1. Careers in Automotive Technology
CHAPTER 1
Careers in Automotive Technology

2. Introduction
Early vehicles were basic machines with engines started by manually operating a crank handle.
Maintenance was vastly different from the technical requirements of modern vehicles.
As vehicle technology has developed, so have maintenance requirements.
Systems on modern vehicles are much more sophisticated and reliable.

3. A Short History of the Automobile (1 of 5)
Several engineers were working on the concept and design of the automobile in the 1800s.
The concept of the car continued to develop.

4. A Short History of the Automobile (2 of 5)
Karl Benz is generally acknowledged to have invented the modern automobile around 1885.
© Universal History Arc/age fotostock

5. A Short History of the Automobile (3 of 5)
Early versions were little more than horse carriages converted to have engines.
Unreliable and expensive
Considered a novelty
Mass production made them available to a wider community in the 1900s.

6. A Short History of the Automobile (4 of 5)
Henry Ford applied two concepts that helped make the Model T affordable for masses:
Interchangeability
The assembly line
© Courtesy Everett Col/age fotostock

7. A Short History of the Automobile (5 of 5)
Developments produced more powerful and reliable automobiles.
Became the predominate mode of personal transportation

8. Vehicle Manufacturing (1 of 4)
Developed from small independent makers in the late 1800s
Globalization of the automotive industry has seen manufacturers sharing models and making vehicles sold across the world.

9. Vehicle Manufacturing (2 of 4)
Modern assembly lines require large-scale investments.
Must know a new vehicle model will succeed before billions are invested in production line retooling
© Rainer Plendl/ShutterStock, Inc

10. Vehicle Manufacturing (3 of 4)
Today’s vehicles are assembled on high-volume production lines.
Robots are used for many of the assembly processes.
Assemblers continue to work on tasks still too complicated for robots.
Various parts of the vehicle are often made by large-scale parts manufacturers.

11. Vehicle Manufacturing (4 of 4)
Vehicle manufacturing is a high-volume business.
Everything must work in correct timing and sequence.
Modern vehicle plants use sophisticated technology to mass produce a product that is high quality and affordable.

12. Technology in Vehicles (1 of 2)
Technology adapts and changes as new research and development reach the production line.
The automotive sector is very competitive.
Manufacturers
Consumer expectations

13. Technology in Vehicles (2 of 2)
The modern vehicle contains complex electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems.
Use of technology will continue to increase as the industry responds to current pressures.
Climate change
Decreasing availability and increasing cost of crude oil-based products.

14. Careers in the Automotive Sector
Numerous career choices in automotive sector
Service
Retail
Manufacturing
Technical complexity growth leads to more specialized job roles.
Hybrid technicians

15. Lube Technicians (1 of 3)
Carry out all aspects of manufacturer-scheduled maintenance activities on range of systems
For example, the lubrication system

16. Lube Technicians (2 of 3) Perform a visual inspection of the vehicle
Required to raise vehicles using hydraulic hoists or jacks and to use hand tools
Time cards or scheduled maintenance paperwork

17. Lube Technicians (3 of 3)
May be required to assist other types of technicians
Keep workspace, tools, and equipment clean and organized

18. Light Line Technicians (1 of 3)
Diagnose and replace the mechanical and electrical components of motor vehicles
May be required to:
Discuss problems with vehicle owners
Operate special test equipment
Test-drive vehicles to identify faults

19. Light Line Technicians (2 of 3)
Need to know how to:
Research service information
Interpret wiring diagrams
Use information to diagnose and make repairs
May be require to use oxyacetylene and electric welders

20. Light Line Technicians (3 of 3)
Reassemble, test, clean, and adjust repaired or replaced parts or assemblies
Use various instruments
Test and repair electrical systems
Inspect vehicles

21. Heavy Line Technicians (1 of 2)
Undertake major engine, transmission, and differential overhaul and repair
Diagnose, overhaul, repair, or replace parts and assemblies
Able to research service information

22. Heavy Line Technicians (2 of 2)
Reassemble, test, clean, and adjust repaired or replaced parts or assemblies
Using various tests, measuring instruments, and tools to make sure parts are working properly
Some technicians are more generalized and work on a broad range of vehicles.
Others specialize in particular areas.
May also specialize in particular vehicle systems

23. Chassis and Brake Technicians (1 of 4)
Specialize and work only on chassis and brakes of vehicles
Includes steering and suspension
Inspect and diagnose these before performing repairs

24. Chassis and Brake Technicians (2 of 4)
Chassis technicians
Diagnose, repair, and service steering system components and suspension systems
Diagnose faults in steering and suspension systems
Perform wheel alignments and wheel balancing
Diagnose and replace faulty components

25. Chassis and Brake Technicians (3 of 4)
Diagnose and repair faults
Replace or overhaul brake systems
Test components of disc, drum, and power brake systems

26. Chassis and Brake Technicians (4 of 4)
Brake technicians (cont’d)
Visually inspect brake units
Can measure brake drum and disc rotors to the nearest ″ ( mm) to determine if the wear or finished size meets specifications
Often, replace leaky brake cylinders and machine rotors and drums
Ensure brake systems are filled with the correct fluid, are bled or flushed, and function properly

27. Electrical/Drivability Technicians (1 of 6)
May be performed by single person or by technicians who specialize in more than one area
In larger shops roles could be assigned to two separate technicians.
In smaller shops one technician could perform both roles.
Often, roles cross over.

28. Electrical/Drivability Technicians (2 of 6)
Electrical technician
Diagnose, replace, maintain, identify faults with, and repair electrical wiring and computer-based equipment

29. Electrical/Drivability Technicians (3 of 6)
Electrical technician (cont’d)
Work with computer-controlled engine management systems
Service, identify, and repair faults on electronically controlled vehicle systems
Install electrical components and accessories

30. Electrical/Drivability Technicians (4 of 6)
Electrical technician (cont’d)
Use meters, oscilloscopes, test instruments, and circuit wiring diagrams to diagnose electrical faults
Test, replace, and repair systems
Use solder equipment when repairing electrical components

31. Electrical/Drivability Technicians (5 of 6)
Diagnose and identify mechanical and electrical faults that affect the performance and emissions of vehicles
Carry out maintenance activities, replace parts, and repair both electrical wiring and computer-based equipment in vehicles
Work with computer-controlled engine management systems

32. Electrical/Drivability Technicians (6 of 6)
Drivability technician (cont’d)
Locate electrical, fuel, and emission faults using various tools
Program or reprogram (reflash) engine control units
Using computerized equipment

33. Transmission Specialists (1 of 3)
There is a need for a transmission specialist due to:
The increasing complexity of modern transmissions
Requirements for specialized service equipment to repair them
Diagnose, overhaul, and repair transmission units

34. Transmission Specialists (2 of 3)
Work on manual and automatic transmissions
Work on both light vehicle and heavy vehicle transmissions
Specialize in:
Heavy and light vehicle transmissions
Earth-moving transmissions
Automatic transmissions.

35. Transmission Specialists (3 of 3)
May work on other components of drive train
Test-drive vehicles and listen to customer concerns
Use hand tools that heavy vehicle technicians use and specialized equipment
Measure and check systems

36. Shop Foreman (1 of 2) Supervisor in a shop
Responsible for hiring and training
Provides regular performance reviews
Oversees technicians’ work
Ensures customers receive quality repair work

37. Shop Foreman (2 of 2) A shop foreman can work in:
A small shop providing services to general public
Large commercial repair shop for light vehicles
A shop that specializes in maintaining trucks
Enforces safety procedures at all times

38. Service Consultants (1 of 2)
Work with customers and technicians
First point of contact for customers

39. Service Consultants (2 of 2)
Responsibilities:
Book customer work in the shop
Fill out repair orders
Price repairs
Invoice
Keep track of work performed
Build customer relations
Interface between technician and customer
Service consultants can progress to become a service manager.

40. Service Manager (1 of 2)
Responsible for the functioning of service department
Requires well-established skills
Communicating
Motivating
Creating positive work environments

41. Service Manager (2 of 2) Supervises many people
Handles customer complaints
Accountable for overall performance of shop
Service managers can work their way up through various roles.

42. Types of Shops (1 of 7)
There are many facilities that cater to specific customer needs.
Can be broken down into 5 categories that cater to a particular segment of the industry

43. Types of Shops (2 of 7) Dealerships
Affiliated with a specific vehicle manufacturer
Sell new and used vehicles
Maintenance, service, and warranty repairs on vehicles sold by manufacturer

44. Types of Shops (3 of 7) Dealerships (cont’d)
At the cutting edge of technology
Have instant access to:
Manufacturer’s service information
Manufacturer’s service representatives

45. Types of Shops (4 of 7) Independent shops
Not affiliated with manufacturers
Service broad range of vehicles
May limit work
Vehicles that are out of warranty and not latest technology

46. Types of Shops (5 of 7) Specialty shops
Independent shops focusing on one type of service
Offer limited services

47. Types of Shops (6 of 7) Franchises
Connected to a larger parent organization
Parent organization can help with:
Marketing
A mechanism for warranty claims that are honored at related franchise shops

48. Types of Shops (7 of 7) Fleet shops Connected with:
Business that runs vehicles or equipment maintained and repaired in house
A government agency who has maintenance and repair of its vehicles and equipment
More likely the vehicles will be serviced on a regular basis

49. Automotive Industry Certification (1 of 7)
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified
An independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improvement of vehicle repair through testing and certification of automotive professionals
Voluntary to become certified

50. Automotive Industry Certification (2 of 7)
To earn ASE certification
Pass one or more ASE certification tests
Two years of qualifying work experience
Renewed every 5 years
275,000 certified ASE technicians in U.S.

51. Automotive Industry Certification (3 of 7)
The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)
An accrediting body for secondary and post-secondary automotive training programs
Independent, nonprofit organization under umbrella of ASE
To be accredited by NATEF, must demonstrate compliance to list of standards developed by automotive industry

52. Automotive Industry Certification (4 of 7)
NATEF program instructors must also maintain ASE certification in the areas they teach.
Valid for 5 years

53. Automotive Industry Certification (5 of 7)
The Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES)
An independent, nonprofit organization that is a partnership between automotive manufacturers, their dealerships, and affiliated secondary automotive programs
Receive access to new technology vehicles as well as manufacturer service information

54. Automotive Industry Certification (6 of 7)
AYES (cont’d)
Prepares students for working on today’s vehicles and technology
Students intern at participating dealerships alongside a mentor technician.

55. Automotive Industry Certification (7 of 7)
To become a AYES program:
School has to be NATEF certified
Evaluated by AYES against set of standards

56. Special Certification
Two special certification requirements
ASE Advanced Engine Performance certification
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 609 certification

57. Summary (1 of 6)
Modern vehicles are more sophisticated, with longer maintenance intervals than early vehicles.
Karl Benz is considered the inventor of the modern automobile in 1885.
Application of interchangeability and the assembly line made cars more affordable.
Today’s production lines are high-volume, high-technology plants.

58. Summary (2 of 6)
Lube technicians carry out standard. maintenance services
Light line technicians are responsible for maintenance and repair of mechanical electrical components.
Heavy line technicians diagnose and repair major engine or transmission problems and perform differential overhaul.

59. Summary (3 of 6)
Chassis and brake technicians repair the vehicle’s chassis and brakes, including steering and suspension. Can be one person or two.
Electrical technicians diagnose and repair the vehicle’s electrical wiring and computer-based equipment.

60. Summary (4 of 6)
Drivability technicians are responsible for inspecting mechanical and electrical faults that affect performance and emissions.
Transmission specialists diagnose and repair manual and automatic transmissions units.

61. Summary (5 of 6)
The shop foreman is responsible for administrative duties, supervising technicians, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Service consultants make sure customers are satisfied with their experience at the shop.
Service managers run the service department and create a positive work environment.

62. Summary (6 of 6)
Types of repair facilities are dealerships, independent shops, specialty shops, franchises/retailers, and fleet shops.
Automotive technicians may become ASE certified; training programs may be NATEF accredited; school programs may be AYES authorized; and technicians may choose to receive certification in emissions failures and/or air-conditioning systems.

63. Credits
Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs and illustrations are under copyright of Jones & Bartlett Learning.