Keeping up with automotive technology

Technological advancements in the automotive industry occur quite frequently, which could cause professors and students within the field to fall behind. The technology of automobiles is constantly changing and advancing, not to mention the changes and differences in foreign cars. Automotive service technicians and mechanics must continually adapt to changing technology and repair techniques.
William Speigle, program coordinator and lead instructor for the ATEP Independent Shop program and Ford MLR training program, acknowledged the ever-changing industry.
“Every year is new technology, new changes,” Speigle said. “Each of the manufacturers’ specific instructors have dozens of hours of training-center training to accomplish each year. As far as the automotive program, it’s quite a challenge. I’m just trying to grab whatever technology I can from each different manufacturer’s program just to stay on top of things.”
Automotive service technicians’ and mechanics’ responsibilities have evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technological work. Today, integrated electronic systems and complex computers regulate vehicles and their performance while on the road. This increasing sophistication of automobiles requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components, maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools. Technicians must have an increasingly broad knowledge of how vehicles’ complex components work and interact. They also must be able to work with electronic diagnostic equipment, digital manuals and reference materials.
“Scan tools are constantly evolving; communications protocols are constantly changing,” Speigle said. “Automotive manufacturers have always tried to stay right up with technology with their scan tool usage, sometimes to the point of having very expensive technology that the next year is completely outdated.”
A variety of tools are used within the automotive industry, from pneumatic wrenches and lathes to flame-cutting equipment and hoists. Computers are also commonplace in modern repair shops. Through the Internet or from software packages, most shops receive automatic updates to technical manuals and access to manufacturers’ service information, technical service bulletins and other databases that allow technicians to keep up with common problems and learn new procedures.
High-technology tools are needed to fix the computer equipment that operates everything from the engine to the radio in many cars. Today, most automotive systems, such as braking, transmission and steering systems, are controlled primarily by computers and electronic components. Additionally, luxury vehicles often have integrated global positioning systems, accident-avoidance systems and other new features with which technicians will need to become familiar. Also, as more alternate-fuel vehicles are purchased, more automotive service technicians will need to learn the science behind these automobiles and how to repair them.
“This is my first year in the automotive program here at Weber, but I already have my associate’s from Western Wyoming Community College,” said Isaac Moon, an automotive technology student. “I don’t consider it difficult to keep up with the new technologies and advancements in the automotive industry. We just learn as we go and it seems that most of the new technology originates from the old.”
For those willing to try and keep up with the constantly changing industry, there are many job opportunities. Associate’s degree graduates qualify for a variety of entry-level service technician positions in dealerships, independent garages and other automotive service suppliers. Bachelor’s degree graduates are qualified for positions involving customer service, field engineering, field service testing and technical instruction.
“I do like the automotive program here at Weber State,” Mood said. “It is one of only four schools in the nation that offer a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology. When I graduate I plan on finding a job related to the auto-diesel industry, where I am more on the business end rather than out in the shop ‘turning wrenches.’”