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Home > Automotive and Engine Repair > Program Details

Automotive Transmissions Essentials Certificate Program Details

Penn Foster’s online Automotive Transmissions program consists of courses geared toward helping students in the automotive repair field to gain additional skills and training to prepare for further employment opportunities. You’ll cover the essential theory of manual drive trains and automatic transmission systems, which can help you prepare to sit for the ASE certification exams.

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Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

To enhance skills for employment in the automotive field in the area of automotive transmissions, including manual and automatic transmission systems.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

  • Identify and describe the purpose of the major components in an automobile's drivetrain
  • Describe the components and operation of the clutch assembly
  • Identify common clutch problems, and describe how to remove and service the clutch assembly
  • Name and describe the components and operation of manual and automatic transmissions
  • Describe how to diagnose, troubleshoot, and perform routine transmission procedures, including removing, servicing, and replacing a transmission
  • Name and describe the components and operation of front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles, including drive shafts, differentials, and drive axles
  • Identify the components and operation of 4WD and AWD systems, including the procedures necessary to diagnose and service those systems
  • Describe basic electrical circuits, circuit components, and electrical measuring and test equipment
  • Describe the procedures to troubleshoot and diagnose specific manufacturers' electronic transmission control systems
  • Identify and describe the components and operation of various manufacturers' transmissions and describe the disassembly and reassembly procedures for typical transmissions and transaxles for each manufacturer
  • List the various hand tools and specialized tools used when working with automotive systems
Manual Drivetrain and Axles
 

Objectives:

  • Explain the operation of a manual transmission or transaxle clutch system.
  • Describe the diagnosis and service of the clutch, flywheel, and control mechanisms.
  • Explain the operation, diagnosis, and service of a manual transmission and transaxle.
  • Discuss the operation, diagnosis, and service of driveshafts, U-joints, constant velocity (CV) joints, and differentials in the final drive.
  • Describe the operation of four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) systems.
  • Explain the diagnosis and service of the transfer case, hubs, and control system.
Additional Course Materials

Textbook: Automotive Technology, 5th Edition

Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles
 

Objectives:

  • Explain the operation of an automatic transmission and transaxle system, as well as that of the mechanical and hydraulic components.
  • Describe the diagnosis and service of an automatic transmission and transaxle system.
  • Explain the disassembly and overhaul of an automatic transmission and transaxle, including subcomponents and measurements.
Additional Course Materials

Textbook: Automotive Technology, 5th Edition

Additional Details

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this Program. Click here for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.
Please review your state board requirements that are applicable to your field of study. State boards may impose a variety of different requirements.

Penn Foster Career School Accreditation & Licensing Details

Penn Foster has been accredited for over 50 years. Penn Foster Career School has been thoroughly reviewed and has earned several important accreditations, certifications, and licensing. Most importantly, Penn Foster Career School is both regionally and nationally accredited.

Accreditation
DEAC
MSA
Short Lessons
Easy-to-Access Lessons
Each lesson is broken into short chapters that allow you to fit learning into whatever time you have available. Don’t have time to finish a lesson? Not a problem - pick up where you left off next time!
Digital Flashcards
Digital Flashcards
A fun and interactive way to test your knowledge before your exams. Find out what information you've mastered, and what material needs additional review.
Discussion Boards
Discussion Boards
With Penn Foster Career School, you are never alone! Our learning platform includes discussion boards so you can connect with instructors and other students in the Automotive Transmissions Essentials program.

Sample Automotive Transmissions Essentials Lesson

Penn Foster courses are written in a way that is easy to understand, and materials are broken down into manageable lessons. Take a look at what a Automotive Transmissions Essentials course would look like.
View Sample Lesson
Sample Automotive Transmissions Essentials Lesson
Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® or later, and an email account to complete this program.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Apple, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
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