The automobile technician must be proficient in the following
science-related academic skills that are imbedded in the
occupation. Using these skills the technician must be able to:
Analyze and evaluate waste products from the repair task
and dispose of the parts, residue, or trash according to
applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
Follow all safety regulations and procedures while
performing any task.
Use the information provided in service manuals, charts,
tables, or graphs to determine the manufacturer's
specifications for system(s) operation(s) and the
appropriate repair/replacement procedure.
Develop a hypothesis regarding the cause of the problem
and test the hypothesis to determine the solution to the
problem.
- identify the problem
- gather information
- develop hypothesis
- take action
- check results
Convert measurements taken using the English or metric
system to specifications stated in terms of either system.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the chemical
reaction that occurs in an automobile regarding the
combustion of fuels, catalytic converters, and
contamination when introduced into systems.
Explain the purpose of additives in lubricants.
Demonstrate an understanding of the kinetic and potential
energy relationships that occur in valve systems, ignition
systems, and other stored energy systems, such as springs
and fuels, and determine efficiency.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of balanced and
unbalanced forces on linear and rotating vehicle
assemblies.
Explain the relationship of centrifugal/centripetal force to
the failure of rotating systems.
Explain the ignition characteristics of fuels resulting from
varying levels of fractional distillation.
Demonstrate an understanding of how fuel characteristics
effect combustion in an automotive engine.
Demonstrate an understanding of the effect of heat on
automotive systems.
Explain the concept of heat transfer in terms of conduction,
convection, and radiation in automotive systems.
Demonstrate an understanding of the expansion and
contraction of system parts as a result of heat generated
during use and the cooling of the system when not in
operation.
Demonstrate an understanding of the effect that adding heat
will cause in a state of matter, such as solid to liquid to gas.
Explain the role of insulation in maintaining stable
temperatures.
Demonstrate an understanding of refraction in fiber optic
systems.
Explain that dyes added to lubricants fluoresce in
ultraviolet light and provide a process for determining the
source of leakage.
Demonstrate an understanding of the process of
acceleration and deceleration as a function of weight and
available power.
Demonstrate an understanding of the reaction of fluid to the
motion of a valve or piston.
Demonstrate an understanding of the circular motion of a
vehicle as it relates to such events as toe-out on turns and
tracking.
Demonstrate an understanding of the types of vibrations
caused by out-of-balance or excessively worn systems.
Explain to a customer how sound can be amplified due to
resonant cavities and other physical characteristics of the
vehicle.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of how sound
generated in one place in the body and engine can be
carried to other parts of the engine through metal and other
materials.
Explain the need for sound deadening and vibration
damping materials to control the level of sound in the
passenger compartment.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the
perceived intensity to the decibel level of a noise.
Explain the relationship of the frequency of the sound to a
normal or abnormally operating system.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the role of
listening to sounds as part of the trouble-shooting process.
Explain that the presence of overtones may indicate
changes in the vibrations of various systems.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of
barometric pressure to engine performance (horsepower).
Explain the relationship of engine torque to vehicle
performance.
Explain how levers and pulleys can be used to increase an
applied force or distance.
Identify the effect of the pH of a solution on chemical
changes in a system.
Identify the characteristics that define a system that is
operating within the manufacturer's specifications.
Use precision measuring devices to determine if wear and
adjustments are within the manufacturer's specifications,
and to assure that repair or replacement parts meet the
manufacturer's specifications.
Use tension gauges, such as a torque wrench, to measure
the force or tension required to tighten connections to the
manufacturer's specifications.
Use a scale to measure component weight to balance
rotating systems.
Use pressure measuring tools to determine pressures in
hydraulic or pneumatic systems and compare to the
manufacturer's specifications.
- Use direct and indirect methods to measure system
temperatures and then convert to Fahrenheit/Centigrade as
required.
Use direct and indirect methods to measure time and
compare the results to the manufacturer's specifications.
Use direct and indirect methods to measure the volume of
liquids in a system and compare to the manufacturer's
specifications.
Use computer databases for information retrieval and input
devices to process information for customers, billing
purposes, warranty work, and other record-keeping
purposes.
Explain how an applied force at one location can be
transmitted via fluid pressure to provide a force at a remote
location.
Explain catalytic converter principles which modify
emission gases at the atomic level to provide a low level of
HC, CO, and NOx in the final exhaust.
Explain the role that friction plays in acceleration and
deceleration of objects as illustrated by transmitting motion
to a part not physically connected to the powered part.
Explain to the customer the need for lubrication of adjacent
parts to minimize friction as a result of movement at the
junction of the parts.
Explain the necessity of knowing that the hardness of a
metal determines, in part, its function and location in the
automobile.
Explain the dynamic control properties of a hydraulic
system.
Explain the surface processes that occur on system seals
due to the absorption of the contained materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of how the deterioration in
an engine's performance can be caused by a chemical
reaction that occurs in a liquid that has been contaminated.
Demonstrate an understanding of how torque relates to
force and angular acceleration.
Demonstrate an understanding of how cams, pulleys, and
levers are used to multiply force or transfer directions of
force.
Explain how rotational motion is changed to linear motion
and the need for balance in rotating systems.
Demonstrate an understanding of how variances in flow
rate in airflow sensors or cooling systems can effect engine
performance.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the properties
of electricity that impact the lighting, engine management,
and other electrical systems in the vehicle.
Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of a
quality electrical ground and explain the problems
associated with an inadequate electrical circuit ground.
Explain voltage and current flow in series and parallel
circuits.
Demonstrate an understanding of the processes used to
locate a short circuit in the electrical/electronic system.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the alternator
in maintaining battery and system voltage.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of solar panels in
maintaining battery voltage and operating selected
accessories.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the ignition
coil's role in generating the high voltages required to fire
the sparkplug.
Demonstrate an understanding of the correct procedure
used to measure the electrical parameters of voltage,
current, resistance, or power.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the role of a
fuse or fusible link as a protective device in an electrical or
electronic circuit.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the use of
Ohm's Law in verifying circuit parameters (resistance,
voltage, amperage).
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the
relationship of resistance to heat, voltage drop, and circuit
parameters.
Explain and demonstrate an understanding of system
voltage generation, uses, and characteristics.
Demonstrate an understanding of the ion transfer process
that occurs in an automotive battery.
Explain the conductivity problems in a circuit when
connectors corrode due to electrochemical reactions.
Explain the relationship between electrical current in a
conductor and the magnetic field produced in a coil such as
the starter solenoid.
Explain the ability of a coil to increase battery voltage to
the level required to fire a spark plug.
Explain the effect of magnetic fields on unshielded circuits
in selected control modules.
Explain the need for a specific gravity test of battery
electrolyte to determine charge.
Use precision electrical test equipment to measure current,
voltage, resistance, continuity, and/or power.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of capacitance in
timer circuits, such as RC timers or MAP sensors, where
the changing manifold pressure causes two metal discs to
act like a capacitor by sending varying voltage to the
electronic engine control system.
Demonstrate an understanding of the capacity of
semiconductor devices to modify rapidly engine operation
parameters depending on multiple inputs from engine
operational sensors.
Explain how the movement of a conductor in a magnetic
field can generate electricity.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of mechanical
transducers in sending electrical control signals to modify
system operating characteristics.
Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of photocells
and measurement processes relative to determining
output.
