Blog 23: 2014 Interview

1) Susie Davidson (East House)

2) I don't know but I really like horses so I was thinking if I could so something with that.

3) There's a stable by my house where I take my horses that would probably let me take them there. 

4) I see that a lot of people are working really hard and I hope to see some really informative presentations.

5) No

Blog 17: 4th Interview Questions

1) What is the most important factor in extending the mechanical life of an automobile?
2) What is the worst thing that can happen if you don't change your engine oil when you should?
3) How do automatic and manual transmission oils differ?
4) What is the most difficult part of an engine to take apart? Why?
5) What is the worst that can happen if you don't tighten the cylinder head bolts in the engine, in the order that they're supposed to be?
6) What is the primary function of the racket arms?
7) What effects can a gas leak have on a car?
8) What is the best way to tell if you car has a gas leak without going to the mechanic?
9) What would you say is the most important part of the exhaust emissions system?
10) What effects does a faulty catalytic converter have on a car?
11) What would you say is more important in a car, the shocks or the struts? Why?
12) Do you think that a car will have more resistance when it's shocks and struts are wet or not? Why?
13) What are some reasons that the oxygen sensor is not working properly?
14) Can a car function properly without the body idol? Why?
15) What would you say is the most important sensor in a car?
16) If the OBDII sensor in a car doesn't work, what is the first thing that you should do to figure out what the problem of the car is?
17) What are some of the main reasons a car's check engine light would go off?
18) What is the worst thing that can happen if you use a higher than required octane for your car?
19) Is it bad if a car's manifold vacuum reads higher than the recommended 18-20 in-Hg?
20) Do you prefer to have a longer mechanical life for your car or better efficiency? Why?

Blog 12: Third Interview Questions

1) What is the most important factor in maintaining a classic muscle car?

2) What is the most important part of an engine?

3) What is the most crucial part of a car that needs to maintain in good condition on the outer part of a car?

4) What do you think is the biggest difference between the maintenance of a classic muscle car's engine and a modern muscle car's engine?

5) If you were a muscle car owner, would you want to keep the car looking good or working well? Why?

6) When you see a muscle car, what is the first thing that you note about it?

7) How do you feel about restoring a classic muscle car? (is it worth it, do you think it's pointless, etc.)

8) In general, what do you think is most difficult about being a mechanic? 

9) What do you feel is the most difficult part in restoring a classic muscle car? 

10) If you had a classic muscle car that needed restoration, would you restore it? 

Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

Questions

1) What does a person need to be a certified mechanic? Are you a certified mechanic?

2) How long have you been working with cars? How long have you been working at your current shop? 

3) Where did you work before you started working at RPM Transmissions (current shop)?

4) What would you say is one of the main problems with working as a mechanic?

5) As an expert, what would you say is most important when repairing a car?

6) Different cars need different types of oils, right? So, how do the oils differ?

7) I read an article that said that to become a top mechanic, you have to take an ASE class for auto mechanics. How important would you say that an ASE class is?

8) In your opinion, what tools should be invented to make auto mechanics easier? 

9) During my research, I read an article that said that wheel alignment of a car is very important and another that stated it as a 'repair that can wait'. What's your take on the wheel alignment of a car? How important would you say it is?

10) What do you do when a customer doesn't know what is wrong with their car and the problem isn't one that the computer can tell you about?

11) In my last interview, I asked my interviewee what he thought was the best way to learn about auto mechanics and he said that the best way to learn it was through the hands-on experience. What would you say is the best way to learn auto mechanics? Would you agree with him?

12) Apart from my senior project, I have to do a science experiment that relates to my topic. I want to study the chemicals that go into oil and from what I learn, make a sort of universal oil that will work with most cars. Do you think it's possible to do so? If so, how difficult do you think it'll be? 

Blog 3: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why? 

I plan on interviewing my mentor, Charles Madrigal. I want to interview him because he's been working with cars almost all of his life and I know he can help me with putting me on the right track and can help me find more mechanics that he thinks can help me throughout my senior project. 

2. You have to ask 5 open ended questions. 

1. I'm interested in studying auto mechanics. What can you tell me about it?

2. From your perspective, what can I study that would be significant to other people?

3. Who else would you recommend I talk to?

4. What kinds of places or activities do you recommend I do for my mentorship component?

5. What books should I read in this field? Who else can I interview?