Automotive Servicing NC II study materials
Automotive Servicing NC II study resources

Automotive Servicing NC II study plan

Automotive Servicing NC II · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Workplace communication, safety, and housekeeping & Engine mechanical and cooling system servicing

  • Memorize the 5S housekeeping sequence and demonstrate it by organizing a simulated workbench layout on paper with labeled tool positions

  • List the personal protective equipment required for engine work (gloves, goggles, safety shoes, hearing protection) and match each item to the specific hazard it controls

  • Trace the four-stroke cycle (intake, compression, power, exhaust) and label valve position and piston direction for each stroke on a hand-drawn diagram

  • Identify the main engine mechanical components (cylinder head, block, pistons, rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, camshaft, timing belt/chain) and state one function and one common failure mode for each

Your checkpoint

A one-page labeled engine cutaway sketch plus a 20-item component-function-failure table, self-scored at 80% or better

Week 2

Engine mechanical and cooling system servicing & Use of hand tools, measuring instruments, and test equipment

  • Describe the cooling system flow path from water pump through block, head, thermostat, radiator, and back, and explain the role of the pressure cap and coolant expansion

  • Diagnose three written cooling-system scenarios (overheating at idle, coolant loss with no visible leak, heater blowing cold) and state the first two tests you would run for each

  • Demonstrate correct use of a micrometer and vernier caliper by recording readings from practice measurements and converting them to the nearest 0.01 mm

  • Explain how to perform a cylinder compression test and a cooling system pressure test, including engine temperature, throttle position, and pass/fail interpretation

Your checkpoint

A diagnostic worksheet covering the three cooling scenarios with test sequence, expected readings, and a pass/fail threshold for each

Week 3

Engine lubrication and fuel system servicing & Engine mechanical and cooling system servicing

  • Map the lubrication circuit from oil pan through pickup, pump, filter, galleries, and drain-back, and explain what happens when the pressure relief valve sticks

  • Compare the properties and service intervals of conventional, semi-synthetic, and full-synthetic engine oil using the viscosity grade and API/ILSAC service category

  • Trace the fuel delivery path for both carbureted and electronic fuel injection systems and distinguish the function of pump, filter, regulator, injector, and return line

  • Perform valve clearance measurement and adjustment procedures on paper for a specified engine, listing the tools, feeler gauge steps, and torque values needed

  • Interpret a written oil-pressure complaint (gauge low at idle, normal at speed) and list five possible causes ranked by likelihood

Your checkpoint

A lubrication and fuel system flow diagram with a 10-question self-test on oil selection and injector diagnosis, answered at 80% or better

Week 4

Electrical and electronic system servicing (charging, starting, lighting)

  • Explain the charging system circuit from battery through alternator, voltage regulator, and warning lamp, and state the expected charging voltage range at idle and at 2,000 rpm

  • Describe how to test a battery with a hydrometer and a load tester, and interpret state-of-charge and cold-cranking-amp results

  • Diagnose a no-crank condition by ordering the checks from battery terminals through ignition switch, starter relay, and starter solenoid

  • Trace a headlight and turn-signal circuit including fuse, switch, relay, and ground, and explain how to locate an open circuit with a test light or multimeter

  • State the safety precautions for handling batteries and alternators, including hydrogen gas, acid, and disconnecting the negative terminal first

Your checkpoint

A charging and starting system diagnostic flowchart plus a recorded practice reading set (battery voltage, cranking voltage, charging voltage) with interpretation notes

Week 5

Brake system servicing & Use of hand tools, measuring instruments, and test equipment

  • Identify the components of drum and disc brake systems and explain the hydraulic principle of force multiplication through the master cylinder and caliper pistons

  • Describe the correct sequence for bleeding a brake system and explain why air in the lines causes a spongy pedal

  • Measure brake pad thickness and rotor thickness with a micrometer and compare results to a stated minimum specification

  • Diagnose three written brake complaints (pulling to one side, pulsation during braking, pedal sinking slowly) and list the likely cause and confirmatory test for each

  • Explain the function of the proportioning valve, residual check valve, and ABS modulator in the hydraulic circuit

Your checkpoint

A brake inspection checklist with measurement recording fields and a written diagnosis for the three brake complaints

Week 6

Suspension, steering, and wheel alignment servicing & Use of hand tools, measuring instruments, and test equipment

  • Identify suspension and steering components (MacPherson strut, control arm, ball joint, tie rod, rack and pinion, stabilizer bar) and state the function and wear symptom of each

  • Explain camber, caster, and toe, and describe the handling symptom produced by a misadjustment in each angle

  • Describe how to check for play in a ball joint and tie rod end using a pry bar and wheel-rock test, and state the pass/fail criteria

  • Interpret a written tire wear pattern (inner edge wear, cupping, center wear) and match it to a likely alignment or inflation cause

  • Explain the purpose of wheel balancing and the difference between static and dynamic imbalance

Your checkpoint

An alignment angle reference sheet with a symptom-to-angle table and a tire wear interpretation guide, both self-tested to 80% accuracy

Week 7

Transmission, clutch, and drivetrain servicing & Engine lubrication and fuel system servicing

  • Trace power flow through clutch, manual transmission, propeller shaft, differential, and drive axles, and explain the function of each stage

  • Describe how to inspect and replace a clutch disc, pressure plate, and release bearing, including flywheel inspection and alignment tool use

  • Explain the operation of an automatic transmission torque converter and planetary gear set at a conceptual level, and list the checks for fluid level and condition

  • Diagnose three written drivetrain complaints (clutch slip, gear whine in one gear only, vibration at speed) and list the likely cause and confirmatory test for each

  • State the safety precautions for working under a vehicle supported on stands, including wheel chocking and stand rating

Your checkpoint

A drivetrain power-flow diagram with a clutch service procedure checklist and written diagnoses for the three complaints

Week 8

Workplace communication, safety, and housekeeping & Use of hand tools, measuring instruments, and test equipment & Engine mechanical and cooling system servicing & Engine lubrication and fuel system servicing & Electrical and electronic system servicing (charging, starting, lighting) & Brake system servicing & Suspension, steering, and wheel alignment servicing & Transmission, clutch, and drivetrain servicing

  • Complete two full-length timed practice sets covering all eight domains and record the score per domain

  • Re-study the two lowest-scoring domains by rewriting the missed concepts into a one-page summary sheet each

  • Rehearse the 5S and PPE routine and the safe-handling rules for batteries, brake fluid, and lifting equipment until they can be stated without notes

  • Review all prior deliverables and correct any errors found, noting the corrected fact beside each item

Your checkpoint

A domain score tracker from both practice sets showing improvement, plus two corrected summary sheets for the weakest domains

Milestones

Week 2: Can label every major engine mechanical and cooling component and state its function without notes, and can take a micrometer reading within 0.02 mm of the true value

Week 4: Scores 80% or better on a self-made 30-question quiz covering domains 1 through 4, with no domain below 70%

Week 6: Correctly diagnoses all six written brake and suspension complaint scenarios and explains the confirmatory test for each

Week 8: Scores 80% or better overall on both timed practice sets, with no single domain below 70% and all eight deliverables completed and corrected