Overview

This semester-long course, worth 0.5 credit, is available to students in grades 10–12 who have completed Introduction to Automotive. Students will explore key systems critical to vehicle safety and performance. Major units include Brake System Fundamentals, Disc and Drum Brake Service, Hydraulic and Power Assist Systems, and Suspension and Steering Maintenance. Emphasis is placed on safe shop practices, tool usage, and compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations. Students will gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and servicing modern braking systems including ABS, TCS, and ESC. This course prepares students for advanced automotive study and industry-recognized certifications.

Classroom & Shop References:               Classroom Materials:

CDX Fundamentals of Automotive Technology; 13th Edition Writing Utensil

Mitchell 1 - ProDemand                      Notebook/Loose Leaf Paper

                         Folder/3 ring Binder

Course Standards:

AB/ATSS 1: Students will demonstrate automotive technology safety practices, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements, for an automotive repair facility.

AB 2: Students will demonstrate knowledge of brake system theory and procedure

ATSS 2: Students will demonstrate proper tool selection and usage.

AB 3: Students will demonstrate knowledge and procedure of the hydraulic brake system.

AB 4: Students will demonstrate knowledge of theory and repair procedures for drum brake systems.

ATSS 4: Students will perform maintenance on vehicle suspension and steering systems.

AB 5: Students will demonstrate knowledge of theory and repair procedures for disc brake systems.

AB 6: Students will demonstrate knowledge of theory and repair procedures for power assist units

AB 7: Students will demonstrate knowledge of theory and repair procedures for related systems – Wheel Bearings, Parking Brakes and Electrical.

AB 8: Students will demonstrate knowledge of theory and repair procedures for related systems – Antilock Brake Systems (ABS), Traction Control Systems (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Course Outline:

This course will consist of 3 units.

Unit 1 – Wheels & Tires: Students will learn about tire and wheel construction, along with performing tire related tasks and creating quotes.

Unit 2 – Brakes: Students will learn about system components and how to diagnose and perform system related repairs.

Unit 3 – Suspension & Steering: Students will learn about system components and how to diagnose and perform system related repairs.

Student Assessment

The course grade will be based on the weighted scale as follows;

60% Daily Employability – Each day the students have the possibility of receiving 5 Daily Employability Points. Please refer to “Daily Employability Rubric” for further details on grading.

20% Daily Work – This category will be based on any repair orders, daily classwork, and homework given throughout the course.

10% Quizzes/Tests – There will be a mixture of traditional tests, practical tests, and projects within this course.

10% Semester Test – This test will be at the end of each semester on scheduled days. The test will cover what was learned within the semester course.

The letter grade will be determined by the Spearfish High School Grading Scale:

100-95    94-90         89-85         84-80     79-75        74-70        69-65   64-60     59-0

    A         A-       B+         B         C+           C         D+           D       F

Grade Rounding: Grades with a value of 0.5% or higher will be rounded up to the next whole number. No rounding will be done for grades 0.4% or lower.

Missing/Late Assignments: Students can turn in any missing/late assignments up to one week after the due date, but 25% will automatically be deducted.  

Extra Credit: Extra credit may be available during the course and will primarily involve attending automotive-related events with photo documentation. Students may complete up to five extra credit opportunities for a maximum of 50 points.  

Student Attendance

Student Absence: Students who are unexpectedly absent are responsible for checking Planbook for missed content, materials, and assignments. Planbook will be updated daily. Students have two days per excused absence to make up missed work. Absences the class period before a test, do not excuse students from taking the test on the scheduled date.

For planned absences, students must notify the instructor in advance. All work due during the absence must be completed prior to leaving, and assignments should be ready to review upon return. If a test is scheduled during the absence, arrangements must be made to take the test before the scheduled test date.

Tardies: This will follow school policy. Students must be in their seats and ready to learn when the bell rings. Arrivals within 15 minutes are marked tardy; after 15 minutes, the student is considered absent. If you need to handle something between classes, check in to class first before leaving.

Hall Passes: Students must have permission and sign out before leaving the classroom. Restroom permission is not required; students will use the single-use shop restroom and wait if it is occupied. Students are expected to use the facility responsibly and clean up after themselves. Abuse of this privilege will result in stricter rules. In emergencies, notify me or another student if necessary.

Classroom and Shop Procedures

General Rules: I expect all students to contribute to a positive and respectful learning environment. Be on time, prepared, and actively engage in all class activities.

Food and Drinks: Food and drinks are allowed in the classroom, within reason and as long as you pick up after yourselves. Only closed drinking containers are allowed within the shop, there will be no food.

Technology: Students will need to come to class prepared with a charged laptop and a charger. Cell phones are a great tool but also a huge distraction, which results in a safety issue. Students will not be allowed the use of phones unless instructed otherwise. Before the bell rings, students should silence and store their phones in the assigned Classroom Phone Pocket. Unauthorized use will result in escalating consequences; phone use during assessments will result in a zero and an admin referral.  

Automotive Shop: Safety is top priority. Unsafe behavior will result in removal from shop activities and a zero for the day. All students are expected to follow posted shop rules and Instructor directions. Please refer to “Shop Rules & Expectations” for further details.

Dress Code: Students are required to wear supportive close toed shoes. Jewelry, loose items, and unsecured long hair are not permitted. Safety glasses are provided and must be worn at all times in the shop. Replacements may be purchased for $3 or supplied by the student.

Lockers: Shop lockers will be available to students. These lockers are to store clothing, PPE, and any materials purchased for projects. These lockers are not to be used to store the shop tools in.

Tools: There are 4 tool boxes shared between 6 classes. At the beginning and end of every class, each box should be clean and intact. There should not be any dirty or missing tools. Tools and boxes are color correlated. If it came out of a box it needs to go back to the box it came from. Do not mix boxes! Boxes will be checked before students can return to the classroom or leave. If tools are missing, they need to be found before leaving class. If they cannot be found, the group responsible for that box will be responsible for purchasing a replacement. Tools not found in the boxes will be stored in the Tool Room and should be returned to its designated location.

Shop Clean Up: Students are responsible for cleaning work areas, tools, equipment, and benches at the end of each class. Spills, debris, and dirty laundry must be properly addressed before leaving.

Student Vehicles: Students are able to bring in vehicles for repairs only if they have completed a Vehicle Work Permission Form for the vehicle. Student repairs are not a priority and not all student repairs will be approved, especially if there is a high volume of requests. Approval will be based on first come, availability, and what is required to complete the repair, including materials and time. Students will not be able to park in the CTE East Parking Lot unless they are working on the vehicle; you must park in the Auto section and drive responsibly or privileges could be revoked.

Spartan Time Policy: Auto Shop Spartan Time participation is based on academic eligibility and instructor approval. If a student is required to stay for Spartan Time, they will not be allowed to participate in Spartan Time Shop, unless the student has missing work for an auto class. The shop opens after 2:05 and is closed on PLC early dismissal days.