Chongqing’s ‘Auto Doctor’: Battling the Scorching Heat to Keep Vehicles Running丨Pic Story

Chongqing - During the scorching summer, auto mechanic Yin Xuejun worked tirelessly, enduring the intense heat as he inspected and maintained passenger and cargo vehicles throughout the entire western region of Chongqing.

Influenced by the subtropical high-pressure belt, temperatures in Chongqing were frequently near 40°C.

Around noon on August 6th, Yin at Chongqing Automobile Transport (Group) Co., Ltd.'s First Automobile Repair Shop received an urgent call: "Yin, hurry! The brakes are stuck, and the bus won't move!" A bus had suddenly broken down at the entrance of a toll station, leaving it stranded by the roadside.

Yin and his companion grabbed their tools without delay and hurried to the scene. They methodically inspected the equipment, identified the malfunction's cause, and promptly performed the necessary repairs.

Under the blazing sun, the ground temperature had risen above 60°C. Sweat dripped from their sun-darkened foreheads, soaking their work clothes. After an hour and a half, the malfunction was finally fixed.

When Yin returned to the Shop at 2 p.m., he immediately dove into his afternoon tasks without taking a break.

The Shop resonated with the constant roar of machinery, intensifying the oppressive heat. Outside, several buses lined up for inspection, like "patients" waiting their turn.

The mechanics, smeared with grease, squeezed into inspection pits and climbed onto rooftops, enduring the intense heat to perform "check-ups" on the vehicles. These "doctors" were so focused on their work that they lost track of time.

"The heat is so intense that, just like people, cars are at risk of 'heatstroke,'” said Yin. "Engines overheat more frequently, tires are more prone to blowouts, and components like air conditioning fans, batteries, and cooling systems are more likely to fail."

"The hotter it gets, the busier we become," Yin commented as he grabbed a flashlight and stepped into the pit to inspect a vehicle’s undercarriage.

In the narrow pit, which was just 80 centimeters wide and 1.2 meters high, Yin could only walk hunched over, with the vehicle's undercarriage close to his head. The pit's undercarriage emitted intense heat and dust, creating an oppressive environment. 

Yin said: "As soon as the car shows up, the engine can be over 100°C, and the undercarriage and body are usually around 70 to 80°C, like walking into an oven."

Throughout the inspection, Yin kept his eyes focused upward, sweat dripping into his eyes, causing sharp stings. He relied on touch to navigate the dense components in the tight space, using years of experience to pinpoint faults quickly. 

He emerged from the pit, his oil-stained yellow T-shirt drenched in sweat. Grinning, he said, "It’s really hot, but when clients are in a rush, we have to push through and get the repair done." 

After over 20 years, countless burns had become routine for him. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing his oil-smeared arm, where the skin was reddened from the heat.

By ignoring the need for water, Yin quickly moved to the disassembled bearing and began cleaning it with gasoline instead.

"Water won't get rid of engine oil; gasoline does the job," Yin joked. Despite his 20 years in the profession, the intense heat made the gasoline's odor unusually strong, mixing with his sweat and occasionally causing him to recoil from the combined smell.

In his heart, Yin sees himself as a "doctor for cars," driven by a spirit of dedication that helps him overcome challenges and persevere in his vocation. 

Performing 3,000 inspections and completing 120 field repairs a year is routine for him. Conducting "surgery" on vehicles - tightening screws, fixing leaks, and diagnosing faults - is all part of his role as an "auto doctor."