Course Outline for Automotive Technology 210
Automotive Advanced Engine Performance

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 03/03/2021
Catalog Description:

ATEC 210 - Automotive Advanced Engine Performance

117.00 Hours

May be repeated 99 time(s)
Automotive Engine Management Systems including: Ignition systems, combustion process, emission control devices, diagnostic practices for drivability, emissions, on board diagnostic systems, vehicle systems integration, and new engine technology. This course is free and students may repeat this course until mastery of the skills is met. This course is a noncredit course that is equivalent to the ATEC credit course of the same title. Both options cover the same content and students will be enrolled in the same class at the same time. If a student chooses to move from noncredit to credit courses, please meet with ATEC faculty to discuss assessing equivalency and credit by exam. This course is part of a Certificate of Completion. Available Certificates can be found in the Chabot College Catalog.
Prerequisite: ATEC 208 or ATEC 8 or equivalent
0948.00 - Automotive Technology*
Pass/No Pass/Satisfactory Progress
Type Hours
Lecture 27.00
Laboratory 90.00
Total 117.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. inspect and test ignition primary and secondary circuit wiring and components;
  2. inspect, test and service distributor;
  3. inspect and test ignition coil(s);
  4. diagnose ignition system related problems such as no-starting, hard starting, engine misfire, poor drivability, spark knock, power loss, poor mileage, and emissions concerns on vehicles with electronic ignition systems, and determine necessary action;
  5. check and adjust ignition system timing and timing advance/retard (where applicable);
  6. inspect and test ignition system pick-up sensor or triggering devices, and perform necessary action;
  7. prepare 4 or 5 gas analyzer; obtain exhaust readings, interpret readings and determine necessary action;
  8. diagnose malfunctions of emission control systems causing vehicle performance problems, and determine necessary action;
  9. use vehicle dynamometer to perform emission testing, and engine performance/drivability issues;
  10. diagnose hot or cold no-starting, hard starting, poor drivability, incorrect idle speed, poor idle, flooding, hesitation, surging, engine misfire, power loss, stalling, poor mileage, dieseling, and emissions problems on vehicles with carburetion and fuel injection systems;
  11. obtain and interpret scan tool data, retrieve and record stored OBD diagnostic trouble codes;
  12. diagnose the causes of emissions or drivability concerns resulting from malfunctions in the computerized engine control system with or without diagnostic trouble codes;
  13. inspect and test computerized engine control system sensors, powertrain control module (PCM), actuators, and circuits using appropriate tools, and perform necessary action;
  14. access and use service information to perform step-by-step diagnosis.
Course Content:
Course Content (Lecture):
  1. Ignition systems
  2. Combustion gasses
  3. Emission control devices
  4. Scan Tools and oscilloscopes
  5. On board diagnostics
  6. Drivability diagnosis and repair
  7. Vehicle systems integration
  8. New engine technology
  9. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel safety
  10. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel applicable systems awareness
  11. Soft Skills

Course content (Laboratory):

  1. Demonstrate proper shop safety and working practices, including tools and equipment, and hazardous waste handling
  2. Diagnosis, service, and repair of ignition systems
  3. Combustion gas measurement and interpretation
  4. Utilization of scan tools and oscilloscopes
  5. Computer controlled engine management systems diagnosis utilizing scan tools
  6. Diagnosis of drivability or emissions problems
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Guest speakers
  3. Laboratory
  4. Field Trips
  5. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Read chapter on Principles of Ignition systems.
  2. Complete review quiz at the end of chapter.
  3. Complete laboratory assignments using service information, lecture materials, and text.
  1. Class Participation
  2. Laboratory exercises
  3. Homework
  4. Quizzes
  5. Midterm Examination
  6. Final Examination
  7. Final Performance Evaluation
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. using a DSO, perform a wave form analysis of a fuel injector;
  2. test and analyze ignition patterns using appropriate test equipment;
  3. test a vehicles exhaust gas emissions using the Emissions Information System (Smog machine/exhaust gas analyzer). Using the lambda chart, calculate the air fuel ratio.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Halderman, James (2016). Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems (4). Prentice Hall.
  • Safety glasses
  • Shop/safety clothing
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Automotive Engine Management Systems including: Ignition systems, combustion process, emission control devices, diagnostic practices for drivability, emissions, on board diagnostic systems, vehicle systems integration, and new engine technology. This course is a noncredit course that is equivalent to the ATEC credit course of the same title. Both options cover the same content and students will be enrolled in the same class at the same time.
Prerequisite: ATEC 208 or ATEC 8 or equivalent