15 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Auto Mechanics

The United States alone, roughly 750,000 auto mechanics work lengthy shifts diagnosing, repairing and preventing car issues. However, due to stereotypical depictions in the media as well as a complicated language of car components, drivers might feel that their lack of understanding may prompt technicians to take advantage of them. That’s not the case technicians say, and they’re there to assist. To get a clearer understanding of what their work involves, mental_floss spoke with a variety of mechanics from mobile mechanic Raleigh North Carolina both repair shops that are independent and dealerships. Here’s a glimpse at what happens after your car goes in.

1. THEY WISH YOU’D STOP WIPING BOOGERS ON YOUR SEAT.

A car can often resemble your living space in a mobile, decorated with decorative accessories music, as well as dried snot. Charles the mechanic, who works at a Volkswagen dealership and writes The Humble Mechanic blog, says he’s had his fair share of gold-plated noses while working on cars. “People seem to like picking their nose and wiping it on the seat,” the mechanic claims. To ensure that the work is done properly the techs prefer that you bring in your car without bodily fluids or trash inside. “Sometimes there’s some dirty clothes over the spare or fast food wrappers on the floor that we require customers to get rid of. Many cars are clean, but individuals are not.”

2. THERE’S A SPECIAL BOOK THAT TELLS THEM WHAT TO CHARGE–EVEN IF IT’S TOO MUCH.

Ever walk away feeling like you’ve overpaid for a repair mobile mechanic Philadelphia PA It’s possible, but it’s not the sole fault of the shop. Most every mechanic working at a flat-rate (as instead of a per hour cost) references an industry trade manual that outlines the time a typical repair can take. If you’ve spent, say $200 for a one-hour task that a skilled mechanic can finish in just 30 minutes, you’re still charged by the book–and you don’t get a refund.

The auto tool industry may have a role to play in the blame. “The way it becomes unfair is when a mechanic buys a new specialty tool that may cost $300 but that pays for itself quickly,” says Ryan an ex-mechanic in Colorado. “It means they can do the job in less time, but the customer still pays for full time.”

3. THEY CAN FIND MICE AND SQUIRRELS STUCK IN YOUR AXLES.

Depending on what part of the country you’re in, a car’s warm underbelly may be appealing to rodents and other animals. Charles is familiar with acorns tucked away under hoods and once pried a squirrel from the grill’s entrance. “The biggest thing we see [in North Carolina] is chewed wires from mice,” he says. “They’ll build a den in an airbox. Also, I’ve had to scrub the deer’s guts.” If you’re planning to store your vehicle for an extended period of duration, Charles believes that some form repellent spray for rodents could help.

4. THEY MIGHT RUN SOME ERRANDS IN YOUR CAR.

While few mechanics actually take vehicles out for joy trips, the fact that they aren’t paid for the time required to test drive one means your brand new spotless Honda may develop a stain of ketchup on your driver’s seat. “Basically, every vehicle needs to be driven to make sure the problem is resolved,” Ryan declares. “If you’re headed out to lunch and you need to confirm that, it makes sense to drive it down the road.”

5. THEY MIGHT RESCUE YOU IN A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY.

While their individual morality mileage is different, many mechanics believe they are it is their duty to stop whenever they see a driver who is stranded. “I do a lot of highway driving in the winter and the rule of thumb is if you see someone stranded on the highway, you stop and check on them,” says Ryan M., a mechanic in Winnipeg. “I’ve also pulled lots of vehicles out of ditches and off curbs.”

6. DEALERSHIPS HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT PRIVATELY-OWNED SHOPS DON’T.

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s better to take your out of warranty vehicle in for repairs at a cheaper, locally owned shop instead of the dealer’s shingle, here’s a point to keep in mind That’s because many of those smaller outfits can’t afford the type of information offered by car manufacturers in order to effectively diagnose and treat the issue. “We’re able to go deep into the Volkswagen brand,” Charles says. “There are a lot of resources we have access to which an independent location would not. We have access to the engineers of the car if you require. The brand is an ally. Small-scale shops won’t be able to spend $15,000 annually (for this data) to be a specialist in one type of car. Once it’s outside their scope of knowledge, it makes more sense to visit an auto dealer.”

7. YOU’RE TECHNICALLY NOT ALLOWED IN THE GARAGE. EVER.

You’ve probably heard about getting a mechanic to show you a defective part to guarantee they’re not making up work to do. That involves a trip beyond the door, which is marked “Do Not Enter.” However, according to Ryan it’s not allowed to go back there in any way. “Insurance companies don’t want customers in the garage, ever,” he states. “It’s not that dangerous, but it’s not supposed to happen.”

8. THEY SOMETIMES MAKE THEIR OWN TOOLS.

When mechanics begin with their own tools, some even investing in tens of thousands in tools–there’ll be instances where they’ll need to improvise. “A tool might be missing, or not put back in the right place,” mobile mechanic Long Island NY Charles says. “Or an organization may not have the product you need. I have a whole drawer full of cut-up sockets and wrenches. Making a custom tool can be exciting.”

9. THEY USE A COOKIE SHEET TO STAY ORGANIZED.

Although cell phones are helpful in keeping the track of when a piece must be assembled Some mechanics prefer to be organized by laid out the pieces in a particular order. “If I’m working on a vehicle I’ve never seen before, and it’s a complicated job or a job spread out over multiple days like a transmission rebuild or something like that, I’ll take a cookie sheet and magnets and lay things out spatially to stay organized,” Ryan M. says. “You can also mark parts with a Sharpie.”

10. THEY DON’T ALWAYS PERFORM EVERY LITTLE TASK.

Cars brought in to be maintained are expected to go through a litany of small adjustments, but the laundry list of items can be neglected according to how busy with time your technician is. “Stuff like lubricating door hinges or latching mechanisms gets missed all the time,” Ryan mentions. “It doesn’t affect performance at that moment, but it can over time.”