Automobile service requirements 1982-1992 : implications for automotive educators

Typescript (photocopy).The premise for this study was based on the use of advanced technological innovations in automobile design and the implications these innovations have for the job of the automobile mechanic. For purposes of this study the automobile was divided into seven component areas. For each of these areas the importance of five service duties and a list of technical innovations were identified. A list of service duties common to the seven component areas was also compiled. A modified Delphi research technique was used to survey 38 automotive engineers. The research instrument was specially designed by the researcher and was comprised of both closed and open format questions. All of the information was gathered in two Delphi rounds. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the level of importance and degree of consensus for the service duties and innovations. The data were then screened for service duties which were common to the seven component areas. The information gathered through this study was reported as implications for automobile mechanic educators. In general, the results indicated that mechanics will be performing fewer adjustments, maintenance functions and component rebuilding. In many cases repairs will involve less manual dexterity as component replacement becomes more simplified. Troubleshooting will require the use of more test equipment as the proposed use of sophisticated technology renders "seat-of-the-pants" repair techniques to be a thing of the past. Efficient troubleshooting will require that the mechanic understand the theory of operation before undertaking any repairs. The information gathered from this study can be used by counselors when advising students, by students interested in becoming automobile mechanics, and by automobile mechanic educators in the preparation of relevant curriculum