The Auto Repair Industry is FAILING Young Techs! | Lance Mechanics from TikTok
About this episode
Lance Mechanics, a popular TikTok creator, joins the Jaded Mechanic Podcast to discuss the challenges facing young technicians in the automotive industry. He shares insights on the pitfalls of dealership culture, the importance of mentorship, and the realities of working in a flat rate environment. The conversation dives into the struggles of diagnosing issues, the impact of social media on the industry, and the need for better training and support for new techs. Lance emphasizes the importance of adapting to changes in the industry, including the rise of electric vehicles and the evolving role of service advisors.
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In this episode, Jeff is joined by Lance Mechanics (lancemechanics10 on TikTok), a technician and content creator who has made waves online for his outspoken views on the automotive industry. Lance details his late entry into the trade, shares the cultural and financial differences he experienced between independent shops and dealerships, and discusses why he ultimately left the dealership world for underground mining. The conversation also takes a critical look at the realities of flat-rate pay, the lack of mentorship for new technicians, and why Lance now advises aspiring techs to consider fleet or heavy equipment work over traditional automotive roles.
Timestamps:
00:00 Hybrid Systems & Dealership Challenges
10:48 Job Manipulation Frustrates Shop Workers
28:03 Misunderstood Automotive Challenges
35:54 Chrysler Techline and Winter Gas Issues
46:31 Dealer Experience: Easier Than Expected
56:16 Safety Checks at Used Car Lot
01:11:26 Christmas Eve Reflections on Auto Work
01:13:55 Dealer Work: Challenges and Learning
01:31:40 "Real-World Advice for Aspiring Mechanics"
01:36:19 Tesla Wear and Diagnostic Stigma
01:50:32 "Warranty: A Sales Strategy Insight"
01:56:12 "When Regulations Lose Meaning"
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Dodge Charger
"...ey gave me was like four warranty rims on a Dodge Charger. Like that'll be edged in my brain forever, right..."
Mitsubishi Lancer
"...hoa, whoa, whoa. It's by the tower, not the hour, Lancer. I'm like, okay, okay, just slow down. Building w..."
Master Techs
"...ave no technicians in the back. Like our, all our master techs quit or retired or died. And, you know, we don't ..."
Honda Odyssey
"...idn't like? Like that you absolutely hated. Honda Odyssey floor harnesses because they were throwing airbag..."
Honda Crvs
"...id that update. We're doing them on the 16 and up CRVs. We were installing something called a DEPA heate..."
Ford Probe
"...Don't buy a t pin. They just. Just, oh, the meter probe is fine. I can jam it in there and try to hold it..."
Honda Ridgeline
"...g in there and rebuilding the rear frames on CRVs ridgelines, and they rot out just like any other car. Yeah, ..."
Chevrolet Cobalt
"...ike, guys used to joke about, like, Cavaliers and cobalts and stuff. And they were bad too, but, man, Focus..."
Volkswagen Jetta
"...tween the lines, right, we'd. Finished off a 2014 Jetta today and just to get it. So again just to get it..."
Chevrolet Nova
"...th him here in Kingston, Ontario, and he moved to Nova Scotia. And there's a dealer group out there that..."
Honda Civic
"...y here. Local garage did a safety on a 2002 Honda Civic and floors rot out all the time. Person came in l..."
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