Auto Service
Description
Auto Service (Mechanics) 1
The two-year auto service program, taught by ASE-certified instructors, is designed to train students for entry-level automotive technician roles and/or prepare them for post-secondary programs. Students’ knowledge of measurement, estimation, and algebra, along with a technology course, would be advantageous. First-year students will develop vehicle maintenance and repair skills, including brakes, steering, and suspension, and will also learn the basics of electrical systems and engine performance sensors. The curriculum follows the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) format. This program aims to prepare students for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification exams. Students will need to purchase a Wilco work shirt, safety glasses, and nitrile gloves. The Ford ACE program is offered as part of the curriculum.
Estimated cost: $50.00 and $36($12/JJC credit hour).
Dual credit: Joliet Junior College AS101(3 credit hours)
Certifications may include: OSHA 10-hour General Industry
Exceptions: Lockport Students cannot register for this program.
Guidance Notes: 70% of the time in the lab, assignment, and test for each area/chapter.
Auto Service (Mechanics) 2
Second-year students will continue their electrical and engine performance training after successfully completing Auto Service 1. Students will complete labs involving diagnosing electrical circuits, sensors, drivability issues, check engine lights, and emission-related problems. Upon finishing this two-year course, students may earn college credits towards Nashville Auto Diesel or Joliet Junior College. Students are encouraged to further their training through a suitable technical school, college, manufacturer's program, or university. The curriculum follows the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) format. This program prepares students for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. Students should bring safety glasses, work shirts, and nitrile gloves. Replacement items are available for an additional fee. The Mercedes-Benz Connect program is offered as part of the curriculum.
Dual credit may include: Joliet Junior College AS106(3 credit hours).
Estimated cost: $50.00 Student fee and $36.00-$48.00($12/JJC credit hour).
Certifications may include: OSHA 10-hour General Industry
Exceptions: Lockport Students cannot register for this program.
Guidance Notes: 70% of time in the lab, assignment, and test for each area/chapter.
Philosophy
Students will be expected to meet all course goals and demonstrate their ability to perform common automotive service routines within our four areas of content. Shop assignments will be conducted in groups of 2-3 depending on the given assignment and task to be carried out. Individual assignments and hand-on tests will be given for students to prove their knowledge and ability to perform repair procedures. Students must also be able to demonstrate their ability to research and locate the proper information or materials needed to repair the vehicle whether or not the information is on the computer or in repair manuals. If necessary, students can be given more than one opportunity to achieve 70 percent score on their assignments or lab work to pass the course.
Goals
Students will learn how to:
- Follow safety procedures while working on cars or in a shop environment.
- Develop workplace skills such as teamwork, or work ethics.
- Apply math, science, and language arts to the course.
- Demonstrate and apply their knowledge of braking systems, electronics, engine performance, and steering and suspension.
- Develop their skills in dealing with customers, and running a business.
Employment Potential
Here is a helpful link for the U.S. Department of Labor about an automotive technician’s earnings, job outlook, working conditions, and nature of work.
Projects
Student Requirements
Students will be required to purchase and wear safety glasses, Nitrile gloves, Wilco coveralls, and tools. Items will be purchased through Wilco with the exception of the tools being up to the students for brand and cost options. Wilco does not specify an exact tool set or brand but has a recommendation for the Craftsman 155 PC. tool set part number 935155 or equivalent. Under NO circumstances will students be allowed to wear open toed shoes in the shop area. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in a zero in class participation for the day and repeated offenders will result in removal from the class. Estimated cost of participation is $150.00
Course Outline
Make Up Work
Students will have one day to make up work for each day absent. Students will not be allowed to make up work for unexcused absences.
Grading
- Classroom Performance 20% (Test, Quizzes, and Assignments)
- Lab Performance 40% (Hands on work, safe work 77-85 “C”performance including tools,coveralls, glasses, etc.)
- NATEF Task Performance 30%
- Exam 10%
Wilco Grading Scale
90 – 100 “A”
80 – 89 “B”
70 – 79 “C”
60 – 69 “D”
Below 60 “F”
Skills Recommendations
A student who is considering enrolling in the Automotive Technology program at the
Wilco Area Career Center should have:
Knowledge and Skills in these Academic areas:
Mathematics:
• Add, subtract, multiply, & divide positive and negative numbers, fractions,
and decimals
Reading:
• Read and comprehend technical publications involving cause and effect
determination.
• Understand multiple step instructions
• Decode words
Writing:
• Need to write responses to technical questions in complete sentences.
Skills and Abilities in:
• Reasoning and Problem Solving
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong
• Identify problems and review information
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions, remember
information such as words, numbers, pictures, procedures, and specifications
• Must be able to concentrate while performing tasks that require step by step
procedures
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses
Working with Things:
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them
• Install equipment, run machines, diagnose wiring problems, and research
computer information for vehicle specifications and repair procedures
• Determine when and what kind of maintenance needs to be performed
• Test and evaluate vehicle or components to make sure it operates correctly
• Determine the correct tools and equipment needed to perform a job
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure vehicle is performing within
specifications obtained
Perceiving and Visualizing:
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are
rearranged
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns
