I just started working in a shop… and to be honest I thought I new a lil about cars, but truth is I’ve just scratched the surface… I’m the only one in the shop that has almost zero experience working in a shop (everyone else went to college for it, or has been there a long time)… so most of the time I feel like a total idi0t … I was just wondering if someone could point me in the right direction of a book that I could read to get me moving more in the right direction… basically like a general automotive mechanics book.. I looked it up on yahoo and really couldn’t find anything…

I realize this isn’t 3rd gen specific, but regardless I do plan on using wut I learn at work on my own car…

 

to be honest, this isnt the day and age of read a book and start working. Cars are very complex electrical machines. I am an ase master tech, and it took a long time of studying and working to get there. I would recommend night school at a community college for auto mechanics. And start studying ASE style testing (tech a tech b stuff). Either dedicate yourself to it, or quit. There really is no inbetween in auto mechanics.

 

Every apprentice starts off as a shop helper. It takes years to learn what most mechanics know. Start looking at going to school for your first year apprenticeship. After 4 years of schooling, you'll have enough basic knowledge then you can start learning more in depth things.

I started my training in 79. Got my automotive certificate in 85 and my heavy duty certificate in 87. I've worked on everything from small engines to highway trucks and there's still a lot I don't know.

As for training manuals, you can start with any of these.
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&sear...Stockel&page=1

No single manual will tell you everything. All that the training manuals will tell you are the basics.

Being a mechanic is like learning a martial art. You learn the basics. When you know all the basics, you get your black belt or your mechanics license. Then you hone your skills to become a master.

 

Thx’s guys… I have honestly been thinking about taking some night classes… I already have a degree at the community college in my area… and it defiantly would not be hard to start taking some night classes, because I would already have all gen ed’s… just gotta find some money first, so maybe ill start them next fall… thanks for the advise so far…

 

i'm starting off in the automotive field as well, i work at a chevy dealer as a quicklube technician

what i suggest, is when you're not busy with your regular work, hang out with the other technicians. a lot of times, those flat-rate guys appreciate having a helper who will get them tools or parts, clean this or that. this also helps to earn the respect of your co-workers.

it's what i'm doing right now. i've helped do motor mounts on an astro van, pulled fuel tanks out, etc. gotta get in there and get your hands dirty.

as far as schooling, i'm eligible to go through the gm ASEP program since i work at a gm dealership. if you work anywhere else, you might try to get into your local adult career center. one of my co-workers did this to freshen up his knowledge on cars a few years ago, and is now one of the top techs in our shop.

 

both ljnowell & Stephen have given good advice.

i hope you like to read, because in auto repair its never ending.

a small piece of advice i can give you, pay attention to detail!
one small mistake can cost a lot of money in either damaged parts or hours lost correcting a problem that shouldn't have happened.
one small mistake could even cost people their lives.

also, sign up on IATN.