Course Outline for Automotive Technology 250
Introduction to Automotive Technology

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

ATEC 250 - Introduction to Automotive Technology

90.00 Hours

May be repeated 99 time(s)
Automotive industry fundamentals including careers, safety, fasteners, hand tool identification and usage, vehicle systems, electrical fundamentals, service information access and use, automotive chemical and fluid applications, hazardous waste handling, general shop equipment usage, and vehicle servicing. 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.
0948.00 - Automotive Technology*
Pass/No Pass/Satisfactory Progress
Type Hours
Lecture 45.00
Laboratory 45.00
Total 90.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate safe working conditions and practices;
  2. use common automotive shop equipment safely;
  3. identify and recognize common automotive tools and equipment;
  4. identify fasteners;
  5. discuss automotive engine fundamentals;
  6. perform vehicle engine oil service;
  7. assess and use service information;
  8. demonstrate proper use of metric and standard micrometers;
  9. demonstrate proper use of a volt/ohmmeter;
  10. select the appropriate automotive fluid for the selected application;
  11. use appropriate methods for hazardous waste handling and disposal;
  12. identify potential areas of employment in the automotive industry;
  13. describe basic electricity;
  14. complete work orders to meet industry and Bureau of Automotive Repair standards (BAR);
  15. perform basic vehicle maintenance.
Course Content:

Course Content (Lecture):

  1. Automotive shop safety
  2. Tool identification and usage
  3. Automotive equipment and usage
    1. car/truck lift, front wheel drive and rear wheel drive 
    2. oil change and drain equipment 
    3. floor jacks and jack stands 
    4. parts washers and bead blaster 
    5. tire changer and wheel balancer 
    6. vises, hydraulic press, drill press and grinders/wire wheels
  4. Automotive information systems
  5. Fastener use and identification
    1. Metric
    2. Standard-SAE
    3. ISO/DIN
  6. Introduction to vehicle systems
    1. Engines (A1)
    2. Automatic Transmissions (A2)
    3. Manual Transmissions (A3)
    4. Steering and Suspension (A4)
    5. Brakes (A5)
    6. Electrical (A6)
    7. Heating and Air Conditioning (A7)
    8. Engine Performance (A8) 
  7. Automotive fluid applications
    1. engine oils
    2. transmission fluids
    3. gear oils
    4. brake fluids
    5. power steering fluids
    6. coolants
  8. Fluid leaks
  9. Chemical applications, adhesives, cleaners and sealers
  10. Assessment and use of service information
  11. Precision measurement
  12. Areas of employment
    1. Service, parts, sales, wholesale, and manufacturing
    2. Self-employment
  13. Hazardous waste management/Right to Know
  14. Vehicle Maintenance 
  15. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel safety
  16. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel applicable systems awareness
  17. Soft Skills

Course Content (Laboratory):

  1. Demonstrate proper shop safety and working practices, including tools and equipment,
    and hazardous waste handling
  2. Identify fasteners used in automotive applications
  3. Access vehicle service information
  4. Identify the different vehicle systems and their components
  5. Perform vehicle maintenance, safety inspections, and fluid services
  6. Perform basic electrical measurements utilizing the appropriate test equipment
  7. Perform precision measurements utilizing the appropriate tools/equipment
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Demonstration
  3. Guest speakers
  4. Laboratory
  5. Field Trips
  6. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Complete review quiz at the end of chapter
  2. Read chapter on Engines
  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. Practical Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. successfully Pass the SP2 Safety & Pollution Prevention online programs & tests;
  2. demonstrate the correct procedures to safely lift a car on the two post automotive lift;
  3. look up service data/information for a specified vehicle or vehicle system as indicated by the instructor.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Halderman, James (2016). Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service (5). Prentice Hall..
  • Shop/safety clothing
  • Safety Glasses
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Automotive industry fundamentals including careers, safety, fasteners, hand tool identification and usage, vehicle systems, electrical fundamentals, service information access and use, automotive chemical and fluid applications, hazardous waste handling, general shop equipment usage, and vehicle servicing. 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.