New job or stay and stick it out
I’m currently a quick lube tech at Ford. Specifically an autonation one. When I first started I took a pay cut, from my previous job with lots of overtime sometimes. I wanted to learn how to work on cars. I was gonna leave within the first two months due to not being able to make enough money to buy tools. Didn’t think this job was gonna be sustainable long term and I was right. I was somewhat of an apprentice under my manger who is a master tech. And it was going good. I have gotten my recall certification and learned how to do alignments, tires, fluid exchanges and part replacements and recalls I have my electric certification through ford coming soon too I got to classes next week. But going back a little bit I was promised a toolbox after getting my recall certification and tool voucher from management when I almost left the first time. But going on I eventually got my own bay but then proceeded to get kicked out by a new mainline hire. Without any discussion to me all of his boxes were in my bay. Was forced back to quick lane. I didn’t ask questions I was just more hurt if anything but i did ask eventually but way later on. But continuing on I had a family emergency. Had to fly across the country. Was told that my manager stepped down while I was out. Not sure why. But when I came back I was no longer able to work with him and never really was told what happened. I’m now almost two years in and no pay bump. No talks about being next apprentice they said recently that all apprenticeships are on hold. I was getting like 60-70 hour pay periods but I was hourly so didn’t really seem fulfilling to me and eventually I got burnt out I feel like. I’ve barely been getting bye with bills and i am always stressed about not having enough money I’ve only bought a few bit of tools. I did get a tool box a small one from my manager before he stepped down so I appreciated that but now further down I feel like I’ve gone nowhere and when I did talk to management about how I felt they said I did nothing wrong and they just had lack of space when I got booted out my bay and that tech that kicked me out is no longer working with us but they also told me I’m one of th most deserving In quicklane to have an apprenticeship. I just don’t know what to doo. Stay or start over somewhere new bc every where else is the same pay but I’d be doing less work. The economy has gotten worse noting has changed much since last year and I’m struggle so much more now. I’m currently at 20 an hour. The state I’m in is Colorado. Advice anyone???
Posted Jun 12, 2026, 11:41 PM UTC