Red Seal Truck and Transport Mechanic study plan
Red Seal Truck and Transport Mechanic · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Engine and Engine Support Systems & Occupational Skills (safety, tools, documentation, communication, workflow)
Explain the four-stroke diesel cycle and name at least 15 major engine components from memory without notes
List the personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout steps and shop hazard controls required before beginning a repair on a truck
Identify the correct hand tool, measuring instrument and torque specification source for a described fastening or measurement task
Describe how a repair order, service bulletin and torque spec are located, recorded and signed off in a shop workflow
Diagram the major systems of a diesel engine and show how each support system connects to the base engine
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn, labeled diesel engine diagram naming 15+ components, plus a one-page safety and workflow checklist covering PPE, lockout/tagout and documentation sign-off
Engine and Engine Support Systems & Fuel, Exhaust and Emission Control Systems
Trace coolant flow, oil flow and intake/exhaust flow through the engine and state the purpose of each component in the path
Diagnose four written engine performance complaints (low power, overheating, oil consumption, excessive blowby) by ranking likely causes and naming the confirming test for each
Describe the function and failure symptoms of turbocharger, charge-air cooler, EGR, DPF and SCR systems
Calculate engine displacement, compression ratio and turbo boost pressure from supplied numbers
Interpret a used-oil and coolant sample result and state the corrective action indicated
Your checkpoint
A 25-row symptom-to-cause-to-confirming-test table covering engine support and emission control systems, scored against a self-written answer key
Electrical and Electronic Systems
Apply Ohm's law and series/parallel rules to solve at least 10 circuit calculations for voltage, current and resistance
Describe the test sequence and expected readings for battery, starting circuit and charging circuit faults
Draw and trace a starting circuit from battery through relay, neutral safety switch and starter, marking expected voltage at five test points
Explain sensor types, signal voltage ranges and how a scan tool reading confirms or rejects a sensor fault
Describe the basics of CAN/J1939 data bus communication and how a shorted or open bus affects vehicle operation
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn starting and charging circuit schematic with all components labeled and expected meter readings at five test points, plus 10 solved circuit calculations
Electrical and Electronic Systems & Air Brake Systems
Diagnose five written electrical complaints using a five-step test sequence of verify, isolate, test, repair and recheck
Explain dual-circuit air brake system layout and state the purpose of the compressor, governor, dryer, reservoirs, valves and spring brakes
Perform air brake adjustment, leak-down and compressor build-up calculations and judge pass or fail against a stated limit
Describe ABS component function and the correct response to an ABS warning lamp on a written scenario
Your checkpoint
A 50-question timed self-test covering Domains 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10, scored at 80% or better with each missed item rewritten as a corrected study note
Air Brake Systems & Hydraulic Brake Systems
Write out from memory the full procedure for caging and releasing a spring brake and state all safety precautions
Compare air brake and hydraulic brake components side by side and state the function of each part
Describe the hydraulic brake bleeding sequence and explain how air in the system changes pedal feel and stopping performance
Diagnose four written brake complaints such as pull, fade, drag and low pedal and name the confirming inspection for each
Explain the effect of brake adjustment, friction material condition and drum or rotor condition on stopping distance
Your checkpoint
A side-by-side air-versus-hydraulic brake component comparison table plus a written 10-step spring brake caging and release procedure with hazards noted at each step
Drive Train Systems
Describe power flow through clutch, transmission, driveline, differential and axle and state the function of each component
Solve eight gear ratio, final drive ratio and road speed problems from supplied numbers
Diagnose four written driveline complaints such as vibration, noise on turns, clutch slip and leak at the pinion and name the confirming test
Explain the adjustment and inspection points for clutch linkage, driveline phasing and wheel-end assemblies
Describe PTO and auxiliary drive operation and the inspection points that prevent premature failure
Your checkpoint
A completed gear ratio and road speed worksheet with eight solved problems plus a driveline vibration diagnostic flow chart
Steering and Suspension Systems
Explain caster, camber, toe, thrust angle and turning radius and state how each affects tire wear and steering feel
Describe inspection and adjustment of steering gear, linkage, kingpins, wheel bearings and air suspension components
Match at least eight tire wear patterns to their root causes and the corrective repair
Diagnose four written steering and suspension complaints such as wander, shimmy, hard steer and uneven ride height
State the torque and inspection requirements for critical steering and suspension fasteners and explain why each matters
Your checkpoint
A tire wear pattern to cause to correction chart with eight or more patterns, plus a one-page alignment angle reference sheet written in your own words
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems & Cab, Frame and Body Systems & Occupational Skills (safety, tools, documentation, communication, workflow)
Trace the refrigerant cycle and describe the function of compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator
Explain recovery, evacuation and recharge procedure and state the safety and environmental rules for refrigerant handling
Describe cab mount, frame, fifth wheel and body panel inspection points and the effect of each fault on vehicle operation
Complete a full-length timed practice exam and convert each missed item into a targeted review note
Build a personal weak-area list ranked by domain weight and schedule the final review sessions around it
Your checkpoint
A 100-question full-length practice exam scored at 80% or better, with a written list of every missed item and the corrective study action for each
Milestones
Week 4: Score 80% or better on a 50-question timed self-test covering Domains 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10, and produce the labeled starting and charging circuit schematic from memory
Week 6: Score 80% or better on a 30-question self-test covering Domains 4, 5 and 7, and complete the gear ratio and road speed worksheet with all eight problems correct
Week 8: Score 80% or better on a 100-question full-length practice exam weighted by domain percentage, with a written remediation list for every missed item