A Car Mechanic

In this episode of "What It's Like To Be," Justin Snodgrass, a car mechanic and auto repair shop owner, shares insights into his profession. He recounts a peculiar case of a Cadillac's passenger seat reclining on its own due to a shorted wire and another involving maggots falling from a car's heater vents, illustrating the detective work involved in auto repair. Justin discusses the economics of oil change specials, the use of diagnostic scanners, and the impact of standardized OBD2 ports. He also touches on the challenges of quoting repair costs, the importance of experience, and the future of auto repair in an increasingly computerized world, including the potential for automation and specialized service for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). He also shares anecdotes about customers and offers advice, such as regularly checking oil levels and being wary of unusually low-priced oil changes.