Lesson 1Pre-inspection walkaround: visible leaks, tire condition, fluid levels, obvious wiring or harness damageGuides a careful outside and engine bay check before moving the vehicle. Covers looking for leaks, tire wear, glass damage, fluid levels, loose parts, and clear wiring or harness problems, writing all findings on the repair order.
Outside body, glass, and lights checkLooking at tires, wheels, and tread wearChecking for visible fluid leaksEngine bay fluid level and belt checksFinding wiring and harness damageLesson 2Vehicle security and key handling policies during inspection and test drive preparationExplains how to manage keys, remotes, and keyless fobs to avoid loss or theft. Details safe storage, sign-out books, valet tags, and rules for test drives, including who can drive, route planning, and noting mileage before and after.
Key tag coding and identification rulesSafe key storage and access controlKey sign-out books and accountabilityTest drive permission and routingAfter test drive mileage and fuel checksLesson 3Recording and storing customer consent for diagnostic time and potential chargesDescribes how to explain diagnostic steps, rates, and possible extra costs. Shows how to get written or digital agreement, set money or time limits, and save approvals in the repair order system to avoid arguments and follow the law.
Explaining diagnostic process and estimatesSetting time and money permission limitsWritten, digital, and recorded approvalsUpdating agreement when scope growsStoring consent records in repair order systemLesson 4Photos and initial evidence gathering: where to photograph and how to label images for the ROCovers best ways to photograph vehicles at intake, including outside, inside, engine bay, and damage spots. Explains file naming, repair order linking, time stamps, and labeling images so they are clear, trackable, and strong in court.
Needed intake photo angles and viewsRecording pre-existing damage and wearEngine bay and underbody photo guidelinesFile naming and repair order number rulesTime stamps, metadata, and chain of custodyLesson 5Structured symptom interview: clarifying when, how often, and conditions of CEL, rough idle, hesitation, and fuel economy changeProvides a planned way to talk with customers about driving problems. Focuses on making clear when symptoms happen, how often, operating conditions, fuel quality, and recent changes, to improve diagnosis and cut down on return visits.
Making clear concern: CEL, idle, hesitationTime, frequency, and length of symptomsOperating conditions and load factorsFuel quality, recent fill-ups, and additivesRecent repairs, events, or modificationsLesson 6Documenting initial odometer, VIN, fuel level, and any customer-provided observations or prior repairsTeaches how to correctly record odometer, VIN, fuel level, and customer notes at intake. Stresses checking VIN plate and labels, noting warning stickers, and capturing past repairs or added equipment that may affect diagnosis or warranty.
Reading and recording odometer correctlyFinding and checking VIN and labelsRecording fuel level and fuel typeRecording past repairs and modificationsCapturing customer notes and concernsLesson 7Receiving the vehicle and confirming customer complaints on a repair orderFocuses on taking the vehicle, verifying identity, and matching customer concerns to the repair order. Covers confirming contact info, complaint wording, symptoms versus diagnoses, and recording any warning lights or noises at drop-off.
Verifying customer and vehicle identityTranslating concerns into clear complaintsSeparating symptoms from customer diagnosesConfirming contact and permission detailsRecording warning lights, noises, and smellsLesson 8Lift and jacking procedures, wheel chock placement, and vehicle stability verificationDetails safe lifting and jacking steps for different vehicle types. Includes picking lift points, using jack stands, placing wheel chocks, checking stability before work, and following maker and garage safety rules every time.
Finding approved lift and jack pointsSetting arms and pads correctlyWheel chock placement for lifts and jacksVerifying vehicle stability before workLowering steps and after-lift checksLesson 9Required safety checks before work: PPE, parking brake, wheel chocks, keys, immobilizer, battery disconnect policyOutlines must-do safety checks before any work starts. Includes picking PPE, checking parking brake and gear position, wheel chock placement, garage ventilation, immobilizer use, and when and how to disconnect or reconnect the battery safely.
Picking and using required PPEParking brake and transmission checksWheel chock placement best practicesImmobilizer and anti-theft precautionsBattery disconnect and reconnect stepsLesson 10Using the dealership repair order system: fields to populate (complaints, visual findings, advised authorizations)Explains how to use the dealership repair order system and fill required fields correctly. Covers complaint, cause, and correction setup, attaching photos and estimates, adding technician notes, and entering suggested services and approvals.
Must-do repair order header and vehicle fieldsEntering complaints, causes, correctionsAttaching photos and documents to repair ordersRecording estimates and permissionsAdding notes for parts and warranty staff
