Inspecting vehicles, conducting routine maintenance and making repairs aren’t the only responsibilities of a certified auto mechanic. In fact, in addition to working on vehicles, auto techs must be able to communicate effectively with customers about their vehicles.

Most customers have very little understanding of their vehicle’s inner workings. When something goes wrong, you must be able to put complex technical jargon into layman’s terms. Here are a few tips for effectively speaking to your customers as a certified auto mechanic.

Use Metaphors and Analogies

To make a complex subject much more accessible to the average person, try using analogies and metaphors. For instance, let’s say a customer brings you their vehicle, and you discover a problem with the cooling system. You could explain that a cooling system is a lot like the body’s circulatory system. When internal body temperatures get too warm, the body responds by sweating. This helps return the body to the ideal temperature. A vehicle’s cooling system works in much the same way – when the engine gets too hot, a sensor will activate the release of coolant to help cool the engine.

Simplify Concepts

You may know that a differential is a gear train with three shafts that compensates for the difference in distance the inner and outer wheels travel during a turn. Your customers, on the other hand, probably don’t. Instead of giving them a long, drawn-out explanation that uses even more industry jargon, simplify its purpose. Say something like: the differential helps the car turn with ease, and it needs differential oil from time to time to keep things running smoothly.

Relay the Solution

As much as customers are concerned about what’s wrong with their vehicle, they likely care more about the solution. With this in mind, try your best to put the next steps into plain words. Explain all possible courses of action, giving just enough details to help the customer understand their options.

Certified Auto Technician Training

Are you looking to become a certified auto mechanic? NYADI The College of Automotive and Diesel Technology offers an Automotive Technology A.O.S. Degree program that can help you learn the skills needed to excel in the field. Apply online today.