Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (HardCover)

Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair, 4th edition evolved in part from my participation in a successful articulation program between local high schools and the community college where I have been a teacher for over 37 years. The text and art manuscripts of this best selling book have once again been updated and improved in this fourth edition revision.An array of excellent technical reviews by a dedicated group of professional teachers and technicians ensures that this is the most technically accurate and up-to-date comprehensive automotive textbook available in the marketplace. The text has been written from a carefully detailed outline to allow each chapter to follow a logical, easy-to-understand path. Many new original color photographs and sketches have been added to update and supplement earlier material.The transportation industry in North America is vast, with one in every six people contributing to it in some way. These include people of many levels of understanding and ability. With that in mind, the introductory fundamentals chapters are written at a lower level for all the students, whereas the service chapters are for those who have mastered the introductory material.As a teacher, my philosophy is to challenge the best students in anticipation that the rest will be brought to a higher level: "A rising tide raises all boats."The text can be used for a variety of educational purposes, including:As a basic text in any automotive repair class• To educate entry-level or apprentice technicians• To prepare more experienced technicians for ASE certificationAutomotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair, 4th edition is divided into 79 chapters that cover the NATEF Auto General Service Technician Program Standards and A1-A8 (the eight ASE automotive specialty areas.Advanced engine performance and emission controls are also covered in detail. In addition to coverage of the usual repairs performed in almost any automotive repair facility, the reader is introduced to the most frequently performed inspection and service procedures- from safety inspections to tire and wheel service.The automotive repair industry of today continues to evolve into more of a maintenance industry as vehicles last longer and require fewer repairs. Long-term customer relationships, ethics, and professionalism have become even more important to the success of a business. There are also environmental concerns today that were not a part of the industry of the past.The text includes chapters on safety, hand tools, and vehicle maintenance and lubrication that are more comprehensive than those found in most comparable texts. An accompanying lab manual emphasizes the NATEE Auto General Service Technician Program Standards, those jobs done in service stations, fast-lube outlets, or mass merchandisers (such as Sears, Goodyear, Firestone, or Kmart). An additional lab workbook, Automotive Service Job Sheets for NATEF Task Mastery, covers the eight main ASE system areas.Automobiles have become so complex in the last 30 years that to remain competent many of today's technicians specialize in one or more systems of the car. Basic theory of all automotive and light truck systems is covered so that service personnel will understand the function of the parts being serviced. When working in the industry, there is often no time for basic theory. Therefore, automotive class work could be the one and only chance students have to learn how systems operate so they can become better diagnosticians in the future.This book is comprehensive in that it deals with the entire car and aims to teach theory of vehicle systems at an introductory student level, followed by service, diag-nosis, and light repairs at a more advanced student level.Most of the systems used in automobiles today are strikingly similar. Repair techniques universal to all automobiles are discussed and procedures or conditions unique to only one specific automobile make are purposely avoided. The reader is encouraged to refer to the service and repair information for the specific vehicle in question.A major challenge for me as an automotive author is to keep the scope of the book from growing out of control by expanding into areas of in-service training best covered by manufacturers and aftermarket educators. My objective is to take an abundance of sometimes complicated information and condense and simplify that information so it can be understood by a student preparing for job-entry level. Following the completion of this text, better students will be at a high job-entry level, at a skill level suitable for entry as an apprentice in one or more of the specialty areas of automotive repair in a new car dealership or an independent repair shop.A primary objective of this book is to help the reader develop confidence in both thinking skills and problem-solving ability. One unique aspect of automotive education is that many automotive graduates venture into other professions and skilled trades, such as engineering or construction. They will find much of the material learned in automotive classes to be very valuable and useful in their chosen fields. This aspect of the student's education is especially valuable when one considers how middle school and high school industrial arts programs have been scaled back in recent years. Dealing with such things as tools, soldering, basic electrical repairs, and repairing broken fasteners helps to provide some measure of practical education.The tremendous decline in the number of corner gasoline service stations has resulted in a loss of those jobs formerly available in abundance to students. Successful service personnel who possess necessary basic automotive skills must continually learn new things in order to progress into other (higher-paying) specialty areas. The Lab Manual to Accompany Automotive Service contains service jobs that students should be able to perform before enrolling in an advanced automotive specialty area class.