What Do Bus and Truck Mechanics Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Bus and Truck Mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines. They also inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.

Other tasks include:

• Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
• Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
• Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
• Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
• Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
• Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.

We asked Bus and Truck Mechanics how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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68% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 51% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Bus and Truck Mechanics inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors. They test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.

• Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
• Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
• Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
• Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
• Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.

We asked some Bus and Truck Mechanics a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	62% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	17% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	73% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	12% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	29% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Bus and Truck Mechanics also align front ends and suspension systems. They may also repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Bus and Truck Mechanics Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications. They might also Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.

In addition, they Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.

To some Bus and Truck Mechanics, it is also their responsibility to Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/installation-maintenance-and-repair/diesel-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm

http://www.accsc.org/

http://www.natef.org/

http://www.ase.com/