Thank you !!! I've been saying this for years. Being over six feet tall , I'm not bending myself in half to work on a car. I always lift vehicles to a comfortable height .

I drink a couple of dos XX to keep hydrated

Even as a DIYer I always learn something valuable from your videos, and this one is certainly no exception!

One other trick on tall vehicles, put them on the lift, pull the wheels/tires and set it down GENTLY so it hovers just off the ground. 100% agree on the eyes and ears. Have issues with both from working in this industry. The best tip - Retire early and let someone else work for you.....

Top side creeper saves your back plus freeing both hands for working instead of having to use one to balance yourself. Also a under dash creeper is great especially on cars with raised door sills. wish I had them 40 years ago. Bought my first knee pads to keep my knees dry when setting lift on rainy days, got to like them, had a pair on each side of my lift. I like the flat style pads over the round ones and with velcro they are fast on and off. At 70 now, I do as much work as possible from my rolling seat. Young guys need to heed our advice and make it easier on themselves so they will last longer.

Used to be me, stopped drinking energy drinks. Now I just have a small coffee in the morning (our dealership fortunately has a Starbucks machine), got some Dr Scholl's insoles in my Altama OTB Maritime shoes. Pack my own lunches

Great tips, spotting the car/truck is big.

Good video on PPE and the trade in general. I’ve been wrenching professionally for 30 years now and Safety is something I’ve always taken seriously. From eye protection to hearing protection you must think about your later years. I’m 50 now and starting to feel it but I know younger guys who failed to heed this message that are feeling it much more than I am. The one thing I don’t get though is the latex gloves for every job. Granted I use them for very dirty jobs such as brakes, suspension or clutch work and have gauntlet style gloves in my solvent tank to keep chemicals at bay but for most day to day jobs like plugging in the scanner and removing upper ductwork to get to a sensor or something, I simply don’t understand the whole latex glove thing. I have coworkers that put gloves on as soon as they clock in before they even open their toolbox and it seems a bit excessive to me. Personally I hate the sweaty and clammy feeling while wearing them. If people don’t want to get dirty this is the wrong trade. Like your videos. Mike

Cant stress safety glasses enough. As someone that turned rotors daily without them, it never happened. But one day, it caught me just right and I missed 3 days of work and had the worst few weeks of my life. Had my right eye sanded down, rust removed, and had to wear an eye patch for 2 weeks. If you're reading this, just take it as a sign to wear them from this point on. It's not if you'll get something in your eye, its when and luckily I can see perfect still. You might not be that lucky.

I'm just starting out, and I realize this is an older video, but hopefully you'll see it. Hats. If you're in the rust belt you probably wear one to avoid the dandruff, but after watching a classmate nearly knock himself out (and hurting my head a few times as well) I discovered that you can buy something that looks like a baseball cap, has more airflow than one, and comes with an insert so that if you do bonk your noggin? The hat moves and deflects most of the force. This is probably something folks train themselves to avoid eventually, and I'm sure it helps if you're working on your own lift. But as the new guy in a full shop? I'm running all over the place, and this thing saved me a ton of headaches (and embarrassment) already. Plus I was able to secure my fancy head-mounted flashlight to them so it doesn't fall off my head or get thrown across the floor like everybody else's. (I have a second one for when the first is charging) I'm not going to add a specific Amazon link but the thing is called a bump cap.

As a young tech, I think the biggest ones here are hydration and QUALITY FOOTWEAR. I had to get customs insoles for a collapsed arch and believe me good boots are a MUST! Great video

Go to the gym 2-3 times a week and stretch your lower back and do good quality back exercises. Worked for me all my back pain is gone. Your problem is not back pain its back weakness in most cases

Go to harbor freight and get one of those knee boards on wheels. You can spot cars quick with it and only have to go down and back up once.

Excellent advice! We were just taking about how being a mechanic really racks the miles up on your body.

Brilliant advice thank you very much God bless you and all your family around you

Great tips mike , just 1 to add from my 30 some years in a shop , at 50 + now I did my body a favor and dropped 20 pounds , I couldn't believe the difference. I am still a big guy but at the end of a long week I hurt much less

I'd like to add one. I see a lot of techs breaking bolts and nuts loose by striking the wrench with the palm of their hands. This is fine for smaller fasteners but for rusted or larger ones that require a lot of force to break loose use a hammer instead. I tell many of the younger guys that in 30 years their hands are going to hurt like mine because I use to beat the heck out of them when I was young and tough like them. It takes a few more seconds but it's worth it.

Please have a video on lifting heavier tire/wheels on to vehicles. Even on light duty trucks I use pry bars like on big rigs.

Crazy that only 2 years in the business and I know exactly what you are talking about. I try to be as safe as I can be but I know sometimes we try to be fast and forget certain safety gear.

Got a big gulp full of water mixed with Pedialyte. Keeps the muscle cramps at Bay.

All great tips

I work in a rotary cast house making ~1800lb aluminum sow ingots. Hyponatremia is a thing if you sweat all day (or night, depending on your shift) and you only drink plain water. People say they get cramps first then nausea, but I got nausea first, then cramps when I had it.

Long sleeve shirts saves on the cuts burns and scratches also good lighting reduces eye strain

I actually have a pillow I use when I lean on the radiator mount. My old mentor taught me, always be the most comfortable you can given the job, or else you’ll brake yourself, and you can’t make money broken.

Great video

Excellent video and advice Mike. "Sponsorships available" 👍🤣🤣🤣

I've been drinking Gatorade alot this summer. Get it by the gallon jugs🤣 luckily my shop has a fridge in the shop area so it stays nice and cold too

Great info, Mike. I have problems with my neck and shoulders from looking up and pulling hard on wrenches etc. After almost 50 years in the trade i'm going to have surgery on my shoulders soon. I know i will have to retire after that.

HAVING THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB! I see so many people struggle and get into situations where they are stressing their body and having accidents or injuries because they don't want to spend money and try to make do with incorrect or inferior tools, it is a double whammy of the job taking longer than it should and also hazards.

You should really drink water not those chemical concoctions like Coke Zero. Those fake sweeteners really mess with your body. - concerned viewer

Drink a 50/50 mix of water and gatoraid! Still tastes okay and is much better for you! It's what athletes do.

Great video and advice FRM! Its so easy to be lazy and get focused on work and not take care of yourself!

Also when rotating heavy bulky tires on trucks always ask for help in rotating those tires it will save your back and make it that much easier.

Yo when he popped that coke lolx5...epic

Another benefit of a kneeling pad is that you don't have to kneel in a puddle from when it's raining or snowing outside and the vehicle is dripping on your floor.

i have been practicing tai chi since my teenage years, keeps me agile, I do this first thing in the morning

Water is what I drink. And a lot of it. I need to get a top creeper. Getting way to old to climb up into engine bays.

one of the best tools i bought was a protacool

Good advice 👍

I agree, I had job where I showed up with knee pads and a back belt of course I was made fun of by the rest of the guys but at end of the day I was only one not complaining of body aches... 👨‍🔧 🤣🤣🤣

Georgia subtitles for the herring in pairs. You got two take care of your niece😉

Thank you so much for sharing your honest down to earth wisdom on the automotive industry. As an independent tech I really appreciate your advice with years in the industry. So many guys need this advice!

Did anyone else catch how the Audi had him bent over? They usually do that to you. Especially as they age. So try to avoid that. Then the Chevy had him on his knees just trying to climb Inside her. (Which sounds Typical) He was VERY correct. About Knees, backs, ears, and eyes. And yes hydration. I have to admit that I've personally not seen a topside creeper before this video. I am now interested though.

Top side creeper is the bomb. The human back muscles and vertebra did not evolve to do repetitive, straining work like being bent over the engine of a car. The human body evolved in ways to help humans survive. The muscles and spine evolved so we could walk upright, enabling us to walk for long distances.

Agree with pretty much everything here. Been wrenching since getting out of trade school at 21, now going on 29. I've messed my back up so bad I couldn't stand up straight for 3 days. I've found police patrol style boots to be the most comfortable. Lightweight and meant for walking. It's hard to get into the habit, but going to the gym early in the morning will usually put me in a good mood for work. Keeps me healthy. I also keep a mini-fridge full of lime sparkling waters. No sugar. It can be hard to give up soda, but they really are garbage for your body. What I've recently realized is most important though? Invest heavily into a 401k while young. At least to an employer match. I've met too many bitter and sore techs that are in their 60s, who don't want to work but have to.

Flat rate freddy - "man, you don't need them knee pads, just kick the lift arms under there and send it, little plastic crunches, no big deal, pop a fuel line free upsell- just tell em it was like that"😂😂

One of the "ah ha" moments I had from watching KZfaq was watching a Ford dealer mechanic called FLMMAZ. He works on a lot of super duty trucks. When he works under the hood he picks up the front with the lift, removes the front wheels, and lowers it down until the rims almost touch the ground. Boom! Now it's at a comfy height! Another thing is to maintain a healthy weight. You don't see a lot of really heavy mechanics, it's just too labor intensive to get really fat. But, when I worked in industry, we had a lot of big boys. They were always looking for these unicorn work boots that would keep their feet from hurting. They never seemed to consider losing 50 lbs...

I’m 6 ft 4 I always put cars on lift unless it’s stupid job like cabin filter.......gotta get me a topside creeper since I’m 34 like my wife I ain’t as flexible as I was 20 years ago and yes we been together since then lol

I have a used bottom seat foam that I lay on. Like on that chevy Tahoe you were on top of, It works perfect

Good tips indeed FRM, the knee pad is very important, I've had one since I started, use it for setting up vehicles and even when doing certain under dash jobs

I been having issue with my wife. she's not happy about the ear protection. She doesn't agree that it's good protection for the ears. She always tell me to take it off. I only use it when she's talking to me.

I have had my share of aches pains and injuries. My biggest issue now is breathing. Very important to protect your lungs. Welding fumes, aresols, and especially paints using hardners have been kicking my but for years. Every little bit of exposure will eventually add up.Protect your body!! You can thank me later.

Very good advice. Guys will cut corners to do it quicker but they are slowly damaging their back. If you damage your back all the time you saved early in life will be eaten up and x10 will an aching back. It slows you down so much.

Great topic! It’s twice as important to drink plenty of water during the winter, especially living in the northern states. Water in our body is just like antifreeze in an engine. Drinks like Gatorade only work when paired with plenty of water. What happens to the cooling system in an engine if you add 100% antifreeze? The same thing will happen inside our built in cooling system.

One of my best investments was my Red wing boots and quality insoles. I replace my insoles as soon as I feel them wearing out usually every month or 2.

Rubber floor mat in front of your toolbox makes a difference on your joints. In the HD world I use the overhead crane to lift as much as possible. Even if I could lift it.

I myself a coke fan but Mr kidney stone came knocking in the time where I barely drank water. Yup you best belive I'm a water drinker now, specially in summer days... And props on redbacks boots they are one of the best for the money

One other thing some shops will place this on your evaluation with possible suspension for not following safety protocols. The last thing they want is a preventable injury they'll need to explain to their insurance company or HR Dept. Keeping injury free will make life much more enjoyable without those 800 mg ibuprofen horse lozenges.

A good supplement to take if you have joint or back pain is Glucosamine,it works.

Good vid. Alkaline water is best. Eternal is my suggestion.

Pedialyte is a life saver

I’m crappy with water too and you kicked my butt with this vid 😊, stiffness and headache seems like a normal occurrence now that it’s hot 🥵... I need to change that 👍👍👍

What about respiratory protection. My co worker sprays cans of brake clean like he's trying to turn the place into a gas chamber. I said before "are you trying to get high or something?" . Then there's the dust from brakes, I usually spray and hold my breath, then walk away until it dissipates. Nobody but me wears hearing protection either, I've offered my muffs as a subtle hint but they are mostly young and know it all. Let them love it till they hate it is my motto!

I've also seen techs raise the lift too high and they are literally reaching to unbolt a tire and lift it off,or they leave it too high and reach up to put it back on. Or they have it too low while they're doing oil changes so they're crouched under the thing

Used to take adderall (prescribed)... I'm a huge sweater (I'm the guy that prefers bay doors left open when its 40 degrees)... ended up discovering that the adderall just made me loose an enormous amount of water. Energy drinks are the same way, they stimulate your nervous system, and end up making your shirt tails and hat brim drip with sweat before 10 am

If you feel pain now wait until older

Oh boy!! I wish I had gotten this advise 30 years ago!!! Keep up the good work!!! I must admit, I am a little hard headed....

My ppl be laughing every time I put my knee pads on 😂😂😂

Tip 1. Retire early... Tip 2. See tip 1 👍

I have definitely been saved eye damage because I have bad eyes more than once and I've only worked as a mechanic a few years. idk how guys get so lucky with no glasses

Over time I've figured out when July and August hit (Mass.) and it 90 and humid best thing you can do is pace yourself all day, no rushing, half Gatorade half water mix. This limits the sugar but replaces enough if what you sweat to keep you going. Also eat a light lunch or stagger it. Food takes energy to digest and if your already pushing yourself just eat what you need. I'd add learn how you lift shit in this business. When I was younger my lower back always hurt. Started lifting things correctly and woolah! Pain gone. Look it up and do it, your leg muscles will learn in a week or two. Stretch after work. Sounds girly. just do it like 3 times a week it works wonders. Can't wait until there's already a problem either. It's a better preventative than fix. Again, look it up.

You forgot one important point to "save your body", probably the most difficult one, "weight control", don't be overweight!

What you do when your not working is just as important. If you spend your nights drinking and smoking you will pay a price in the future. I've been living clean for decades and believe me, it makes a difference in the long run. I've witnessed it time and time again. It does no good to try to preserve your body at work and then go home and abuse yourself.

Wow cuz this is excellent job! Congrats and keep it up.

Excellent video. Muchas gracias.

Master tech here: 2nd biggest disease in germany are serious depression -> no tools (germans get their tools from the employer), no tech data, min wage or low wage, stupid bosses etc. leads to depression, suicide, addiction or in the best case --> leaving the trade.

My cancer is a testament for what you do or don't do will get you in the end. Wear your gloves and be careful with the chemicals.

Osha comes to the sop every month and tells everybody about all of those .

I used to be the young bad a $$ that didn't believe in hearing and eye protection well now at the age of 34 I have diminished hearing at constant ringing on my left side from years of listening to grinders and high pitched tools, ringing gets so loud it will throw my balance a little wonky.... I now buy good 3m earplugs buy the case load and have them in every vehicle tool box and etc. I'm also left with a scar on my right eye from using a cut off wheel that exploded and sent a piece zinging through the air into my eyes, in direct sunlight I casts a shadow and you think you have a eye lash or something in your eye, also the scar leaves a feeling like you always have something in your eye... not fun. Only if I would of listened to the old timers when I was first starting out.

My back doesnt bother me too bad if i stay away from heavy tires, my knees really worry me. Also i might add there is a right time to wear safety glasses. Wish there was something to do about contorting your body under dashes. Also i try to keep half water bottles half powerade(cheaper than Gatorade) water is good but in texas you need electrolytes

Threw my back out when I was 35 being stupid lifting too much weight at an awkward position. If your in the trades, it will happen so be ready. Worst, unbelievable pain in my life, couldn't walk or move right for almost 2 months. Literally groaning in pain, you realize you're not young anymore only ONCE. It really was horrible considering I worked through half that pain climbing 10 foot ladders. Like I said, not in my 20s anymore.

Honda Type 2 Coolant 🤤, I mean...it's got water...🤷‍♂️

Quick tip about Gatorade if you drink Gatorade in the summer need to add at least a bottle of 2 or water with it because you can actually drink too much Gatorade and get too many electrolytes not good been there it'll make you feel heat sick

Ear plugs. If I’m in an industrial environment. I have them in my ears all the time. Doesn’t matter how quiet it is. One loud band or safety horn and my head hurts all day.

Good stuff Michael !! Love those steel toe Flip Flops :)

I’m a short guy, so bumpers,Rad core supports, valve covers, etc, is a stretch for me. So, I always remove the front tires and let the lift down. Brings the trucks and SUV’s down a foot or two. Just my tip added. Have a good day. Enjoy your vids.

Coffee, 24/7/365, bro. It's got water in it 🤷‍♂️😅

Great Topic

Wish I had seen this before I got 3 herniated discs!

Water with the sugar free flavored singles, for those like us who dont like straight water all the time

Everything hurts👍

Forty five years a tech trying to make it two more years by the end of the day knee pain and foot pain dont think I can

At 40, working on cars 20 years, all of this is true and fair warning to younger guys getting into the field.

Warning: this comment turned out longer than I thought it would! How about a video on rolling seats. Some of them these days have drawers in them. I've even seen one at harbor freight with drawers and flip down side trays. (That's what I've got, just swapped out for larger wheels) That way with one of those you can almost altogether avoid kneeling next to a car. As well as relive some backpain wile standing underneath a lifted vehicle looking up. As wheel as no having to lift the vehicle very high at all. Personally in my chairs drawers. I keep brake service tools, Lug nut sockets, deadblow screwdriver, small needle nose channel locks with rubber hose over the tips, and an air pressure gauge. In the bottom 2 drawers. However other than my safety shades, I tend to leave the top drawer open on my chair. Just to lay smaller parts or pieces in or I can throw my ratchets in there quickly. And then I have a large magnetic tray on either side for laying down lugnuts, bolts, and sockets. Then I attached one of the large magnetic strip across the back. It can hold my ratchet, breakerbar, a can of PB blaster or my prybar for a minute or two. But then when its not in use I can just wheel it over to my toolbox or service cart. Then use that big ole magnetic strip to keep it firmly attached to the side box. So it doesn't get any funny ideas to roll away on me. Also, if you didn't cover it already. Roller carts Or a smaller 22" bayside toolboxs. For the most used tools. And hell why not cover the use of large magnetic trays for sockets and/or nuts , bolts and screws. Just so you know you dont lose tools. Or parts of the customer's car. Lol "where the hell did I just put that bolt?" I've even put magnet strips on my lift arms to hang the tools and sockets on for a few minutes wile on a project. And I've also put a small cheap round magnet tray on each post for lugnuts. I guess what I'm getting at is just time saving tips. That's just some of mine. Sorry I dragged this out so much. But hey. Knowledge not shared is wasted, right?

Unless it makes some hours 😂😆 love it

great video

It's Freaking Raining and Cold in the desert!! Who would have thunk it. lol

Ain't nothin like good ol H2o! !! FTW!! 💪💪💪💪

Coke Zero should sponsor, you're in the heart of the business South; Home Depot, Chick fil A, and Coca Cola.

Be careful with drinking too much gatorade. I was in the hospital for three days with kidney failure because I drank too much Gatorade on a warm day. I now drink nothing but water on a hot summer day.