SVP Light Vehicle Mechanic study guide
SVP Light Vehicle Mechanic · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The SVP Light Vehicle Mechanic credential is a trade-level verification of competence for technicians who diagnose, service and repair passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. It is aimed at working mechanics, workshop apprentices nearing the end of training, and migrant technicians who need their practical skills and theoretical knowledge validated against a recognised benchmark rather than a training transcript. The SVP Light Vehicle Mechanic study guide has 10 sections and about 3,654 words.
01Workshop Safety, Tools and Equipment
Every task starts with a hazard review: what can hurt you (energy sources, chemicals, heat, pressure, electricity, moving loads) and what control removes or reduces it. The hierarchy runs elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE as the last line.
660 words, about 3 min02Engine Mechanical Systems
You must be able to explain induction, compression, power and exhaust, and locate each stroke from valve position and piston direction. Both valves closed with the piston rising is compression; both slightly open around top dead centre is valve overlap.
314 words, about 2 min03Engine Management, Fuel and Emission Systems
The ECU reads sensors and drives actuators. Key inputs are crankshaft position (engine speed and misfire reference), camshaft position (sequence and VVT), MAP or MAF (load), intake air temperature, coolant temperature, throttle and accelerator pedal position, upstream and downstream oxygen sensors, and knock.
626 words, about 3 min04Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Systems
Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits and power relationships underpin everything. In series, current is common and voltage divides; in parallel, voltage is common and current divides.
304 words, about 2 min05Transmission and Drivetrain
A clutch transmits torque through friction between flywheel, disc and pressure plate, released by hydraulic or cable actuation. Symptoms map to causes: slip under load means worn disc or weak pressure plate; drag or difficult engagement points to hydraulics, release bearing or a warped disc; judder suggests contamination or uneven mating surfaces.
299 words, about 1 min06Braking Systems
The brake system applies Pascal's principle: pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally, so a larger caliper piston produces greater clamping force. The master cylinder, proportioning or electronic brake distribution, lines, hoses, calipers and wheel cylinders form the circuit.
297 words, about 1 min07Suspension and Steering Systems
Suspension carries the vehicle, isolates road input and keeps the tyre contact patch stable. Springs support load, dampers control oscillation, and anti-roll bars limit body roll.
301 words, about 2 min08Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Refrigerant leaves the compressor as a hot high-pressure gas, condenses to liquid in the condenser, passes through a receiver-drier or accumulator, is metered through an expansion valve or orifice tube, and boils in the evaporator, absorbing heat from cabin air. It then returns to the compressor as a low-pressure gas.
295 words, about 1 min09Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Start by verifying the complaint, gathering customer description and conditions, then inspect visually before touching a tool. Read codes and freeze-frame data, check service information and wiring diagrams, and form a testable hypothesis: symptom, then system, then component.
280 words, about 1 min10Preventive Maintenance and Service Procedures
Manufacturers publish normal and severe-duty intervals; severe duty covers short trips, towing, dust, extreme temperatures and heavy idling, and shortens oil, filter and fluid intervals. Always use the specified fluid grade and specification, not just a similar product: the wrong automatic transmission fluid, coolant type or oil viscosity can cause long-term damage.
278 words, about 1 min