Automotive Service Technology 1 & 2

  • Automotive Service Technology
     

    Length
    Automotive Service Technology 1 - 1050 hours
    Automotive Service Technology 2 - 750 hours 
    Admissions Contacts          Clearwater - Yata Fields fieldsy@pcsb.org
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    Program Costs Download / Laptop Purchasing Guidelines
     

    Next class starts May 30, 2023!

     Scroll down to see pictures of the state-of-the-art facilities on the Clearwater campus!
     
    Mission: The mission of Pinellas Technical College’s automotive program is to train students for industry using proven, innovative, and accepted practices combined with related knowledge and skills. The program will encourage students who possess the drive and desire to succeed, to develop a rewarding career opportunity in the transportation industry.
     
    Automotive Service Technology consists of two programs: Automotive Service Technology 1 - T400700 (1050 hours) and Automotive Service Technology 2 -T400800 (750 hours).
     
    Students must complete Automotive Service Technology 1 or demonstrate mastery of the program outcomes prior to enrollment in Automotive Service Technology 2.
     
    These programs consist of a planned sequence of courses that is based on the Automotive Service Excellence (A.S.E.) certification. Student owned hand tools are required and safety is stressed.
     
    Automotive Service Technology 1

    Automotive Services Assistor - Course AER0014 (300 Hours) – Instruction includes introduction to the history, present day and the future of modern automobiles.  The understanding of automotive terms and systems including their functions in motor vehicles. The students will be introduced to common shop tools, equipment and the safe proper use of them. They will learn to perform vehicle maintenance, inspections, and light vehicle repairs along with wheel and tire services. The students will also be introduced to electrical system basics, wiring schematics, meter usage and fundamentals of troubleshooting electrical circuits. As part of this course students will have a better understanding of OSHA, proper handling and disposal of chemicals or hazardous materials used in a shop environment. Heavy focus on personal and shop safety procedures includes the use of PPE (personal protective equipment). Students will increase their proficiency in soft skills with employability skills emphasized. 
     
    Automotive Brake System Technician- Course AER0418 (150 Hours) – Instruction includes theory, operation, diagnosis and service of hydraulic braking systems, drum brake, disc brake, anti-lock brakes, and power assist systems. Lab work includes demonstrations, hands-on practice to provide a working knowledge of diagnosis and repair of the hydraulic systems, drum and disc brake systems, power assist units and associated systems. Included will be coverage of wheel bearings, parking brakes, related electrical circuits, and proper use of on-car and off-car brake lathes.
     
    Automobile Suspension and Steering Technician - Course AER0453 (150 Hours) – Instruction includes the fundamentals of the chassis, including basic and power steering systems, variable effort power steering systems, suspension systems (both basic and computer controlled), geometric centerline alignment, thrust line alignment, and total four-wheel alignment as the focus of this course. Proper procedures in diagnosis of steering and suspension systems, replacing components along with basic frame, and body measuring for correct locations are also covered. Lab work includes steering and suspension repair, tire balancing and alignment on computerized alignment equipment, and computerized wheel balancing utilizing school training aids.
     
    Automotive Electrical/Electronic System Technician - Course AER0360 (300 Hours) – Instruction includes information on electrical circuits, instrumentation, electronic climate controls, cruise control, advanced lighting systems, air bags, multiple types of sensors, multiplexing, and motorized seatbelts. This material will include automotive and light truck electronic applications. The course is an in depth study of electronic components and how they work. Also to be covered is the use of digital multi-meters, scan tools, oscilloscopes, and diagnostic charts for computerized management systems. This course will instruct how these devices help in troubleshooting electrical problems.
     
    Engine Repair Technician - Course AER0110 (150 Hours) – Instruction in the principles of four-stroke engine designs are the foundation for this study. This introduction to automotive engines includes theory, construction and overhaul procedures, including cylinder heads, blocks, bearings, pistons, rods, crankshafts, valve trains, and gaskets. Proper use of hand tools, precision tools, special engine tools, and equipment is demonstrated. Lab work includes application of diagnosis, and overhaul and repair procedures on training aids.
     
    Automotive Service Technology 2
     
    Automotive Engine Performance Technician - Course AER0503 (300 Hours) – Instruction includes skills in basic engine performance on gasoline four stroke engines. Diagnosis and repair of these systems and components are stressed: ignition and related electrical circuits, vehicle communication circuits, sensors, fuel systems, air induction, and computer and emission systems. Demonstrations and hands-on work on vehicles will provide a working knowledge of diagnosis using test equipment ranging from timing lights, compression testers, cylinder leakage testers, and vacuum gauges to engine analyzers with oscilloscopes, and four-gas analyzers.
     
    Automatic Transmission and Trans-axle Technician - Course AER0257 (150 Hours) – Instruction includes principles of hydraulic systems, planetary gear sets, torque converters, electronic control systems, and basic transmission components which are the basis for this course. Diagnosis, servicing, and adjustments of various automatic transmissions and transaxles are covered. Lab work includes disassembly, inspection, reassembly, and adjustment on training aids. Lab projects include diagnosis, repair or overhaul of transmissions in late model vehicles, and demonstration of special tools and techniques.
     
    Manual Drive Train and Axle Technician - Course AER0274 (150 Hours) – Instruction includes examining the basic construction, operating principles, and power flow of the manual drive train system. Students will study diagnosis and overhaul of clutch assemblies, four-speed and five-speed transmissions and transaxles, four-wheel drive components, and front- and rear wheel drive shafts. Integral and removable ring and pinion replacement and setup will be discussed and performed by the students. Lab projects include disassembly, inspection and reassembly on late model vehicles and equipment.
     
    Automotive Heating and Air-Conditioning Technician - Course AER0172 (150 Hours) – Instruction includes a study of design characteristics and principles of vehicle air conditioning, including basic system operation, heat transfer, proper handling of refrigerants, effects of refrigerants on the environment, component location, and system components. Lab work includes assignments to develop the skills and knowledge required to perform heating and air conditioning service, diagnosis and repair, and recovery and recycling of R12 & 134A. Basic electrical system principles, use of a digital multi-meter, and automatic climate control diagnosis will be studied.
     
    Distance Education: Not available at this time
     
    Articulation Agreement(s): Statewide Automotive Service Management Technology, A.A.S./A.S. Degree

    We support:

    ASEed  

    AND
     
    Clearwater Campus Partnership:
     
    NC3 - National Coalition of Certification Centers MOPAR CAP FCA - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
    Snap-On Tools   HondaLogo
     
     
     
    Industry Certification(s): 
    • National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) – various levels
    • Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Section 609 certification
    • Florida Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) Certified Technician industry certification for high school students. 
     
    Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirement:  70%
     
    Minimum Attendance Requirement:  70%
     
    Basic Skills Entrance/Exit Requirements:  Student's competency in computation (mathematics) and communication (reading/language arts) is pre-assessed; required basic skills grade levels are: Computation - 10 and Communication - 9.
    Pinellas Technical College proudly partners with
     
    Crown
     
     
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    Program length and costs are approximate, and subject to change.

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