Automotive mechanics training

Lesson 1 • Shop Safety and Hazard Control

Covers personal protective equipment, chemical handling, and fire prevention in a shop setting. Directly supports safe participation in all hands-on lab activities.

Lesson 2 • History and Structure of the Auto Industry

Traces automotive evolution from early combustion engines to modern vehicles. Provides context for understanding why current systems are designed as they are.

Lesson 3 • Tools, Equipment, and Their Uses

Identifies hand tools, power tools, and shop equipment used in automotive service. Proper tool selection prevents damage and ensures accurate repairs.

Lesson 4 • Vehicle Identification and Documentation

Teaches VIN decoding, service label reading, and repair order completion. Accurate documentation is essential for liability, warranty, and quality control.

Lesson 1 • Batteries and Charging Systems

Covers battery construction, ratings, testing, and charging system components. A healthy charging system is prerequisite knowledge for engine and accessory diagnostics.

Lesson 2 • Starting System Components and Testing

Examines starter motor operation, solenoids, and cranking circuit integrity. Connects battery knowledge to the first step in engine operation.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Theory and Units

Explains voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law in automotive contexts. These principles underpin every electrical diagnosis performed in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Wiring Diagrams and Circuit Testing

Teaches schematic symbols, diagram navigation, and multimeter use for live circuits. Learners apply these skills in every subsequent electrical and electronic chapter.

Lesson 1 • Lubrication System Operation

Explains oil pump operation, pressure regulation, and oil circuit routing through the engine. Proper lubrication prevents the most costly engine failures encountered in service.

Lesson 2 • Cylinder Head and Valvetrain

Examines head design, valve types, camshaft arrangements, and variable valve timing. Valvetrain condition directly affects compression, power output, and emissions.

Lesson 3 • Four-Stroke Engine Operating Cycle

Details intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes and their timing relationships. Understanding the cycle is prerequisite for diagnosing any engine performance issue.

Lesson 4 • Cooling System Design and Function

Covers coolant flow, thermostat operation, radiator design, and water pump function. Thermal management knowledge is required before diagnosing overheating or heater faults.

Lesson 1 • No-Start and Misfire Diagnosis

Applies a structured diagnostic approach to no-start and cylinder misfire faults. Integrates fuel, ignition, and compression checks into a single workflow.

Lesson 2 • Ignition System Fundamentals

Covers primary and secondary ignition circuits, coil operation, and spark plug function. Ignition system health directly determines combustion efficiency and emissions output.

Lesson 3 • Port and Direct Fuel Injection Systems

Compares port injection and petrol direct injection architectures, injector types, and spray patterns. Understanding injection strategy is essential for carbon deposit and driveability diagnosis.

Lesson 4 • Ignition Timing and Engine Management

Explains how the ECM controls spark advance using sensor inputs and knock feedback. Timing accuracy affects power, fuel economy, and catalytic converter longevity.

Lesson 1 • Exhaust Analysis and Emissions Testing

Uses five-gas exhaust analysis to confirm combustion quality and catalyst efficiency. Connects sensor and fuel trim data to measurable tailpipe output.

Lesson 2 • Emission Control Devices and Operation

Examines EGR, PCV, EVAP, and catalytic converter systems and their diagnostic monitors. Each device reduces a specific pollutant and must function correctly for compliance.

Lesson 3 • Engine Management Sensors and Actuators

Covers MAF, MAP, oxygen, coolant, and throttle position sensors and their signal types. Sensor accuracy is the foundation of closed-loop fuel control and emission compliance.

Lesson 4 • Closed-Loop Fuel Control and Fuel Trim

Explains how the ECM uses oxygen sensor feedback to maintain stoichiometric combustion. Fuel trim values are the primary data set for diagnosing lean and rich conditions.

Lesson 1 • Manual and Automatic Transmission Basics

Compares gear ratio principles, clutch operation, and automatic transmission hydraulic circuits. Transmission knowledge is prerequisite for diagnosing shift quality and fluid condition faults.

Lesson 2 • ABS, Traction Control, and Stability Systems

Explains wheel speed sensor inputs, ABS modulator operation, and stability control intervention logic. These systems build on hydraulic brake knowledge and require scan tool diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Suspension, Steering, and Wheel Alignment

Covers suspension geometry, steering linkage, and alignment angle effects on tire wear. Proper alignment restores handling and prevents premature tire and component wear.

Lesson 4 • Hydraulic Brake System Components

Covers brake master cylinder, brake lines, calipers, wheel cylinders, and proportioning valves. Brake system integrity is the highest-priority safety concern in automotive service.

Lesson 1 • HVAC System Diagnosis and Performance Testing

Uses manifold gauges, temperature split testing, and leak detection to evaluate system performance. Integrates component and electrical knowledge into a complete diagnostic workflow.

Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Handling and Safety Compliance

Teaches proper recovery, recycling, and recharging procedures per environmental regulations. Compliant refrigerant handling is legally required and protects technician health.

Lesson 3 • Refrigeration Cycle and Thermodynamics

Explains heat transfer, pressure-temperature relationships, and the refrigeration cycle phases. This theory is the prerequisite for interpreting manifold gauge readings accurately.

Lesson 4 • HVAC System Components and Operation

Covers compressor, condenser, expansion device, evaporator, and receiver-drier functions. Component knowledge enables accurate fault isolation before opening the refrigerant circuit.

Lesson 1 • Vehicle Communication Networks

Covers CAN bus, LIN, and other network protocols used to link control modules. Network knowledge is required before diagnosing modules that share data across multiple systems.

Lesson 2 • Driver Assistance and Safety System Calibration

Covers radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensor calibration after collision repair or component replacement. Improper calibration of safety systems creates liability and endangers vehicle occupants.

Lesson 3 • Advanced Scan Tool Functions

Explores bi-directional controls, module programming, and data logging capabilities. These functions reduce diagnostic time and enable repairs not possible with basic code reading.

Lesson 4 • Body Control and Comfort System Diagnosis

Addresses body control module functions, keyless entry, immobiliser, and power accessory faults. Body systems generate high customer complaint volume and require network-aware diagnosis.