Basic Automotive Course

Lesson 1 • Tools and Equipment Fundamentals

Identifies hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments used in vehicle service. Proper tool selection prevents damage and ensures accurate repairs.

Lesson 2 • Shop Safety and Work Environment

Establishes safe practices for working in an automotive shop, including hazard identification and personal protective equipment. Safety compliance underpins every hands-on activity.

Lesson 3 • Reading Service Documentation

Teaches interpretation of manufacturer service manuals, wiring diagrams, and parts catalogues. Accurate documentation reading is essential for correct diagnosis and repair.

Lesson 4 • Major Systems Overview

Introduces the engine, transmission, braking, electrical, and fuel systems as an integrated whole. Provides the conceptual map students reference throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Engine Lubrication System

Explains oil pump operation, oil passages, and filter function in reducing friction and heat. Lubrication failures are a leading cause of engine damage addressed in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Engine Block and Cylinder Components

Examines the block, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, and bearings as a mechanical assembly. Component wear patterns introduced here guide later inspection procedures.

Lesson 3 • Valvetrain and Camshaft Systems

Covers overhead-cam and pushrod valvetrain designs, valve timing, and variable valve timing systems. Valvetrain knowledge connects directly to engine performance and efficiency.

Lesson 4 • Four-Stroke Combustion Cycle

Details intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes and the physics behind each. Understanding the cycle is the basis for diagnosing engine performance issues.

Lesson 1 • Charging System Operation

Explains alternator construction, voltage regulator function, and charging system output testing. A healthy charging system sustains all vehicle electronics and prevents battery drain.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Theory for Technicians

Introduces voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law in the context of automotive circuits. These principles are applied in every subsequent electrical diagnostic task.

Lesson 3 • Battery and Starting System

Covers battery construction, state-of-charge testing, and starter motor operation under load. Battery and starter faults are among the most frequent customer complaints.

Lesson 4 • Lighting and Accessory Circuits

Covers headlight systems, turn signals, horn, and power accessory circuits using wiring diagrams. Tracing accessory circuits reinforces diagram-reading skills from Chapter 1.

Lesson 1 • Fuel Delivery System Components

Covers fuel tank, pump, filter, pressure regulator, and injector operation in modern vehicles. Fuel delivery knowledge is prerequisite to diagnosing no-start and performance complaints.

Lesson 2 • Air Induction and Throttle Control

Covers air filter, mass airflow sensor, throttle body, and intake manifold roles in mixture preparation. Air induction faults directly affect fuel trim and engine efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Port and Direct Fuel Injection

Compares port injection and gasoline direct injection in terms of spray pattern, timing, and carbon buildup. Injection type determines appropriate cleaning and diagnostic strategies.

Lesson 4 • Fuel and Ignition Diagnostics

Applies fuel pressure testing, spark testing, and oscilloscope waveform analysis to locate faults. Systematic testing prevents unnecessary parts replacement and reduces repair time.

Lesson 1 • Parking Brake and Brake Warning Systems

Covers parking brake cable adjustment, electronic parking brake operation, and brake warning light diagnosis. These systems are safety-critical and subject to regulatory inspection.

Lesson 2 • Disc Brake Inspection and Service

Covers rotor measurement, pad thickness inspection, caliper operation, and brake hardware replacement. Disc brake service is the most common brake repair performed in shops.

Lesson 3 • Drum Brake Inspection and Service

Details drum measurement, shoe replacement, wheel cylinder inspection, and self-adjuster function. Drum brakes remain common on rear axles of many light vehicles.

Lesson 4 • Brake System Hydraulics

Explains Pascal's Law, master cylinder operation, and brake fluid properties affecting pedal feel. Hydraulic principles underpin every brake service and diagnostic procedure.

Lesson 1 • Suspension System Types and Components

Compares MacPherson strut, double-wishbone, and multi-link designs and identifies their components. Suspension type determines inspection sequence and replacement procedures.

Lesson 2 • Wheel Alignment Fundamentals

Explains camber, caster, toe, and thrust angle and their effects on tyre wear and handling. Alignment knowledge connects suspension geometry to real-world vehicle behaviour.

Lesson 3 • Steering System Operation

Covers rack-and-pinion and recirculating-ball steering, power steering pumps, and electric power steering. Steering system knowledge is required for alignment and handling diagnosis.

Lesson 4 • Tyre and Wheel Service

Covers tyre construction, load ratings, rotation patterns, mounting, and dynamic balancing procedures. Proper tyre service extends tyre life and improves ride quality.

Lesson 1 • Differential and Transfer Case Basics

Explains open and limited-slip differential operation, fluid service, and transfer case function in four-wheel-drive vehicles. These components complete the power delivery path to the wheels.

Lesson 2 • Manual Transmission Operation

Explains gear ratios, synchroniser function, clutch operation, and shift linkage in manual gearboxes. Manual transmission knowledge provides the mechanical foundation for automatic systems.

Lesson 3 • Automatic Transmission Fundamentals

Covers torque converter operation, planetary gearsets, hydraulic controls, and electronic shift management. Automatic transmissions require fluid and filter service at regular intervals.

Lesson 4 • Transmission Fluid and Filter Service

Teaches fluid condition inspection, drain-and-fill procedures, and filter replacement for both transmission types. Fluid service is the most cost-effective transmission maintenance task.

Lesson 1 • Quality Control and Road Testing

Establishes post-repair road test procedures, NVH evaluation, and customer delivery inspection standards. Quality control prevents comebacks and builds long-term customer trust.

Lesson 2 • Repair Order and Documentation

Covers complaint-cause-correction documentation, labour time estimation, and parts ordering accuracy. Accurate repair orders protect the shop legally and ensure customer transparency.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection

Guides students through a standardised inspection covering fluids, belts, hoses, brakes, tyres, and lights. Thorough inspections identify safety concerns and generate additional service opportunities.

Lesson 4 • Systematic Diagnostic Process

Teaches the verify-isolate-repair-verify workflow and symptom-based diagnostic trees. A structured process reduces misdiagnosis and unnecessary parts replacement.