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Archive for the ‘Automotive Technician’ Category

Don’t risk being stranded or getting less than you should from your car at trade in. A little attention to the basics now will improve its appearance and performance for years to come.

Now scheduling with your service center is easy, thanks to this handy checklist of items for the spring season. Don’t miss the first checklist, with items you can do yourself.

1.First, find a quality service shop. Look for one that services cars equal in value to your own (their parking lot will speak volumes!). Go inside and check out the equipment in the service bays (for example, our RK Chevrolet service center has state-of-the-art, computerized equipment. This facilitates faster diagnosis and repair, getting you back on the road quicker.)

To find out the qualifications of the technicians, scan the walls for trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and training classes.

2.Have your technician check the tightness and condition of belts, clamps, and hoses. (RK Scion technicians recommend that belts and hoses be inspected monthly).

Worn, glazed or frayed belts should be replaced, as should bulging, rotten, or brittle hoses. Clamps should be tightened.

3.Anything that is worn or damaged should be replaced to prevent sudden breakdowns.

4.If your air conditioner system is faulty, have it checked. Cooling inefficiency could be the result of a lack of air flow across the condenser. Have your mechanic make sure the electric cooling fan motor near the condenser is coming on.

In fan blade models, the fan should turn very fast. Also have your mechanic check the Freon level and pressure. Air conditioners on older vehicles often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air if the system isn’t working properly.

5.If your engine is experiencing hard starts, rough idling, or stalling, have it fixed. Often times, the trouble stems from basic things like worn spark plugs, a dirty air filter, or bad ignition wires, but if you’re not mechanically inclined whatsoever, it’s best to go straight to a professional.

(Taking care of little things early will likely improve your gasoline mileage and prevent minor problems from becoming expensive repairs later on.

6.Don’t neglect your transmission. RK Toyota technicians report that routine service can eliminate costly repairs down the road. A manual transmission does not usually experience trouble, except for the clutch, which can be problematic if improperly adjusted or abused.

A common problem with automatics is fluid breakdown from overheating. Fluid and filter changes every 24,000 miles can avoid premature transmission failure but few people heed such advice.

Don’t miss Part 1 of this series: RK Auto Group Spring Checklist of Services You Can Do On Your Own.

Extending the life of you car and keeping it running properly can depend heavily on the experience and ability of the mechanic or technician who regularly works on it for you. Don’t take chances with the health of your vehicle; insist on their being ASE certified. ASE certification comes from the nonprofit organization, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

There are nearly 500,000 ASE certified automotive professionals in the industry now with ASE testing and certifying technicians in all of the major areas of auto repair and service. You can find ASE certified technicians as well as parts specialists across the United States in shops from independent garages to huge multi-line dealerships.

The beauty of the ASE certification is that it is certifying the individual technician’s ability not the repair facility in which they are employed. It doesn’t really matter if a repair facility has a good reputation if there are unqualified technicians working there. ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers and to their customers. The fact that ASE certification is voluntary for the most part further eliminates slackers as only those who are self motivated seek out the certification.

Twice a year in May and November ASE tests over 100,000 technicians around the country. To become ASE certified one must pass at least one exam and have verified work experience of at least two years. The tests, developed by industry experts with oversight from ASE’s in-house pros, are administered by ACT, the same group known for its college entrance exams. There are exams covering all major areas of auto repair. There are eight tests for auto technicians alone: engine repair, engine performance, electrical/electronic systems, brakes, heating and air conditioning, suspension and steering, manual drive train and axles, and automatic transmissions. (There are also exams for collision repair technicians, damage estimators, parts specialists and others.)

Another reason ASE certification requires dedication is because one must re-test every five years to maintain their certification which again weeds out the lazy and uninitiated.

In today’s competitive job market, employers are seeking to hire graduates that are highly specialized and well trained.  You can’t afford to waste your time with an education that won’t help you get the job you want.  At Centennial College, all our programs are geared for success.

As part of your program, you will not only learn how to use the latest cutting edge tools, but you will also learn how to apply the latest principles from business professionals. To compliment your classroom learning, you will also get hands-on experience in the labs.

Centennial’s staff not only believes in providing students with the best teaching experience possible, but also to offer the best guidance and career advice.

Program Overview

This program will prepare you for an exciting future as a skilled professional in the heavy equipment field. The in-school training, combined with practical on-the-job experience that is gained in the co-op work placement will provide an excellent start to an apprenticeship. Centennial offers Heavy Duty Equipment Technician and Heavy equipment courses to equip students to pursue a career in it.

Successful students will earn an Ontario College Diploma, will have eight months of practical, on-the-job, co-op training at a heavy equipment facility and complete their entire Ontario Apprenticeship in-school curriculum within two years. In addition, you will take courses in advanced electrical/ electronics, logistics, plus hoisting and rigging that is only available at Centennial.

To complete this program, you will spend the first eight months in school, eight months in co-op as a registered apprentice, and a final eight months in school. As part of the in-school curriculum, you will train on heavy duty equipment courses assemblies in fully-equipped heavy duty equipment labs. You will focus on applied mechanics, vehicle dynamics as well as component design and repair as it applies to the apprenticeship curriculum. In addition, you will take courses in business, English and general education.

Admission Requirements

Centennial College expects students applying for admission to certificate or diploma programs to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Non-academic Requirements

Satisfactory results in a program admission session Experience and mechanical aptitude Resumé may be required English proficiency will be considered in the admission process

Notes

Students will be placed in the appropriate English level based on skills assessment results