucker for engine rebuilds!
Thanks!! Love EE. I probably won’t build that engine, but I’m going to put it back together. Then I need to do a few other diys on it
Great video. I think this video should be titled "Will working in the auto industry hurt your love for cars?" Maybe this could be an on going series. Get people who are mechanics, builders (of some kind), sales and people who work in HR or accounting for their views. Different facets of the auto industry.
As for people who work in the business development, maybe HR and accounting departments I don't think it will tarnish a person's view if they love cars. Because they are not dealing with customers and broken cars.
But as for a mechanic/technician stand point, I can maybe see why a person may hate their love of cars. Again, if they like cars and don't view it as a job. I guess I equate it to lawyers defending criminals.
From what you did at the dealership, all you saw were broken cars in one form or another so I can see why that can make someone hate cars.
But there are other reasons why a person who loves cars then all of the sudden hate cars. It might be what you do for a living as in working on cars, maybe on the sales side of things or it could be a person who doesn't work in the auto industry and hates the car culture people you have a few shallow people. Or no matter if you work in the car industry or not but starting to hate cars because cars are starting to be considered as a an appliance with automation and removing the human element. There are alot of factors.
As for me, I would love to work in the auto industry. Not working on cars or in sales, but maybe product development or be the guy that teaches new customers how to work on their cars or even better (for me) work in the back office. But what prevents me from doing this is that I love cars. But I am afraid if I work in the auto industry I would end up hating it.
Sometimes I feel I am there already.
What you should do bring Boggie (sorry if I spelled her name wrong if she is reading this comment), ETCG and Engineering Explained and have a round table discussion to see what their view points are.
I started out loving cars then I hated it after doing it ten years for a living. Recently got out hopefully I can pick up my tools again as a hobby and have a project to enjoy in my garage but for now I only work on my own stuff when it breaks.
An excellent application of Betteridge's law of headlines.
Ive been an express tech for like a year and up until 2 weeks ago i was working in a bad environment (racism, bad mouthing, illegal activity on the side, doing most of the work, advisors walking all over me, etc) and i was already getting to that point of hating cars, my management has since moved me to the building on the other side of the lot to work on my own doing the same thing but having my own space and although i work on less "tech friendly" cars i have never felt sp relieved to not have to work with such a bad group
I’m so happy you have moved to a better place. Sometimes a small move is all ya need
This is really helpful, everything really is just mindset. Great video!
I like your attitude it’s soo true a lot of places don’t value the techs I been moving trying to seek the best place that will value me and give me training, starting a new job next week, I was working at VW but the new service manager cut my pay and didn’t want to send me to train even tho I was scheduled
Very insightful and inspiring. These are the things that matter and it’s great that you recognise that. Many people don’t unfortunately. Great video 🖖
This has been so helpful for me especially because I’m a VW fan boy and it’s always been my dream to be a master tech at VW thank you so much man !
AWEESEOM!