What’s the Difference Between a Technician and a Mechanic?
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an automotive service technician and an automotive mechanic? Well, the answer to that question depends on who you ask.
If you ask a mechanic, you will get one answer. If you ask a technician, you will get another. Ask one of the employees roaming around in a car dealer’s office, and who knows what kind of answer you will get?
What do the employees of a car dealership think?
Case in point: the folks over at Rohrman Toyota in Lafayette, Indiana, recently made a TikTok video asking that very question. They asked pretty much everyone they could find at the dealership, and while most answers were similar, there were a few outliers.
For example, one gentleman said a technician gets ASE-certified and “does it the right way,” a mechanic was “taught by their grandpapa.” However, most of the answers centered around a mechanic replacing parts, while a technician diagnoses a vehicle’s problems.
Are they right? Let’s go to the experts
Because many of the folks in the video who were asked to describe the differences between a mechanic and a technician didn’t seem quite sure, let’s see what people who teach these crafts have to say.
According to the Southern Careers Institute, “The difference between a mechanic and an automotive technician is the difference between an engine and a computer.” Well, that’s as clear as mud. Please elaborate.
“A mechanic is someone who can take apart every moving part and mechanical component of your vehicle and put it back together,” the description continued. “An automotive technician, however, is someone who can diagnose and repair the computerized elements of modern vehicles.”
So the difference is basically working with the vehicle’s computers?
The Universal Technical Institute says, “The distinction between automotive mechanics and technicians is a debated topic in the industry.” That’s an understatement. They also said that “some believe everyone in the mechanical field should be considered a technician because of the involvement of electronics and computer systems.” Again, a crystal clear delineation. Not.
“Mechanics specialize in hands-on work like changing oil and brake pads, while technicians also deal with electrical diagnosis and drivability complaints,” they explained. Then they cited the definitions on Dictionary.com, which we could all have just looked up.
Now, what about engineers?
Then, just to make things even more cloudy, they threw engineers into the mix.
“Sometimes, technicians and mechanics are confused with engineers — but there are distinct differences. An engineer is “a person trained and skilled in the design, construction, and use of engines or machines.
“Engineers are more involved in the design and development side of things and not so much in the hands-on aspect of maintaining or repairing vehicles, which is the specialty of mechanics and technicians.”
The final say… maybe
Okay, great, but what is the difference between a mechanic and a technician? Let’s ask the folks who find people jobs in these two fields.
“An automotive technician diagnoses, repairs, and performs routine maintenance for automotive vehicles of all kinds. They typically focus primarily on diagnostic services, identifying what is causing larger issues with a vehicle,” an Indeed.com article read.
“A mechanic checks, repairs, and maintains various types of automotive vehicles,” the article continued. “Most automotive mechanics focus on performing routine maintenance. However, some mechanics specialize in a specific part or type of repair, such as tires, engines, or brakes.”
Got all that? No? Okay, how about this? Indeed.com says, “All technicians are mechanics, but not all mechanics are technicians.”
If that doesn’t answer the question, just call them all mechanics, and no one will be upset. Except maybe some technicians.
