Online Auto Tech Courses?

[JdmDrift4Food]

Hey guys, just checking to see if anyone here has taken an automotive technology program online and if so, which one and how effictive was it? I hate the fact that I won't be working with my hands, but the list for students enrolling in the auto tech course at my local college goes on and onnnn. Any help will be greatly appreciated, I'm dying for a start on my way to working with what I love most. Thanks!

[Project "Rojo" s13]

Don't waste your time bro, I went to a tech school for the same thing, and to honestly tell you the truth I've learned more off the fourms than at school, while I did learn automobile electrial which is a must, the internet and experience is what got me my knowledge, and all I got to show for is 10 years of school payments.
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My best advice is to get some books on what you want to learn and find a friend thats knowledgeable on autos and a car that need work, and a internet connection. And before posting a question use the search bar. Thats the best advice I have. Don't get sucked in to worthless money pit of these tech school scams especially the internet ones.

Buy the tools you need an a good volt meter like a fluke.

An as a Junk Science song say " The best teacher is time so I'm a take mine."

[RB Me]

well if your looking into making it a career then online classes is a start. If its just for the hobby side of it then there's plenty of free info out there.

[Crondy]

yeah i went to a vocational school for the last two years of highschool. it was awesome and hands on, but not worth it and i ended up going back to my homeschool for a trimester and graduated early. they had adult classes after school hours as well, so that may be in your interest. but like these guys said, the internet has countless master mechanics giving input on your specific subject, not a master parts changer that got old and is teaching his trade. that is not what automotive instruction should be. they tell you how things work and how to remove and replace, i only went to learn about cars, not to be a automotive technician. so i got fed up with it, and im glad i didnt finish, however that certification would've been nice if i ever need a job.

INTERNET KICKS TEACHER'S ASSES.

and no tests:fawk:

for real, don't pay for free information.

[jacobs13]

Im in an automotive trade program and its honestly like review for me. Ive learned so much more by just doing it. If you are trying to make a career out of it I would just buy the ASE prep books and study those and then take the ASE's. School is turning out to be a waste of money for me just to get the Associates Science Automotive Technology Degree which doesnt mean anything really. If I was you and its what I am probably going to do is get all 8 ASE prep books and take the tests. Usually or at least my classes are so basic and most the kids in there came in not even knowing what a piston is. Its pretty frustrating.

[Mishkin_707]

do what i did, go work at a dealership, i started as porter/detailer, got in good with the service manager and the technicians three months later they started me as a lube tech, changing oil and basic stuff, the dealer pays for your schooling and you have hands on training, now i have like a million ASE certifications and i still love this job, only thing i hate is working on my own cars now because i spot everything that is wrong...lol

the moral of the story, i was making money AND learning at the same time, and they paid for all my school stuff.

[chiboy002]

do what i did, go work at a dealership, i started as porter/detailer, got in good with the service manager and the technicians three months later they started me as a lube tech, changing oil and basic stuff, the dealer pays for your schooling and you have hands on training, now i have like a million ASE certifications and i still love this job, only thing i hate is working on my own cars now because i spot everything that is wrong...lol

the moral of the story, i was making money AND learning at the same time, and they paid for all my school stuff.
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find a job that is willing to help you advance. They pay for your courses to become a certified technician and all the hours you log at work also goes into the ASE certification requirements. If you ever quit or get fired then you have enough certifications to work in other more reputable shops, and pay is also higher.

Dealerships are the best because they only want certified techs

[RB Me]

good dealership jobs are becoming more scarce though, so you better act quick.

[AnotherZenkiKid]

Well most community colleges do online classes but i figure with autos its way better to learn hands on more than anything that's just me though,

[JdmDrift4Food]

Awesome that's so much help guys. I have learned alot over the past 3 years hanging around certified mechanics and using the internet. Without forums and the internet I wouldn't be anywhere near as knowledgeable about cars as I am. I wasn't going to take the online course only to learn, but to become a certified tech. It is already a hobby to me and I work on my s13 any chance I get. I'm wanting to make a career out of it. I had no Idea you could just buy the books and take ASE tests!:bigok: I will also check into a couple dealerships as a detailer, never thought of that, sounds like a great place to start. Thanks again!

[lude4life13]

Detailing cars isn't easy either. Start as a car washer and make friends with the detailers and they will teach you how to buff, wet sand, etc etc while you are working. Applying for a detailer position with no experience isn't advisable.

[JdmDrift4Food]

Thanks for the advise lude. I will check into it with more detail and see what jobs are available at a couple dealers around here. I never even put a thought into working at a dealership, so all this helps.