Automotive Technology

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.

1. Develop the knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of automotive related systems, components, terminology and acronyms.
2. Develop and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to the automotive repair industries expectations of performance.
3. Demonstrate the ability to utilize computer and non-computer based vehicle service information systems.
4. Use automotive tools, shop and test equipment, materials, and chemicals safely and effectively.
5. Develop critical and creative thinking processes required to effectively and efficiently diagnose and repair vehicle technical problems.

Check out the tools students learn to use:

• Electrical and electronic diagnostic equipment: Digital Multi-Meters (DMM’s); General Motors’ Tech 1 and Tech 2 scan tools; Ford’s Next Generation Scan tool (NGS); Chrysler’s DRB-III scan tool; SPX/OTC
• Genisys scan tools; digital storage and live oscilloscopes; battery “capacitance testers”; battery, starter, and charging system testers; chassis ear electronic listening device; wheel balancing and four wheel alignment equipment; air conditioning refrigerant recovery; recycling and recharging stations
• Pressure indicators: fuel pressure testers; air conditioning manifold pressure gauges;intake manifold vacuum gauges; oil pressure gauges; tire pressure gauges
• Bearing pullers and presses: ball joint separators; bearing pullers; gear puller tools; slide hammers
• Specialty wrenches: alignment wrenches; chain wrenches; locking wrenches; lug wrenches
• Trim or molding tools: carbon scrapers; gasket scrapers; scrapers
• Precision measuring tools: feeler gauges; inside and outside micrometers; vernier calipers; depth gauges; small bore gauges; cylinder taper gauges; torque wrenches

Check out the cutting-edge technology students have access to: Analytical or scientific software: updateable software used in all of the scan tools and electronic four wheel alignment equipment mentioned above

Electronic vehicle service information retrieval: AllData; Mitchell OnDemand 5; General Motors Electronic Service Information (ESI)

Vehicle service and repair estimating software: Mitchell OnDemand 5

All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (AAS), diploma, or certificate must meet the cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

To see how this program may transfer into other Anoka Technical College programs or into another college, please visit:

• Minnesota Transfer or
• Anoka Technical College transfer student  

More than 230,000,000 light-duty cars and trucks on the road in the United States alone, there will always be jobs for qualified technicians. One of the automotive technician’s most in-demand and valuable skills is the ability to make a quick and accurate problem diagnosis. This requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of light-duty vehicles and their systems. Good reasoning abilities and critical thinking along with the ability to locate and understand vehicle service information is also important. Daily, the technician relies on computerized service information to locate system theory of operation, diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures, specifications, repair procedures and technical service bulletins as they service customer vehicles. It may be necessary to provide accurate repair estimates and communicate with customers and co-workers.  

Many technicians perform a variety of repairs while others seek additional training in order to specialize.  Areas of specialization include the diagnosis and repair of engines or transmissions, electrical systems, drivability or performance (fuel and ignition), air conditioning, suspension systems and wheel alignment. Due to the ever increasing use of electronics and new technology in the vehicles of the future, the ability to adapt and continue learning will be very important.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree can accelerate career opportunities and lead to many other related paths within the automotive service/sales area including merchandising, parts and vehicle sales. Experienced technicians who are able to communicate well with customers may become service advisors. Those with leadership abilities may advance to supervisory or management positions and manufacturer representatives. Some may elect to open their own repair shops or seek additional education in engineering or business management. 

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. 

Beginners who learn on the job usually start as trainees or mechanics’ helpers. Within a few months, they perform many routine service tasks and make simple repairs. It usually takes two to five years of on-the-job training to become a journey-level mechanic. This means that a mechanic is skilled enough to perform difficult repairs. However, graduates of college training programs are often able to advance to the journey level after only a few months on the job.

With an additional year of training, journey-level mechanics can specialize in a difficult area, such as transmission repair. However, they can specialize in areas that do not require all-around knowledge of auto repair in less time.

Experienced mechanics with leadership ability sometimes advance to shop supervisor or service manager. Those who work well with customers may become service estimators. Some open their own repair shops.

Each faculty member has hands-on, industry repair experience, factory training and certification, and current ASE certifications in steering and suspensions systems including four-wheel alignment, brake systems and drive trains (automatic and manual transmissions). Students learn about complete engine repair including overhauls, fuel, ignition, and emission control systems, heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, and electrical and complete vehicle electronic system service and repair.

Program Advisors

David Larson
DLarson@anokatech.edu

David Holmquist
DHolmquist@anokatech.edu

Dave McFarland
DMcFarland@anokatech.edu

Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710

Next Generation Accuplacer reading score must be above 232 or equivalent to be accepted into the program.

Some courses may require appropriate test score or completion of basic math, basic English and/or reading courses with a “C” or better.

Internship may require for insurance purposes, students must be 18 years old for the automotive program due to the internship requirements. Students must also possess a valid driver’s license.

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.

1. Develop the knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of automotive related systems, components, terminology and acronyms.
2. Develop and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to the automotive repair industries expectations of performance.
3. Demonstrate the ability to utilize computer and non-computer based vehicle service information systems.
4. Use automotive tools, shop and test equipment, materials, and chemicals safely and effectively.
5. Develop critical and creative thinking processes required to effectively and efficiently diagnose and repair vehicle technical problems.

Check out the tools students learn to use:

Electrical and electronic diagnostic equipment: Digital Multi-Meters (DMM’s); General Motors’ Tech 1 and Tech 2 scan tools; Ford’s Next Generation Scan tool (NGS); Chrysler’s DRB-III scan tool; SPX/OTC

Genisys scan tools; digital storage and live oscilloscopes; battery “capacitance testers”; battery, starter, and charging system testers; chassis ear electronic listening device; wheel balancing and four wheel alignment equipment; air conditioning refrigerant recovery; recycling and recharging stations

Pressure indicators: fuel pressure testers; air conditioning manifold pressure gauges;intake manifold vacuum gauges; oil pressure gauges; tire pressure gauges

Bearing pullers and presses: ball joint separators; bearing pullers; gear puller tools; slide hammers

Specialty wrenches: alignment wrenches; chain wrenches; locking wrenches; lug wrenches

Trim or molding tools: carbon scrapers; gasket scrapers; scrapers

Precision measuring tools: feeler gauges; inside and outside micrometers; vernier calipers; depth gauges; small bore gauges; cylinder taper gauges; torque wrenches

Check out the cutting-edge technology students have access to: Analytical or scientific software: updateable software used in all of the scan tools and electronic four wheel alignment equipment mentioned above

Electronic vehicle service information retrieval: AllData; Mitchell OnDemand 5; General Motors Electronic Service Information (ESI)

Vehicle service and repair estimating software: Mitchell OnDemand 5

All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (AAS), diploma, or certificate must meet the cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

.

• Minnesota Transfer or
• Anoka Technical College transfer student  

More than than 230,000,000 light-duty cars and trucks on the road in the United States alone, there will always be jobs for qualified technicians.

One of the automotive technician’s most in-demand and valuable skills is the ability to make a quick and accurate problem diagnosis. This requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of light-duty vehicles and their systems. Good reasoning abilities and critical thinking along with the ability to locate and understand vehicle service information is also important. Daily, the technician relies on computerized service information to locate system theory of operation, diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures, specifications, repair procedures and technical service bulletins as they service customer vehicles. It may be necessary to provide accurate repair estimates and communicate with customers and co-workers.  

Many technicians perform a variety of repairs while others seek additional training in order to specialize.  Areas of specialization include the diagnosis and repair of engines or transmissions, electrical systems, drivability or performance (fuel and ignition), air conditioning, suspension systems and wheel alignment. Due to the ever increasing use of electronics and new technology in the vehicles of the future, your ability to adapt and continue learning will be very important.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree can accelerate your career opportunities and lead to many other related paths within the automotive service/sales area including merchandising, parts and vehicle sales. Experienced technicians who are able to communicate well with customers may become service advisors. Those with leadership abilities may advance to supervisory or management positions and manufacturer representatives. Some may elect to open their own repair shops or seek additional education in engineering or business management. 

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. 

Beginners who learn on the job usually start as trainees or mechanics’ helpers. Within a few months, they perform many routine service tasks and make simple repairs. It usually takes two to five years of on-the-job training to become a journey-level mechanic. This means that a mechanic is skilled enough to perform difficult repairs. However, graduates of college training programs are often able to advance to the journey level after only a few months on the job.

With an additional year of training, journey-level mechanics can specialize in a difficult area, such as transmission repair. However, they can specialize in areas that do not require all-around knowledge of auto repair in less time. Experienced mechanics with leadership ability sometimes advance to shop supervisor or service manager. Those who work well with customers may become service estimators. Some open their own repair shops.

David Larson
DLarson@anokatech.edu

David Holmquist
DHolmquist@anokatech.edu

Dave McFarland
DMcFarland@anokatech.edu

For service during summer hours contact Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710