Automotive Service Technology

The automotive trade consists of many different, yet related, concepts. Students will learn about topics such as safety, legislation and the essential skills required for the Automotive Service Technician trade.

Automotive technicians need a solid foundation of electrical fundamentals to be able to diagnose and repair today's automobile. To achieve this students will gain an understanding in basic electrical circuits, batteries, magnetism, electromagnetism, and hybrid safety.

A vehicle’s steering and suspension system is critical to its handling and stability. Students will acquire an understanding of the theory of operation of the steering and suspension system. In addition to this, students will diagnose, service, and repair the steering and suspension system.

The proper operation of a vehicle’s brake system is a very important safety component. Students will learn to properly inspect, diagnose, and repair the brake system. The systems involved will be disc, drum, hydraulic components, and ABS service.

This course provides students with the fundamentals of effective English and communications skills. The course concentrates on research, written, and verbal/nonverbal communications strategies in order to succeed in industry-related organizations.

Lower engine operation requires close tolerances to operate properly. Students will gain an understanding of the design and operation of crankshafts, engine blocks, and lubrication systems. As a result, students perform inspection procedures and diagnoses engine problems.

The automotive charging and starting systems operate under varying electrical demands. Students will learn basic electrical operation, charging, and starting system operation. The student will apply industry standard testing and diagnostic procedures to provide recommended repairs to the customer.

The automotive drivetrain is subject to high demand and stress under a variety of conditions. Given this, students will learn about manual transmissions, transaxles, transfer cases, clutches and electronic transfer cases. The student will learn path of power, correct diagnosis, and repair procedures.

The upper engine components require precision servicing to operate efficiently with exposure to high RPMS and temperatures. Students will measure upper engine components for serviceability. They will also study the operating principles of the cooling system, air induction and exhaust systems.

This course studies the mining, extraction, and refining of crude oil to produce fuels, lubricants, and greases. The performance of these crude oil products is evaluated in the laboratory using standardized testing methods.

Modern vehicles incorporate the use of computer control systems to provide for their function. Students will learn about the basic operation, configuration, and networking of vehicle control systems. Students will also develop an understanding of the best practices for diagnosing problems that arise within a vehicle's control systems.

Modern vehicles now incorporate electrical systems that are used to provide more features for the occupant. Students will learn the operation of vehicle power accessory systems. As a result, students will also learn the best practices used to diagnose and repair failures within a vehicle's power accessory systems.

Automobiles require fuel to be safely stored and delivered for efficient use in an internal combustion engine. Students will learn about fuel storage systems, fuel delivery systems, and how related problems with fuel delivery can affect combustion and emissions.

Gasoline powered internal combustion engines require heat energy from a spark plug to begin the combustion process. Students will learn the basic operation of spark ignition systems and how ignition affects performance and emissions. Students will learn the emission control systems that are in place to reduce pollution from automobiles and how to diagnose problems within those systems.

This course covers the preparation and presentation of longer documents and reports using research and communication skills appropriate for the industry environment.

This course builds on electrical fundamentals in semester one. Students will learn how to diagnose HVAC refrigerant and control systems on HVAC equipped vehicles.

Automatic transmissions allow for smooth gear changes to optimize engine efficiency. In this course, students will learn the concepts of how an automatic transmission works. To support the concepts you will disassemble, inspect, and reassemble an automatic transmission.

This course builds on the automatic transmission operation course and gives students the knowledge to diagnose automatic transmissions. Students will have hands-on learning to perform diagnosis on vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

In this course you will learn about diesel fuel system operation and diagnosis. You will have hands on learning for diesel fuel system operation and diagnose diesel fuel system on diesel fuel system-equipped vehicles. Similarly, students will also learn about electric and hybrid electric power systems.

In this course, students will analyze the steps required to open a small business and apply skills and abilities necessary for good leadership and management.