Being a Technician vs Being a Mechanic ~ Podcast Episode 70 

I feel the difference is: A technician is a professional, A Mechanic is a tradesman. Both are fairly highly trained and deserve respect.

I’m a Local Union #1 Elevator Mechanic. I have formal training and expertise in electrical and mechanical applications. I have no desire to call myself a “technician”, because in my mind, it holds no greater value or position than the title of Mechanic.

To me, a "mechanic" is an old timer who works by feel, by instinct, has lots of little tricks, is good at improvising and thinking out of the box, typically working in a small local shop on a wide variety of makes, models, ages and types of vehicles. A "tech" is someone who works by the book, uses lots of diagnostic equipment, uses more specialized/expensive tools, typically working in a dealership or large chain shop on the usual "daily driver" type cars. Neither one is really better than the other IMO, these are not hard and fast rules and there's tons of overlap. It's just the image that pops into my head with one word or the other. Getting so worked up over it seems silly, but I'm also not a professional, just a hobbyist.

technician: is my car still under warranty ? mechanic: is my warranty up ?

Technician describes a person who is involved in some technical related job that has no specific qualifications. Hence it is preceded by the nature of the job. Telephone Technician, or Printer Technician however these days it has been adopted by anyone unqualified that ever held a tool of any kind so now we have Nail Technicians and a Tyre fitter is now a Tyre Technician, Exhaust Technician for a muffler fitter, and jokingly a Janitor has become a Mop Technician so the word has been diluted. A Mechanic has a recognised trade certification title, "Motor Mechanic" so there is no need for the term Technician. How it crept into Mechanics is the work of Dealers who are run by sales people not mechanics and would call yellow purple if it sold more cars. .

If you talk to a Correctional Officer and call him a prison guard you'll get thr same conversation.

There is no difference between an automotive Mechanic or a Technician. It's an ego point to differentiate. The words are interchangeable. Now there are good/bad and inexperienced/veterans. People use technician as a misnomer for specialist. It's soda vs pop but you want to make it chef vs cook (again mostly an ego bias). Lube technician is a great example. Would you want the kid who's part time because he's still going to community college auto classes diagnosing and repairing your double clutch system on your GTI or a very knowledgeable Volkswagen mechanic? Why not his title has "technician" in it. Even the guy on your cast has an ego bias against "mechanics". It's an expression.

Whats the difference between a mechanic and a doctor? One washes his hands before he goes to the bathroom the other washes them after.

In my experience of interacting with both technicians and mechanics (both self described), it comes down to the initial interaction with the customer/vehicle. Customer pulls up to the front of the shop, goes inside and begins to explain their issue (noise, light, vibration, smoke, etc.). _Neither approach is better or worse, just different._ The mechanic will go out to look at the car, have the customer start it up and try to reproduce the issue. He/she will then "get an inkling" of the problem based on prior experience, and have you/them pull around back/into the shop to "take a closer look". More intuitive and holistic. The technician may or may not go out to look at car, then say something like "well there could be several things causing the issue, let's run our "X point diagnostic test" to find out specifically what the problem is." More rational and direct.

I’m a RU-vid Tutorial watching parts changer lol

I have been working on cars for just over 27 years. I never went to school but I did learn a lot by watching friends and some family show me some things and from there I was able to teach myself by trial and error. After the first couple years of trial and error and after hours trips to the junkyard, I have become better at repair and diagnosis of issues that are brought to me. I like to do diagnostics, especially on the older cars that are non-computer controlled. I will be getting a newer computer later this year seeing as ALL my friends and family come to me with their car troubles. I am happy to help but with the newer cars I am limited. As usual, love the videos. Have a great day.

In Australia, 1972, my trade course certificate was titled Automotive Engineer, this changed to Motor Mechanic a short time later when AE was a recognised engineering stream. To me Mechanic and Technician are the same, the techs nose being slightly higher, either way both have to have a good diagnostic ear and good diagnostic sense. Rusty's comment of a mechanic applying background knowledge of what happened before to the fault experienced today, well Rusty, that's what makes a good mechanic/technician. In the "old days" no one could afford an Oscilloscope, being a year or more wages, everything had to be diagnosed with the God given senses, today diagnostic tools are semi affordable for those who are keen and can steer you in the right direction but still experience and good senses are still required. I'm a motor mechanic and proud of it.

Mechanic all day.... I hate pc language

To me a technician does specific work on a given subset of the whole. Like lube technician and tire technician. Basically like a cook. Mechanic does the whole gamut of work and is the higher tier.of it. Like a chef

In the circles I grew up in a mechanic was the guy that diagnosed and fixed the real problem often before the problem was recognized by the manufacturer. A technician was simply a parts changer that could never fix a problem unless he had a tsb telling him exactly what to do and even then it was a challenge. As I'v gotten older I'v found these "stereotypes" to fit quite well. Someone who considers them self a mechanic is comfortable with what they do and doesn't need the ego boost of a title. However, someone needing that ego boost needs it for a reason.

I don't care what you call me. Just bring cash, or a credit card with limit high enough for you to pick it up, or don't bother.

i call myself an apprentice

Parts diagnostic vs application/module diagnostic. I undersatnd both sides and remember being a teenager working on cars and having family member who were mechanics who would say if a car wasnt working say "is it getting fire, fuel and air." A lot has changed this as relays, modules other electrical components that can prevent fire or fuel being delivered. A lot of people can r&r parts but dont understand function of parts and how to test. This was a great discussion and upload by Charles as awlays.

I come from a different industry but to me the difference between a mechanic and a technician is dramatic. A mechanic can take somthing aoart, and reassemble it, replacing bad parts in the process. A technician can identify the cause of a problem, knows what's wrong before he takes something apart, understands fully why it needs to be repaired, and can repair it. A technician is more likely to be a specialist of a more complex system.

I have this belief that I came up with on my own and is that technicians are limited to maintenance abilities and the mechanic is the one that's fully qualified to perform the required labor to correct any issue. Oil change, technician... Stripped out oil drain plug, mechanic...

I'll take a mechanic any day over a tech. I'd rather have someone who has worked on cars for 45 years and understands how all the parts of a vehicle work together, who can diagnose any given vehicle, who can not just replace parts, but fix the broken parts. To me, a tech is lost without a computer.

Hey man, I’ve been in the industry for awhile. My father owns a used truck dealership. So I grew up around the “shop”. Now it being hard to work for family I’ve found myself at an aftermarket shop, in a very busy high income area. I have found out how much I actually DONT know! I’m finding your podcast very informative, thanks for doing what you do brother. Can’t wait to get caught up on your episodes.

I'm a 20 year technician in the industrial automation field, and now I am service manager over a large group of techs. To me, the difference between a technician and a mechanic in my field is as follows. A technician if proficient in all areas of the game. In my field that is mechanical, electrical, IT and networking. A mechanic is someone who is good at changing parts and doing basic jobs like setting and leveling equipment, and doing basic mechanical troubleshooting. Generally if I send a "mechanic" to a technical job, he will be on the phone constantly and require a lot of remote help from a technician to get the job done. Also, based on my experience, I find that Experience > Degrees. I see a lot of guys come out of college with degrees that are complete idiots in practical applications, while "mechanics" with years of experience in the field mop the floor with them in most instances.

A technician is some guy working at a dealership or a chainstore with really nice customer waiting areas and really clean bathrooms that upsells cabin filters and engine flushes. A mechanic is a guy who can handle anything thrown at him, auto and truck repair, heavy equipment, industrial machinery, emergency generators, large industrial high pressure boilers, sewage lift station, VFD motor controls, etc

I had the "Technicians" at Toyota replace my head gaskets under warranty recall and what a job, they had to tear off the top of my engine and put it back together. I picked it up afterwards. The service manager said it's still running rough, you need a distributor cap. I said I would handle it. When I got down the road and looked I realized that they had crossed up several numbered wires on the cap. I find it hard to believe they were talented enough to replace my head gaskets but to stupid to put the wires back on the cap in order as labeled. I raised hell with them and they played dumb. They lost a customer for life.

If you don't use a scanner to read OBD codes, then you're a mechanic. Sometimes throwing parts on a car is cheaper than taking it to a dealer. A professional 2018 auto mechanic is technician. Junk yard vs wrecking yard.

Awesome topic. I personally thought a tech was a fancier or professional name for a name brand car mechanic. I learned something new today. Thank you.

I agree here. Other than as a tech in my experience I did basically all of the diagnostics and also did all of the physical labor..... Very rarely does a vehicals change bays when being paid flat rate unless the diag or repair is over someone's head.

My title is "Lead General Maintenance Mechanic" basically main duties are changing oil, tires and inspections. I'm hourly, but I do get thrown quite a few alignments a week and a couple brake jobs and some other steering and suspension parts replacement. The next step up would be a technician. We also call them "installers". Techs do not do heavy diagnostics, they mainly find failing parts and replace them on approval. Next after tech is senior tech. They get larger jobs and more diag stuff. After that is the "lead tech" and they handle the biggest jobs and hardest diags. They usually have 5 or more ASE or equal experience. Senior techs usually have at least 3 ASE certs, techs have 1-3 typically. Maintenance mechanics usually have none or one. I am studying my A4 and plan to take it in November. Hopefully in spring I'll become an installer. To me it's just a job title, master mechanic and master technician have the same meaning to me.

I am an ASE certified automotive technician by trade, in ten plus areas of testing or certification. Have been since 1984 (dating myself here) and have been certified ever since. Now here is a perspective on this question and I think my comment should sum it up for everyone. An automotive mechanic is trained and can do most work efficiently and correctly by themselves either with help whether it be by paper books or electronic media, (YT videos, repair sites, personal experience, etc.) Now an automotive technician is someone that has proven to themselves and or others they have the knowledge and capability and experience and have taken tests and passed these tests through different means like ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) you know the blue gear icon. To prove to others and proudly display the diplomas recognizing themselves as being dedicated to this field or career of fun work and staying certified in what ever field(s) they desire. Hope this helps out most of you. This means and signifies this person is dedicated and has proven and others can see these Technicians are recognized for their accomplishments. Now most of my customers that come into my auto repair shop are impressed with my credentials being ASE certified for so long, they feel better knowing my shop is dedicated to this career knowing my shop has taken the initiative and dedication to prove to them we are keeping up with testing and knowing we are dedicated to this career.

I'm an airframe and power plant technician student (or as some may call it a aircraft mechanic student), we've discussed this in class and the defining factor I always hear is education. A mechanic figures out how to fix something with a mild understanding of the system and tries to fix it using trial and error, a technician weather it be for cars, boats, or aircraft, they understand the entire system down to every last nut bolt and screw, how each individual system works, how they cooperate with each other, how it works in different environments, how and why something breaks down, how to fix it and if they don't understand how to fix it rather than do things via trial and error, they know where to find the information to fix it.

I'm sorry but when I hear Technician I think someone who is book smart and practical skills ignorant. Long before the word Technician was in use I worked as a Mechanic. I developed a really bad distrust of some of the tech data the manufacturers put out. An example of this was one model had a chronic oil leak problem by the time the last one came out of warranty there were 20 different bulletins on how to fix it. The guys who understood the real problem could fix most of them, but not the way the factory told us. The problem on about 25% of them was a porous casting issue. To me a Mechanic has a great deal of common sense and does not just swap parts out he probably can fix the the broken part, he probably knows how to weld, operate a drill press, and maybe a mill or a lathe.

I call myself a mechanic, I work on Tractor-trailers. I'm a Diesel mechanic. Awesome videos

With car's having been purely "Mechanical" 100 years ago the association to the person working on the vehicle was "Mechanic", it was accurate and fair. The job function and description has changed, but falls in line with many hands on roles being described as "Technicians" in this age with the specific trade being a prefix to the word "Technician". Great talk, thanks for the effort to make and share it. Regards, Duncan from South Africa.

Very good conversation. I'm a tech and a mechanic. I service copiers and printers to pay bills and went to school to service motorcycles and do it for fun and spare cash. Oh and i can tune and sync carbs and points.

Thank you Humble Technician for another fantastic video! ;P I am a mechanic even if don't have a piece of paper that states it. If there is something to be diagnosed, I figure it out and only R and R once certain, and been right most of the time (even technicians have one mistake). I have only worked with OBDI FI and earlier so not a technician.

I am just a well equipped hobbiest, became interested in doing for myself due to inept part replacers and Techs. So invested in my own tools and equipment

The way it was put to me was a technician has a formal education in addition to on the job training and experience that allows him or her to more accurately diagnose and resolve customers automotive problems. Currently i am a mechanic working towards being a technician.

I hope one day to be good in the field. I just graduated from school and you don't come out of school knowing everything. This is a lifetime learning business because everything is constantly changing. So when people that aren't in the field think we aren't very smart and all we do is hook up a scan tool and it tells us what to replace, it feels insulting.

I use both, depending on what I'm doing or talking about. I suppose, generally, I would use the term technician (or tech) to describe someone or something more specialized, however that's not always the case. By the way, good choice on the Hoppyum!

Dude, I was a tech at a Caterpillar dealership, then a Peterbilt dealership, then working on Cats for a fleet. Try to explain this shit to a truck driver! XD When I started they were great, but while we were getting more advanced, fleets were racing to the bottom of the talent pool. Leaving commercial transportation in favor of industrial maintenance was the best career move I've made.

To me a mechanic is like a GP doctor, A technician is more like a surgeon as in deals more in intricate and more advanced faults. As for the trainee mechanics I would refer to those as like nurses they are needed on a lower level until a doctor is needed. For example a trainee mechanic is capable of changing fluids pumping up and fitting tyres, a mechanic is someone who can strip and rebuild an engine do engine timing and clutch's and a little bit of electrical work. And if all else fails and the vehicle decides not to run then that's when you call in s tech. That's my perception. I spent a few years working in garages, but everyone's entitled to there opinion.

I agree 💯 with you. I lean slightly into mechanic that can do diagnostic reading know how to read wavelengths and diagrams etc. But as technology grows I will also. But I love the grease monkey part of it more then just to sit and read a screen all day but I do and can do it.

I've been a main dealer specialist technician for Audi & VW for 19 years now & this is how it was explained to me when I started : Apprentices = we all know what these are ! Improver Technicians = these are apprentice's that are newly qualified Auto Electricians = purely electrical diagnosis & repair Mechanic = service work, any mechanical repair & some diagnosis of mechanical systems Technician = all of the above and much much more including in depth diagnosis of anything on any car, also within that are different qualification levels of technician such as master tech,high voltage tech or various types of specialist techs... The list goes on....

I am a tech, there is one other tech in the shop, the other 4 goony birds are mechanics. I am the guy they come to when all else has failed. It's both a blessing and a curse...

Understanding the fundamentals of how an engine or vehicle components tie together and function how they do if futile to being a technician or mechanic. Doesnt matter what you label yourself as, in order to do the job properly and diagnose vehicles accordingly , fundamentals of the engine and chassis is something everyone should try to understand.

I don't know if this is a difference in the UK, or whether it's just my own preference. When I was in the VW main dealer, my official job title was "Motor Vehicle Technician". I always felt this was because it just "sounded" better than plain old "mechanic". In other words, was basically marketing rubbish. Perhaps snobbery.is a word that could be used. I think now technician has replaced mechanic, partially for the reasons Rusty outlined, maybe partially it's an evolving thing as cars get more advanced, but also because garages want to sound better. I now see there is perhaps a more of of a gap between mechanic and technician, although I feel it interchangable. You get good and bad technicians like you do with mechanics. However, where there is a *real* difference is between a "fitter" and a technician or mechanic. A "fitter" (I don't know if this is used in the US) is someone who may work at a quick service centre that mainly does tyres, exhuasts and maybe oil/filter changes, etc. They don't have anywhere near the skill of a trained mechanic/tech.

I have no formal training,but I'd call myself a Technician. The reason being,is that I like to put some thought into the process,rather than just turning a bolt,and changing a part. First,I'd want to do some troubleshooting,and be sure of what failed,and why. Maybe check on some other things,and do some basic tests to make sure nothing failed 'further up the line',etc. Plus,I work with computers and electronics all day long,so I have some knowledge/insight into how that stuff works,and how to find,and then fix,faults. Anyone can turn a wrench,some of us like to know why we're turning the wrench,and if we are even turning the wrench on the right part.

A technician has the knowledge and ability to diagnose problems and failures and be able to fix them. My partner started out as a Fitter and Turner before he went into the Automotive Trade. Hes been in the Motor Trade around 20 years and his skill level is very high understanding on every system if something fails. Hes gets a lot of people asking him to diagnose electrical issues that he knows what happened. what my partner said and made it very clear that is people only know the Mechanical side. People think that you put a computer and clear codes ect.. There is a lot more then what people think when it comes to the point, till people work in the Trade people know nothing to be honest.

I would consider myself a mechanic. As i am pretty much a one man band i do all the diagnosing and repairs that need need doing. On this side of the pond i think it only really the larger garages and main dealers that have technicians. The rest are mechanics or fitters

Regardless of my company name I am more a technician. Simply due to the fact that I methodically create a process for every job, regardless if it's an inspection, diagnosis, repair or maintenance. Definitely a hot topic, and I feel that there is a need for it to be standardized and proven on a international scale. I like that you use A, B, C, D level tech's. This should determine multi level door rates to support and reward techs at different pay scales. This is not the 80's anymore and not about who has the biggest tool box in the bay but the biggest tool box in their head.

I have always called myself a mechanic. I've seen too may "technicians " miss the diagnosis. In fact, I still use the term "troubleshooting". It takes a good combination of knowledge and know-how to be effective at finding and correcting problems on modern vehicles and equipment. The BMW dealership could not find the cause of my daughter's air suspension repeatedly collapsing at highway speeds, nearly causing loss of control. Or my other daughter's Honda Fit stalling when cold. That turned out to be a simple valve adjustment, something that many "technicians" did not even think of. I really admire your moniker "Humble Mechanic", emphasis on HUMBLE. Like all modern business and sales people, the managers and service writers have to constantly come up with glitzy terminology and trendy buzzwords to sound smart.

I have 37 years in the trade, if you're not a tech by then you haven't paid attention. I came out of Naval Weapons in 1980 with electrical and electronics training and homebrew computers as a hobby.(Pre IBM PC.) I came into the field as a hobbiest. I never intended on making it a career. I was fresh out of the Navy and needed to feed my face and have a place to live and it was a job that paid enough money. After a couple of years it just seemed like a good fit as those around me hated anything to do with wires and I made doing what the others guys hated my own turf. I came into the field at a time when tech was coming to the field and was fortunate enough to have experience with it. I feel sorry for the new guys just trying to get a start in the field. So much to learn just starting out. I'd suggest starting in a shop as an apprentice rather then a tech school... No tuition, no loans and the real life experience of actual repairs.

to the question of the day, it all depends on who I'm talking to. I usually refer to myself as a tech but when they don't seem to understand what that means I'm a mechanic. and I also believe they are completely interchangeable, you either have the knowledge experience and integrity to be good a tech or you don't. no matter what you want to call yourself!

I'm probably a little late on this but I wanted to add how I think of it. It may be where I live but during my time driving truck and taking my car to shops I did divide technicians and mechanics as 2 separate positions. Even in the same shop I have always thought of a technician as a person that does diagnostics, tires, brakes, oil, plugs, electrical, etc. and a mechanic as a person who does repairs like striping and rebuilding a motor or trans. and other such repairs that are more in depth on the mechanical side of auto repair. An example is when my semi needed an engine rebuild. I thought of the first person who handled my truck as a technician. He did the diagnostic work and identified the problems such as combustion gasses leaking into the coolant among othet tests he preformed. And the person who did the tare down and rebuild of the engine as a mechanic. For the question of the day I don't think I'm qualified enough for either technician or mechanic but would lean more towards mechanic for myself because I like to work on the mechanical side rather than the electrical.

Its just semantics really all that matters is how much knowledge one has and how much pride one has in their work I'd rather have a good mechanic than a bad technition. Plus everyone at places like jiffy lube are called technitions but I'd never let them touch my car ever for anything ever.

i agree on the differences a technician uses all the proper tools to properly diagnose the vehicle. where mechanics are parts changers. this is not an ego driven thing. I am still a technician I came from the heavy equipment world who rebuilt engines, axles, electrical systems, hydraulic systems. A technician always gets thrown onto a hard problem.

Someone who works in the field needs to be both. The tech side of it is being able to diagnose a problem to the cause. The mech side is being able to replace/fix the issue and all the steps to doing so. Basically a long answer for mentally a tech and physically a mechanic

I guess I would definitely be what this gentleman calls a "shade tree mechanic"; my buddies got stuff needing done I'll do it. I can't do the things a tech does, I mean I have VAG Com but there are some tools I don't have here at my house, a sturdy tree for example, or engine crane. No lift obviously, or dyno boxes. Got a check engine light? Bring it over, I can tell you exactly what's wrong, so you are better prepared when you go looking for the repair. Got a brake job needed, new struts or hubs, intake piping, basically anything that can be done with some hand tools and basic mechanical know how, I can do that. So even though I can do some basic diagnosis, I definitely don't qualify as a Tech. A tech has taken his or her time to go to school, get certified for a specific brand or repair, your Mechanic is a general wrencher, your tech is brand or repair specific. Honda or Volkswagen Tech. the "tech" in my head is like the honorary doctorate lol.

The word mechanic is also interchangeable especially here in New York City where we have tons of elevator mechanics. But you could say that auto mechanic is the most popular type of mechanic.

20 years ago there were mechanics no technicians.

I went through the GM ASEP program back in the mid 90's and the instructors stressed that we were technicians not mechanics. Working with OBD2 diagnostics and along with multiple other computer systems all communicating really upping the diagnostic game it takes more than just being a 'mechanic'.

As a customer I assumed going into this video that mechanic was the more desired title. What came to my mind first is Master Mechanic, and the Technician is the guy who just handles oil changes and the like. Thanks for explaining the difference.

When I think mechanic I think about someone who does primarily mechanical work. Brakes, hydraulics, air systems, drivetrain, overhauls, engine swaps, steering/suspension ect. When I think of Tech I think of the guy with a multimeter in hand programing modules digging through software revision release notes troubleshooting fuel systems emission system/aftertreatment problems. In my shop there is no one person who does just mechanical work. Or just troubleshooting. We all do everything. I guess what I call myself depends on what I am doing that day. One of the guys I know put it this way. 50 years ago you had to know how an engine works and how to fix it. What leaking valve sounds like popping back through the exhaust. What causes a bearing failure. Things like that. Today you need to know everything a mechanic needed to know 50 years ago plus common rail fuel injection aftertreatment systems high speed CAN links have a thorough understanding of electricity refrigeration the list goes on and on, and it is only going to get more complex.

I embrace the term mechanic, because I feel a mechanic can truly diagnose a vehicle through sound , experience, and very detailed know-how of all of the Machinery that makes this device function. I respect that a lot more then someone that looks at a computer screen to try to find out what's wrong with a car. My issue with the perception of a technician is that many can over complicate the process, why should I read outputs from 4 sensors to know a engine is running lean when I can pull a spark plug and 15 seconds and know the same thing. So I take the term mechanic with pride because only a mechanic can take that machine down piece-by-piece and put it all back together properly piece by piece.

I don't know bout ya'll but here, people call you whatever they want to call you. Technician came out with the colleges pushing it and then dealership catching on. But what many people don't realize is that, many "mechanics" work at " dealerships " and many technicians work at "shops" . It makes no difference where you go.

in my opinion the difference between mechanics and technicians is by foundation, technology. the computer aspect assists technicians in finding things wrong with sensors and mechanical problems but as Rusty mentioned, "shade-tree" machanics learned from experience back in a day when mechanical know how was most of what you needed to learn from, not how computers can affect functions as well as mechanical flaws.

i call myself an engineer (stationary engineer). the systems i work with are the exact same as they would be in a car so my knowledge of that stuff is easily transferable but the things i dont know how to do is the actual fixing of parts i look at the term "technician" as someone who would be very good at diagnosis of problems and the term "mechanic" as someone who knows how to physically tear things down and fix the problem efficiently

I guess the best term would be a technician mechanic. It has the best of both worlds. Some who have a technical knowledge of how modern vehicles systems work through computerised electronic networks and he can also have the mechanical know how to undo vehicle parts correctly and replace damaged parts or fix parts that can be fixed and put the vehicle together in a properly and safely working order.

I think it all depends on where you work. I've worked at some places where I was referred to as a mechanic and other places where I was referred to as a technician. And I can do it all.

I am a heavy equipment field mechanic. Which means I work on yellow iron usually broken out in the field. So I work out of a service truck with a 12k crane. Mechanic vs technician? I think both many times I am using Cat ET (Electric Technician) to find sensor or electrical faults but also things wear out, break mechanically or dumb choices by operators cause me to physically see the problem and fix or re-engineer parts

No difference...one excepts who he is and the other is trying to make himself better than what others think of him as he runs from the truth. Nothing wrong with being a mechanic, be proud of who you are. Their are good doctors and bad ones but THEY don't make up words or new titles to differentiate between one or the other. It's sad that people are ashamed of their chosen profession. The industry has been trying to change the title since 1983 but it had not stuck yet. Call yourself whatever you want but in the eyes of the world your a mechanic! BE PROUD!

A mechanic is someone who changes parts, does a brake job, puts an engine or transmission together, Etc. A technician is one who is able to make a proper diagnosis because he or she has a knowledge of what is going on, how things should work properly, and what is going wrong so the mechanic can replace the proper part. Therefore, you have had mechanics and technicians throughout automotive history - long before everything was computerized and you had all of the fancy, expensive diagnostic equipment!

dun dun dun.... your chanel has my subscription! Yay thanks for your show!

Great video ...

My opinion of this argument is. A mechanic can competently repair the mechanical end of a vehicle ie brakes, suspension, minor engine repair. A technician can do all of that plus diagnostics, major engine/trans repair, differential repair.

I am a self taught mechanic. I grew up on a farm and learned at a early age how to repair farm equipment and keep it running. As a teen ager I took a job as journey mechanic for a construction company work on large equipment and large diesels. From my years there I learned a lot about working on many diesels and soon became a road mechanic for theme. That was 30 years ago. I now own my own business and I still consider myself a mechanic even though many diesels today come with computers and anti smog controls I am still just a mechanic according to you fellows. Well I'm proud to be one then.

I too agree they are the same job but there are social differences TODAY. My path in the automotive world is... unconventional to say the least... but only mine and my perspective of it. My first car was a '83 cutlass, I tore it down to the frame and put it back together on my own to help me understand how it functioned. After that I helped friends work on their cars and modified them and my own for years... I feel it qualified me as a mechanic. I'm currently working on enrolling into UTI. If I get in and finish, in my own perspective, after a few years in the field can finally consider my self a tech. But that's just my personal view lol

Most of the mechanics I know think this way: The mechanic diagnoses and is able to do the repairs properly. Then you have "parts-changers" that read the code and change a part.

Good video and I know everyone has their own opinions, but after being in the industry for nearly 3 decades I consider myself a mechanic moreso than a technician. In my opinion a technician is a person who specializes in a system. A mechanic is someone who diagnoses and repairs those systems and how they ALL inter-connect. I consider myself someone who diagnoses the problem no matter what system the issue is with and then repairs it. I know some people think the new buzz word is technician but whatever someone needs to make them self feel better. I am a mechanic who fixes, builds, repairs, modifies things no matter electrical, mechanical or structural. It's funny I know people who get offended if they are called anything but a "technician" and can't find their ass with both hands and a road map around a car, but they're a technician.

I just watched your video and I feel I am an automotive technician for i went to school then worked in an independant shop for close to a year and ended up managing the shop myself... I'm only 21(started managing 4 months into it) now needless to say too much stress so I quit and am backing packing Europe haha now I just wanna be a hobby mechanic!

im a master mechanic and the reason i'm here is I started under a shade tree this whole word game is just that, I'm a navy trained diesel mechanic and a navy trained gas turbine technician and technicians are hemmed in by their own boundaries

a tech is someone who fully understands the cars system and knows how to use the specific equipment to find all issues.... I personally know some great "techs" that aren't that great at actually getting in there and completing the job, they can tell you 100% what the issue is through....

Great content btw cuz I wondered where do I sit in all this(category)

Since I just found this I worked for a radio make for 5 years before going in the NAVY . Some folks called us radio tech other called us radio repair and even a customer radio repair tech. All meant the same thing.

I got certified in heavy diesels in college. Ended up getting a job being a diesel and auto tech for Ford motor company. Worked there for almost 5 years and got certified by Ford to do anything that could possibly be asked of me. Ended up leaving because of poor management, then worked for a private shop for a couple years. Now I'm considering getting into working on boats and ships because of the pay increase.

I have been building and racing cars since the late 1970s. To me, a Technician plugs a laptop into the OBD Connector, and it tells him what to replace. A mechanic can hear a car being driven into a service bay, and tell whomever is working on it where to start (exhaust leak, bent pushrod/rocker, bad lifter, worn waffle valve, misplaced kanimblin pins, etc).

I feel that mechanic describes someone who does something because they have seen it done or read the steps on how to do it, where a technician can figure something out that is totally new by using critical thinking and previous experience togther

thank you. Raphael

I think there is a difference between a dealer tech and a non dealer tech, which in some ways corresponds to this discussion of technicians vs mechanics. If you're in a dealership, you're going to probably see more complex problems on average (because uncle bob can fix the simple/easy to diagnose stuff) but you also have a lot more support. I'm trained and certified as a tech for several major diesel truck manufacturers. The process is similar regardless of manufacturer, with variations in the quality of technical information and tools, but it's largely the same process. Confirm the complaint, inspect, then test, trying to rule out as many causes as possible with each step, doing simpler steps first if possible. Part replacement is done only after you are certain (or nearly certain) that it can only be that part. If you have a problem, call the factory or corporate help line. I can tell you, as a fleet mechanic, a lot of that is inapplicable. Where I work, I don't have reliable schematics, because my equipment is from 8 different manufacturers, and all of it has been modified to some extent with after market equipment. In some cases, the entire electrical system apart from the ECM is after market. I rarely have software that allows me to actuate or disable components that are multiplexed, even though that's a very fundamental part of the way a dealer tech will diagnose certain issues. If I want to actuate something, I'm literally hooking up a power probe and providing voltage or ground directly, vs clicking a button in a piece of software that will actuate it through the correct module. If I have an intractable problem, I can't call the factory or tech support. 99% of the time I'll need to figure it out, through trial and error if nothing else, because the cost of my labor is cheaper than a dealership's shop rate by a factor of 5. If it takes me two or three times as long, it's still cheaper, and thus, better for my employer. Of course I still want to confirm the complaint, inspect, test, and try to rule things out in a logical fashion, but the idea of making an accurate diagnosis with just software and schematics is virtually unheard of. A lot of the time the fastest, most efficient way to diagnose a problem is to put on a known good part, see if that fixes the problem, and if not, move on to the next suspect part. That's a "shade tree mechanic" way of working, but a lot of times it's actually the fastest, most cost effective method to get to a reliable conclusion. A lot of times, if a problem is complex enough, it's going to go to a dealership, not because I lack the attitude, aptitude or even training to diagnose it properly, but because I don't have the tools. And the point here is: There are different approaches, and the "technician" approach is often the superior approach, but what separates a "tech" from a "mech" is often times not the person, but the circumstance. It's useful for a service writer or a manager at a dealership to say that all of his people are technicians (it helps to justify those higher shop rates), but it's also useful for every one to understand that those "technicians" would have a very steep learning curve in order to achieve any kind of results outside of a dealership environment. And if you have equipment that's custom, or obscure, the tech is probably going to be worse at diagnosing it, unless it's the equipment he's been trained and specialized in. So you can take pride in the fact that a "tech" will probably get a diagnosis faster than a non tech, while understanding that qualitatively, there may be no difference in the level of professionalism, intelligence, attitude towards quality, or experience.

I just want to say this....I got my entry into shops through a company called NTB. I was considered a technician....I didn't know shit. When I went to a better paying, more reputable, shop, I was considered a mechanic. Now I was still green then but everyone in the shop save for the tire and oil change guys, including myself, used all the diagnostic equipment and started buying specialty tools. To me its semantics. You are right with the psychology of it though. Technician sounds more reputable than mechanic when speaking to customers.

The term technician was started by the marketing departments of the manufacturers. It was done so that customers would perceive that having a dealer do the work means that the guy working on their car is more highly skilled than the mechanics that work for independent shops. Guys used to learn by on the job training (OJT) Now there are more guys that have gone to schools for training. OJT guys are parts changers. Guys with training on the theory are better equipped to diagnose complex problems.

So two guys with a brown bottles in hand are going to tell me that an ASE certified technician is better than a good mechanic? The ASE morons have torn out chunks of my wheel wells to access spark plugs, installed ball joints & not put one tiny dollop of grease in one of them, allowed some of the electrical connectors to rest on the belt or pulley which rubbed pieces of the connector off, destroying it, hacked up the timing chain cover so now it leaks like a sieve. Holy f---! If one part being changed requires a second part to be changed or you have to hack up the first part (or second part), tell me. Don't F up part B to make part A fit. If part B needs to come off and removing it usually damages it, call me and tell me, we need to replace both parts, and while the engine is out, is the best time to do it. I love the new flagship SnapOn diagnostic tool, and the service package that comes with it. $8000 is steep, but that $8000 buys you into a pretty good data base of feedback from other mechanics and technicians. For profit "tech schools" are pretty much a total ripoff from my viewpoint. I learned by doing, under some very exceptionally skilled mechanics, and machinists. YES! MACHINISTS & NOT merely Machine Operators. Guys that can machine a tool, machine or remachine a part for reuse or modified use, make jigs, pullers, whatever to do what a mechanic has little if any chance of doing with the tools commercially available. Any truly GOOD mechanic either IS also an accomplished automotive machinist, OR he has a long established professional relationship with an accomplished automotive machinist, machine shop, or a network of shops, which specialize in a multitude of rather unique specialties such as Porsche 356 & Audi, or Kenworth, Peterbuilt, Navistar, Volvo, or whatever is needed to obtain the best results on any job that rolls in or is carried into the shop in boxes, crates, barrels & baskets. I remember working for a company that sent their engineering graduates into the field for ONE FULL YEAR, before they engineered ANYTHING! One of these kids did not even know what a Phillip's Screwdriver was, let alone JIS, British cross point, Posidrive, or other fastener heads. I did mechanical/electrical/electronic, and programming, instrumentation, and calibration work on industrial machinery, semi-conductor and electronics tooling, materials handling, automation, mining, milling, etc. Many of those tools and machines are one of a kind, and some are one of a kind that I designed, built & programmed from almost nothing at all. I just got one of our older (oldest) vehicles to stop overheating. I did tear it apart twice, and replaced two parts I originally cleaned & power flushed. I just came back from a 2000 mile trip over the highest mountain pass in the USA, and the old truck stayed right at operating temp, all the way up a 7% grade, from 7000 feet to 12000 feet. Seeing the sh*t work the ASE techs did on that vehicle over the years really irks the shit outta me.

I love the one with mechanics do oil changes and ball joints. Certain people specify in different aspects of a vehicle just like doctors. Not everyone is a tech. Suspension, engine internals, electricity, fabrication, welding, bodywork. Very few have master very well all sides. I think the term technician is one who has physically studied the science.

In the UK, to my knowledge, go to a BMW Dealer the word “mechanic” is essentially interchanged with “Technician” For example Apprentice technician BMW Service technician BMW Senior technician BMW Master technician Etc To be a technician you need excellent practical skills, know the concepts and how things work, good problem solving skills and can diagnose and fix for senior technicians and master technicians. IMO PS The “parts changers” as you call it are referred to as “service technicians” in BMW Dealerships in U.K. They are below technicians. Service technicians to become that takes 1-2 years in U.K. Technician to become that takes 2-3 years in U.K.

Technician to me implies a dealership mechanic who has had training for a specific manufacturer or manufacturers for certain systems used in their vehicles. I.E. At the ford dealership that I worked at we had a Diesel Tech, Alignment Tech, Trans Tech , and a pair of guys who worked together on all the heavy duty vehicles (F450 and larger, and Ambulances). Mechanics are people who can Diagnose a problem and fix it efficiently with a high standard of quality,, one who can't diagnose is merely a parts swapper and one who can but not fix efficiently is a sub standard mechanic. The specialty performance shops that do custom builds with turbos and other non-bolt on mods with high quality I believe are worthy of being called Techs even though they are typically thought of as just mechanics.

The sensitivity, or lack thereof, to terminology I think is a generational thing. Older generation differentiates in a negative way, transitional generation (Rusty) reacts to that and tries to correct the negativity and differentiate in a better way, newer generation (HM) is used to the negativity being corrected and no longer sees a need to differentiate at all.

My brother was mechanic for multiple high end auto dealers after serving in the military as a mechanic. He quit all those dealer shops because he was uncomfortable being involved in the lying to customers of unneeded repairs & the parts were never replaced with brand new parts they were charged for at all of the shops .

I call myself a practical engineer, who happens to be both a mechanic and a technician. My father was an EE, and my grandfather was an ME. I can troubleshoot both a circuit board, and a carburetor. On my own gear, or when time is flexible I would much rather puzzle something out than look at the book if that's even possible. I feel that I learn more personally by going through that process than by reading the procedure. That is as much to do with my personal learning style as anything else. I often use the book for a wiring or vacuum diagram without even glancing at the step-by's on how to do the procedure. I would not call myself a "master technician" or "master mechanic," for sure. I have great respect for that 'm' word preceding a title, and find it has far more value than the title itself. It's not necessarily true, but I expect a master tech to be a mechanic, and vice versa simply because of the likelihood that their experiences overlap. If you're good enough and paying enough attention to become a master at one, you will surely have absorbed enough of the other to get most jobs done.

When first meeting Someone I tell them i'm a Automotive Master Mechanic&Technician 37+years Experience and Boom their Reaction is Very Good. Know what you are talking about and don't be a Bull Shiter than all is good. Just be Very Positive and Explain things well. When you Fix their Car right You'll get Respected Either Way by telling them your a Mechanic or Technician or both.