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Culture at Work Has NEVER Been More Important | Tony Martinez - AAPEX Technician of the Year

Culture at Work Has NEVER Been More Important | Tony Martinez - AAPEX Technician of the Year

The Jaded Mechanic Podcast Nov 25, 2025 69 min
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About this episode

Tony Martinez, the AAPEX Technician of the Year, shares insights on the importance of culture in the automotive industry. He discusses his journey from a young technician to a mentor, emphasizing the need for teamwork and continuous learning. The conversation highlights the challenges of parts quality, the significance of the Right to Repair Act, and the necessity for a culture shift towards valuing people in the industry. With a focus on mentorship and collaboration, Tony advocates for a more supportive environment where technicians can thrive and improve.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Jeep Gladiator

"...oman Emperor, following Marcus Aurelius. From the Gladiator movie. And he was a Roman Emperor in 200 BC, I be..."

The Jeep Gladiator is a type of truck that can go off-road, meaning it can drive on rough terrain like dirt and rocks. It's popular because it can carry things in its truck bed while also being fun to drive on adventures.

Term

augmented reality module

"...I just scanned a car for the first time, saw augmented reality module in there."

An augmented reality module is a technology in some cars that shows extra information on the windshield or screen while you drive, helping you see things like directions or speed more easily.

Term

EVs

"...And we still have guys stressing about EVs. Yeah."

EVs stand for electric vehicles, which are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment because they produce no emissions while driving.

Car

Chevy Bolt

"...those have been out, at least, like Tesla, whereas the Chevy Volt and Bolt have been out far longer."

The Chevy Bolt is a fully electric car from Chevrolet. It runs only on electricity, making it a good option for those who want to drive without using gas.

Car

Chevy Volt

"...those have been out, at least, like Tesla, whereas the Chevy Volt and Bolt have been out far longer."

The Chevy Volt is a car that can run on electricity and also has a gas engine. This means you can drive it using just electricity for short trips and use gas for longer trips.

Car

Tesla Model S

"They released the Model S. We've got these technologies that are rapidly, rapidly advancing other than those kind of things."

The Tesla Model S is an electric car that can go really fast and has a lot of cool technology. It's one of the first electric cars that became popular for everyday use.

Term

ASE certification

"And that training is how, yeah, you can go out and you can go get those ASEs. ASEs is a proof of your knowledge of the concepts of, say, brakes."

ASE certification is a way for mechanics to show they know a lot about fixing cars. It's like a badge that proves they are trained and skilled in their job.

Term

compressed natural gas fuel systems

"trying to get to a point where I understand compressed natural gas fuel systems, which I've never really worked on those vehicles in particular."

Compressed natural gas fuel systems use gas instead of liquid fuel. This type of fuel is cleaner for the environment and helps reduce air pollution.

Part

slip rings

"...they had slip rings behind the steering wheels of cars before airbags were around and we needed to do engineer a different solution. But yeah, I would make those and assemble those."

Slip rings help connect wires in rotating parts of machines, like steering wheels in cars. They let electricity flow while the parts turn without getting tangled.

Term

kilowatt rating

"which their kilowatt ratings is based off of the engines. Similar if you look at engine specs, there's a kilowatt hour or kilowatt rating on it."

A kilowatt rating tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the number, the more energy it can produce, which usually means better performance.

Car

Ford 5.4

"So we used Ford 5-4s, 6-8 Tritons, definitely some sort of a Chevy 9-liter."

The Ford 5.4 is a type of engine used in Ford vehicles. It's a V8 engine, which means it has eight cylinders and is known for being powerful and reliable.

Car

Chevy 9-liter

"That one was beautiful. It was a beautiful engine and it would just roar to life and scream. Some sort of a 6-7 high output diesel and 2, 4, 3, 4 diesels as well for those generators."

The Chevy 9-liter is a big engine used in some Chevrolet trucks. It's designed to produce a lot of power, making it suitable for heavy work.

Term

high output diesel

"Some sort of a 6-7 high output diesel and 2, 4, 3, 4 diesels as well for those generators."

High output diesel engines are more powerful versions of regular diesel engines. They can do more work and are often used in trucks and heavy machinery.

Term

long block

"taking just a long block and mounting custom fitted exhaust systems so that you could use it, some of them."

A long block is a type of engine that comes mostly put together, but without some parts like the intake or exhaust. It's used when replacing or rebuilding engines.

Term

custom fitted exhaust systems

"mounting custom fitted exhaust systems so that you could use it, some of them. So I did everything there."

Custom fitted exhaust systems are special exhausts made to fit a specific car or engine. They can help the car run better and sound different from regular exhausts.

Car

Chrysler Sebring

"What was it? 2004 Chrysler Sebring. There you go. Good old diamond star unit and Mitsubishi engine, whatever this thing."

The Chrysler Sebring is a car made by Chrysler. The 2004 version was designed to be comfortable and stylish, making it a popular choice for many drivers.

Car

Chrysler 2004 Chrysler

"...ther sold it to me and I crashed it. What was it? 2004 Chrysler Sebring. There you go. Good old diamond star unit..."

The Chrysler 200 is a car that looks nice and is comfortable to drive. It was made for a few years and is often talked about because some people have had problems with it, especially when buying used.

Car

Chevrolet Tahoe

"...ught an even more beautiful 1994 Chevy S10 Blazer Tahoe 2-door Rattle Can Black. You could hear the ball ..."
Car

Chevrolet S10 Blazer

"...ssed up. Bought an even more beautiful 1994 Chevy S10 Blazer Tahoe 2-door Rattle Can Black. You could hear the..."

The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer is a small SUV that was made for several years and is known for being tough and useful. People like it because it's good for both driving around town and going on outdoor adventures.

Term

snow tire season

"...it's like, okay, we're going to get you the tire rush has died off, right? It's snow tire season. Let's get used to doing small changes..."

Snow tire season is when people change their car tires to special ones that work better in snow and ice. These tires help cars grip the road better during winter weather.

Term

engine oil

"...how these systems on a car, the engine with its oil and the tires on the car, how they're all linked together..."

Engine oil is a special liquid that helps keep the engine parts moving smoothly and cool. Changing it regularly is important to keep the engine working well.

Term

systems approach

"...where it actually becomes when we're fixing something, looking at these systems as a system. We don't necessarily always do that..."

A systems approach means looking at how all the parts of a car work together instead of just fixing one part. It helps to understand the whole car better when making repairs.

Car

Titan

"...doing a long block and a Titan. So he gets all the, you know, this stuff..."

The Nissan Titan is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is great for work or family trips. It has a lot of space inside and comes with modern features.

Term

timing belt

"...he goes to put the timing or serpentine drive belt on. This is after he's already put the engine in..."

The timing belt is a rubber belt in your car's engine that helps keep everything moving in sync. If it breaks, it can cause serious damage to the engine.

Part

serpentine drive belt

"...put the timing or serpentine drive belt on. This is after he's already put the engine in..."

The serpentine drive belt is a single belt that wraps around several parts of your car's engine to help them work together. If it wears out, those parts might not work properly.

Car

Transit

"...I worked on a lot of transits. So a smaller light duty hoist was in front of the back one that we would put the full-size transits on..."

The Ford Transit is a large van often used by businesses to transport goods or people. It's popular because it has a lot of space inside and can be customized for different uses.

Term

light duty hoist

"...we had stacked and it wasn't a door at the other end. So it was like, and I worked on a lot of transits. So a smaller light duty hoist was in front of the back one..."

A light duty hoist is a machine that helps lift smaller vehicles off the ground so mechanics can work on them more easily. It's not meant for heavy trucks or larger vehicles.

Term

logistics

"...you had to play logistics on like, okay, what do I do first? Well, I can't put the transit on the front bay because it's not rated to lift it..."

Logistics in a car repair shop means figuring out how to move cars and tools around so that everything works smoothly and efficiently. It's about making the best use of the space available.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...I was working on this Dodge Ram, whatever. Put four PCMs in it..."

The Dodge Ram is a big truck that's great for carrying heavy loads and doing tough jobs. Many people use it for work or for fun activities like towing trailers.

Part

PCM

"...Put four PCMs in it. True story..."

A PCM is like the brain of the car that helps manage how the engine and transmission work together. It makes sure everything runs smoothly.

11 cars featured

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