Dauphin County
Technical School

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Automotive Technology

The Automotive Technology program emphasizes skills to diagnose, service and maintain all types of automobiles.

Successful graduates of Automotive Technology are qualified to enter the automotive field as entry-level service technicians in new car dealerships or related automotive businesses.

When students start in the program, they are introduced to topics such as brakes, steering and suspension, electrical, and engine performance. If students believe a smooth-running engine is a beautiful sound, and want to keep cars running that way while using the most up-to-date tools and equipment, that student is in the right place!

To be successful, students should be ready to work with constantly changing technology. They have the opportunity to put that knowledge to use with their hands in a timely manner to repair vehicles.

Mr. Bitterman
Mr. Eck
POssible Careers
  • Electronic Equipment Installers & Repairers, Motor Vehicles
  • Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics
  • Automotive Product Specialists
  • Supervisor, Mechanics
Potential Certifications
  • SP2 Automotive
  • SP2 Automotive Safety and Pollution
  • ASE Student Certification
  • Snap On (NC3) Electrical Multi Meter Certification
  • 609 Refrigerant Handling Certification
  • State Inspection CAT1
  • Emissions Inspector Certification
  • Ford ACE Program Trainings
  • Subaru U Program Trainings
  • OSHA-10
  • Employability: Interviewing Skills
Articulated Credits
Post Secondary & Continued Education
  • Allegany College of Maryland – 12 credits
  • Commonwealth Technical Institute – 11 credits
  • Community College of Allegheny County – 9 credits
  • Community College of Philadelphia – 9 credits
  • Delaware County Community College – 10 credits
  • Harrisburg Area Community College – 9 credits
  • Luzerne County Community College – 9 credits
  • Northampton County Community College – 9 credits
  • Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology – 10 credits

Skill Alignment & CIP Code

CIP Code 47.0604 - Competency Records

Program Safety & Physical Considerations

  • A focus on safety around moving equipment, hand tools and other equipment found in the industry
  • Ability to follow dress code
  • Ability to diagnose the source of a problem quickly and accurately
  • Ability to work in tight spaces
  • Ability to work independently, read and follow directions
  • Good eye/hand coordination
  • Stamina to stand for long periods of time

Essential APTITUDES for This Lab – Recommended Levels

  • Finger dexterity, Manual dexterity
  • Motor coordination
  • Physical stamina and coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Effective technical and complex problem–solving
  • Troubleshooting
  • Spatial/visual thinking
  • Effective communication skills
  • Ability to work well with others as part of a team
  • Ability to work independently
  • Attention to detail
  • Good organizational skills

Reading

  • Explain the main ideas or draw accurate conclusions after reading text
  • Learn and apply content–specific symbols correctly
  • Apply content–specific vocabulary correctly
  • Identify and explain how different ideas connect throughout text
  • Read and understand diagnostic and schematic data to solve a problem
  • Comprehend written text and apply it to understand tables, charts and other visuals
  • Compare & contrast information in a text
  • Summarize information from different written resources
  • Follow a complex multi–step procedure independently
  • By the end of grades 9–10 & 11–12 read & comprehend technical texts independently & proficiently
  • Textbook: Modern Automotive Technology, Ninth Edition: Average grade reading level of 13.54

Writing

  • Clearly convey with precision step–by–step work completed
  • Write fast–paced, accurate work reports
  • Produce clear & coherent writing
  • Develop and strengthen writing by brainstorming, revising, editing & rewriting
  • Write routinely over short/long time frames for a range of tasks, purposes & audiences
  • Use technology to produce, publish or share writing

Math Levels

Numbers and Operations:

    • Grade 6 – Fluency in operations with whole numbers and decimals
    • Grade 6 – Fraction computations
    • Grade 6 – Representing negative values
    • Grade 7 – Fluency in rational number operations (whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and negative counterparts)
    • Grade 7 – Fraction to decimal conversion
    • Grade 7 – Percent and ratio problems
    • Grade 8 – Decimals to rational number (fraction) conversion
    • Algebra 1 – Problem solving with real world units, including conversions

Measurement:

    • NG – Units: English Metric Precision: 0.0001 inch
    • Grade 6 – Unit conversion within and between measuring systems
    • Grade 8 – Volume of cone, cylinder, sphere
    • Geometry – Apply volume formulas – including pyramid

Algebraic Concepts:

    • Grade 6 – One–step equation solutions – one variable with all non–negative components
    • Grade 7 – Two–step equation solutions – one variable
    • Grade 8 – Solve any linear equation in one variable – include no solutions/infinitely many solutions
    • Algebra 1 – Solve equations for a given variable (rewriting formulas)

Geometric Concepts:

    • Grade 7 – Angle measure problems (supplementary, complementary, adjacent, angles of a triangle, parallel lines cut by transversal)
    • Grade7 – Scale drawings of geometric figures
    • Geometry – Scale models and drawings

Data and Probability:

  • Grade 6 – Mean, median, mode, range, interquartile range, and mean absolute deviation
  • Algebra 1 – Describe data with measures of dispersion
  • Algebra 1 – Interpret data on various displays – use to make predictions

Theory Time

  • 30–45 minutes/day

Homework

  • About 1 hour/week

Lab Time

  • About 1 hour/day

Tests

  • Weekly quizzes– worth 10% of grade
  • Unit tests– worth 35% of grade
  • 6–10 projects/quarter– worth 35% of grade
  • Industry Certifications Tests
  • NOCTI (mandatory for all CTE programs)

POS Academics and Electives Recommended

  • College Prep English & Math are a component of the DCTS program
  • Physics

Study & Other Skills

  • Note–taking skills
  • Consistent attendance
  • Study skills

Technology Skills/Knowledge

  • Use and navigate school–issued laptop
  • Web navigation
  • Email management
  • Navigate learning management system and instructional technology tools
  • Video conferencing
  • Database navigation
  • Use and navigate industry–specific electronic diagnostic equipment