Introduction to Automotive Technology Spring 2016
099 section 1764
Mondays and Wednesdays Room K-122 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Brad McCombs
Brad.mccombs@gcccd.edu
(619) 660-4267
Office Hours: Room K-118 Mondays and Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. to Noon,
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday by appointment. I am also available for evening tutoring hours using CCC
Confer from 8:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. This allows us to conference from any
computer, phone, or smart device. Students must log in and create a student account and then schedule
your tutoring session with me at least 48 hours in advance. I will send you a confirmation number and
phone number you can use to call in.
Course Description:
This course is designed to present basic information about automotive systems. It will be taught with
the consumer in mind, but will also serve as an introductory course for those interested in the
Automotive Technology major.
PURPOSE: This course will provide the student with an overview of the physical, electrical and
mechanical functions of the automobile. The theory of operation of many of the basic components of
automobiles will be emphasized. This course attempts to recognize the entry-level of the student
population ranges from no theoretical or practical automotive mechanical experience to extensive
practical and some theoretical experience.
This course also recognizes that the expectations of the student population varies widely, including
those seeking a consumer point of view and those who plan a career as a professional automotive
technician.
The course will be informative and enlightening for the consumer oriented student and will set the stage
for students in the automotive technology major for the remainder of their course work.
This course does not provide “hands-on” automotive experience. The basic “hands-on” course is the
accompanying, and recommended lab: Auto100. Both the Auto 099 and Auto 100 courses are highly
recommended for those students who wish to maximize their understanding of basic automotive
systems.
Course Objectives; Expected Student Learning Outcomes:
After completing this course students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate understanding of standardized safety and hazardous waste handling practices
2) Develop and understanding of how the major automotive systems work and how they interrelate to
each other
3) Demonstrate knowledge of the various classification types of automotive repair businesses.
Course Materials Required:
TEXT BOOK: Automotive Technology Principles Diagnosis and Service Fifth Addition. Author: James D.
Halderman ISBN-13: 978-0-13-399461-2
Students can purchase the book from the Bookstore, or purchase the online version of the book.
Quizzes, lectures, and assignments will reference the textbook.
Student Project Model Car Assignment Guidelines:
The goal of this assignment is for students to become familiar with the components and
construction of the automobile. You must select a model that has a complete driveline (engine,
transmission, suspension, etc. You are required to paint and assemble the model. Prebuilt/assembled models (die-cast) do not meet the requirement for this assignment and will
receive no credit.
It is recommended that student purchase a 1/24 or 1/25 scale plastic model kit. The models are
usually rated in different skill levels from 1 – 3. Level 1 models are “snap-together” designs and
do not qualify for this assignment. Also, models with pre-painted bodies do not satisfy the
requirements of this assignment.
I recommend that you purchase a Monogram or AMT brand model kit skill level 2 or 3. Students
may buy a more advanced model, such as a Tamiya. However, these are best left to the more
experienced model builders.
Here is a resource list of retailers who sell models:
Toys R US
Michaels
Carmel Mountain Plaza
12060 Carmel Mountain Rd
(858) 675-1170
Open until 9:00 PM
Hobby Central
9705 Carroll Centre Rd #103
(858) 693-0373
Open until 7:00 PM
Discount Hobby Warehouse
7644 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
(858) 560-9633
Open until 7:00 PM
Hobby People
Broadway Plaza Shopping Center
469 Broadway
Reed's Hobby Shop
8039 La Mesa Blvd
(619) 464-1672
(619) 444-6135
Open until 7:00 PM
Open until 6:00 PM
Krazy Kevins Hobbies
1223 Third Ave Suite D
(619) 422-2724
Open until 6:00 PM
Hobby Lobby
91942, 8810 Grossmont Blvd
(619) 464-1795
Open until 8:00 PM
Frank the Train Man
4233 Park Blvd
(619) 295-1611
San Diego Sports & Hobbies
7415 Peter Pan Ave
(619) 266-8280
El Cajon Hobbies
1571 Magnolia Ave
(619) 449-9990
Open until 7:00 PM
EZDrone
6910 Miramar Road #105
(858) 751-4644
Open until 8:00 PM
Search the Internet
Search Swap Meets
Students must present their unbuilt model kit to me before building the model for full credit.
Students may also propose an alternative project rather than building a plastic model. Students
may propose: Building a robotic car using computer controlled solenoids, paint, sculpture,
drawing, woodwork, metal, or design clay, drones, or alternative energies, only if the student
receives pre approval of the project. Please submit your project plan by the approval date
posted on Blackboard.
Students will present their projects during the dates posted on blackboard to the entire class.
Students are required to present a brief description of their approved model car or other
approved project and provide a description of the following information:





Why did you choose this particular year make and model?
What are the specifications, like horsepower, wheel base, weight, torque, transmission
type?
What changes have occurred in the modern design that have developed as a response
to emissions laws?
What did you learn while building this project?
Please submit a written copy of your presentation for grading.
Class Policies:
Please identify yourself by first and last name, and the course you are taking, for all communications.
(For example: Brad McCombs Auto 170). Your name should be included in all communication.
Please use proper English when communicating. Courtesy and patience are mandatory when “replying”
to other student “posts”. Do not use abbreviations. (“btw” is spelled by the way.)
Communication technical requirements: You must have access to a computer and a high-speed
Internet connection. It is preferred the computer you use have a microphone and camera for recording
“chat messages” in discussion boards. You may use campus resources for a personal computer if you do
not have your own.
Email: My preferred method of contact is by email through your Blackboard student email account. I
will answer all emails within 24 hours. If you do not receive a reply from me within 24 hours, please
assume I did not receive your email and resend it.
Please include a topic heading for all emails.
Brad.mccombs@gcccd.edu
Telephone: My telephone number is (619)-660-4267 Office (619) 701-1226 Cell. I will return phone
calls during business hours or answer immediately. If for some reason I don’t answer my phone, leave a
detailed message on my voicemail and I will call you back the same business day.
Drop Policies: Students may be dropped from this course if more than 4 classes or Laboratory
Assignments are missed without an excused absence. Student’s course grade may be dropped 1 grade
letter if more than 4 classes are missed.
Late Work: if you do not complete an assignment within the week allowed for that assignment, you
may appeal, and your maximum score will be adjusted to 70% regardless of your actual score. This policy
only applies to emergency appeals for access to content.
Students With Special Needs or Requiring Additional Help:
Please contact me directly if you are having trouble or require additional assistance or resources. We
are here to help you succeed. There are also additional services at the following web link
Disabled Students Programs and Services
We will be using a computer based learning system called Blackboard. Students requiring
extra help with Blackboard can use the following resources:
Computer Lab
Tutoring
Homework and Quizzes: It is important students read the textbook chapters assigned for the
classroom “Weeks” assignments before attending class. There will also be video assignments and other
supplemental material found on your student Blackboard account. You be allowed to take formative
quizzes as many times as necessary to attain the highest possible score during the time allotted for that
quiz. Once a quiz is closed students will no longer have access to that quiz. Classroom written quizzes
will be based on the reading assignments and the content posted on Blackboard.
Class Participation and Group Assignments: Students who participate in class discussions will do
better. An attendance point system will be developed by the instructor and posted daily on your
student Blackboard account. Students who come to class on time and finish the total classroom/lab
hours will receive a total of 10 points students who are late or leave early without permission will have
points deducted.
Class Participation Rubric
BELOW AVERAGE
AVERAGE
Student misses class
Student comes to
or leaves class early
class late or leaves
or shows up to class
class early, but asks
late.
permission or
(0 Points)
provides an excuse
(5-7 Points)
Student does not
participate in
assigned tasks.
(0 Points)
Student Violates
Safety Rules.
(0 Points)
Student Participates
in assigned tasks but
does no take an
active role or
leadership role. The
student tends to
watch others work.
(5-7 Points)
Student Does not
violate safety rules
but needs to be asked
what he or she is
doing? Student does
not clean work area
or needs to be told to
clean up.
ABOVE AVERAGE
Student is always on
time. Student only
leaves class with
permission after
completing
assignments.
(8-10 Points)
Student takes a
leadership role in all
assigned tasks.
Student is willing to
help others.
Points Possible
All students start with
10 possible points
each day. The points
are documented in
the grade center at
the beginning of class.
Points are finalized at
the end of class. At
the end of class
points will either
remain at 10 or be
lowered.
(8-10 Points)
Student is safe and
encourages others to
be safe. Student
cleans the shop area
and encourages
others to clean up.
(8-10 Points)
There are 10 points
possible per class
session for this
grading rubric under
class participation,
and will account for
25% of the total grade
points.
(5-7 Points)
Lab Assignments: Each individual or group lab assignment will be posted on Blackboard for the week
assignments. The lab may have a due date and a unique name so students may identify the lab
assignment in the grade center.
Midterm and Final Exam: There will be a midterm and final exam. The midterm will consist of a
written exam. The final will consist of a written exam and a “hands on” exam. The hands on exam will
allow the student and instructor to spend a scheduled time examining the student’s ability to apply the
laboratory assignments learned throughout the semester.
Evaluation:
Class Participation
Homework Quizzes
Laboratory Assignments “Student Projects”
Midterm and Final Exam
25%
25%
25%
25%
A Plus/Minus grading system will be used for final grades. Example:
70-73% = C 74-76% = C 77-79% = C+
S PRING 2016 A CADEMIC C ALENDAR
Important Dates:
Registration
November 16 - January 22
Last Day to Pay for Registration
January 7
Holiday (Martin Luther King Day)
January 18*
Professional Development - Organizational Meetings
January 19 - 22
Regular Day & Evening Classes Begin
January 25
Program Adjustment
January 25 - February 5
Census Day (Semester length Classes)
February 8
Holiday (Lincoln's Birthday Observed)
February 12 & 13*(Friday & Saturday)
Holiday (Washington's Birthday Observed)
February 15*
Last Day to Apply for P/NP Semester Length Classes
February 26
Last Day to Apply for Spring 2016 Degree/Certificate
March 18
End of First 8-Week Session
March 19
Spring Recess
March 21, 22, 23, & 24
Spring Holiday
March 25 & 26*(Friday & Saturday)
Second 8 - Week Session Begins
March 28
Last Day to Drop Semester Length Classes
April 22
End of Second 8-Week Session
May 21
Final Examinations
May 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, & 28
Close of Spring Semester
May 28
Holiday (Memorial Day)
May 30*
Cuyamaca Commencement
June 1 (Wednesday)
Grossmont Commencement
June 2 (Thursday)
Instructor Grade Deadline
June 2
Student Deliverables, Due Dates, Assignments, and Class Schedule:
Date
Reading
Assignments,
Videos, Lecture
Formative
Quizzes and
learning activities
due in bold.
Week 1
Course
Introduction
Read Chapters 6
and 7. Shop Safety
and Hazardous
Waste
Begin the
Discussion Board
Assignment About
Me. (20 Points).
The instructions
are on
Blackboard.
1 Demonstrate
understanding of
standardized safety
and hazardous waste
handling practices
Read Chapters 57,
68, and 82
Fasteners and
Thread Repair,
Hand Tools, and
Power Tools and
Shop Equipment
Complete the
Discussion Board
Assignment
About Me. (20
Points) by 11:59
p.m.
1 Demonstrate
understanding of
standardized safety
and hazardous waste
handling practices
1-25-16
Week 1
1-27-16
Week 2
2-1-16
Week 2
2-3-16
Week 3
2-8-16
Read Chapters 20,
and 21, Coolant
and Cooling
Learning Objective
1.
Read Chapters 18,
19, Gasoline
Engine Operation,
and Diesel Engine
Operation and
Diagnosis.
Read Chapters 26,
and 12, Engine
Condition
Diagnosis and
Measuring System
Tools.
Project,
Midterm, Final
Exam
2.
3.
Complete the
Quiz on
Blackboard. (11
Points) Due by
11:59 p.m.
4.
Demonstrate
understanding of
major automotive
systems and describe
how they work.
Describe how an
internal combustion
engine works.
Describe how an
internal combustion
engine works.
1. Describe how an
automotive cooling
system works.
System Operation
and Diagnosis.
2-10-16
Read Chapters 22,
and 210, Engine Oil
and Lubrication
System Operation
and Diagnosis.
Week 4
NO CLASS
2-15-16
Holiday
(Washington's
Birthday
Observed)
Read Chapters 39,
and 40, Electrical
Fundamentals and
Ohms Law.
Week 4
Read Chapters 42
and 43 Circuit
Testers and Digital
Meters, and
Oscilloscopes and
Graphing Multimeters. Observe
the Videos on
Blackboard
Week 3
2-17-16
Week 5
2-22-16
Week 5
2-24-16
Complete the
Cooling System
Quiz (15 Points)
and Lubrication
System Quiz (15
Points) Due 11:59
p.m.
Demonstrate an
understanding of
electrical system
fundamentals
Complete the
Quizzes on
Blackboard:
Nicola Tesla (11
Points). The Story
of Electricity (13
Points).
Read Chapters 69
and 70, Ignition
System
Components and
Operation , and
Ignition Systems
Diagnosis and
Service
Read Chapters 78,
and 79, Fuel
Injection
Components and
Operation, and
1. Describe how an
engine lubrication
system works.
1. Describe the
definition of
electricity
Describe Ignition
systems.
Complete the
Ignition System
Quiz (12 Points),
and Fuel Injection
Quiz (10 Points).
Describe Fuel
Injection.
Gasoline Direct
Injection Systems.
Week 6
2-29-16
Week 6
3-2-16
Week 7
3-7-16
Week 7
3-9-16
Week 8
3-14-16
Week 8
3-16-16
Due by 11:59
p.m.
Read Chapters: 24
Intake and Exhaust
Systems. Read
Chapter 73
Throttle Position
Sensors.
Read Chapter 75
Mass Air Flow
Sensors. Read
Chapter 86
Catalytic
Converters. Read
Chapter 84 EGR
Systems.
Describe fuel
injection and air
supply systems.
Complete the
Quiz Exhaust Air
Supply and
Catalytic
Converts (17
Points) Due by
11:59 p.m.
Read Chapters:
50 Batteries
51 Battery Testing
52 Cranking
Read Chapters:
54 Charging
Systems
55 Charging
Systems
Diagnosing and
Testing
Read Chapters:
71 Computer
Fundamentals
87 On-Board
Diagnosis
Read Chapter:
88 Scan Tools and
Engine
Performance
Diagnosis
Describe exhaust
systems and how
catalytic converters
control emissions.
Describe Starting
Systems.
Complete Quiz
Cranking and
Charging (32
Points).
Describe Charging
Systems.
Describe Computer
Systems.
Complete the
Quiz Computer
Networks (20
Points).
Describe Major
Automotive Systems
and How They
Interrelate to Each
Other.
Week 9
No Class
Practice
Midterm
No Class
Practice
Midterm
3-21-16
Spring Recess
Week 9
3-23-16
Spring Recess
Week 10
3-28-16
Week 10
3-30-16
Week 11
4-4-16
Week 11
4-6-16
Week 12
4-11-16
Week 12
4-13-16
Midterm Review
Quizzes
Midterm
Read Chapters:
82 Vehicle
Emissions
Standards and
Testing
83 Evaporative
Emission Control
Systems
85 Positive
Crankcase
Ventilation
Read Chapters:
121 Clutches
122 Manual
Transmissions
Complete the
Emissions Quiz
(20 Points) Due
by 11:59 p.m.
Midterm
Describe Emission
Systems.
Describe Drive Train
Components.
Read Chapters:
123 Drive Axles
125 Differentials
Read Chapters:
127 Automatic
Transmission
Principles
Read Chapters:
2 Careers In
Automotive
Service
Complete the
Transmission
Quiz Due by
Demonstrate
knowledge of the
various classification
types of automotive
repair businesses.
Week 13
4-18-16
Week 13
4-20-16
Week 14
4-25-16
Week 14
4-27-16
Week 15
5-2-16
Week 15
5-4-16
Week 16
5-9-16
3 Starting A Career
In Automotive
5 Technician
Certification
Read Chapters:
92 Brake System
Components and
Standards
93 Braking System
Principles
Read Chapters:
94 Brake Hydraulic
Systems
106 ABS
Components
Operation
Read Chapters:
109 Tires and
Wheels
112 Suspension
Systems Principles
and Components
Read Chapters:
115 Electronic
Suspension
Systems
119 Wheel
Alignment
Principles
Read Chapters:
62 Heating and Air
Conditioning
Components and
Operation.
63 Automatic Air
Conditioning
System Operation
Read Chapters:
64 Heating and AC
Diagnosis.
65 Heating and AC
Service
Read Chapters:
89 Introduction To
Hybrid Vehicles
11:59 p.m. (29
Points)
Describe Brake
Systems.
Complete the
Brake Systems
Quiz (16 Points).
Due by 11:59
p.m.
Describe Electronic
Braking Systems.
Describe Tires and
Wheels
Complete the
Quiz Tires and
Wheels
Describe Suspension
and Steering.
(24 Points)
Describe Cuyamaca
College learning
objectives for CTE
Majors
Complete the
Heating and AC
Quiz
Describe Heating
and Air
Conditioning.
(22 Points)
Describe Hybrid Fuel
Cells
Week 16
5-11-16
Week 17
5-16-16
Week 17
5-18-16
Week 18
5-23-16
Week 18
5-25-16
Read Chapters:
91 Fuel Cells and
Advanced
Technologies
Student
Presentations
Student
Presentations
Describe Alternative
Energy Resources
Projects Due
Projects Due
Final Exam