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

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

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

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

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

Tags

CCSS.7.EE.B.3

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

Tags

CCSS.4.MD.B.4