Potomac High – Automotive Mechanic/Technician 1

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

rerequisites: Enrollment in the Automotive Technician Program of Study; Take concurrently with Automotive Mechanic/Technician 2, 3, and 4 1.0 Automotive Technician CTE Completer This course is designed to teach the principles of automotive hydraulic brake systems. It builds on the essential laws of physics, motion, forces, hydraulics, thermodynamics, and chemical reactions and how these principles apply to the operation and diagnosis of automotive brake systems. This course covers the energy conversion of motion changed to heat energy (when you apply brakes), the effects of weight and speed on braking and stopping distance, thermal expansion, friction, force, and coefficient of friction as they apply to braking systems. Courseware covers the fundamentals and service of disc/drum brakes including how they operate, brake-fluid properties, diagnosis, component replacement/repair/adjustment, disc/drum machining, power-assist units, and the fabrication (ISO or double flaring) of brake lines. The content also covers computer-controlled anti-locking brake system (ABS) operation and diagnosis. The student is taught strategy-based diagnostic routines for interpreting and verifying customer concerns and proper operation. The student performs tests and inspections using special tools and scan tools to determine the cause of problems and make corrections related to hydraulic brakes and will communicate electronically with anti-lock brake systems (ABS). Through the inspection, testing, or measurement of components process, the student will be able to apply this knowledge to determine needed repairs and repair vehicle.