Callan Ross is a Tinker expert and an ASC-certified Toyota technician in Sandy Springs, Georgia. He has earned multiple certifications, and in the past year was named a ProTech, an honor given to top-performing technicians in Toyota’s Southeastern region. In his spare time, the 31-year-old loves working on automotive and marine upholstery and helping Tinker callers.
My passion for working on cars was passed down from my family. I was sort of born into it. My grandfather was a master mechanic and my three uncles worked on cars, too. My father painted cars at his body shop for 40 years and I began to help him by prepping cars when I was a kid and eventually fell into automotive upholstery as a summer job.
He also did upholstery on boats and I started helping by pulling staples out of boat cushions and cleaning up the shop. Eventually, I was doing full custom leather interiors, sewing headliners and finishing complete boat interiors, which is still a passion of mine.
During the COVID pandemic, I moved to Georgia and started working at a local Toyota dealership. I worked hard at it and was eventually enrolled in classes taught by corporate Toyota instructors, which led to me being named a ProTech. I’m proud of that accomplishment.
When I first learned about Tinker, I knew right away that I wanted to get involved. I enjoy helping others, and I appreciated that the team at Tinker conducted a thorough background check to ensure I had the right skills and experience to become a Tinker expert. I was so excited when I got the green light, I probably answered 20 Tinker calls the first day alone.
One of the more interesting calls was from a guy whose Subaru wouldn’t start after he spilled a Big Gulp on the shifter. I’m not kidding. After some discussion, I realized he never put the car in park when he turned the engine off, so the car was never fully shut off. And now the battery was dead. Thankfully the guy had a jump box in the car, so he was able to get it started again.
I’m particularly proud of that one because I definitely saved him a pricey tow bill. He said he never would’ve thought of it.
People often reach out with problems they think are a big deal, or even a bit crazy, but for a certified technician like me, they’re usually simple to figure out. Helping people like this is one of the reasons I enjoy being a Tinker expert.
I had another caller who couldn’t find the power steering reservoir in his 2016 Toyota Corolla. I answered instantly: your car doesn’t have one! His Corolla, like many modern cars, has an electric power steering system, not hydraulic. Since there is no power steering fluid, there’s no reservoir. I was able to save him from wasting time searching for something that doesn’t exist.
He was a good sport and we shared a laugh over it.
I've also had calls where I saved someone from having to visit a service department and pay a diagnostic fee, only to be told it's a simple fix they could've handled themselves. Even worse, we all know there are shops that take advantage of customers who lack basic car knowledge.
These calls are the most rewarding for me. Since Tinker is a live video app, the caller can show me what's happening in real time, eliminating the need to spend time and money driving to a shop. Often, we can make the repair together, with me guiding them through each step – helping them choose the right parts and tools, ensuring the job is done correctly and, most importantly, safely.
Being a mechanic is in my blood. Through Tinker, I get to share that knowledge and enthusiasm with DIYers of all skill levels across the country. It’s both fun and fulfilling to spread that joy, and I take great pride in my role as a Tinker expert.
I’m Callan Ross, Tinker expert. Need a hand with your next project? Find me on Tinker.