Happy New Year from Auto Mechanics
by Nick Little, Instructor
Well everyone, it is hard to believe but we
have reached the end of the first semester. You know what they say,
time flies when you are having fun!
This past semester we covered shop safety, oil changes and basic
maintenance, tires, brakes, and recently worked on electrical
systems. Included in our electrical systems study were battery
systems, charging and starting systems, lighting systems and safety
systems. Electrical systems are obviously very widespread in the
cars we drive everyday, which is another reason they are some of
the most complex and difficult to understand and diagnose. That
being said, the students seem to be pretty interested in learning
the ins and outs of automotive electricity and how to work with
it.
We like to start with a clean slate at the beginning of the third
quarter. Some of the projects we have finished up have been quite a
handful. In December, we were able to send off a vehicle where we
replaced the transmission for one of our students. This was a
special event because the vehicle developed an unusual electrical
problem during the course of its time with us. So, it goes without
saying, we were glad that one left on its own power.
We also have a Buick where the students replaced ALL of the
brake lines. This is a difficult task that many of the students
have proven to be quite proficient at! This vehicle has been a work
in progress for a while, so parting company with this car will make
us happy as well.
From an instructor’s point of view, it is easy for Bob and I to see
the enjoyment and fulfillment the students get when a car they have
been working on is finished up. This is especially true when the
vehicle comes in not running and then leaves under its own
power.
Happy New Year from all of us in Auto Mechanics!
