Working --

-- Story by Bryce Alderton, photo by XXXX

HE IS:

Trained in transmissions.

ALWAYS AROUND AUTOS

Tom Werner has been working in the automotive industry since 1978. He

has seen transmissions become ever more dependent on electronics, which

he says are more complicated to diagnose and fix.

Currently Werner finds himself as the head technician at Beach City

Transmission in Huntington Beach.

He works from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week diagnosing problems

with transmissions, then pulling them apart, cleaning them and finally

reassembling them.

“I do everything from the get-go,” Werner said. “I enjoy getting my

hands dirty.”

Werner has worked for Honda, Jaguar and Chevrolet, doing everything

from fixing engines to handling brakes, but he said he especially enjoys

his time at Beach City, where he has worked on and off for 11 years.

“The satisfaction of people coming back feeling they have been treated

honestly and well is what I enjoy,” Werner said.

WALKING INTO A PERFECT SITUATION

A friend referred Werner to Beach City when Werner needed a new

transmission 11 years ago. Little did he know that he would be walking

into his future place of employment.

“I talked to the owner [Martin Salazar],” Werner said. “I’ve always

been interested in this type of business.”

The two men talked and Salazar eventually offered Werner a job.

“Talk about walking into the perfect situation,” Werner said.

Werner’s first stint at Beach City lasted eight years before he took a

year off to supervise mechanics at a quick lube shop in Long Beach, where

he lives.

But now he’s back in Huntington Beach, where he’s lived on and off for

20 years.

“I like the people in this area,” Werner said. “You get to know your

neighbor and know who you’re dealing with.”

THREE’S NOT A CROWD

A group of three men man the fort at Beach City.

In addition to Werner are a transmission builder who dismantles,

inspects and rebuilds transmissions and what Werner terms an “R and R”

person who removes and replaces transmission units once they’re repaired.

On average Werner sees about 10 cars a week, but he has serviced 30

cars in a week before.

With transmissions relying on computerized parts now, Werner said

diagnosing a problem has become more difficult.

But for him, it all depends when the car comes in to be serviced.

“In the early days there were only nine transmissions,” Werner said.

“Now there are 15 or 20. You basically start throwing things in on past

problems. Emission controls are now smoother and there are less emissions

out the tailpipe. It all depends what day [the cars] come down the

assembly line.”

The biggest problem with transmissions is a lack of maintenance,

Werner said.

He advises people to have their transmission fluid checked whenever

they get their oil changed and once a year have their transmission

filters and fluids changed to make the car shift properly.

“Have the car checked for leaks, check the four-wheel drive transfer

and the drive axles,” Werner said. “Who else will know if you have a

problem?”