Welcome to our monthly Employee Spotlight. This month we hand the wrench to TJ Moon, the shop foreman at Parker Automotive. TJ has spent 20 years fixing cars, the last 6 of them right here in Tucson with us. He runs the floor, checks the work before it leaves our bays, and keeps the shop moving.
Here is a look at how TJ got started, what he drives, and his best advice for Tucson drivers.
Twenty Years in the Trade, Six at Parker Automotive
TJ has worked on engines his whole life. He started young on go-karts and three-wheel ATCs, and the interest stuck. “I’ve always been into anything with an engine,” he says. That early tinkering grew into a 20-year career in auto repair.
He joined Parker Automotive six years ago and now leads the shop as foreman. On a normal day, he diagnoses the tricky problems and guides the other technicians. He also signs off on every repair before the keys go back to the customer.
What ASE Master Certified Means for Your Repair
ASE Master Certified is one of the top credentials an auto technician can earn, and TJ holds it. To get there, a technician has to pass all eight core exams from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Together those tests cover the whole car: engine, transmission, brakes, electrical, and air conditioning.
The standard does not stay still. ASE makes technicians recertify every five years, so the credential keeps pace as cars change. When TJ signs off on a job, you get tested, independent proof of skill behind it. He is one of several ASE-certified technicians on our team.
Want that experience working on your car? Book an appointment and we will take it from there.
How Tucson’s Heat Wears Down Your Car
The desert heat is hard on cars, and TJ sees the damage every summer. “The heat kills everything,” he says. “Anything cooling-related, rubber, or fluid-related breaks down quickly.” That shows up in a few clear places:
- High heat pushes your cooling system and cabin A/C to the limit, so weak air conditioning tends to quit in summer.
- Heat dries out and cracks rubber, so belts and hoses wear faster here than in cooler places.
- Oil and other fluids break down sooner in extreme heat, which makes regular oil changes matter more.
- Tucson heat shortens battery life, so test your battery before it leaves you stranded.
TJ’s Advice: Keep Up With Maintenance
TJ’s top tip is simple. Stay on top of routine maintenance and your car will cost you less over time. “Keep up on general maintenance,” he says. “It’ll save money in the long run.”
Small services catch small problems before they become big repair bills. A worn belt is cheap to replace. A belt that snaps on the freeway is not. A routine inspection is one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of trouble.
What TJ Drives
TJ keeps three very different vehicles in the driveway, and each one says something about him:
- A 2008 Honda CR-V as his daily driver. He calls it bulletproof and good on gas.
- A 2018 Ford Raptor for fun, loaded with creature comforts.
- A 1957 Chevy 210 he keeps around just because.
What TJ Does Off the Clock
When TJ leaves the shop, he usually keeps wrenching. He spends his free time working on his own cars at home, camping, and traveling with family. He also races, so you might catch him at the drag strip on a weekend.
Come See the Team at Parker Automotive
TJ and the rest of our crew have kept Tucson drivers on the road since 1995. Want your car in the hands of an ASE-certified team? Meet the rest of the team, then book your appointment online or call us at (520) 323-1960.
