Okay so I love hacking, in both tinkering and the security side, I love cars, and with the way cars are becoming using Networks for their braking systems, acceleration systems as well as the on board stuff, do you ever think that there will be a car security field?
Let me explain.
Infiniti released a new car not so long back, the way that the electronics are designed is that all the networks are interlinked into one another, which one would think it would be easier to repair, but it leads to a security risk, a hacker managed to compromise the car allowing access to the braking system, acceleration and other controls, while this was done as a demo, it shows what the next generation of cars is becoming, and Googles driverless car could become the first big target.
Audi on the other hand with their brand new A8 use separate networks for each system, increasing security by a rather big margin over the infiniti.
So how do you think one would make a move onto this for a career, I do plan to become a mechanic at some point, and I feel my current I.T qualifications can put me ahead of current mechanics (most I have met don't know how to use a PC in the same way as we can) so do you think combining the two fields could actually happen?
Would like to hear your thoughts
Thanks!
Don't become a mechanic. The way things are going and with the background/skillset you already have, become an Auto Electrician. I was a mechanic for 6 years and more and more crap was being sent to auto sparkies because mechanics just dont have the gear or training to do it. Sure you can learn both, but eventually there will be no need for mechanics, just auto electricians with an expanded skill set.
I wouldnt mind doing that actually, but I also want to learn to repair the actual engine, and surrounding components, and apprenticeships here don't offer both electrical and mechanical training
You will still be able to do most general mechanical stuff. The actual training course (in australia anyway) is predominantly the same, just auto elec do a few specialised electrical units and not some of the specialised mechanical crap. As far as general stuff goes, you will end up learning it all anyway, and auto electricians get paid more than mechanics.
For example when I did my qualification, a mate of mine did auto sparky instead, aside from doing clutches and full engine rebuilds we basically had the same job and he was paid a fair bit more than me.
My advice would be do the auto sparky training, and along the way learn the other stuff.
FYI if you have the time, look into how a multimeter actually works, all its functions and what the readouts are actually telling you. Find out how hall sensors work (very important almost all ABS, some cam timing, setting advance timings, work based on hall sensors.) how to check direction of current flow, find bad earths, measure voltage drop, how a rectifier works etc
Also, and this is VERY important, do NOT buy a big 'kit' toolset - most of it is utter crap and the other half you wont use. Buy the absolute basics until after 1st year. By then you should know what gear you actually need, what brands you like, what brands are garbage etc.
Finally, don't work at a dealership. Work for an independent company or small business.
If ever have any questions about anything specific shoot me an email and I will sort you out.
Hope that helps.
Okay nice one thanks, my girlfriends dad is also a mechanic, although his trade time was in the 60s to the 90s, he was trained at Ford (Was Grahams back then) I shall get his opinion about auto sparky.
Thanks also for the help!