Tips to Increase your Efficiency as a Flat Rate Auto Tech

[@Smokin07ram]

*When you walk to parts, jog....then try your best to go once. *Time yourself on every common job. Then have a quick look at your work flow and tools layout and find ways to make it faster. I can't tell you how much this helps new and old mechanics alike. Most people can put another 20% on a day because of systems, setup, organization, and execution. Seconds make minutes, make hours, makes money. *Get a good nights sleep....Most young mechanics don't make money or make stupid mistakes because of that. *Energy drinks dump you on your face....Don't do it. I see the brain farts following the sugar dumps....Most days. If you do the energy drink follow it with some good food, jamb a banana in there or a couple of energy bars so you don't sugar bonk. *Eat a good lunch, or the job will eat you. *Find a physical therapist that will work with you, do the sh!t he says and you will stay healthy. Failure here will clip productivity and ultimately will cost you your job. Best advice I can give

[@LibertySpam]

That last tip is great. Your body is the most important

[@etchosts8162]

Smokin07ram Thanks hoss

[@matthannah4621]

On busy days, lunch slows me down after i eat. Even if it's just a ham sandwich. If I got a lot going on, i opt for a zero sugar gatorade, a banana, and some beef jerky.

[@themikeanic1535]

One issue that I have seen several times from younger techs is if they encounter a difficult situation they immediately cry for help, instead of thinking about it and trying to work through it.....no shame in asking for help but you learn from trying....then the SAME situation arises maybe a few weeks later and they cry for help again, obviously not learned b/c someone had corrected the problem for them........I feel that you learn from actually doing something first hand.

[@flatratemaster]

I let the young techs work for help at the shop, don't ask if you haven't tried everything you think of and looked it up on Alldata or Identifix

[@ykmalachi]

Mike Shirvis I just hope they know to not continue down the path that leads to broken parts or mistakes because they are trying to figure out something beyond their depth. Not knowing the correct solution makes for some bad guessing. Then they may try to cover up the mistake. Compounding the issue. Tons of extra time is wasted and cost to shop/customer. A good shop foreman or Manager should spot this within weeks of the person working there and intervene. but if they don't notice..... or do not care the results are terrible.

[@flatratemaster]

LOL, BTDT you have to know the techs abilities and teach from there, some need more hand holding then others, some just will never get it:(

[@LibertySpam]

There are 3 methods of learning, you need to know yours....

[@pantherslayer1]

Great tips! I'm always looking to improve. One thing that has really helped me with large or complex jobs is the way I organize my removed items. All the parts I remove I set on a bench or rack in a particular order. I couple this with a Plano-like stowage box for all the fasteners. Inside each cavity I have a post-it or strip of paper reminding me what the bolts are for AND anything I had to move,unclip, or unhook. I can't tell you how many times this has saved my butt, and saved me tons of time from scratching my head, "what was this for again" or "what needs to go on next" Additionally big wiring repairs or complex wire/hose/vacuum routing I take pictures of with my camera. This has saved me countless times from taking apart everything again because I forgot to connect a buried sensor or I routed something incorrectly. I hope it helps someone else!

[@ClydeDoSomething]

Learn to not waste any movements. If ya gotta turn around to grab a tool, think about the next 5 steps at least and grab the tools you'll need for them at the same time. Learned that from a Sushi Chef

[@flatratemaster]

Nice, now I want a spicy tuna roll:)

[@gizzync1525]

Biggest help to me was color coding my tools by size on common sizes. I did this by accident, when I bought some color coded thin wall wheel impact sockets (Matco) but it soon took over & now all my wrenches & sockets in those sizes are color coded. Just pick like 5 sizes initially so you don't confuse yourself & slowly build on it.

[@flatratemaster]

Good tip!

[@BreadAndGatorade]

14mm is red for me!

[@NewLevelAuto]

Step 1 . Leave your cell phone at home . Productivity goes up by 15 percent minimum

[@dexterlaci2266]

New Level Auto , I used to work next to a guy that bitched about not making hours....and every time I happened to look over there, he was on his phone, Facebook, or Craigslist. Probably more than 60 percent of the day.

[@maxwellpeter1598]

New Level Auto step 2 don't smoke

[@flatratemaster]

LOL, tell Eric O to stop calling you so much:), only time I get called at work if it is an emergency, or someone is calling to get help. But most shops have a restricted phone policy in place now adays

[@flatratemaster]

I worked with a guy who did the same thing, then complain about hours too.

[@bsscards3593]

My least productive techs bitch about how much they make. I used cell phone all the time, working at a dealer I am able to text advisors, getting updates quickly.

[@mrlwiseman2900]

former tow truck driver here. im looking to get into an apprenticeship, i love cars and just want to learn so much. i stumbled on this video and i got to say, this is an awesome video, a lot of useful information. Two thumbs up

[@gregoryfairchild2460]

Efficiency tips: buy an electric ratchet. Use regular ratchets to break loose or final tighten only if possible. I bought a divider top tool cart to roll up to the vehicle. Separates fasteners and parts. Buy you a headband light with at least 250 lumens. No fun holding a flashlight in your mouth or neck getting neck cramps. Ozark Trail at Wal-Mart $15 ,batteries last a long time in this one. You covered everything else

[@honda_doc6826]

A lot of good tips. From the motorcycle side, I always had a hand full of oil filters in my box(Suzuki and Honda 90% of them use the same filter), common size tire tubes, did some research and studied the manual for certain jobs the night before, and bought my own motorcycle stands and adapters instead of using the cycle lift stand.

[@flatratemaster]

Nice! working smarter, not harder:)

[@gregoryfairchild2460]

Put a lot of bolts back in the holes they came out of finger start to know where they go.

[@ninjatechauto655]

What I liked about working at Nissan is no matter what year or model they only used one of three oil filters.

[@flatratemaster]

Nice!

[@alexanderavila563]

Hondas is one filter fits all

[@derekhicks6480]

A good tip is keep your work area clean as possible as you work so that there's no obstacles in your way and clean up is faster

[@mechanicmike1236]

I think the best advice would be is to stay organized, you can't work fast if you spend 5 minutes or more looking for tools or fasteners that are buried on your cart, thats my biggest problem is being organized

[@flatratemaster]

Organization is key!

[@robbiefrentz9427]

I had an instructor that held up a ratchet and started turning it backwards so you could hear it click . He asked what’s that noise. After moment he replied. A mechanic starving. And he was so right.. what’s funny we ended up through close friends her father was on of my favorite instructors back in the late 80’s. I go and visit him when i can. I still love hearing his stories

[@autotech1467]

I enjoy watching/listening while I work! Keeps me motivated to turn hours. Hard to keep that in focus when its your shop , all the customers want to speak to you, but you have to turn out work to pay the bills.

[@flatratemaster]

Awesome and Thanks!

[@shanecasey9273]

I'm in the same spot lol

[@dimmn82]

Thing with working at a dealership and buying fluids. They won't give it to you until it's billed to the ticket. So you have to go to the counter anyway.

[@asianrice02]

communication with service writer is key. knowing when to tear down while waiting for parts. my biggest pet peeve is grabbing the wheel lock key. a good service writer should grab it before we can work on the car. if they dont, then it becomes a scavenger hunt for the wheel lock key.

[@flatratemaster]

I hate wheel locks! nothing like having to empty an overstuffed trunk looking for a wheel lock key

[@asianrice02]

Volkswagen and audi lug caps are as bad as well.

[@tinisterr]

I love listening to your videos on the way home, thank you for the helpful advice!

[@flatratemaster]

Thank you

[@KobaBlack113]

Headphones Don't socialize(I can't flag conversations) Stay hungry Study everything self evaluation Keep work area clean Flat rate is a competition Minimize the use of air tools Oh and leave your personal life at home.

[@ElPants21]

Why minimize air tool use?

[@johngibson3594]

Multitasking is great advice only thing I see as a problem is doing too much and forgetting to complete a task. Has happened to family members left air box unhooked and clips were lost causing major headache as you can not get just clips have to get whole air box. We had one guy was good at flat rate made 24 hours in a day he got real good at doing an 8 hour job where he could do 3 a day after doing them for about a month, after a few he figured out that he could move things out of the way, made a special tool and got faster each time. The dealership put him back to hourly after that. Show what you're trying to say think about how to be more productive.

[@flatratemaster]

I will be doing a follow up video to thing a having a service routine to make sure as little gets forgot as possible.

[@JD730]

Not sure why the dealer would put him back to hourly if he's that fast and good as a flat rate tech. Dealer was making all sorts of money off him. Would make no sense to put him as hourly and lose money. I know I'm late to this comment. But just saw this video

[@devoncoolman88]

I have the most common size hose clamps, bulbs, coolant in my bay or on my box. I have my own trans oil jug and coolant jug for our bulk fluids so i don't have to go searching for the shop ones. I have my own funnels because no one puts the shop ones back. I have shop rags in my cart so i don't have to walk back to the rag bin if i need one. Have my own grease guns. Etc. having your own stuff makes you faster because your never searching for the shop stuff. I even own my own oil drain for the same reason. Plus i don't get stuck draining the drains as often.

[@flatratemaster]

NIce!

[@logantolson1348]

Had to come back to this video because I just got promoted to flat rate today.

[@flatratemaster]

Good Luck!

[@LilDAnimations]

Same, just today

[@toyotaron7830]

Just found your channel, I enjoy your topics and the discussion afterwards, subscribed. I work at a dealership, and one thing I do with the help of my parts department is they mark the new parts boxes L and R for me so I don't have to try and figure which part goes on what side. Seems insignificant, but it really is a big help to me to keep moving forward on the job. Like Tacoma rear leaf springs for those out there doing the recalls. :)

[@flatratemaster]

Nice tip!

[@miguellozano8936]

Yellow letters on left white letters on right for those leaf springs.

[@boozapple]

keep cotter pins in your toolbox

[@moparmania86]

Biggest thing I notice with speed is instead of using hand tools, use air or electric tools. I know some guys who only use air ratchets 90% of the time... And guess what they get things done. Personally I'm more comfortable with hand tools, but I know I would work a lot faster if I didn't use them so much. Another thing is if your doing something and you need help. Whether its having someone hold something or whatever, or if its you have something you can't figure out, get the help right then, don't mess around and waste time not asking.

[@flatratemaster]

Way faster to just get help in the first place good tip!

[@vulgarhyena9616]

Another thing missed here... if you have a vehicle with misfires and a bad coil for example, make sure you up sell the plugs if it needs it, recommend a service or two, sell the air filter you saw dirty, sell plug wires whatever you can get sell it! Tell your writer to hustle teach them how to properly explain to customers why the tech is recommending it and why it’s so vital to their vehicles performance, safety or reliability. Doing brakes? Recommend brake fluid flush! You’re getting warranty work? UPSELL and recommend on every ticket what the car needs/could use in service, you want the easy work to raise your efficiency! Don’t ever have the attitude of “oh this customer won’t buy it” recommend on every ticket and do the things in this video. No reason why you can’t get 60+ hours a week. Good luck and happy wrenching!

[@justinpryor7376]

When grabbing a tool from your box return one your done with at the same time . Always grab a extension magnetic and have it close when you start a job for picking up sockets and bolts that slip , fold up moving blankets and pack them in the engine bay for laying on and they catch bolts from going into the unknown, when you have to wait a minute for somthing go start your next car and prestage it , or boost it if needed nothing worse than wasting time boosting when you have nothing in the bay . Drain fluids and set up ac work , while your on a test drive , do your paper work while waiting for a cooling system to cycle, have cars running outside while u have one in the bay that need to be diagnostic . I like to bring them in the morning diagnostics and order parts kick them out , work on cars in the afternoon that have the parts ready

[@EXOVCDS]

6:15 I'm that guy... I have a habit of raising & lowering the hoist too many times.

[@ryanpersaud5643]

Thomas EXOVCDS me too

[@robbiefrentz9427]

Thomas EXOVCDS then i say you stupid fat bastard lol. I do the same

[@CoolArrow78233]

Came back to this video after losing my ass on a job that could’ve been avoided. I didn’t read a certain part of service information and it cost me so much time and energy. My back feels like shit tonight but all that is burned into my memory now. I will never struggle like that on that particular repair again. Hell, I’d even say it’ll be gravy next time.

[@leefhead1]

use the lids for spray cans for organization of stuff (nuts, bolts, abrasive discs, ect). Also, buy organizing trays from the dollar store. they cheap, and hold up well. ive got probably 4 or 5 of them, mostly full, in my tool box full of organized bolts, nuts, electrical connectors, ect.

[@thomasdement7885]

Pocket screwdriver in the pocket at all times saves time.

[@flatratemaster]

Gotta have a pocket screwdriver!

[@juliendionnegosselin1620]

i find that no longer taking time out of my work day to go masturbate in the bathroom has significantly increased my work efficiency now i wish my boss would of caught me sooner

[@jasonthornton1233]

I like that. Have one computer for each tech. Have the oil and filter right there. Do all the stuff before done. If the process is good you dont have to go faster. You can go slow and still get done fast. I had to deal with wrong training that got me gone.

[@PhantomPiney]

Another great video from the one and only Flatrate Master. Keep up the great work and tips. :)

[@flatratemaster]

Thank you!

[@superswire]

Penetrating oil, long wrenches, long extensions, breaker bars, assortes sizes of good stiff wire brushes. Some may or may not agree, but I dont personally know many folks who say hitting your fasteners with a brush and penetrating oil such as PB B'laster really quick wont say it helps a job go faster as well as re assembly because you have already cleaned and lubed them. Also, the breaker bars and extensions can save your life when an impact wont fit. Leverage moves stuff FAST.

[@scottstauffer1201]

I work at a tire shop just starting out. Don't get paid flat rate. I do a change over in 20 mins when it calls for an hour. Man the money I could make if it was flat rate

[@hybridsleeper1306]

Berta Boyz in my shop, on-rim tire change pays 0.3 hr

[@Ram2253spd]

An hour per tire?

[@rsomes]

Help the newbie service writer find the right parts on the computer. Huge time suck getting the wrong parts. You help him and he'll hand you good jobs

[@flatratemaster]

good advice, we the techs at my shop do all the parts so we do not have that issue, yes we are paid for it too:)

[@dirtracingfan8742]

#1 DON'T work flat rate. it had it's day where it worked great but for the majority of techs in garages now it's just a way for dealer groups and manufacturers to steal your time and labor legally. it still is great for a very small amount of guys but that number is lowering everyday. but if you have to work flat rate get at minimum of a 35 to 40 guarantee per week. If they say no move on somewhere else

[@flatratemaster]

My shops techs average 60+hours a week, 2 normally hit 70hrs a week billed,not counting the GST, that normally bills 35-40

[@braol]

Kenneth Humphrey guys that can't make money flatrate are either not very good or work at a crappy shop.

[@flatratemaster]

Yep!

[@iGaRaai90]

Flat Rate Master 😮 I barely make that in 2 weeks and am always on the job too

[@alekm9817]

You make more money in the same amount of time while on flat rate as long as the work is there....You clearly don't understand the system. The only way you make less money than if you were hourly is if the employer doesn't have the work for you.

[@babogger88]

I like to keep a fishing tackle tray vs magnetic tray on my cart for bolt organizing. Cheap and can move slots back and forth for longer bolts. Pluss has a lid so you can snap it shut then and not have 50 bolts get mixed up.

[@pantherslayer1]

I do the same thing. Works great

[@zevixvortex9327]

Do everything at once oil drain and transmission drain and rotate at the same time

[@retroguitarmaster]

If you work at a dealership, learn how to type fast and also don't stop working if someone starts talking to you

[@DOYLECLEVERLOBE1]

Pray that one really annoying guy that keeps bugging you gets fired.

[@flatratemaster]

LOL!

[@thebridge5483]

🤣🤣

[@robertapplegate6046]

keep Assortment of funnels and brake lube and Acid brushes and brake clean with you as well with rags

[@flatratemaster]

Yep! good tips

[@asavage1576]

A lot of truck and equipment shops pay hourly. I don't think I could deal with flat rate bs. Too much of a gamble for me. I get paid hourly and it takes care of me. I'm just annoyed by the guys who's motto is "eff it in hourly it don't matter how long it takes"

[@flatratemaster]

That is one of the issues with paying hourly, some just don't care, and milk it, on flat rate, you milk a job, it hurts your pay check. But to each his own!

[@robotteck]

Minimize the lift going up and down. Do all you can while in one position then operate lift. Magnet socket/do not drop bolts/spent time looking for bolts.

[@manuelrivera2575]

When doing a brake job, I️ put the wheel back on as soon as that wheel is done. For example, if I’m doing brake jobs front and rear, I️ start by taking off left rear wheel, and putting it back on when those brakes are done, the next wheel then th next. I️ don’t walk around the car taking off the wheels at once.

[@benjaminsnyder8356]

I like using the tool thats in my hand as much as much as possible just less work and one less thing to think about

[@fernandoaguila8901]

Great video 👍

[@flatratemaster]

Thank you!

[@gordonfreeman5434]

If you work at a shop that won't buy multiples of common chemicals, go work elsewhere. Good tips!!

[@flatratemaster]

Lol, sometimes, bosses are weird, He wouldn't buy multiples of brake lube, but we had plenty of brake clean, PB blaster, etc He was just weird about brake lube for some reason.

[@BreadAndGatorade]

He took the other bottles home, wink wink :D

[@desarioe]

you know what .... good tip on the oil filters! shit been doing this awhile never thought about keeping a couple popular oil filters handy in or on the box.. and I'm not even flat rate never been prob never will.... I don't deal well with politics in the workplace so I'm told

[@radcoolade1481]

Know the job like pulling transmission 20 times muscle memory. Know what tools to use Down to a science beat warranty time🙃. That's money dude.

[@gregoryfairchild2460]

I had a part supplier kept sending wrong parts so I wouldn't let the driver leave the shop until I unboxed and verified the parts were correct.

[@sonnymendoza9654]

Best advice have your own shop and never share that earnings with another

[@dgross361]

just went flat...efficiency immediatly persented its self...paid by the minute...write down ro # every time....stocking ,caddy drains,locking building i want 2 get paid!!!!!

[@moparmania86]

I've been trying to figure out who the flat rate master reminds me of... I figured it out! He's Jim Carey's cousin!! Haha

[@flatratemaster]

At least you didn't say he older fatter cousin:)

[@TravelingCharlie]

The #1 advice Wup your coworkers ass's that are responsible for the technician's that are dispatched all the good money making jobs while your getting fed all the BS jobs. I found a place that pays hourly. That's the only way to solve this problem. #2 pay the service advisor based off of flat rate labor also and they will never ever get the labor wrong and I mean never!

[@ykmalachi]

in the end.....some guys just have it and some dont.

[@dirtracingfan8742]

ykmalachi that is very true but the amount of ways dealer groups and manufacturers are coming at techs and writers to reduce their income is horrendous and in my eyes criminal. I've had shop fireman and managers tell me that there isn't a tech out there worth over 21 an hour. and that was in a shop where everyone was on teams and the hours were put into the cookie and divided based on hours worked.

[@flatratemaster]

Very true!

[@flatratemaster]

I would have pulled my tool boxes out of there at that moment, bad place to work period!

[@ykmalachi]

Kenneth Humphrey Yeah..... I cannot imagine having to work hard to support my co-workers who just 'can't' manage to keep up. I totally understand the idea that you win some/lose some on jobs..... but there is a problem when you always lose.

[@flatratemaster]

The team system only works if all teammates pull their own weight, other wise it is charity:(

[@etchosts8162]

Long time ago my first manager told some words I will never forget: HURRY THE HELL UP OR ILL FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL! That stuck with me. 😃

[@diameadozen]

Thanks for the tips man good video

[@johnnyk617]

No cigs stay off the cellphone

[@flatratemaster]

Very true!

[@gluee8674]

when you need that nicotine get the damn vape out

[@abellas2001able]

Biggest problem is cell phones 📱 "Facebook instagram , techs check their phone while repair vehicles 🚗 loosing focus.

[@flatratemaster]

LOL, some bosses ban cell phones in the workplace, and I don't blame them:(

[@jmarin1101]

I like to take my shirt off when i work that way im more aerodynamic

[@ketcamaro]

Another tip is to have the correct tools for the job..especially specialty tools...if your borrowing tools from another tech more than once then you need to buy it for your self...also make sure they are quality tools and not something thats going to break

[@Kebabsauwz]

With diags - write ALOT. The more you write, the more time the advisor can sell to the customer.

[@neilpavao7348]

hey Mike great video, question.: Say you get a RO with, lof, rotate, air filter, and a some kind of noise complaint, do you diag the noise first?or do you do the other things first?

[@flatratemaster]

Noise complaint first

[@benjaminsnyder8356]

Always diag first. You may fix the problem they came in for and waste time trying to duplicate it

[@JD730]

I always diagnose the complaint first. After I get that figured out, i'll write up my estimate and while i'm waiting to hear back from the advisor, i'll do the oil and rotate and If I don't hear back by the time the oil and rotate are finished. The car goes out the door and the next one is in and i'll bring that car back in later when the work is approved.

[@donaldpainter628]

I see alot of guys take both sides of the car apart then do the repair espicialy on brakes to me that takes longer I'll take one side apart do repair put tire back on go to other side and some guys say I'm doing it the hard way but I'm not walking from side to side but to each their own

[@nicholaswhitney4204]

Do you put sockets and wrenches back in place on cart as you work?

[@flatratemaster]

Generally no i put them in a magnet tray, as i will need the again

[@paintballalienindy09]

Skip lunch, stay late.

[@peanutbutterisfu]

An average guy busting his ass to make 50 hours at 20hr makes 1000, a guy that knows a lot more makes 30hr and does the same 50 hours easier because he is more skilled and makes 1500. Really the more knowledgeable guy should do more than the average of 50 hours but when your the top guy you do help out the other techs a lot too. Knowledge is worth way more than having a stash of light bulbs in your cart to save 6min for the week. In this day and age 20hr really isn’t a lot of money, even 30hr isn’t that much sure it’s above average but your not getting rich so why not learn as much as possible so you can get paid top dollar. The majority of us will be working for most of our lives so why not be the best and make the most?

[@flatratemaster]

I agree, but when you are that tech starting out every bit helps you move up, 50 hrs becomes 60 hrs etc, help you go to training to improve your skills etc