20 November 2008
Today’s Technicians
Your Reality—Today and Tomorrow
Compared to 10 years ago, it’s a far different world out there today! I, for one, don’t envy the technician’s world now. But, can you imagine what the future is going to be like?
A few decades ago, vehicles were much different than today. Back then, a mechanic used his instincts, experience and observation to pretty much diagnose the needed repair. As systems like the electrical one evolved and parts became extinct, the mechanic’s job changed… new skills and knowledge were demanded in order to fix vehicles properly. New tools were needed—test lights and wrenches couldn’t fix everything any more. Manuals were put aside for laptop computers in an era that ushered in many new types of technology as well as a new specialist called technician—no longer a mechanic.
Today’s technician can diagnose a job pretty easily—they just hook the car up to the laptop via a few wires, and Voilà— the diagnosis is right on the screen. Sounds simple, right? Now, stop and think about how many hours of training and testing that tech had to go through to be able to do that. These people are now highly skilled at what they do, they are as knowledgeable about their jobs as any professional i.e. a doctor. They too, have to have all the remedies at their fingertips, not to mention the tools to perform the operation. And, by the way, a technician’s tools are very expensive, too.
Into the future…
So what does the technician face in the future? More training, more training, and more training! Governments have stepped in and regulated automakers to make vehicles with more emission controls; they want cars to use less fuel; refrigerants need to be controlled better; they need vehicles to run on different types of fuels; they want different power sources in vehicles—the list is increasing… and the technician has to race to keep up, no…he has to be ahead, because this is what’s coming. This is where the future is heading, so get used to it. New technology can be fun and challenging.
Many sources have led to this huge change in the technician’s world and the environment plays a big part. The price another sore spot, but this is the world we now live in, so we better welcome the changes.
What’s coming?
According to 2007 Frost & Sullivan reports, 26% of vehicles sold on a global basis are expected to run on diesel powertrains. There aren’t a great many diesels in Canada—yet—but techs must know all about this technology and be ready to work on them when they arrive. Alternative fuel vehicles will increase to three million worldwide by 2015. This is where the hybrid vehicle enters the scene—and their different components— batteries, high voltage cables, the battery box which holds two high voltage lithium ion batteries. It’s made from a threepiece plastic shell that’s inaccessible without the proper tools. Then there’s the sensors that continuously scan for voltage leaks and will shut down the hybrid system automatically if it finds one. Sounds like a lot of training and more tools needed there.
More stats
In addition, advanced valvetrain technologies (variable valvetrain—VVT) are gaining in popularity and will likely displace conventional fi xed timing systems for gasoline engines. These technologies will reach 25- 30% by 2015. Injection technologies will also gain because of emission laws. Turbocharged engines will be in a large number of diesels with penetration rates expected to reach 10-15% by 2015 in North America alone. All in all, advanced engine and alternative powertrain technologies are expected to exceed penetration rates of 55% by 2015.
And that’s just some of what’s coming in the future—are you ready for it? It should be fun and challenging and highly skilled people like our technicians are most certainly up to that task!
Stats from SEMA.
Photo : today_tech.jpg
| 
