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Automotive Technology
Program Description
AAS in Automotive Technology STEM Emphasis degree is no longer available to new students. Students considering a transfer pathway can choose the traditional AAS degree and complete an AGEC-A certificate to prepare to enter a university.
Recognizing that a successful career in automotive technology involves much more than the mechanical ability to replace parts, the Automotive Technology program and certificates are designed for individuals who have the ability and aptitude to become a skilled automotive technician. Students gain competencies in a variety of automotive systems which enables them to diagnose and perform corrective procedures accurately. In addition, students receive advanced technical education procedures on many vehicle components to keep them abreast of current changes in the automotive industry. This program is certified through the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). When completing the automotive training the student will be able to apply for and take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification examinations.
Graduates of the automotive program and certificates will:
- Analyze automotive applications and determine the needed materials and equipment necessary to perform tasks related to all automotive disciplines listed in the degree.
- Perform entry-level diagnosis and repair of automobiles.
- Be able to overhaul suspension systems, align vehicles, understand automotive brake systems and related electrical system applications using advanced technological simulators and live vehicles.
- Participate in on-car brake lathe certification through Pro-Cut rotor matching systems.
- Describe the interaction of automotive computers with various systems of operation on the vehicle with the use of advanced technological simulators and live vehicles.
- Be able to address automotive electrical, automotive computer network systems, and air conditioning issues with the use of advanced technological simulators and live vehicles.
- Be able to address automotive engine, transmission, and electrical system issues with the use of advanced technological simulators and live vehicles.
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Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.
Description
Service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, refill antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.
Duties/Tasks
- Collect cash payments from customers, and make change or charge purchases to customers' credit cards, providing customers with receipts.
- Check tire pressure and levels of fuel, motor oil, transmission, radiator, battery, or other fluids, adding air or fluids as required.
- Perform minor repairs, such as adjusting brakes, replacing spark plugs, or changing engine oil or filters.
- Clean parking areas, offices, restrooms, or equipment, and remove trash.
- Order stock, and price and shelve incoming goods.
- Sell and install accessories, such as batteries, windshield wiper blades, fan belts, bulbs, or headlamps.
- Grease and lubricate vehicles or specified units, such as springs, universal joints, or steering knuckles, using grease guns or spray lubricants.
- Prepare daily reports of fuel, oil, and accessory sales.
- Clean windshields.
- Activate fuel pumps and fill fuel tanks of vehicles with gasoline or diesel fuel to specified levels.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$32,340
$32,340
Entry Level Salary
$28,430
$28,430
Mid Level Salary
$29,940
$29,940
Expert Level Salary
$37,810
$37,810
Average Hourly Wage
$15.55
$15.55
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$13.67
$13.67
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$14.00
$14.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$18.18
$18.18
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Duties/Tasks
- File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
- Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
- Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
- Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
- Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
- Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
- Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
- Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
- Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
- Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$49,800
$49,800
Entry Level Salary
$34,910
$34,910
Mid Level Salary
$47,980
$47,980
Expert Level Salary
$76,220
$76,220
Average Hourly Wage
$23.94
$23.94
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$16.79
$16.79
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$23.00
$23.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$36.64
$36.64
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.
Duties/Tasks
- Prime all scratches on pinchwelds with primer and allow to dry.
- Remove all dirt, foreign matter, and loose glass from damaged areas, apply primer along windshield or window edges, and allow primer to dry.
- Allow all glass parts installed with urethane ample time to cure, taking temperature and humidity into account.
- Apply a bead of urethane around the perimeter of each pinchweld and dress the remaining urethane on the pinchwelds so that it is of uniform level and thickness.
- Select appropriate tools, safety equipment, and parts, according to job requirements.
- Install replacement glass in vehicles.
- Obtain windshields or windows for specific automobile makes and models from stock and examine them for defects prior to installation.
- Check for and remove moisture or contamination in damaged areas and keep areas dry until repairs are complete.
- Replace all moldings, clips, windshield wipers, or other parts that were removed prior to glass replacement or repair.
- Remove broken or damaged glass windshields or window glass from motor vehicles, using hand tools to remove screws from frames holding glass.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$34,100
$34,100
Entry Level Salary
$27,600
$27,600
Mid Level Salary
$29,970
$29,970
Expert Level Salary
$46,930
$46,930
Average Hourly Wage
$16.39
$16.39
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$13.27
$13.27
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$14.00
$14.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$22.56
$22.56
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Duties/Tasks
- Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
- Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
- Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
- Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes.
- Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
- Estimate costs of vehicle repair.
- Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements.
- Align vehicles' front ends.
- Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
- Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$46,900
$46,900
Entry Level Salary
$29,500
$29,500
Mid Level Salary
$44,950
$44,950
Expert Level Salary
$73,650
$73,650
Average Hourly Wage
$22.55
$22.55
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$14.18
$14.18
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$21.00
$21.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$35.41
$35.41
Typical Education Level
Post Secondary Certificate
Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Duties/Tasks
- Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
- Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
- Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
- Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
- Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
- Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
- Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
- Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.
- Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
- Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$51,640
$51,640
Entry Level Salary
$36,760
$36,760
Mid Level Salary
$48,480
$48,480
Expert Level Salary
$66,450
$66,450
Average Hourly Wage
$24.83
$24.83
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$17.67
$17.67
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$23.00
$23.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$31.95
$31.95
Typical Education Level
Post Secondary Certificate
Classroom/Lab Tour
Program Photos
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Contact Information
Department Contact(s)
Career and Technical Education
Hours of Operation
- Normal Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 7:00am-5:00pm
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Murphy | Professor of Automotive | (928) 344-7569 | Michael.Murphy@azwestern.edu |
| Luis Salas | Automotive Laboratory Technician | (928) 344-7596 | Luis.Salas@azwestern.edu |
| Teresa Livingston | Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director & Dean CTE Programs | (928) 344-7752 | Teresa.Livingston@azwestern.edu |