Automotive Technology Classes
Leading Automotive Technician School
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Learn to Diagnose and Repair Cars and Light-Duty Diesel Pickups in Only 9 Months
Automotive technology is continuing to expand to new heights. This industry is increasingly advancing, and needs talent like yours to join forces and pave the way in how we handle vehicles. With the hands-on experience and skills you will acquire in our Automotive Technology program, you can turn your passion for the automotive world into a career you can take with you anywhere.
WyoTech’s Automotive Technology program is where you can develop skills that will prepare you for real-world experiences. You’ll graduate not just prepared for a job, but ready for a career.
50% of your time will be spent working in the shop!
Why Choose WyoTech’s Automotive Technology Program?
Your new career starts with WyoTech! Our Automotive Technology classes focus on creating real-world skills by having you in the shop working on vehicles; coursework revolves around the automotive world. This is a truly hands-on program where you get to hone in on your talents.
Classes are taught by experienced professionals who have worked in the automotive industry for years. Working directly on vehicles isn’t the only highlight of WyoTech, you also get to be part of a larger community with collaboration between fellow students and faculty.
WyoTech has been around since 1966, allowing us to be able to develop our courses to make a bigger impact on our students. At WyoTech, it takes just 9 months to complete the full Automotive Technology program and earn your diploma. It’s an experience unlike any other!
Our goal at WyoTech is to educate aspiring auto technicians to be the best in the industry and work at the best companies. We aim to develop the future of the automotive industry right here in Laramie, WY.
Your program will consist of 6 weeks of
Get more details on each course below.
The Automotive Technology Job Market Is Hot!
Graduates of our Automotive Technology program head into the industry with more than hands-on experience and a familiarity of industry-standard tools; they also have the backing of a diploma from one of the most respected schools in the industry. Many of our graduates are putting their skills to work as mechanics, quick-service techs, and service techs. Although job placement isn’t guaranteed, our career services team works hard with our employer partners to place as many students as possible into excellent positions.
$46,970
U.S. Median Wage (2023)
67,700+
U.S. Job Openings
(2022-2032)
2%
U.S. Job Growth
(2022-2032)
Engine Management Systems
You’ll start off learning about basic electricity, then move into operating a digital multimeter to measure voltage, volt drops, resistance, and amperage. From there, you’ll progress to the starting and charging systems and learn how to diagnose existing problems; explore engine fundamentals; work with light-duty diesel aids; walk through how the lubrication and cooling systems work in the engine; cover engine component inspections and repair; and get prepared to take the Snap-On Meter certification. Throughout this course, you’ll get experience using the latest versions of shop information, including All-Data, Shop-Key, and manufacturer service information systems.
- Understand electricity, circuits and electrical testing equipment
- Navigate of service information systems
- Understand how to use wire diagrams to test electrical systems
- Gain traction in gasoline and ight-duty diesel engine theory and components
- Study starting and charging systems theory and diagnosis
- Learn location and identification of components
- Learn about starting aids operation and diagnosis
Drivability Diagnostics
In this course, you’ll gain experience on the tools you’ll be using for diagnostics throughout the Automotive program as a whole. Using the same tools and diagnostic equipment you’ll find on the job, you’ll perform detailed sensor diagnostics. You’ll also get to learn how to use lab scopes and scan tools to diagnose fuel and ignition systems, learn about electric and hybrid technology, and more.
- Use diagnostic tools
- Examine fuel and ignition systems
- Perform detailed sensor diagnostics
- Practice light-duty diesel low- and high-pressure fuel system theory and diagnosis
- Study common rail injection theory and operation
- Utilize injector theory operation and diagnosis
- Develop skills in diesel emission component operation and diagnosis
- Gain hands-on experience in forced air induction (fixed and variable turbochargers)
Drivetrain Systems
You’ll start the course with a fully assembled automatic transmission, which you’ll immediately disassemble and spend the rest of your time learning how to put it back together correctly. Along the way, you’ll explore- differentials, drivelines, planetary gears; precision measuring instruments; torque converters, and removal and reinstallation of a front-wheel-drive transaxle. Upon completion of the transmission rebuild, you’ll dyno-test the transmission to ensure proper operation of all forward and reverse gears.
- Practice transaxle replacement/removal
- Learn electronic transmission diagnostics
- Use precision measuring instruments
- Understand four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
- Remove and replace manual clutches, transmissions, and transaxles
- Train on transmission hydraulics and clutches
Chassis
Get to know everything underneath the vehicle. As part of this phase, you‘ll get into heating and air-conditioning systems, and you’ll learn how to work with R-12, R-134A, and newer 1234YF refrigerant systems. You’ll also get hands-on experience with brake systems, on-car brake surfacing with Pro-Cut equipment (and the ability to acquire a Pro-Cut On-Car certification), computerized four-wheel alignment, fasteners, steering and suspension systems, supplemental inflatable restraint systems (SIR), tires and wheel balancing, wheel bearings, traction control systems, and vibration analysis.
- Develop HVAC repair and maintenance skills
- Practice tire and wheel mounting and balancing
- Perform complete brake replacement
- Study suspension and steering system types and repair
- Understand and perform alignments
- Learn and calibrate ADAS systems
Specialty Program
Most Automotive students choose Applied Service Management, High-Performance Power Trains, Chassis Fabrication, or Street Rod, all of which are designed to complement the skills you have learned in the Automotive program and help you stand out to employers in the industry.
Industry Certifications Available
- MOPAR Career Automotive program
- Ford-ACE Certificate
- Snap-On
- Pro-Cut
- 525F Multimeter
- Solus Ultra
- Vantage Pro
- Modis
- Ethos
- Shop Key Pro
- 609 EPA Certification
- 10 – ASE Entry Level Certifications
Core Program Start Dates
December 30, 2024
Auto Tech FAQs
How long does it take to become an auto technician?
Our core Automotive Technology program takes only 6 months to complete. In order to graduate, you must finish the core program and a specialty program (3 months to complete) for a total of 9 months of education.
What kind of job can I get from taking the Automotive Technology program?
After graduating from our Automotive Technology program, WyoTech students have been able to acquire jobs as automotive technicians and auto mechanics. We aim to help aspiring automotive experts develop their skills to a point where they’re job-ready after graduation. You’ll be able to work with our career services team to communicate with our business partners for possible job placement.
*Job positions aren’t guaranteed.
Why is the Automotive Technology program only 6 months long?
Prospective students may often wonder why so many other schools have 1-year programs vs us where you finish a program within 6 months then take a specialty program for 3. The reason our students graduate within 9 months after starting a program is because we have developed curriculum that can be taught and learned within a shorter period. You get richer information, hands-on experience with vehicles–and it’s all taught in coursework that’s designed to help you understand, not struggle.
Is the Automotive Technology program full-time?
Yes, for 9 months you’ll be working 8-hour days, 5 days per week. This gives you the in-person skills you need to work on vehicles. You’ll also learn other important “soft” skills such as customer service and professionalism.
How much do auto technicians earn?
According to Indeed (2023), the median salary for auto technicians in the U.S. is $46,970 while the median salary for auto mechanics is $63,505. What you make will depend on experience level, the state that the job resides, and what the job requires.