Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
- • Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
- • Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
- • Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
- • Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- • Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
- • Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
- • Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.
- • Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
- • Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
- • Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
- • Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
- • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
- • Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
- • Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.
- • Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
- • Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
- • Align front ends and suspension systems.
- • Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.
- • Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
- • Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
- • Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
- • Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.
- • Measure vehicle emissions to determine whether they are within acceptable limits.
- • Install or repair accessories.
- • Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
- • Dismount, mount, and repair or replace tires.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
