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Whether you’re a new automotive technician just starting out or an experienced professional in the field, it’s important to have the right tools. The difference between a good technician and a great one is often their ability to know what tools to use and when to use them.
At Universal Technical Institute, we know that tools are everything when it comes to preparing for a career in the automotive industry. This is why we’ve teamed up with Snap-on, a leading manufacturer of high-end tools and equipment for professionals in the transportation industry, to provide you with a complete automotive technician tool list.
UTI and Snap-on have worked together for over 20 years now. Snap-on plays an important role in the student experience at UTI—while students complete their program, Snap-on supplies the tools and equipment used by the campuses to conduct the training.
Additionally, thanks to UTI’s relationship with Snap-on, graduates can affordably acquire professional tools for their new career. Students receive exclusive discounts on Snap-on tools while they complete their program, allowing them to start building a set of professional level tools they are expected to have when applying for jobs.
UTI stands behind the quality of Snap-on tools and equipment. In fact, as a group, UTI students purchase the most Snap-on tools in the U.S. behind the military!
With so many different tools out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. When it comes to automotive tools, it’s helpful to look at them in terms of five categories:
In business, it’s often said that time is money. This is also true for the automotive industry!
According to Barrett Crane, National Sales Manager for Snap-on, “When you think about what a technician does, it’s very important to be able to manage your time.” Many students get into the automotive industry as a hobby, which requires no time restraints. However, at the professional level, technicians are expected to complete their work in a certain time period with a high level of accuracy. Having the right tools is essential to being able to do this.
“Tools are a very important part of being able to operate professionally and profitably,” says Barrett. If a technician isn’t able to do their job well, they won’t be able to work in a professional environment and make an income. This is where building a high-quality tool set that includes the essentials comes into play.
The following tool lists were put together under the guidance of industry professionals, such as dealership service managers, auto service center store managers and automotive business owners who employ UTI grads. Depending on the type of career you’re hoping to pursue, you can refer to these lists as a guide when building your tool set.
This list is designed to be a starting point for an automotive technician going to work in a new car dealership. Each OEM auto manufacturer has their unique tools, and those items can be added under the guidance of a Snap-on Education Representative.
The following tools are categorized by item name and item description and can be purchased from sep.snapon.com.
This list is designed to support a new technician starting as a general automotive technician working at an automotive service franchise, dealership or independent repair shop. These techs need to be prepared to service late model vehicles, but might also need SAE sizes to service older vehicles and equipment.
Now that we’ve covered the essential tools, it’s time to start building your tool set. This is a long list, but keep in mind that you most likely won’t need to have every tool you’ll use on the job. Employers typically provide the larger, high investment pieces of diagnostic equipment and specialty tools that won’t be used as frequently. However, technicians are expected to have the common tools they’ll use day in and day out.
So when should you start building your tool set? It’s recommended to start acquiring tools while you complete your automotive training program. Having a core set of tools before you leave school is essential when applying for your first job in the industry.
Snap-on offers a very wide range of starter tool set options. They offer over 40 tool set configurations designed to support almost anyone starting their career in the transportation service industry. As a UTI student, it’s important to take advantage of your student discount to purchase these tools at a lower cost.
Professional level automotive tools are designed to last. The tools Snap-on manufacturers are engineered to last technicians the entirety of their career and perform with the highest level of accuracy and durability. The only reason you would have to replace a tool is if it were lost or the technology changed. By investing in the right tools, you’re investing in your career!
Ready to start training for a career in the automotive industry? UTI’s Automotive Technology program is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed. To learn more, visit our program page and request information today.
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