5 Steps to Help Determine If Being a Mechanic Is Right for You

Have you ever thought about becoming a mechanic, but aren't sure if it's right for you? Here are five easy steps you can take to make sure that an exciting career as an automotive mechanic (also known as an Automotive Technician) is right for you.

STEP 1 - Decide what your lifestyle needs will be

Firstly, think about the kind of lifestyle you're looking for. How much money do you need to pay for the kind of expenses you can expect to have? The word "expect" here is very important: since you're looking at a career move, you can't base your decision on your current financial commitments. Instead, look at your future expected needs. Fortunately, most auto mechanics make between $45,000 and $70,000 a year in Toronto, which is above the Canadian average.

STEP 2 - Talk to other mechanics

If you have a friend (or a friend of a friend) who's a mechanic, ask them if you can spend a bit of time with them to learn more about the job. Ask them what a typical day is like for an automotive technician. Ask them about the challenges of the automotive industry. Ask them about the good, the bad, and the ugly - and use that to help you make your decision.

STEP 3 - Find out about jobs in your area

Think about where you want to work. If you don't want to commute, are there a lot of garages in near your home that could be hiring auto mechanics? Pretend you already have an automotive technology diploma, and you're looking for a job. Take a look at the job sites and see if there are any openings in your target area for mechanic jobs. Fortunately, if you live in Toronto, your chances of finding a job are probably better than most areas simply because the greater Toronto area has a very dense population and a large number of garages.

STEP 4 - Spend some time in a garage

The best way to find out if being a mechanic is right for you is to spend a bit of time in a garage. Walk in to your local garage and talk to the manager to find out if they would be OK with you shadowing a mechanic for a day and helping out if you can (free of charge, of course) in exchange for the opportunity to see what it's like being an automotive technician. You wouldn't believe what you'll learn.

STEP 5 - Apply to a diploma program

If you've done steps 1 to 4 and you think that a career as a mechanic is right for you, then apply to an Automotive Service Technician Diploma and start taking some courses to learn the details of the position. As you're trained, you'll quickly find out if you have the aptitude to be a mechanic.

By following these simple steps, you'll quickly find out if a career as an auto mechanic is the right one for you.

Difference Between a Test Only and Test and Repair Smog Check Station

In California, there are as many as five different types of smog check stations. However, there are essentially two differences: ones that can repair your vehicle and others that can only perform the emissions test. Let's start by going over the different types of shops in California.

Test Only Station

Test only stations are licensed by the state of California to perform only tests on vehicles. They are prohibited from performing any repair services. Gross Polluters can be certified at these stations. Potentially high-polluting vehicles also known as gross polluters in the state's smoggiest regions are directed to these shops for their initial inspection, as specified on the Department of Motor Vehicles registration renewal form. In addition to gross polluters, regular vehicles are randomly chosen to have their test at test only shops. An oil change is not considered a repair service so many test only stations will offer oil changes as an extra service.

Test and Repair Station

Test and repair shops are licensed by the state to provide smog tests and repairs to most vehicles. Under current law, test and repair shops are prohibited from certifying repaired gross polluters or vehicles that have been directed to test only stations for inspection. Vehicles that are not gross polluters or selected to perform a test only can be brought to a test and repair station to complete their smog test. The test and repair station can both test and perform maintenance and repairs to your vehicle in order for it to pass the smog check. However, only test only shops and Gold Shield shops are able to certify repaired gross polluters.

Gold Shield Stations

Gold Shield shops are licensed test and repair shops that have received additional certification by Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). In addition to the services provided by regular test and repair stations, Gold Shield stations can certify vehicles identified as gross polluters. They can also perform the "after repairs" certification of vehicles directed to test only stations for an initial inspection, as long as the Gold Shield station has performed repairs to the directed vehicle. Gold Shield stations also contract with the Bureau of Automotive Repair to perform state subsidized emissions related repairs on vehicles participating in the Consumer Assistance Program. Gold Shield shops located in the Basic program areas of the state can certify Enhanced area vehicles for new and used car dealers who purchase them and offer them for sale in the Basic and Change of Ownership program areas.

To summarize, test only stations can only perform the smog test and cannot perform any repairs to your vehicle. Test only stations can certify gross polluters. Oil changes and minor services are not considered repair service so these services may be offered at test only shops. Test and repair shops can perform any repair service as well as the state emissions test, but they cannot certify gross polluters. Gold Shield shops can perform repair services and are specially licensed by the state to certify gross polluters as well.

Auto Glass DIY Repair Kit - Advantages

For all the first time car owners out there, this one's for you. If it so happens that you are afraid of DIY auto repair, then you probably want to have a professional handle all your auto and auto glass problems. However, the fact is that some small car problems such as auto glass and mirror repairs can be easily repaired with a do it yourself repair kit that can be bought in any auto parts store. In the long run, it is probably inevitable for you to enter these stores. The car windshield is one of the most common problem areas for many cars. This is because small nicks and cracks can easily appear if you are hit by a small rock or projectile flung accidentally or otherwise. Once can imagine several scenarios where this can occur to you. Perhaps a rotten tree branch suddenly fall on your car, or possibly even a fruit can do some damage.

Auto glass repair kits can save you not only a lot of time, but also a lot of money. And in truth, they are not so difficult to apply to your car. ll you really need is a few spare minutes, some sunshine, and your auto repair kit. Of course, you will have to carefully read the instruction in your auto repair kit. But it all basically foes like this; first, you take out the pump that is included in your kit, prepare everything, clean the surface of your car glass that needs repair with a dry and absorbent rug or perhaps an piece of cotton cloth. Then just put the resin in the pump as instructed and insert it applying the resin gently by squeezing it out little by little. After that, all that is left for you to do is to drive your car outside in the hot sun or just park it out so that the resin will dry quickly in the heat. It takes no more than a few minutes for this process to be completed and there are no hassles at all. Anyone with enough competency can use a DIY repair kit with no problems.

So if you are one of those first time car owners, perhaps you know nothing about cars or perhaps you are a girl and are afraid that the technical stuff about cars are out of your comprehension, just remember that the only thing that stopping you from entering that auto car accessories shop and purchasing the right DIY auto glass repair kit is your self. Just try it, it cost no more than nine or eleven dollars so it is really worth your while. Instead of going to a professional who will probably use a DIY repair kit himself, charge you with extra service fees, and take your car for a whole working day, then why not just opt to fix it yourself and save yourself all the trouble? Just get over your fear or insecurity, get some information from the internet, from friends, or from books and magazines. Sometimes, that will be all you need.

Novus Glass Franchise Review and Franchise Facts

For everyone who is planning to start a small business or own a franchisee, Novus Glass Franchise can a viable opportunity. The good thing about owning a franchise is that you can start the business with a small amount and still continue your present line of work. Novus Glass is a large franchisee brand and is a well-known brand. Therefore, the name alone will attract the customers to your business. Novus also provides marketing and advertising assistance to their franchise holders. There are 800 number National referrals for jobs and expert sales force. The company has a very efficient advertising source to provide consistence business to the franchisee owners.

Background: Novus has remained the leader in development and research for over 35 years. Novus has received the prestigious award as the pioneer in US patents for the repair of windshield in the glass industry. Novus has provided a premium-quality windshield that is fully guaranteed and has the best service in auto glass replacement. It also provides quality service and full support to consumer needs.

Benefits: When you buy a Novus franchise, you become part of the company. The Novus staff will provide you with perfect training. You will get support from technical expert, management, the marketing department, and the research team. Novus is a brand name in the industry. It has many years of experience in the glass industry. They will provide expert guidance to succeed in the business. The Franchisee will receive the brand name of the company, the best credibility to start the business. There are very effective training programs available. The equipments of the Novus Company are premium quality resins and windscreen repair tools. They will be provided to you. The staff will help in marketing and provide with good quality equipment for your office.

Novus Glass Franchise cost details:

Franchise Fee: $10,000

Minimum Cash Required: $10,000

Total Investment Range: $22,800 to $206,800

Net Worth Required: $50,000

Getting the finances from the bank is a very tedious process. Sometimes people who wanted to do small business could not get a loan due to various reasons. Novus has found a simple solution for that. The company itself has a facility to give financial help to the person who wants to buy the franchise of Novus.

Novus has made such arrangement that now you can have the franchise at $6,250 for the brand license or you can have $6,450 for the repair and replace franchise. You will receive the down payment of the loan at the first day of training. The person who is selected for a franchise is eligible for a loan. You can pay the loan in full without any pre-penalty.

Novus staff is there to provide any assistance you need. But you need to move ahead in the business on your own. You have to do the business for yourself, but if you need any help, there is a staff of professionals ready to provide you with guidance. Novus provides you with a training facility, marketing facility, operations details, and advertising. Novus Glass Company has been a pioneer in the industry for many years, and they want their associates and franchises to flourish like they have.

An Overview of the Most Common Auto Parts Failures

Your car's health and longevity are heavily dependent on the maintenance you provide through the years. Fortunately, most types of maintenance are simple and require very little time. For example, you'll need to change the oil every 5,000 miles (or longer, depending on your owner's manual). You'll need to periodically replace the air and fuel filters. You'll also need to check the fluid levels and tire pressure on a regular basis. If you're diligent about doing these things, you can keep your vehicle operating smoothly for many years.

Unfortunately, old age eventually comes regardless of what you do to hold it at bay. Auto parts fail and will need to be replaced. Below, I'll give you a list of the components you can expect to replace down the road.

The Fuel Pump

Your fuel pump is responsible for delivering gasoline to your fuel injection system. If it fails, your car's engine (or specifically, the combustion chambers) will not receive the gas required for the combustion process. If you're driving a domestic vehicle, you can expect to replace the pump at approximately 50,000 miles. If you own a Toyota or Honda, you may never need to replace it.

The bad news is that this component is usually installed within the gas tank. As a result, it takes time to replace. While the pump itself might cost $200, the labor might cost twice as much.

The Transmission

A transmission failure is expensive. While small problems, such as leaks, can be fixed easily and inexpensively if they're identified early, a failure usually means replacing the entire assembly. This is because a lot of transmission shops are unwilling to perform a complete overhaul due to the time involved.

Transmissions that are installed within most late model vehicles can last past 100,000 miles. Keep in mind that is merely a guideline; some will fail much sooner. The cost to replace the assembly can exceed $2,500, including parts and labor.

The Braking System

The more aggressively you drive, the sooner you'll need to have your brakes repaired. Most brake jobs focus solely on the pads. The pads wear down and need to be replaced before they begin grinding against the rotors. When that happens, you'll need to have the rotors machined.

The brake pads on light vehicles should only need to be replaced every 50,000 miles or more. Heavy SUVs, on the other hand, might need to have them replaced at 35,000 miles. The pads usually cost less than $80 and can be installed at home. However, if the rotors need to be machined, you'll need the tools and expertise of a mechanic. Expect to pay up to $500 (and maybe more).

The Battery

Car batteries typically last between three and six years. While their durability depends largely on the brand you purchase, the climate in which you live can also play a role. Warm temperatures, such as the heat you might experience in Arizona, can dramatically shorten a battery's life - often to three years.

Fortunately, batteries are inexpensive (usually less than $100) and can be easily replaced without the help of a mechanic.

There are many other components and systems that suffer wear and tear, and eventually need to be repaired or replaced. For example, your car's engine should operate smoothly for over 100,000 miles, but that will depend on your driving habits and diligence in changing the oil. Your catalytic converter should last over 150,000 miles, but a rich fuel blend in the engine can shorten its life.

Consider your vehicle an investment. You'll need to replace parts as they fail. The key is to stay on top of regular maintenance items (i.e. check fluid levels, change the oil, replace filters, etc.) and have problems fixed quickly. By doing so, you'll prevent small problems from turning into large repair bills.

Routine Maintenance

To drain the oil in your vehicle first remove the oil filler cap under the hood of your car. Place a catch pan under the oil pan of your car, and remove the oil drain plug, allowing the oil to flow into the pan. Then locate your oil filter. The position varies between makes and models but the thread direction is always the same. To remove it twist it to the left!!! LEFT!!! I usually loosen it a half a turn and then replace the oil drain plug, wiping off any excess oil around the drain plug. Then remove the oil filter. Check to make sure that the circular rubber gasket came off with the filter. Putting a new oil filter on with a new gasket with the old one still attached is referred to as "double gasketing" and can lead to some costly repairs, so be very careful! Once you verify the old gasket is removed, install the new oil filter, lubing the new gasket with fresh oil. Turn it until it the gasket squishes against the mating surface and then give it another 1/4 turn. After this just replace your engine oil with the proper quantity and weight, determined by manufacturer by engine size.

Then turn the vehicle on for a few seconds and turn back off. Remove oil dipstick and wipe clean. Reinsert and when you remove again the level on the dipstick will be the engine oil level. All dipsticks are clearly marked as to what is the safe oil operating level.

Perform the necessary maintenance reminder light and you are good to go!! This along with replacing your engine air filter, spark plugs and changing your fluids regularly will go a long way to preserving the life of your vehicle!!! Most conventional motor oils these days, begin to breakdown at around 5000 miles so changing your oil based on that will prevent sludge buildup. If you see and leaks on your engine either take it to a shop, or refer to future articles I will be posting. I will try to cover as many topics as possible, and if you have a problem you have been working through or a topic you would like discussed, feel free to drop me a line!! Also a quick tip, air up your tires to keep your fuel costs down!!! Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressures, as indicated on the manufacturers tire stamp on the inside of the door, will help maximize your fuel economy, and is an all around smart safety practice!!

Old School Auto Body Repair & Leading

Until the 60's most all metal straightening was accomplished with the use of a pick hammer, a body file and a solder box containing the proper elements and tools. The metal used by auto manufactures before the 80's was of the cold roll variety with a gauge of 14 to 16 and was very malleable, making it rather soft, easy to shape and straighten with the use of the pick hammer and dolly. A sharp body file was then applied to cut the metal to a smooth finish and to bring out the high and low places.

Where the metal may be a little thin or rough to pick, the the body solder (leading) would be applied. This also is where the final finishing will take place with the body file plus more picking to assure a smooth flat surface.

Where soldering is needed the metal must be perfectly clean. All paint must be removed and all rust or other contaminates are removed with the use of a torch for heat and Mauriac acid. (Do not inhale the fumes). An electric drill, air drill or wire brush are also handy to remove contaminants.

The solder must be a 30/70 composition. The 30% tin is needed for tinning the metal and acts as a binding agent so the lead would adhere to the metal surface. Tinning the area where the solder was to be applied was accomplished with the use of a acetylene torch, soldering salts, a stick of solder and a rag.

The area to which the solder is to be added must be perfectly cleaned, solder salts applied then heated hot enough to melt the solder. while keeping the area hot, use a rag to wipe the solder over the entire area to be soldered. Now you are tinned and ready to add more solder to the tinned area as a filler.

When adding the solder, a wooden paddle is used to spread the solder over the surface. The surface of paddle must be dipped occasionally in heated bees wax to stop the solder from sticking to the paddle.

Soldering is only used when the straightening could not be accomplished with the pick, dolly, and file. Now, what do you think, are you ready to give it a try? You can do it, God did not make any dummies, "Its better to try and fail than to never try at all'. I invite your comments or questions. Please, I would love to hear from you. Lem