• Mechanics service engines, among other things.breakage image by Rina from Fotolia.com
  
  Auto mechanics are a vital part of driving culture, maintaining and repairing vehicles for fleet operators and individual drivers alike. Mechanics, or automotive technicians, use a variety of specialized tools to keep cars and trucks running safely and efficiently. The job of an auto mechanic involves several major duties.
  
  

Basic Maintenance

• One of the major duties of a mechanic is performing routine maintenance on cars that are running properly. This includes rotating tires, changing engine oil, replacing oil and fuel filters, inflating tires, replacing worn brake pads and shoes, and topping off fluids in the engine compartment. Mechanics at car dealerships might perform routine maintenance on new vehicles waiting to be sold as well as cars that customers bring in for regular service.
  
  

Inspections

• In some states, like New York, certified mechanics also perform annual safety inspections that vehicles must have in order to operate on public roads. These inspections involve checking many different aspects of the vehicle's safety equipment, including the glass, horn, brakes, tire tread and exterior lights. Inspectors might perform minor repairs, such as changing light bulbs, to bring a vehicle into compliance. Other states, such as California, require occasional emissions inspections, or smog tests. A mechanic attaches sensors to the car and runs the engine to measure its carbon emissions, then provides a report certifying whether the vehicle meets state standards.
  
  

General Repair

• The heart of a mechanic's duties is performing general troubleshooting and repairs. Drivers might describe a recurring problem or note certain alarming symptoms. Mechanics then diagnose the problem and work up a cost estimate for the repair. Once the customer authorizes the mechanic to perform the repair, the mechanic orders replacement parts and makes the repair. Mechanics repair all vehicle systems, including brakes, wheels, engines, transmissions, exhaust systems, electrical systems and safety equipment.
  
  

Body Work

• Some mechanics, known as autobody technicians, also work with cars that have been damaged in accidents. They use a frame machine to bend the car back to its original shape, then repair the body by replacing panels and reforming misshapen body panels. Autobody techs also refinish and repaint vehicles and replace broken glass.
  
  

Rebuilding

• Some mechanics are involved in rebuilding older vehicles that need extensive care. These rebuilders, or restorers, perform research to determine what a car might have looked like in the past, including accessories, paint colors and engines. Other auto restoration mechanics build completely custom vehicles by combining existing components with new parts. In both cases, auto mechanics who rebuild vehicles spend a great deal of time on a single project and produce cars that are truly unique and can sell for a very high price.