When a car or light truck breaks down we rely on automotive service technicians and auto mechanics to fix our vehicles. Automotive service technicians and auto mechanics have ability to diagnose the source of a problem quickly and accurately. On the job, their skills require good reasoning ability and a thorough knowledge of automobiles. Many technicians consider diagnosing hard-to-find troubles one of their most challenging and satisfying duties.

The work of automotive service technicians and mechanic are more complex than a simple mechanic. Today integrated auto electronic systems and complex computers run vehicles and measure their performance while on the road. Automotive service technicians need to develop into diagnostics, and be high-tech problem solvers. Technicians must have an increasingly broad base of knowledge about how vehicles' complex components work and interact, as well as the ability to work with electronic diagnostic equipment and computer-based technical reference materials.

Automotive Service Technicians and mechanics use these high-tech skills to inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles and light trucks with gasoline engines. The increasing sophistication of automotive technology now relies on workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components, while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools. Because of these changes in the occupation, workers are increasingly called "automotive service technicians," and the title "auto mechanic" is being used less and less frequently. (Service technicians and mechanics who work on diesel-powered trucks, buses, and equipment are discussed in our statement on diesel mechanic school service technicians and mechanics. Motorcycle mechanics who repair and service motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, and, occasionally, small all-terrain vehicles are discussed in our directory about motorcycle mechanic school and small engine mechanics.)

When mechanical or electrical troubles occur, auto mechanics or automotive technicians first get a description of the symptoms from the owner or, if they work in a large shop, the repair service estimator who wrote the repair order. To locate the problem, technicians use a diagnostic approach. First, they test to see if components and systems are proper and secure, and then isolate those components or systems that could not logically be the cause of the problem. For example, if an air conditioner malfunctions, the technician's diagnostic approach can pinpoint a problem as simple as a low coolant level or as complex as a bad drive-train connection that has shorted out the air conditioner. Technicians may have to test drive the vehicle or use a variety of testing equipment, such as onboard and hand-held diagnostic computers or compression gauges, to identify the source of the problem. These tests may indicate whether a component is salvageable or if a new one is required to get the vehicle back in working order.