Turning a love of cars into a great career

Business

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus

August 19, 2008

Auto Scanner The Salem News Tue Aug 19, 2008, 05:30 AM EDT

Q: Just a general question about learning more about careers as a trained auto service technician. I've been reading for years about the major automakers trying to address a continuous shortage of trained technicians. Are there Web sites I can visit to learn more about how one would approach this?

A: It is a certainty that we do have a shortage of qualified technicians in the trade. In today's climate, a person with a talent for auto repairs, a thirst for knowledge, a willingness to get their hands dirty and a desire to continue learning throughout their career will do very well in the automotive field.

There is no other career in which 30 different manufacturers change their products every year. This job is no longer for the person who could not finish high school. Believe me, it's a whole different world.

A person who wants to learn the trade could interview at the dealership; if the dealership likes what they see, they will sign the person up for schooling at the dealer's expense. You must sign a contract to stay with that dealership for several years. Or, if you prefer to choose your own fate, there are many excellent schools for automotive technology. Right here in Boston, we have Franklin Institute, which is rated up at the top of schools for service technicians.

After schooling and a few years of apprenticeship, a tech can then test for ASE ratings. A master technician is at the top of his/her game and will never be without a job or even their own business.

Q: I have a 1999 4-cylinder Camry. The motor now will not idle on a cold start. It runs great after warming. The coolant temperature sensor has been changed, and the throttle has been cleaned. What else can I look for?

A: This problem is well-documented. The idle air control valve for this year Camry with a 4-cylinder was horrible. After a replacement with a genuine Toyota part, your stalling cold problems will be a thing of the past.

Q: I have a question about air bags. I own a 2005 BMW Z4 with six air bags. Could the bags or any one of them go off with the key off and out of the ignition? My grandchildren like to sit behind the wheel with the top down and pretend to drive. I will not give them a ride because they are too young. I heard an air bag went off when the radio was real loud. I don't know if the key was on. I will not let them sit in the car now, but they can wash it if they want to. I pay good.

A: There are no reported cases on the IATN or on the All Data Web site of air bag deployment with the car turned off. My feeling on the loud radio deployment is that of an urban myth. I will not say it can't happen, but you stand a better chance of getting struck by lightning on a clear and dry day.

As far as letting the kids wash the car, I would prefer Gramps does the job with them. The kids get the hose, and the game of "spray the Grampa" is off and running. Seriously, the kids could cut themselves on some of the sharp corners, so just let them rinse, and you will all have a good time.

Car Care Tip: Your dashboard has warning lights, red for critical (stop the car) problems, yellow for plan to have it fixed problems, and green is usually reserved for turn signals. Stop for red, or you will pay a lot more than a municipal fine for a traffic infraction.

¬¢¬¢¬¢

Larry Rubenstein is a master technician who owns a North Shore service station. His column appears Tuesdays in The Salem News. Write to him at The Salem News, c/o Auto Scanner, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915, or send e-mail to scanauto@aol.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Business

Fidelity: 401(k) balances little changed over 2011

Workers stashed money away in their 401(k) retirement plans at a faster clip last year but didn't get an immediate reward for their savings strategy. Fidelity Investments, the nation's biggest 401(k) administrator, says the average account balance was essentially unchanged in 2011, compared with 2010.
Tourism Trends

Even a region as beautiful and interesting as the North Shore can't sell itself.
That's why it was good for local businesses to learn, at last Friday's tourism summit at the Peabody Marriott, that the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau has recovered from recent economic challenges and found new ways to promote Essex County as a tourist destination.
New studio space builds on Beverly's reputation as artist destination

BEVERLY — Jesse Chamberlain, 30, is a Salem jeweler who specializes in creating wedding bands and engagement rings. Though she previously worked in Lynn, she saw an opening on Craigslist for a new studio space in Beverly, and last week moved her tools to a newly remodeled studio at Porter Mill.

1 Photo
Chamber to host Beverly Business Awards

BEVERLY — The Beverly Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director, a new office and a new event that will recognize some of the city's top businesses and business people.
The Beverly Business Awards will be held tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers. The evening will include the announcement of winners in six categories: Businessperson of the Year, Corporate Citizen of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Family business of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Business briefcase

People
Wenham resident Kathy Schweitzer has joined J Barrett & Co. real estate as executive vice president. Schweitzer previously was chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker Schweitzer Real Estate, one of Michigan's largest real estate franchises. She also co-founded the Detroit chapter of Childhelp, which rescues abused and neglected children and raises funds for organizations.
Business Calendar
Verizon to set up streaming service with Redbox
Obama, GOP spin recent energy stats
For Facebook 'Hacker Way' is way of life
Prius gas mileage getting low
Economy likely started 2012 with solid job growth
2011 home sales down
Wheeler is named Beverly Cooperative Bank president
Peabody farmer scoops up West Newbury land
Business Calendar
Business Briefcase
College endowments show growth for FY 2011
Euro, rich-poor gap proved key issues at Davos
Twitter's new censorship plan rouses global furor
Auto Scanner: Avoiding top-dollar replacement of Cadillac shocks
Obama to target rising college tuition costs
User-friendly health plan summaries at risk
A FEAST FOR THE EARS 1 Photo
Beverly-based Fantastic Sams bought by French firm
Business Calendar
Business Briefcase
New rules could boost New England renewable power
Wood heat heats up as homeowners give boot to oil
All 2011 unemployment insurance benefits taxable
Mass. Gov. to seek hike in cigarette tax

Click here for more Business stories

Business

Search Results

Discussion

Turning a love of cars into a great career

Site Map

Reader Access