Automotive Mechanics vs. Diesel Mechanics

Students at career training colleges interested in getting into the field of automobile work may be confused by the differences between the positions of automotive mechanic and diesel mechanic. While the two are similar, as they both work on vehicles and engines, there are distinct splits between their needs and responsibilities.

Automotive service mechanics will work to fix cars and trucks that have broken down, and while they simply used to be mechanical repairmen, their roles have changed greatly since, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Now that cars and trucks now feature electronic systems and technology in their builds, auto mechanics must now have more knowledge of complex truck systems and equipment that tells exactly what's right and wrong with a vehicle before it can hit the road again. Additionally, these systems become so specialized that some mechanics frequently specialize in one specific aspect of repair and upkeep, focusing on such aspects as the engine, brakes or computer systems.

Diesel mechanics, on the other hand, work on the diesel engines of trucks, buses and large vehicles that can even include industrial equipment, according to the Houston Chronicle. Many work for freight trucking companies, which have large stables of diesel-powered vehicles that work to transport their cargo. Other specializations include deep sea and other water transportation, as many boats and other vessels use diesel engines. Increasingly, these workers need to gain skill in industrial and construction work, as many pieces of industrial equipment run on diesel engines and must have minimal downtime at best.

While both types of mechanics work on similar engines, the differences between normal and diesel engines are drastically different and require different forms of training, especially when considering the wide varieties of equipment and vehicles that use each respective form of technology. Diesel's mechanical emphasis and automotive's technical emphasis drive the big differences between the formats.