Automotive Technology

About our 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. Jim was also named MVP at the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference in 2013.Jim and his wife, Michelle, live in Dayton, Ohio. You can reach Jim by email.

• Automotive Background and OverviewCareers in the Automotive Service IndustryStarting a Career in the Automotive IndustryWorking as a Professional Service TechnicianTechnician CertificationShop SafetyEnvironmental and Hazardous MaterialsFasteners and Thread RepairHand ToolsPower Tools and Shop EquipmentVehicle Lifting and HoistingMeasuring Systems and ToolsScientific Principles and MaterialsMath, Charts, and CalculationsService InformationVehicle Identification and Emission RatingsPreventative Maintenance and Service ProceduresGasoline Engine Operation, Parts, and SpecificationsDiesel Engine Operation and DiagnosisCoolantCooling System Operation and DiagnosisEngine OilLubrication System Operation and DiagnosisIntake and Exhaust SystemsTurbocharging and SuperchargingEngine Condition DiagnosisIn-Vehicle Engine ServiceEngine Removal and DisassemblyEngine Cleaning and Crack DetectionCylinder Head and Valve Guide ServiceValve and Seat ServiceCamshafts and Valve TrainsPistons, Rings, and Connecting RodsEngine BlocksCrankshafts, Balance Shafts, and BearingsGaskets and SealantsEngine Assembly and Dynamometer TestingEngine Installation and Break-inElectrical FundamentalsElectrical Circuits and Ohm's LawSeries, Parallel, and Series-Parallel CircuitsCircuit Testers and Digital MetersOscilloscopes and Graphing MultimetersAutomotive Wiring and Wire RepairWiring Schematics and Circuit TestingCapacitance and CapacitorsMagnetism and ElectromagnetismElectronic FundamentalsCAN and Network CommunicationsBatteriesBattery Testing and ServiceCranking SystemCranking System Diagnosis and ServiceCharging SystemCharging System Diagnosis and ServiceLighting and Signaling CircuitsDriver Information and Navigation SystemsComfort and Convenience AccessoriesSecurity and Immobilizer SystemsAirbag and Pretensioner CircuitsAutonomous Vehicles: Operation and Service ProceduresAudio System Operation and DiagnosisHeating and Air-Conditioning Components and OperationAir Management SystemAutomatic Air-Conditioning System OperationHeating and Air-Conditioning System DiagnosisHeating and Air-Conditioning System ServiceGasolineAlternative FuelsDiesel and Biodiesel FuelsIgnition System Components and OperationIgnition System Diagnosis and ServiceComputer FundamentalsTemperature SensorsThrottle Position (TP) SensorsMAP/BARO SensorsMass Air Flow SensorsOxygen SensorsFuel Pumps, Lines, and FiltersFuel-Injection Components and OperationGasoline Direct-Injection SystemsElectronic Throttle Control SystemFuel-Injection System Diagnosis and ServiceVehicle Emission Standards and TestingEvaporative Emission Control SystemsExhaust Gas Recirculation SystemsPositive Crankcase Ventilation and Secondary Air-Injection SystemsCatalytic ConvertersOn-Board DiagnosisScan Tools and Engine Performance DiagnosisIntroduction to Hybrid VehiclesHybrid Vehicle High-Voltage BatteriesElectric and Plug-in Hybrid Electric VehiclesHybrid Safety and Service ProceduresFuel Cells and Advanced TechnologiesBraking System Components and Performance StandardsBraking System Principles and Friction MaterialsBrake Hydraulic SystemsHydraulic Valves and SwitchesBrake Fluid and LinesBrake Bleeding Methods and ProceduresWheel Bearings and ServiceDrum BrakesDrum Brake Diagnosis and ServiceDisc BrakesDisc Brake Diagnosis and ServiceParking Brake Operation, Diagnosis, and ServiceMachining Brake Drums and RotorsPower Brake Unit Operation, Diagnosis, and ServiceABS Components and OperationABS Diagnosis and ServiceElectronic Stability Control SystemsTires and WheelsTire Pressure Monitoring SystemsTire and Wheel ServiceSuspension System Principles and ComponentsFront Suspensions and ServiceRear Suspensions and ServiceElectronic Suspension SystemsSteering Columns and GearsSteering Linkage and ServiceHydraulic Power Steering SystemsElectric Power Steering SystemsWheel Alignment PrinciplesAlignment Diagnosis and ServiceClutchesManual Transmissions/TransaxlesDrive Shafts and CV JointsDrive Shafts and CV Joint ServiceDrive Axles and DifferentialsFour-Wheel-Drive and All-Wheel DriveVibration and Noise Diagnosis and CorrectionAutomatic Transmission/Transaxle PrinciplesHydraulic Components and Control SystemsAutomatic Transmission/Transaxle Diagnosis and In-Vehicle ServiceAutomatic Transmission/Transaxle Unit Repair