How to Become an Automotive Master Technician

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Very true, agree 100%. I had someone ask me when I asked a question, why a Master Technician would not know. I replied that it doesn't mean you know everything, it means you know how to figure things out. Nobody knows everything, if they think they do they usually aren't very smart.

[@SALEEN961]

I was ASE master certified after graduating from tech school and working in the field for one year. Becoming ASE master certified is very easy and that certification alone shouldn't hold a significant amount of weight. It takes years of hands-on work experience for most people to really start getting good at what they do and you need to work in an environment that allows you to keep learning. If you feel comfortable where you work and think you can handle anything that comes through the door, it might be time to look for a new job that comes with new types of work and new challenges. When I left my first automotive job, I felt severely under-qualified and inexperienced starting at my second job and that was a good thing. I was already ASE master certified when I started that job, but I still had a lot to learn. I was a much better tech when I left that job.

[@isorozco511]

This used to be my goal at a dealer until i realized the better you get the more you get punished with hard warranty jobs and the low customer pay nowadays will still hurt your wallet, doesn’t matter how good you are. No thanks. Stay away rookies.

[@christopherkassner8894]

You are spot on. Unfortunately that is the state of the industry at this point. I laugh when I hear managers say they can’t get anyone decent anymore. They haven’t seen anything yet. Pretty soon even old Bubba won’t want too work for them anymore.

[@peanutbutterisfu]

Tried to buy a thermal imager off the matco truck a while back because there was a sale in the flyer he didn’t have one and won’t order one unless I’m 100% buying it. Mactoola dealer said the autel imager is better then theirs and he could order one if I want it.

[@SwerveLord420]

Basically

[@JacksAutoDiagnostics]

By the time you reach 40, it's time to start your own shop. I'm afraid FRM is over the hill and it won't be long before he signs up for social security 🤔 Prices and rent is only going up! Don't let your young health life slip away stuck as an employee making somebody else richer. If don't have any money saved to invest and you still have tool debt, you're screwed. You do not want to start a business at a time when you should have been selling your business and retiring.

[@ghostwrench2292]

15 years wrenching, master certified in 2 manufacturers. I know more about cars than I ever imagined I could know and I still have a lot to learn. Like FRM said, there are no shortcuts. It takes a lot of training, a lot of experience and dedication to the craft.

[@jsims2985]

Well said, brother.

[@zues2013]

Recommend (I passed all 8 a series in community college auto school) Start with brakes Drivetrains Engine performance Steering suspension Next study like a mf on electrical Pass electrical Now you can move on to energize performance Hvac Engine performance Auto trans I recommend doing the tests in this order because the last 5 are heavy on electrical diagrams or asking questions about sensor readings If I can do it anyone can just be persistent

[@myboy051]

Spot on, I couldn’t have explained this topic better. Training in class with other techs is where a lot is learned. But where most don’t want to put in the time that’s not paid for by the employer, is at home. Many hours of numb legs due to toilet top reading. laying in bed falling asleep with phone or tablet in hand. Watching scanner danner and other informing videos on how each and every single component and system on a vehicle works and what it’s job is. Learning how to use a scope is a big one. It’s crazy to think about everything that has been learned and experienced in my 21 years in the Automotive field. 🤯

[@whydoubother5219]

Thanks FRM I needed to hear this especially about the dedication needed to become a top tier technician in this challenging yet rewarding field. Just want to say thanks for all your knowledge that you share in your videos.

[@egx161]

Shops don’t seem to do many repairs, like cvt transmissions. They just replace parts. Anybody can replace parts. And I’ve seen so many occasions where the shop can’t figure out a problem. They’ll just say it’s normal. Nothing wrong.

[@mph5896]

The US parts supply is set up to replace parts over rebuild them. Try getting brushes, bearings and a solenoid for a starter and see how long it takes. Add in the crazy labor times shops have to charge as well. Try rebuilding a wheel cylinder that may take 30 minutes instead of buying a $15 part you toss on. Transmissions are now a specialty, have been for 20+ years. There are a few transmission shops in my area that only do transmissions. And they are VERY good at them.

[@charliemagoo7943]

​@@mph5896this!!!!

[@stevenlemay9004]

The repair procedure opposed too replace procedure is weighed how much ….lyou ppl and your old school mentality it’s about dollars a what’s makes sense 10.000 too repair or 5.000 too replace you decide what would you do 5.000 an you get a new transmission make sense

[@JRMr313]

Well put!! Been working on cars/trucks/ Diesels/farm equipment and commercial aircraft for a long time, I'm 42 now working at a major airline as an aircraft technician. I did engines changes... navistar Dt466, cars, and aircraft; I modified my eclipse gst turbo, injectors, intake and exhaust and programmed the ecu. I have about 5 ase's in auto, 2 in diesel, customer service, parts, and x1 which I'm due for retest in 2024. I am versatile and like to learn in similar fields, anything in transportation but never worked on trains yet. I have failed Ase test too many times and will probably never be a master Ase technician in automotive and I'm fine with that but I may keep trying because that has been a goal of mine from since I was 20 years old. But Flatrate is correct, I don't have the seat time and with working in other transportation fields its just too much information to process. Even If I did become a master, I wouldn't want to wear the patch on my shoulder bc I don't know everything and wouldn't want to be a know it all. I'm always learning everyday and learning never stops even simple things throw me for a loop sometimes. Working on aircraft is so much fun because everyday is a new problem, repair, or troubleshooting and no customers or foreman's rushing you. We work on everything, from engines, seats, flight controls, software and yes toilets and the waste system and also taxi the aircraft. I worked on the 777, 787,767, md11, md80, 757, 747, CRJ 200/700/900, and Dash 8 turboprop aircraft. My high school was a aviation mechanics and flight school in Detroit. We need more trade high schools like back in the day for our young people. I love Automotive and Diesel, I may never achieve my full potential in the field and I'm ok with that because I just don't have the seat time! It's impossible to know everything but you become stupid when you think you know it all. Even a new kid in the field can teach a old dog new tricks! I would love to work on trains but in this economy.... maybe in the next life! Hopefully I can retire from the airlines.

[@markm0000]

"You become stupid when you think you know it all." That's the truth. Also, I've taught old mechanics in the shop several new tricks already in exchange for their experience. I know I'll never get on everyone's good side as the new guy but I'm working really hard.

[@dougbrook6223]

How is the pay at airlines compared to automotive?

[@markm0000]

@@dougbrook6223 Old mechanics like that stay at one shop for too long and don’t get the pay they deserve. If you’re thinking of doing it then you should be fine just remember to switch shops when the money isn’t enough.

[@JRMr313]

​@@dougbrook6223 Yes the pay$$$ ... Back around 2005, coming from automotive I took a pay cut making $12hr Piedmont regional airlines. I worked at Walmart at the same time (2nd job) making more $14hr. I think because of my ASE'S; this was in Maryland, then moved to Chicago started out at $14 Mesa regional airlines and topped out around $20; this was 2006-2013 (Regional airlines)... 50-70 seater aircraft that fly for major airlines. During these years I did contract work (2nd job $18hr.) for international airlines to get experience on large wide body aircraft 747, MD-11, A330 ect... to get experience to be hired into the major airlines. As well during this time I went to school for a diesel/heavy equipment technician just incase for what ever the future may hold because I wanted to become versatile. In 2013, I was hired by American started around $23 or $26hr I think. And at that time I topped out in 5 yrs at around $46 hr. Ten years later due to the contract, I'm at $52hr. Now there's a huge shortage for mechanics and pilots so regional airlines are paying more around $20hr to start no experience. And we at American now have 20 year olds working here due to the shortage of the baby boomers retiring and because of trade schools closing and many people not knowing about aviation mechanics and getting into the field. Now it's a ten year top out for pay. I work midnight's, we have time and a half and double time, and 401k matching. Now I have enough time to make afternoons but I prefer midnight's. I graduated my aviation high school in Detroit in 1999, and then attended their program for 2 more years and community college Earning two degree's automotive and aviation mechanics. I graduated October 2001, so I did automotive from 2001-2006 Sears and Michigan motor exchange (2nd job). My dad was a automotive mechanic growing up so he made me change his brakes, water pump, ect when I was in middle school/ high school. I love automotive but hate making commission when the economy takes a hit. By the way Cargo airlines like Fed Ex and UPS tops out around $60 something a hour I think. Pay has really increased for Aviation technicians due to the shortage. I feel automotive technicians are well underpaid for their responsibility, knowledge, and tools/toolboxes that they invest in. At Sears back in the day I made it to tech4 in about a year in a half doing everything timing belts/ head gaskets, alignments, brakes, rear ends, AC, half shafts, I did work Sears didn't advertise and do but I charged the customer book time on these repairs bc at Sears we had a hybrid pay system depending on tech. status and Ase's. I had a 16 bay shop, 2 alignments racks and split my commission with the junior techs, teaching them cutting rotors/ drums/ alignments/ electrical, letting them borrow my tools so we wouldn't turn away customers bc Sears wouldn't hire enough qualified mechanics being cheap on hours, I even did customer service bc our advisors were lazy and wouldn't answer the phone, so I would do the sale and the work bc they didn't understand customer service. Now look at Sears. I could would work on 5 cars at a time managing my time and splitting my pay with non certified techs so we all made money so we didn't turn customers away and we were the best performing Sears in our network area. I loved working at Sears, because we ran our shop like Nascar, we were quick and efficient. 4 tires, 2 tie rods, and an alignment done in 15 minutes... 3 people working like a race team drinking monster energy drinks. I prefer working as teams in automotive better because it's more efficient, that being said, automotive mechanics should make the same pay as aviation mechanics, no excuses!!! My other favorite job was Wendy's but that's for another day. With any job it's about quality of life as well, at 42 now I do boxing, gymnastics, and skateboarding which I just got hurt in doing, in life you must take risk and if you try hard and don't give up....you have no choice but to succeed. Hope this helps you Sir.

[@texastootin1628]

I’m not ASE certified, but I still do technician work alongside alignments and oil changes, etc. it’s not particularly hard to do most things, you just need a good set of tools and the willingness to just get the work done. I work with a master tech that has been doing it for over 30 years, and you would be surprised how many seemingly hard jobs can be made easier just having the experience of doing it before and being able to do exactly what’s needed to fix it. I put an entire RF suspension and knuckle on a bmw x5 in about an hour and a half. All because there’s little things here and there that make the job a lot easier if you just think for a minute. The pay just isn’t there for me to want to invest money and time into tools and certifications training to get 15-20% of max 7-9k a week in service

[@ernestorivera3944]

Valuable information here

[@JaySosaNY]

I’ve only been in the field a few years and I’ve taught guys stuff that have been in the field 20 years but I’ve also learned from them

[@PhillyDee215]

I use to wanna be a Master Technician but now it's not worth it now of days. First of all there is a tremendous amount of information that a master tech needs to know to even be on that level. I've only been in this industry for 7yrs and at my age right now im just cruising with what I know and fitting in where I fit in. I know plenty but I'm cool with not being the Mr. Know it all

[@mph5896]

I work in a different field. After awhile you turn from the person asking for help and looking for answers, To the guy that people ask questions to and everything seems quite easy to you. Especially when problems arise.

[@PhillyDee215]

I agree with the both of you...☝

[@eliezerramosjr1017]

@@PhillyDee215Agree with you 💯 as well 👍🏾 👍🏾. Many guess flexing ASE cuz daddy paid for it all but ask them come and do a simple voltage drop test or a parasitic draw test, Oh was that on the brakes “I’m like get outta here dude really so where’s all that flexing gone 😅 🤦🏾 🤷🏾

[@PhillyDee215]

@@eliezerramosjr1017 right exactly....

[@da9ej1eg99]

News flash no one wants to be a loober goober let alone a Master technician. My lil cousin is in Auto trade school at a community college. I asked him how many people in your class. He said 5, and about 12 in the whole program for the semester. 🤦‍♂️ True what they say, alot of people getting out of the industry not enough going in. We might as well start learning ourselves how to fix cars cause in the future I see no techs in sight.

[@mph5896]

Cant blame them. Low pay = no staffing.

[@devonmccown1110]

That was a good putting things in perspective.

[@1971anaconda]

In Australia it’s different you after may year become what we call at senior mechanic for me I’m a senior mechanic in many types of vehicles but a mater tech in 2 manufacturers vehicles but I lend it to all models we get in

[@frugalprepper]

I don't know if I am a master. I just fix the ones that have been to 3 different shops and had $1000's of un-needed repairs done. I find the broken wire and fix it for $150 usually. I am so busy right now that people have to wait 2-3 weeks before they can bring their car to me. I really just want work on GM though, but I work on other stuff to. I am uploading a video about the mobile programming problems now. I am a Network Engineer by day, but I love trouble shooting new problems and learning.

[@jakejake6262]

What are your thoughts on the old chilton/haynes repair manuals for studying? They have some nice tech books too

[@magneticscanner5381]

Agree thanks for sharing.

[@jasonhavers5961]

I know everything about fixing cars. Well other than what I don't know and learn as I go. 🤓👍

[@JaySosaNY]

I’ve been in the shop but where I struggle is the training I have 3 kids at home and my girl works and I don’t get the time at work to sit down and do training

[@brianmason8400]

Been a certified Master Tech for a few years now, and yes theoretically I know I primarily means you can pass a bunch of tests. Worked at a stealership back in 97ish, a "husband and wife mechanic team" worked there. The wife had the Master certificates on the wall and L1 to boot, but couldn't diagnose a pb&j sandwich let alone find a damn oil drain plug. Think the husband did 90% of the work while she played mechanic and "looked " busy.

[@autotech0078]

The guy who comes in acting and talking about how they know it all usually flops hard😂. It's rare to come across a tech who can fix and diagnose all make and models with out crying about it.

[@mikekotarba5828]

Thanks Mike

[@jasonlecreux1175]

I still can’t get over all of the “high level” techs I’ve met over the years that have been doing the jobs for 10+ years that only go through the motions of performing the work rather than learning how and why the system works to begin with. The people that claim if there isn’t a flow chart to fix the problem then there isn’t a problem to begin with 😒

[@mikethemechanic7395]

Not going to lie. ASE tests are extremely hard. I have 3 passed so far. Been a mechanic for 22 years. As a Diesel mechanic. There was no incentive to get one. My current employer will pay you 50 more cents an hour for each cert. The max is 6.50hr for Master ASE. I have taken many classes and certifications from 608 to Cummins, thermo king etc. They were all easy. I don’t like the way the test is. A,b, neither or both. It should only be a or b. That’s it. I know I am not the only one who feels this way. A lot of us are looking into changing the way the test is given.

[@GregFeeney392]

I had a goal of becoming a Master technician. I was four Ase certs away and landed a job at the ford dealership. They told me they don't look at ase and I need to become ford certified. I said ok I will do that. Their response was your in the quick lane and not a flat rate tech. So you don't get to go get certified like a regular tech. I said ok. I worked there 3 months. I decided after bringing home a shit paycheck. I am going back to working on semi trucks and trailers. I have never looked back. The dodge dealership here in Buffalo has offered me a job while they're doing the warranty work on my truck. I declined the job each time. I now work civil service but was working at a trucking company at night to make extra money to buy tools and do projects around the house. The trucking company couldn't careless if I was ase certified. All it is it's piece of paper .

[@aleskyfinis1025]

Great video

[@johnburgett6632]

How would you rate an automotive machinist? Is that a specialist position?

[@gordonfreeman5434]

As cars become more and more electric, they will become more and more disposable The days of fixing a car will be seen same as fixing a cell phone As there is currently a over supply of ppl of trying to get in to the auto field, it's uncertain there will be enough jobs to go around Of course, the elite level techs will always adapt and have a place. But the need for this many ppl coming into this field is questionable It is no question, the career path with lowest barrier of entry Already, they successfully made replacing the entire car cheaper than fixing it - this is the way it will be the electric cars Only viable future as a auto tech is to become a specialist with manufacturer specific certification I plan to retire before the electric cars are the only allowed cars to be sold

[@aleskyfinis1025]

Yes❤😊

[@ronvessells1356]

I am ASE master certified, have been for many years. I don't think it means you know everything. No one can know everything. I think it shows you know the basics of how each system works in vehicles. For instance if you are ASE certified in HVAC. That means you know how the system works and the theory behind how the system works. You then can apply that knowledge along with the service manual to diagnose what is wrong with the HVAC system on the vehicle you are working on at the time. So you can apply that knowledge to any make and any model vehicle. Being ASE Master certified does not ever mean you are a master in the trade. Simply means you know the basics of how systems work and the theory behind how they work. Someone with a good knowledge of theory and good knowledge of how to read schematics, how to test components, know how components are suppose to work would have a easier time figuring out a problem in a system, then someone without that knowledge.

[@jasonleatherwood2172]

Eric O. Is a master tech without ase’s he literally could not get a job as a tech in my town unless he got a job changing oil and worked his way up lol

[@jasonleatherwood2172]

I cant get a job either cause my ase certs lapsed and i Aint fooling with it thats why I’m working for myself lol

[@Ken-wu6hr]

OK. You are Correct. I Don't Think Anyone Can Be a "Master Technician". Like A Master Plumber Or Electrician. Our Systems Are Too Varied. How May Differant Vehicles Can You know enough to Be a master. I've been a Mechanic / Technician For 37 Years. I'm ASE Master Certified Tech. (I Passed tests) I Recommend People Specilize. I Think You Cild Make More Money & Buy Less equipment. For Me I Don't work On Europeans. ( Exsept a Couple) to much differant Equipment Needed. I Worked a Transmission Shop For a Year. IGot a Basic understanding Of how a Automatic Works I've Rebuilt a THM350. But I Understand The Principles I Couldn't Rebuild one Now or a CVT. Everything Is Contantly Changing. You Need Training & Never Equipment

[@ghost13829]

Thought I knew what I saw was master technicians when I first started(totally green) Those guys to me were amazing and I knew Soo little. Those days are apparently long gone. A "master technician" title is an "Opinion" and some peoples opinions are 🗑️. Only ever met a few men with "real automotive talent" some of them still alive. FRM put it very well on this too bad owners/managers don't see it this way at all

[@alexandergunaka666]

I’m street certified.

[@esoterictransmissions]

From my experience it isn’t worth it to become the guy who does “everything”. The top paid guys are always speciality/niche guys. It also takes less time to get really Good at one thing but it is different for dealers vs indie guys

[@name242]

I can save you 7 minutes and 20 seconds by saying “put in the time”

[@ronsimmaculatedetailing6335]

Master certification is not as easy as people say it is. No Joe blow off the street can get them. You have to know something. Wether u can apply that knowledge to the real world is a different story

[@curtk4174]

Diagnosis doesnt pay anymore. If your in the trade take the easy work, do not specialize. No one can afford the work so you find you work for free.

[@stevenlemay9004]

Uhhh sir did you just make up your own requirements masters is achieved threw the manufacturer you take tests too achieve it it says your qualified too do the work your doing. manufactures will not pay the tech unless the shop has knowledgeable person working there or several knowledgeable shop competence

[@eddieds312]

Critical thinking and an iq over 100

[@fixntoteachya]

Certified does not mean qualified

[@coreyshort8850]

Laughable. Not your content. You rock my boy! But making money in automotive doesn’t really equal out in my book.

[@coreyshort8850]

Gotta get in that heavy diesel world son!