Tag Archive for: mechanic

automotive podcast

Viewer Questions ~ Podcast Episode 51

Happy Monday everyone! After a crazy week off, the automotive podcast is BACK! I really missed doing this show last week. I also missed you guys. It really makes me realize how much I love doing this show. So it is GREAT to be back rocking and rolling. Today I will be taking your questions that you sent to me to Charles(at)HumbleMechanic(dot)com and put Question for Charles in the subject line. As always, you guys send me awesome stuff.

Join me today as I take your questions on

Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Questions ~ Podcast Episode 51” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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Future Of Auto tecs episode 35

The Future of Automotive Technicians ~ Episode 35

Happy Friday everyone. I hope that you had a great work week. Today we go a little out there, and talk about the future of being an automotive tech. Some of you may think that I am going a little off the deep end in today’s automotive podcast. But, stick with me and I think you will get it.

This is also one of those shows that YOUR participation is vital. If you are a tech, this may be your future. It could be an amazing time, or it can be a nightmare. It depends on how forward thinking you are. Sadly as techs, we find ourselves playing catchup. We need to be the ones at the front of technology!

Join me today as we look to the future:

  • Guided diagnosis
  • Tech brain removed from the process
  • MORE input from “tech line” types
  • Catching issues early
  • More TSBs and Tech Tips
  • More updates
  • Over the Air updates
  • Carnet
  • Over the air dealer reports
  • Shift of technician levels
  • Need for less “A” techs?
  • Need for more “C” techs
  • And More

Having trouble viewing? Watch “The Future of Automotive Technicians ~ Episode 35” on Youtube

As always, post your comments below. If you are a tech, or thinking about being a tech, you NEED to be thinking about the future.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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How I Would Start As a Mechanic Today

How I Would Start As a Mechanic Today, Podcast Episode 27

Today on the Automotive podcast, I want to talk about how I would get started as a tech, if I was doing it today. I have talked about how I got started on other shows. But I think that if I was going to do it again, I may take a different approach. The internet has given us a huge opportunity to learn for very little or free. That along with training programs at dealers, makes skipping tech school an interesting option.

Today on the Podcast we chat about:

  • Costs of tech school
  • Time investment of tech school
  • Starting at a Jiffy change type place
  • Starting at a small shop
  • Online Learning
    Engineering Explained
    EricTheCarGuy
    ScannerDanner
  • Dealership Service Express
    You can start with little time and tool investment
  • Dealership training programs
  • Where Manufacturers lack in training
  • VW’s old training program

If you are having trouble viewing “How I Would Start As a Mechanic Today, Podcast Episode 27“, watch it on Youtube.

2 Questions for everyone:

  1. How would YOU get started if you had to do it again?
  2. If you are early in your career, or in tech school, What would you change?

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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10 Habits of Successful Technicians; Podcast Episode 23

10 Habits of Successful Technicians; Podcast Episode 23

Happy Monday everyone. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Today we are talking about 10 habits of a Successful Technician. Even the best technicians or mechanics can stand to tune up our game. I sat down that thought of the things that I am really good at and the things that I struggle with.

As I say in every show and post, be sure to post any questions or comments below. This is a community for all of us. I want to be sure that everyone feels good about posting their thoughts. So if you have a tip or a habit you can share, please share it.

Join in as we chat about:

  1. Be Punctual
  2. Have the right tools
  3. Known your product
  4. NEVER forget the basics
  5. Listen
  6. Work smart
  7. Always keep learning
  8. Know when to ask for help
  9. Do not be scared of a job
  10. Work with your customers

If you are having trouble watching, you can see it at 10 Habits of Successful Technicians; Podcast Episode 23

As always your questions and comments are encouraged and appreciated. If you have any tips you would like to share, please post them in the comments below. If you have a show topic suggestion, use the contact me form, or email me Charles(AT)humblemechanic(DOT)com

Be sure to check out and follow at:

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Humble Mechanic Logo

Podcast Episode 19 Doing Free Work As A Technician

Happy Monday everyone. Today on the Automotive podcast, we are talking about doing free work as a technician, or mechanic ;). You join me on the road again and in studio today. I shot this video last week while traveling.

I hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was spent hanging out at home with my wife and the dogs. I worked at the shop Friday and Saturday, and spent Sunday building some furniture I got at Ikea. Boy do those folks at Ikea know how to pack boxes.

Today we talk about Doing Free Work As A Technician:

  • A quick review of flat rate. Full show about Flat Rate
  • What do I mean by “free work”
  • How we get pulled into doing free work
  • How free work can be bad for a tech
  • How it is good for techs
  • Jobs you should NOT be doing for free
  • Time investments

If you have trouble viewing on the blog, visit “Podcast Episode 19 Doing Free Work As A Technician” on YouTube

That wraps up another episode of The Humble Mechanic Podcast. It is pretty much the best podcast about the automotive world you can find. For those of you waiting for the audio only version, hang tight. It is coming. I will be adding that to Itunes ASAP.

Be sure to check out and follow at:

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Humble Mechanic Logo

Podcast Episode 12, What To Do When The Shop Is Slow

Happy Monday everyone.

I am finally getting back to the real world this week. As almost all of you know, I was traveling a ton at the end of October. Between a trip to Virgina for an ASE workshop and my trip to Austin for USGP I was toast. But now that I have a week back at work behind me, it’s time to get rolling again.

Today we are talking about a very timely subject. That is what techs can do when the shop is slow. Last week was very much that type of week for me. As techs we know that business is up and down. So planning for slow times, and making the most of them are vital.

Today we talk about:

  • Why is the shop slow:
    Time of year
    Poor shop habits (bad service advisors, advertising, ect)
  • What can you as a tech control?
    Are you looking over every car for maintenance and recall needs?(NOT IN A RIP OFF CUSTOMERS WAY!)
  • What if you have no car to work on?
    Time for training
  • Work around the shop
    Maintain shop equipment
    Review TSBs Learn other jobs(behind the parts counter, service advisor)
  • Learn new cars/ good cars
    Run baseline values and test repairs on known good units
  • Lot Cars
    Check the lot for cars with updates and recalls
    This is mostly a dealer thing
  • Check local car lots
    This is also a dealer thing. Check local used car lots for cars that may have updates

Well that raps up another episode. As always, post your questions and comments below. IF you have a topic for the show you can post it, or just contact me.

Also be sure to follow on all the normal social media sites:

 

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Snap on giveaway

Tuesday Giveaway

Yesterday’s giveaway was HUGE! I have emailed the winner and will announce who it is, when I hear back.

I have got a few emails asking why I am doing these giveaways. There are a bunch of reasons. First, I like giving things away. I think it is fun. Working with folks and their cars can be tough. So doing ultra fun giveaway breaks that up. It is also a good to get to know you all. That is why I am asking you to post things. I have such sentimental attachment to my first car. So I want to hear about your first car. It is things like that that make all the work I do worth it.

Okay, enough about all that. Let’s get to Tuesday’s giveaway!

Snap on giveaway

 Today we more Snap-on goodies! This is a Snap-on T shirt, socks, a drink koozie, and a VW key chain. As you can tell, I am a Snap-on fan 😉

HOW TO WIN
Yesterday I asked what your first car was. Today, post your funniest car related story(keep it clean kids 😉 ) in the comments section. Here is my funny car story

When I worked at Carmax, I would drive the toll road everyday. There was a spot on the toll road my radar detector would always go off. Same spot every day. The spot was about 500ft from my exit.

One morning my girlfriend (wife now) and I were heading to breakfast. We were heading down the stretch of tollway I drove everyday. My radar detector went off. She told me to slow down. I said, “don’t worry, this thing always goes off here”. About 2 seconds after I said that, I seen the blue lights flashing. I got pulled for going about 10 over the speed limit.

I pretty much got what was coming. Okay, post your funniest car related story in the comments. Just like yesterday, I will use a random number generator to pick a winner.

Grand Prize
Be sure to submit your messiest tool box drawer on the Facebook page. There is a post pinned post with all the submissions The most likes wins. The key to getting likes on your picture is sharing that post. If you are not on Facebook contact me.

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