- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 8 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
Got a job with a Toyota dealership. Starting out as a lube tech. Start factory training this fall.
The funny part, literally after I hang up from accepting the offer to work at Toyota my old boss text me and ask what it would take for me to work for them again at Hyundai.
I texted him back ‘two weeks after hell freezes over’.
Anything I should know about Toyota? ToyotaKarl any suggestions?
-
Replies
-
[quote=”Pitt” post=134864]Got a job with a Toyota dealership. Starting out as a lube tech. Start factory training this fall.
The funny part, literally after I hang up from accepting the offer to work at Toyota my old boss text me and ask what it would take for me to work for them again at Hyundai.
I texted him back ‘two weeks after hell freezes over’.
Anything I should know about Toyota? ToyotaKarl any suggestions?[/quote]
I swear, we’re like the same person. Both very close to getting engineering degrees, both Toyota lube techs, both in T-Ten (I assume that is what you mean by factory training).What I can tell you is that you’ll probably be working in a team of two. All of the lube techs in my garage work in teams of two as tech A and tech B. Usually an oil change means taking the tires off and tire rotations, checking the tread depth, changing the cabin air filter and driving the car out to the wash as tech B which is where you’ll be starting — that is if they have “Toyota express lube service”.
At my shop they provide you with torque wrenches, which you need to use to torque down the tires to 76-80 ft lbs, unless you get a Sequoia, or Tundra post 2006 — those are at 100 ft lbs. Generally you can use the tech A’s tools if you’re just starting out, but I would get a impact gun, and basic hand tool set, doesn’t matter if it’s Harbor Freight. I would also plan on saving up for an cordless 3/4 inch drive impact gun. A lot of the lube techs use Dewalt’s, they’re pretty affordable, and you will most likely be able to use them well after you’ve moved on from being a lube tech. You probably can just borrow one if you need it for the time being. You will probably only need it if your tech A is busy.
You will probably be asked to take do tire patches. What is very important is unscrewing the TPMS sensor and pushing it INTO the tire. I believe the TPMS fastener is 12mm. Take that off, and push that sensor down into the tire, THEN you can break the bead on the tire. If you try breaking the bead loose while the TPMS sensor is still in the tire, you will break it. That part is around 250 dollars, very expensive. I repeat do not lose it, do not break it or you will be in big trouble. The TPMS sensor is connected to the shrader valve that you use to put air into the tire.
A tool I would invest in is a Toyota oil filter wrench, trust me you will need it. The oil filters on the newer Camry’s, Prius’s, Corrolla’s and a few other models are VERY difficult to get out even with an oil filter wrench. When taking these oil filters off you don’t want to put too much torque on the housing that contains the oil filter (the oil filter is contained in a housing) or else you will break it and it will be a nightmare. The repair will be very expensive and you will either be fired, or get chewed out if you bust it. If the manager doesn’t trust you it will also be hard to move over to repair. So… if you need extra leverage, which sometimes you WILL BE CAREFUL. Also if you are putting the drain plug back in torque it to 25 ft lbs. The Toyota oil pans are easy to crack, you DO NOT want to over torque it.
At your shop you will also be doing some light maintenance as well. We lube techs flush the radiator from time to time, change batteries, headlights, etc, and sometimes take on menial repairs. You will also probably get a spiff for any service that you suggested, and is purchased by the customer. In my case I had to wait a month before they started giving me that spiff.
If I think of anything more to tell you or warn you about I will chime in again. Good luck man.
Very glad to hear, Pitt. I’ve been waiting for an update. Make sure you push for getting repair work whenever you’re ready (settled in and have your tools all in line). You probably don’t want to be a lube guy forever, but sometimes (especially if your very good at it) managers will just leave you there if you don’t pester them to start giving you higher level work. Back in my first dealer, I really had to plead to get that first timing belt job. After that went as well as I told them it would, I was over the hump of getting them to trust my ability. After that, they easily believed me if I said I could handle a job.
10 years later, I can’t even get away with dodging shitty jobs by saying I don’t know how to do it. The response is basically “you’ll be fine”. At times it was a luxury to be able to claim I was unqualified to do something I didn’t feel like doing. Anyway, push for the sky as you become fully confident in your work.
You two are the reason I come back to the forum and keep in touch with everyone. You guys are like long lost family. I appreciate all the advice and input. I’ll keep you guys updated on how things go. I hope both of you make it to an Eric the car guy get together in cinci ohio one day. I’m about 90 mins north of him.
[quote=”Pitt” post=134864]
The funny part, literally after I hang up from accepting the offer to work at Toyota my old boss text me and ask what it would take for me to work for them again at Hyundai.
I texted him back ‘two weeks after hell freezes over’.
[/quote]
Maybe its just me being old fashioned, but if someone who is running a business and claims to genuinely want me to work for him can’t be bothered to actually call me, that shows me just how much I really mean to him. The fact he could only text you speaks volumes to me.
Congrats on the new beginning. Amen with PithyRadish on the filter wrench. Snappy has a nice aluminum BluePoint one with a knurled outside and 1/2 drive. Fits on the housing perfectly. I bought one after the first service I did when I bought a Camry for my girl. First foreign car I’ve ever owned, and realistically the first one I actually had enough legroom in. Older ones were too cramped for me as I’m 6’3″.
Hopefully your new shop has some people willing to help and a SM with a good attitude. You seem motivated and with attention to detail, so maybe a fresh start to spread your wings in is what you needed to be able to make some forward progress.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.