Photo Information

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ouellette, a musician for Marine Band San Diego, works on changing a transmission seal on his 2007 Ford F-150 May 7 at the Auto Skills Center aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The center provides equipment for servicemembers to work on their own cars to save money.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla

Marines repair their own rides

13 May 2011 | Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla Marine Corps Training and Education Command

The Auto Skills Center at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego provides classes and facilities so Marines can save money working on their own vehicles.

The center offers classes about car care, transmissions, car detailing and brakes. They have ten short term stalls, seven indoor stalls with lifts and three lifts for motorcycles, available on a first come, first served basis.

Jose Ortega Garcia, the center manager, noticed a need for classes when military members were having difficulties with basic car maintenance.

Each class is designed to accommodate about 25 patrons. Classes focus on car maintenance rather than how to make repairs. Car care goes over how to perform a vehicle inspection, change the oil, how to jump the battery and an overview of fluids.

“I don’t teach you how to be a mechanic, I teach you how to take care of your car,” said Garcia.

There is a full-time ASE certified mechanic available to answer questions. They also have a system to order parts for any needed repair.

Rick Lincoln, a retired Sailor, has been using the center since 1979, and has saved thousands of dollars.

“This is the best one in all of San Diego. There is a lot of expertise,” said Lincoln. “The staff is really friendly, they’re like family.”

Although staff can’t work on customers’ cars, they offer advice and data sheets that provide repair information.

“The staff is very helpful,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ouellette, a musician for Marine Band San Diego. “They can get you through any job, this is a great resource.”

For those who can’t repair their own vehicle, Garcia can recommend other mechanics who provide quality service at a reasonable price.

“You need a shop that will help you, not try and take your wallet,” said Garcia.

A free buffet lunch is offered at each class compliments of the staff at the Auto Skills Center. Tacos will be served at their upcoming Transmission 102 class, May 21.

“It’s a good community all around,” said Lincoln. “You meet a lot of people who go out of their way to help.”


Tags
Marine Corps Training and Education Command