A day in the life of an automotive service technician

He listens to the engine to check for rattling or other unusual noises;

changes gears to make sure that the shift is smooth;

tests the brakes, including the parking brake; and makes sure that the steering is aligned.

• Completing a road test

• Checking the wheels and tires

• Checking fluids

• Checking brakes

• Solving problems

He checks the car’s fluids to make sure they are topped up and that there are no leaks.

• Completing a road test

• Checking the wheels and tires

• Checking fluids

• Checking brakes

• Solving problems

He uses a tire tread depth gauge to measure the tread remaining on all four tires.

• Completing a road test

• Checking the wheels and tires

• Checking fluids

• Checking brakes

• Solving problems

He uses a manual brake gauge to find out how much brake pad is left;

he places each gauge against the pad to find the gauge that matches the thickness of the pad.

• Completing a road test

• Checking the wheels and tires

• Checking fluids

• Checking brakes

• Solving problems

He talks with the customer and finds out that the hood of customer car is not latching closed properly.

• Completing a road test

• Checking the wheels and tires

• Checking fluids

• Checking brakes

• Solving problems

He reads over the work order, which tells him to do a pre-owned vehicle inspection and fill out a vehicle safety inspection form.

• Critical thinking

• document use

• oral communication

• numeracy

• writing

He will need to find out why it is low, and he makes a note of this on the work order

• Critical thinking

• document use

• oral communication

• numeracy

• writing

Tires need to be replaced when the tread depth is under 2 /32". The gauge reads 9 /32", so the tire is safe .

• Critical thinking

• document use

• oral communication

• numeracy

• writing

Before getting started, he asks his supervisor if there are any “waiters”— jobs where the customer waits at the dealership while the technician performs the repair or service.

• Critical thinking

• document use

• oral communication

• numeracy

• writing

He finds that the front brake pad has 6 mm left, so it does not need to be changed. However, the rear brake pad has only 2 mm left, so it will need to be replaced.

• Critical thinking

• document use

• oral communication

• numeracy

• writing