Table of Contents

• Automotive Background and Overview
• Careers in the Automotive Service Industry
• Starting a Career in the Automotive Industry
• Working as a Professional Service Technician
• Technician Certification
• Shop Safety
• Environmental and Hazardous Materials
• Fasteners and Thread Repair
• Hand Tools
• Power Tools and Shop Equipment
• Vehicle Lifting and Hoisting
• Measuring Systems and Tools
• Scientific Principles and Materials
• Math, Charts, and Calculations
• Service Information
• Vehicle Identification and Emission Ratings
• Preventative Maintenance and Service Procedures
• Gasoline Engine Operation, Parts, and Specifications
• Diesel Engine Operation and Diagnosis
• Coolant
• Cooling System Operation and Diagnosis
• Engine Oil
• Lubrication System Operation and Diagnosis
• Intake and Exhaust Systems
• Turbocharging and Supercharging
• Engine Condition Diagnosis
• In-Vehicle Engine Service
• Engine Removal and Disassembly
• Engine Cleaning and Crack Detection
• Cylinder Head and Valve Guide Service
• Valve and Seat Service
• Camshafts and Valve Trains
• Pistons, Rings, and Connecting Rods
• Engine Blocks
• Crankshafts, Balance Shafts, and Bearings
• Gaskets and Sealants
• Engine Assembly and Dynamometer Testing
• Engine Installation and Break-in
• Electrical Fundamentals
• Electrical Circuits and Ohm's Law
• Series, Parallel, and Series-Parallel Circuits
• Circuit Testers and Digital Meters
• Oscilloscopes and Graphing Multimeters
• Automotive Wiring and Wire Repair
• Wiring Schematics and Circuit Testing
• Capacitance and Capacitors
• Magnetism and Electromagnetism
• Electronic Fundamentals
• CAN and Network Communications
• Batteries
• Battery Testing and Service
• Cranking System
• Cranking System Diagnosis and Service
• Charging System
• Charging System Diagnosis and Service
• Lighting and Signaling Circuits
• Driver Information and Navigation Systems
• Comfort and Convenience Accessories
• Security and Immobilizer Systems
• Airbag and Pretensioner Circuits
• Autonomous Vehicles: Operation and Service Procedures
• Audio System Operation and Diagnosis
• Heating and Air-Conditioning Components and Operation
• Air Management System
• Automatic Air-Conditioning System Operation
• Heating and Air-Conditioning System Diagnosis
• Heating and Air-Conditioning System Service
• Gasoline
• Alternative Fuels
• Diesel and Biodiesel Fuels
• Ignition System Components and Operation
• Ignition System Diagnosis and Service
• Computer Fundamentals
• Temperature Sensors
• Throttle Position (TP) Sensors
• MAP/BARO Sensors
• Mass Air Flow Sensors
• Oxygen Sensors
• Fuel Pumps, Lines, and Filters
• Fuel-Injection Components and Operation
• Gasoline Direct-Injection Systems
• Electronic Throttle Control System
• Fuel-Injection System Diagnosis and Service
• Vehicle Emission Standards and Testing
• Evaporative Emission Control Systems
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation Systems
• Positive Crankcase Ventilation and Secondary Air-Injection Systems
• Catalytic Converters
• On-Board Diagnosis
• Scan Tools and Engine Performance Diagnosis
• Introduction to Hybrid Vehicles
• Hybrid Vehicle High-Voltage Batteries
• Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
• Hybrid Safety and Service Procedures
• Fuel Cells and Advanced Technologies
• Braking System Components and Performance Standards
• Braking System Principles and Friction Materials
• Brake Hydraulic Systems
• Hydraulic Valves and Switches
• Brake Fluid and Lines
• Brake Bleeding Methods and Procedures
• Wheel Bearings and Service
• Drum Brakes
• Drum Brake Diagnosis and Service
• Disc Brakes
• Disc Brake Diagnosis and Service
• Parking Brake Operation, Diagnosis, and Service
• Machining Brake Drums and Rotors
• Power Brake Unit Operation, Diagnosis, and Service
• ABS Components and Operation
• ABS Diagnosis and Service
• Electronic Stability Control Systems
• Tires and Wheels
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
• Tire and Wheel Service
• Suspension System Principles and Components
• Front Suspensions and Service
• Rear Suspensions and Service
• Electronic Suspension Systems
• Steering Columns and Gears
• Steering Linkage and Service
• Hydraulic Power Steering Systems
• Electric Power Steering Systems
• Wheel Alignment Principles
• Alignment Diagnosis and Service
• Clutches
• Manual Transmissions/Transaxles
• Drive Shafts and CV Joints
• Drive Shafts and CV Joint Service
• Drive Axles and Differentials
• Four-Wheel-Drive and All-Wheel Drive
• Vibration and Noise Diagnosis and Correction
• Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Principles
• Hydraulic Components and Control Systems
• Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Diagnosis and In-Vehicle Service
• Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Unit Repair

About the Author

Jim Halderman brings a world of experience, knowledge and talent to his work. His automotive service experience includes working as a flat-rate technician, a business owner and a professor of automotive technology at a leading U.S. community college.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio Northern University and a Master's degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Jim also holds a U.S. patent for an electronic transmission control device. He is an ASE-certified Master Automotive Technician (A1-A8), plus A9, F1, G1, L1 and L3.

Jim is the author of many automotive textbooks, all published by Pearson. Jim has presented numerous technical seminars to national audiences, including the California Automotive Teachers (CAT) and the Illinois College Automotive Instructor Association (ICAIA). Jim was also named Regional Teacher of the Year by General Motors Corporation and is a member of the advisory committee for the department of technology at Ohio Northern University.