Automotive Technology

The Automotive Analysis Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• identify and implement safety procedures involved in the diagnosis, service, and repair of all major automobile and light truck systems.
• describe the function, operation, and characteristics of all major components in the following automotive systems: engines, automatic transmissions, electrical, air conditioning, emission control and computerized engine controls.
• identify and follow manufacturer's standards for proper automobile diagnosis and repair.
• operate hand and power tools necessary for automobile and light truck repair.
• operate diagnostic equipment and interpret test results.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair automotive engines, automatic transmissions, electrical systems, fuel delivery systems, ignition systems, emissions control systems, and computerized engine controls.
• operate a variety of aftermarket and factory scan tools.

Automotive Technician Smog Check Technician

The Automotive Component Service Technician Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• diagnose and repair major automotive components.
• describe the relationships between automotive components.
• complete service and repair work to industry time and quality standards.
• follow Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for handling and use of hazardous material found in an automotive shop.
• demonstrate safe work practices in the auto shop.

Employment as a technician, shop foreman, service manager for new car dealers, automotive repair shops, and fleet operators.

The Automotive Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• apply algebraic and mathematical concepts essential to advancement in the automotive industry.
• operate equipment and tools safely.
• evaluate, adjust, test, and diagnose components/system malfunctions.
• diagnose, assess, and repair manual and automatic transmissions and transaxles.
• locate, download, and analyze technical manuals from the Internet, digital, and text sources.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair automotive electrical and electronic systems to ASE performance level.
• diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair basic air conditioning (AC) systems.
• diagnose, disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble components of the steering and suspension system.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair engines to ASE performance levels.
• analyze and repair fuel injection systems to ASE standards.
• diagnose engine emission control systems to ASE standards.
• prepare for the State Smog Check Inspector and California State Smog Check Repair Technician tests.

The Green Vehicle Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate basic automotive system service procedures on alternative fuels vehicles.
• describe different alternative fuels vehicle designs.
• describe the process of making biodiesel.
• analyze electrical and electronic components and identify failures.
• use automotive test equipment such as digital multimeters and scan tools.
• demonstrate high voltage system disable procedures on hybrid electric vehicles.
• apply algebraic and mathematical concepts essential to advancement in the automotive industry.
• operate equipment and tools safely.
• assess, adjust, test, and diagnose components/system malfunctions.
• locate, download, and analyze technical manuals from the Internet, digital, and text sources.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair automotive electrical and electronic systems to ASE performance level.
• assemble a basic electric vehicle operating system.

Alternative fuels is an emerging career field that is rapidly growing. This certificate prepares automotive technology students for entrance into this field, from servicing alternative fuels vehicles to developing alternative fuels technology. Additional career opportunities are likely as the industry continues to grow.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• identify and implement safety procedures involved in the service and repair of Automotive Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• describe the function, operation and characteristics of each component in automotive HVAC systems.
• operate diagnostic equipment and interpret results from the equipment.
• diagnose automotive HVAC systems including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic.
• repair automotive HVAC systems including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic.
• diagnose engine cooling systems.
• repair engine cooling systems.
• follow Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for the handling and use of refrigerants.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• identify and implement safety procedures involved in the diagnosis, service, and repair of all major automobile and light truck systems.
• describe the function, operation, and characteristics of all major components in the following automotive systems: engines, automatic transmissions, electrical, air conditioning, emission control, and computerized engine controls.
• identify and follow manufacturer's standards for proper automobile diagnosis and repair.
• operate hand and power tools necessary for automobile and light truck repair.
• operate diagnostic equipment and interpret test results.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair automotive engines, automatic transmissions, electrical systems, fuel delivery systems, ignition systems, emissions control systems, and computerized engine controls.
• operate a variety of aftermarket and factory scan tools.

Automotive Technician Smog Check Technician

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• diagnose and repair automotive major automotive components.
• describe the relationship between automotive components.
• complete service and repair tasks to industry time and quality standards.
• follow Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for handling and use of hazardous material found in an automotive shop.
• demonstrate safe work practices in the auto shop.

Employment as a technician for new car dealers, automotive repair shops, and fleet operators.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• operate emission analyzers and tools safely.
• evaluate, adjust, test, and diagnose components/system malfunctions.
• research, download, and analyze technical manuals from the Internet, digital, and text sources.
• inspect, diagnose, and repair automotive electrical and electronic systems at Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) performance level.
• inspect, diagnose, and repair engines to ASE performance levels.
• inspect, diagnose, and repair fuel injection systems to ASE and BAR standards.
• diagnose engine emission systems to ASE and Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) standards.
• prepare for state smog inspector and repair technician certifications.

California State Smog Inspector and California State Smog Repair Technician.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• analyze engine components for wear and/or tear.
• evaluate required engine component repairs by checking them with measurement and test equipment.
• set up and perform one or more machining operations.
• assess electronic, mechanical, or hydraulic failures in powertrain components.
• assemble automatic transmission gear train, shafts, bushings, oil pump, and case.
• assess and adjust automatic transmission bands as necessary.
• inspect and replace automatic transmission friction and reaction units.
• identify the external and internal parts of 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines.
• diagnose and repair manual transmissions and transaxles.
• inspect and repair rear axle ring and pinion gears, differential case assembly, limited slip differential, and axle shafts.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• apply algebraic and mathematical concepts essential to advancement in the automotive industry.
• operate equipment and tools safely.
• evaluate, adjust, test, and diagnose components/system malfunctions.
• diagnose, assess, and repair manual transmissions and transaxles.
• locate, download, and analyze technical manuals from the Internet, digital, and text sources.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair automotive electrical and electronic systems at ASE performance level.
• diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair basic air conditioning (AC) systems.
• diagnose, disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble all components of the steering and suspension system.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair engines to ASE performance levels.
• analyze and repair fuel injection systems to ASE standards.
• diagnose engine emission systems to ASE standards.
• prepare for the State Smog Check Inspector and California State Smog Check Repair Technician tests.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• evaluate vehicle horsepower safely and effectively by use of diagnostic equipment.
• analyze and demonstrate safe operating practices both in the shop and track environment with stock and modified vehicles.
• validate and summarize outcomes of fuel, timing and power band modifications through hands-on exposure to live data derived before and after modifications.
• apply performance based principles to construct and operate a vehicle for competition, including classification divisions within a sanctioned racing organization.
• organize maintenance schedules and record keeping in order to keep vehicle competitive throughout a season.
• accurately interpret computer software data to make adjustments and modifications to improve performance and/or economy of a modern vehicle.

The “Tuner” industry is a rapidly growing industry. Professional technicians today are modifying vehicles for both on and off road application. This certificate prepares the students for the following career opportunities: alternative fuels diagnostic technician, off-road performance tuner, and a racing team crew member.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate basic automotive system service procedures on alternative fuels vehicles.
• describe different alternative fuels vehicle designs.
• describe the process of making biodiesel.
• analyze electrical and electronic components and identify failures.
• use automotive test equipment such as digital multimeters and scan tools.
• demonstrate high voltage system disable procedures on hybrid electric vehicles.
• apply algebraic and mathematical concepts essential to advancement in the automotive industry.
• operate equipment and tools safely.
• assess, adjust, test, and diagnose components/system malfunctions.
• locate, download, and analyze technical manuals from the Internet, digital, and text sources.
• analyze, diagnose, and repair automotive electrical and electronic systems to ASE performance level.
• assemble a basic electric vehicle operating system.

Alternative fuels is an emerging career field that is rapidly growing. This certificate prepares automotive technology students for entrance into this field, from servicing alternative fuels vehicles to developing alternative fuels technology. Additional career opportunities are likely as the industry continues to grow.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• apply established procedures in the automotive industry.
• manage the satisfactory resolution of service-related customer issues.
• create a service work order.
• justify dispatching and invoicing priority.

Various entry level positions in the automotive parts and service industry, such as service writers and parts specialists.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate accepted safety and work procedures, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and proper hazardous materials disposal.
• service and repair the starter systems of 2-cycle and 4-cycle small engines.
• identify the external and internal parts of 2-cycle and 4-cycle small engines.
• determine the proper lubrication and fuel requirements for 2-cycle and 4-cycle small engines using factory maintenance data.
• service and repair the cooling and oil systems of 2-cycle and 4-cycle small engines.
• remove, rebuild, install, adjust, and tune 2-cycle and 4-cycle small engine fuel delivery and ignition system components.

The automotive small engines industry is growing and in need of technicians. This certificate prepares students for employment in many different areas, including horticulture, off road vehicles, marine applications, and many others.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate safe, accurate use of tools and equipment.
• apply accurate measurement techniques.
• explain screen orientation and how to navigate through different functions of the VERUS scanner.
• perform the proper procedure to do an oil change on a vehicle.
• locate and analyze technical manuals from online computerized databases.
• apply retrieved data to specific vehicle conditions.

The automotive industry is growing and in need of technicians. Snap-On™ certifications are in high demand.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• analyze an automotive transmission, applying elements of drive-train theory.
• investigate an automotive electrical malfunction by locating, testing and identifying the failure in order to make the necessary repairs.
• research automotive data sources in order to identify the correct repair procedure, and locate safety campaigns and bulletins.
• describe the operation of drive-train components in order to report and justify a recommended repair procedure.
• apply gear theory to drive-train malfunction.
• evaluate and recognize the drive-train malfunction.

Entry-level positions in automatic transmission, clutch, and drive-train repair.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• develop a resume and cover letter to plan for future career opportunities.
• perform run-out and parallelism evaluations on brake rotors and machine to manufacturer's specifications.
• measure and analyze suspension angles of a modern automobile and make adjustments necessary to bring the angle within manufacturer's specifications.
• identify modern exhaust system components and demonstrate how they relate to California emission control laws.
• research and synthesize brake, suspension, and exhaust system information on electronic service manuals to provide information on repairs to meet industry standards.

This certificate provides students with knowledge for entry-level careers in the automotive suspension, brake, and exhaust repair facilities.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• describe shop orientation and safety issues.
• discuss the basics of vehicle service including oil, lubrication, inspection, and replacement of fluids.
• demonstrate proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous materials in the automotive shop environment, combined with a safety test.
• practice safety precautions and procedures when inspecting and repairing braking systems.
• analyze the various brake components used on automobiles and describe the functions of each.
• evaluate and diagnose brake components/system malfunctions.
• reassemble and adjust all components of the brake system following service manual procedures.
• arrange, clean, inspect, and measure all components of brake systems following established service manual procedures.

The automotive brakes industry is growing and in need of technicians.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• analyze, describe, and avoid unsafe working conditions and unsafe acts, as well as observe safety regulations in an auto repair facility.
• identify the various components used on automotive steering and suspension systems and describe the function of each.
• perform geometric centerline and thrustline alignments.
• disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble all components of the steering and suspension systems in accordance with service manual procedures.
• determine the need for and perform four-wheel alignments.
• diagnose any malfunction of the steering suspension components used on automobiles.

The automotive suspension and steering industry is growing and in need of technicians.