You can buy a study guide from Chilton’s. Anyone with a basic understanding of automotive systems and technology and an ability to do well on standardized tests can become ASE certified. ASE certification basically means you can pass a multiple choice test about cars. I work with a few ASE master techs that I would not let work on my own car. Garage owners like to hang ASE certs up in the waiting room to make Joe car owner feel confident that he brought his car to the right shop so to get a job in the industry you should get certified. What you really need to do if you want to become a tech is enroll in one of the institutes that offer automotive technology training. Some community college courses in basis electrical theory, computer theory, basic mechanical engineering as well business courses will help you along in your career. The automotive field is a good way to make a living if you are willing to work hard and use your noggin. Good luck
You can start out any way you like. I would try to get a job as a porter in a dealership and let them know that you are interested in becoming a tech, they just may help you in that direction.
there are a bunch of different certifications associated with ASE… like electrical systems, air conditioning, chasis, ect… There are courses everywhere for those certification tests. Best thing to do is not get all wrapped up in paper awards and learn how to be a good mechanic. Common sense and small hands is what it takes. I bought an old engine block (ford 302ci) at a farm auction for $20 a few years back and took it home. I bought the Chilton’s manual and began taking it apart. I sent the parts that needed machining to a shop and had the block, rods, crank and heads inspected and machined for $300. Then I bought all the parts needed to put it back togather. Even if I didn’t have the money to reassemble a working engine it’s a great, cheap learning experience. Could I get a job at a garage without the certifications? Absolutely. Another little tidbit of information: Always look to see what you mechanic drives. Is it a rusted out shitbox that blows smoke out of every crack and backfires every 1/4 mile? Or does he drive a car that may not look great, but purrs like a kitten that is mechanically sound? It always kills me to see people take their cars to mechanics that drive crappy cars and then complain that the car they took in to have work done doesn’t seem to work right still. Now I’m rambling… Common sense and small hands!
First of all, I would recommend taking an Automotive Repair course at a vocational school. That way you’ll learn system basics. Read all the automotive repair books you can get your hands on. Also, try to get a job as a shop apprentice, where you’ll actually get some “hands on” training. You also have to have worked in a repair shop for at least 2 years before you can become certified. Then when you feel confident in a particular area of a vehicle, take the corresponding ASE test, And contrary to popular belief, these tests are very difficult to pass, and you must re-certify every 5 years. I’ll be the first to agree that there are ASE techs that I wouldn’t let work on my car, but at least you know they have a clue. The Chiltons’ guides help you prepare for the tests, but having the knowledge of how basic systems work is how you pass them. HTH!! Good Luck!!
You have to have at least two yearrs of actual experience repairing cars or been through a two year training program to before you can even apply to take one of the tests.
You can buy a study guide from Chilton’s. Anyone with a basic understanding of automotive systems and technology and an ability to do well on standardized tests can become ASE certified. ASE certification basically means you can pass a multiple choice test about cars. I work with a few ASE master techs that I would not let work on my own car. Garage owners like to hang ASE certs up in the waiting room to make Joe car owner feel confident that he brought his car to the right shop so to get a job in the industry you should get certified. What you really need to do if you want to become a tech is enroll in one of the institutes that offer automotive technology training. Some community college courses in basis electrical theory, computer theory, basic mechanical engineering as well business courses will help you along in your career. The automotive field is a good way to make a living if you are willing to work hard and use your noggin. Good luck
You can start out any way you like. I would try to get a job as a porter in a dealership and let them know that you are interested in becoming a tech, they just may help you in that direction.
there are a bunch of different certifications associated with ASE… like electrical systems, air conditioning, chasis, ect… There are courses everywhere for those certification tests. Best thing to do is not get all wrapped up in paper awards and learn how to be a good mechanic. Common sense and small hands is what it takes. I bought an old engine block (ford 302ci) at a farm auction for $20 a few years back and took it home. I bought the Chilton’s manual and began taking it apart. I sent the parts that needed machining to a shop and had the block, rods, crank and heads inspected and machined for $300. Then I bought all the parts needed to put it back togather. Even if I didn’t have the money to reassemble a working engine it’s a great, cheap learning experience. Could I get a job at a garage without the certifications? Absolutely. Another little tidbit of information: Always look to see what you mechanic drives. Is it a rusted out shitbox that blows smoke out of every crack and backfires every 1/4 mile? Or does he drive a car that may not look great, but purrs like a kitten that is mechanically sound? It always kills me to see people take their cars to mechanics that drive crappy cars and then complain that the car they took in to have work done doesn’t seem to work right still. Now I’m rambling… Common sense and small hands!
First of all, I would recommend taking an Automotive Repair course at a vocational school. That way you’ll learn system basics. Read all the automotive repair books you can get your hands on. Also, try to get a job as a shop apprentice, where you’ll actually get some “hands on” training. You also have to have worked in a repair shop for at least 2 years before you can become certified. Then when you feel confident in a particular area of a vehicle, take the corresponding ASE test, And contrary to popular belief, these tests are very difficult to pass, and you must re-certify every 5 years. I’ll be the first to agree that there are ASE techs that I wouldn’t let work on my car, but at least you know they have a clue. The Chiltons’ guides help you prepare for the tests, but having the knowledge of how basic systems work is how you pass them. HTH!! Good Luck!!
You have to have at least two yearrs of actual experience repairing cars or been through a two year training program to before you can even apply to take one of the tests.