7 Skills of a Successful Diesel Technician

Diesel technicians, commonly referred to as diesel mechanics, inspect, repair and overhaul diesel-powered vehicles. They are trained to maintain and repair any type of diesel engine. From oil changes and tire rotations to complete engine rebuilds, diesel technicians can do it all.

Becoming a diesel mechanic requires specific training, experience and skills. Here at Universal Technical Institute (UTI), we’ve found that successful diesel mechanics share many of the same traits that allow them to do their job well.¹

Keep reading to learn about seven diesel mechanic skills that can be key to success.

Analytical Skills

Do you love investigating problems and finding solutions? This is one of the primary skills needed to be a diesel mechanic.

Diesel technicians are trained to identify problems in the diesel systems they work on. Their in-depth knowledge of engine operations and the different components that come together to make diesel systems run allows them to spot problems that the average person might miss.

Their work doesn’t stop here, however - once they’ve diagnosed the problem, they are responsible for finding and executing the solution. Whether this means completing a simple oil change or doing a full-on engine rebuild, diesel technicians are always up for the challenge.

Darrell Dobias, the service manager at Rush Truck Centers in Texas emphasized this when he said, "I really try and look for technicians that they're just not fresh. They have the ability to kind of come in here and start…”

This type of diesel mechanic trait comes down to being able to analyze an issue and come up with a reasonable solution. Diesel mechanic training can help you refine this skill. 

Comfortability With Technology

Thanks to technology, today’s diesel industry looks dramatically different than it has in years past. The modern diesel engine uses primarily electronic equipment, which requires technicians to know how to work with the electrical components and computer programs that run the engines of the systems they repair. They must know how to use electronic diagnostic equipment and interpret data from complex systems.

Diesel technicians must stay up to date with new technology so they can utilize it to do their job. In addition to being comfortable with technology, it’s important for them to have a desire to learn in order to keep pace with this ever-evolving industry.

Math Skills

Diesel technicians rely on math to solve practical problems, from determining precise fuel quantities to calculating engine displacement and power ratios. They often use math skills to interpret technical manuals, estimate part dimensions, and even measure torque settings accurately.

This kind of math is essential for troubleshooting issues and ensuring the vehicles run safely and efficiently. Additionally, understanding these calculations can help technicians work faster while avoiding costly mistakes. Having a solid grasp of these math fundamentals makes it easier to adapt to new tasks and handle more complex repairs with confidence.

Ability To Think on Your Feet

The most successful diesel technicians can adapt to changing situations and have the ability to think on their feet. This is a fast-paced industry, and technicians often have to diagnose problems and repair engines on the spot.

Relying on their industry knowledge and experience, technicians are able to diagnose, repair and troubleshoot efficiently without missing a single detail. Techs who possess this quality gain the trust of their customers, peers and employers. 

Desire To Learn

Successful diesel technicians are always looking for new opportunities to learn and gain new skills. Training is essential to keeping up with industry changes and staying relevant in the workforce.

In addition to completing diesel training like UTI’s Diesel Technology program, technicians can learn from older, experienced technicians in the field. This is a hands-on career, which requires hands-on training and practice.¹⁸ There’s no better way to dive in than to invest in yourself through training, gain real-world experience on the job and ask plenty of questions along the way.

Safety-Oriented

Safety is high up on the diesel mechanic skills list. Diesel technicians work with large, powerful equipment that can be dangerous without proper safety procedures in place.

Diesel technicians are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment, which requires wearing the right gear (including protective eyewear), disconnecting the battery when working on electrical systems and cleaning their work area and surrounding areas thoroughly.

People Skills

While a majority of a diesel technician’s time is spent under the hood and chassis, they also must be able to effectively communicate with their customers, vendors, parts suppliers and fellow technicians. Successful diesel technicians are able to work with all different personalities, which allows them to collaborate with others in the workplace and, most importantly, keep their customers happy.

Building and maintaining positive relationships with those around them is critical to the success of a diesel technician. Not only does it make their job easier and more enjoyable, but it can help them to advance in the industry (for example, pursuing a managerial role).⁶ While understanding the mechanical side of the career is important, having this in addition to great people skills is a powerful combination.

Train To Become a Diesel Technician

Does this sound like a career you would enjoy? With relationships with 35+ manufacturers of leading brands, employers and aftermarket companies, Universal Technical Institute can be a great choice for diesel training.¹

UTI’s 45-week Diesel Technology program can teach you the fundamentals you need to service powerful trucks and engines.⁷ Graduates of the core program can continue their training with specialized programs created in conjunction with leading manufacturers, including:

• Cummins Power Generation Program⁴⁶
• Cummins Engines Program⁴⁶
• Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) Finish First
• Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI)¹⁵

Upon graduation, you can demonstrate your desire to continue learning and mastering diesel mechanic skills by testing for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. UTI’s graduates can substitute their 45 weeks of training for one of the two years of work experience required to test.

Making progress toward ASE certification can be helpful when applying for jobs, as it demonstrates your ability and dedication to potential employers!