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Automotive Technology

At the Southside Virginia Community College Automotive Technology Department, we can put you on the road towards a career as an automotive mechanic/technician.

Students enrolled in this program spend approximately 75% of their time doing hands-on work and 25% of their time learning automotive theory and its practical application.

Career Opportunities

Employment in the automotive industry includes automotive dealerships, independent garages, fleet shops, service stations and specialty shops.

Course Requirements

All automotive students are required to furnish a personal set of hand tools. The required text books can be purchased at the campus bookstore.

A.S.E. Team Automotive Instructors

• Arnold Gayles
• Jerry Myers
• Matthew Woods

Automotive Technology Program Course Descriptions

Aut 100 Introduction to Automotive Shop Practices

Introduces shop practices for automotive laboratory and shop safety, identification and use of hand tools, general power equipment and maintenance of automotive shop. Explains basic operation procedures of standard shop equipment. Presents Occupational Safety and Health Act standards pertaining to the automotive field. Lecture 2 hours per week.

Aut 101-102 Introduction to Automotive System I-II

Introduces fundamental systems of automobiles, the engine fuel, exhaust, electric, lubrication, cooling, transmission, steering, brake and suspension system. Teaches theory and function of each system. Demonstrates operation. Lecture 2-3 hours. Laboratory 2-3 hours. Total 4-6 hours per week.

Aut 111-112 Automotive Engines I-II

Presents analysis of power, cylinder condition valves, and bearings in the automotive engine to establish the present condition, repairs or adjustments. Lecture 2-3 hours. Laboratory 2-3 hours. Total 4-6 hours per week.

Aut 121 Automotive Fuel System I

Analyzes major domestic and foreign automotive fuel systems to include carburetors and fuel injection systems. Includes detailed inspection and discussion of fuel tanks, connecting lines, instruments, filters, fuel pumps, superchargers and turbo charger. Also, includes complete diagnosis, troubleshooting, overhaul and factory adjustment procedures of all major carbureted and fuel injection systems. Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 0-3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Aut 125 Anti-Pollution Systems

Studies various anti-pollution systems used on modern automobiles, installation, inspection, repair and service. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Aut 136 Automotive Vehicle Inspection

Presents information on methods for performing automotive vehicle safety inspection. Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 3 hours per week.

Aut 141 Power Train I

Teaches analysis and repair of transmission, propeller shaft and differential. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2-3 hours. Total 8 hours per week.

Aut 144 Power Train II

Teaches analysis and repair of automotive automatic transmission. Prerequisite Aut 141. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Aut 150 Introduction to Automotive Diesel Engine

Studies modern automotive diesel engine, including its construction, fuel system, lubrication, cooling, induction, exhaust systems, maintenance, minor adjustment and repair, and tune-up procedures. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Aut 217 Computerized Fuel System

Introduces devices which sense the engine condition and control fuel mixture to introduce economical fuel consumption. Teaches theory of operation, testing adjustment and repair or replacement of these devices. Variable lecture/laboratory hours per week.

Aut 235 Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning

Studies separate and combined automotive heaters and air conditioners, including direct and vacuum-operated controls, basic principles of refrigeration, adjustment, general servicing, and charging of air conditioning systems. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Aut 237 Automotive Accessories

Introduces the principles, design, construction, adjustment, and maintenance of all automotive equipment classes as an accessory which is not studied in other automotive courses. Lecture 3 hours per week.

Aut 241 Automotive Electricity I

Introduces electricity and magnetism, symbols and circuitry as applied to the alternators, regulators, starters, lighting systems, instruments and gauges. Lecture 2-3 hours. Laboratory 2-3 hours. Total 4-6 hours per week.

Aut 245 Automotive Electronics

Introduces field of electronics as it applies to the modern automobile. Emphasizes basic circuit operation, diagnosis and repair of digital indicator and warning systems. Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.

Aut 251 Automatic Transmission I

Studies several types of automatic transmissions, torque converters, and their principles of operation. Includes adjustment, maintenance, and rebuilding. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 6 hours. Total 8 hours per week.

Aut 255 Automotive Transaxles

Presents combined drive systems for automobiles, including transaxles for front and rear end drives. Includes principles of operation, assembly, measurements and adjustments, repair and reassembly. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Aut 267 Automotive Suspension and Braking Systems

Presents the operation, design, construction, repair, and servicing of braking and suspension system. Explains use of tools and test equipment, evaluation of test results, estimation of repair cost, front and rear suspension alignment, power and standard steering, and power, standard and disc brakes. Lecture 2-3 hours. Laboratory 2-3 hours. Total 4-6 hours per week.

Aut 268 Automotive Alignment

Studies use of alignment equipment in diagnosing, adjusting, and repairing suspension problems. Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

Aut 273 Automotive Drivability and Tune-Up I

Presents diagnostic and service procedures for automatic electrical and mechanical systems. Teaches use of tools and test equipment, evaluation of test results, estimation of repair cost. Emphasizes performance of required service. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

Automotive Diagnosis and Tune-up

John H. Daniel Campus

Award: Certificate in Automotive Diagnosis and Tune-Up

Length:Thirty-nine credit hour program

Purpose: The certificate program in automotive diagnosis and tune-up is designed to prepare students for employment as beginning automotive mechanics.

Program Goals:

A student completing this program should be able to:

• Identify and use major automotive tools
• Practice routine shop safety
• Maintain adequate interpersonal relationships with customers, employer(s) and employees
• Exhibit competency in the four areas of the National Institute for Automotive Mechanic's "Automotive Service Excellence" (A.S.E.)

One-year certificate graduates should exhibit competency in the following four A.S.E. areas:

• Engine Repair
• Front End Repair and Alignment
• Brake and Suspension Systems
• Engine Tune-up and Drivability

Program Description

This curriculum is designed to teach students the technical fundamentals of automotive systems such as anti-pollution, lubrication and cooling, power train, fuel, suspension and braking, air conditioning, and electrical. Students are also trained in shop practices, vehicle inspection and service and tune-up procedures. Each automotive course uses shop projects and hands-on experience in diagnosis and mechanical repairs to develop job-related skills. The program also includes general education courses and technical electives. Students will be advised as to which courses are most applicable to their fields of interest.

All automotive students are required to furnish a personal set of hand tools. Upon successful completion of the program, the one-year work experience requirement for taking the State Automotive Safety Inspectors Examination is waived.

Automotive class scheduling does not necessarily follow catalog semester offerings. See current schedule of extensive late evening, night, and weekend classes. For more information call 804-736-2000 or 804-736-2054.

Links

Any Auto Parts: Hard-to-find auto parts such as chrome moldings or a dash pad for a 1968 Mustang, plus a complete selection of factory service and repair and manuals. Get price quotes within hours.

Auto Parts Finder: Low on beauty but high on usefulness. From the pull-down menu, select the car model, the part you want and the year it was made and you'll get a list of parts suppliers from all over the country.

Autoshop Online Where to go with repair questions. Resources include more than 5,000 factory-service manuals, electronic libraries with up-to-date recall and service bulletins and an in-house database listing common problems and their solutions.

Auto Week On-line magazine.

AutoWorld This car-information hub rates the depreciation value of used cars by year and mileage, and it provides factory-direct invoice pricing as well as wholesale, retail and trade-in pricing reports. Car specs are posed with a picture of the model.

Automotive Recalls Lists recalls by make, model, year and engine for all cars and trucks since 1960. Run by a company called Alldata, which specializes in automotive diagnostic and repair information.

CarBuying Tips Touting itself as "the politically incorrect site that dealers', lawyers tried to shut down", this site offers clear instructions on how to avoid unscrupulous dealers and negotiate a good price. Check out the section titled Top 10 Car Dealer Scams.

Car Parts More than 1.5 million new and used parts for 35,000 makes and models. Enthusiasts can request free catalogs of everything from auto-shop supplies to the ultimate gear for you Jeep.

Cars: Follow the Car Talk link to fun content from National Public Radio's Tom and Ray Magliozzi (a.k.a. "Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers") including a Car-O-Scope quiz that tells you which vehicles best suite your personality.

Drivers: A wealth of information on driver education and traffic safety, plus intriguing studies of driver behavior. For example, you can read about people's justifications for speeding.

InvoiceDealers: Promising instant gratification this site works with more than 1,500 dealers nationwide who submit prices in advance. Key in the car you are seeking and prices appear on you screen right away. You can also check customers' ratings of dealers.

Kanter Auto Products: Can't find a car part, no matter what you do? Get newly manufactured parts for your classic car (from model years 1930 to 1986), including convertible tops, engine overhaul kits, even seat belts for an Edsel.

Kelley's Blue Book: For 75 years this directory has been one of the most authoritative sources for pricing information on used cars

Nadaguides: An all-in-one site for used vehicle pricing. Find finance, insurance and warranty quotes on everything from cars to boats to planes. Shoppers can also obtain their credit reports or other financial records.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Each year Uncle Sam buys new cars and crashes them, giving the performance a one - to five - star rating that can be invaluable to shoppers. Air bags, seat belts and brakes are also tested.

The Race Car Sales: An internet marketplace for both modern and historic road-racing cars. Note that the cars on this site are based on the European road-racing

Used Cars On-line: Click through this national database of classified listings written by private owners who want to buy or sell cars sans broker. Click on the helpful links and get tips on how to finance a used car.

Antique Car Show

The Automotive Department has hosted several Antique Car Show during the Annual Spring Days held at the John Daniel Campus. Below are small pictures of some of the beauties. Click on each to view a larger image.