Automobile mechanics

Tasks and responsibilities

Automobile Mechanics carry out a highly diverse range of tasks that vary according to the type of workplace and whether they are apprentices or journeymen.

In general, apprentices beginning their careers carry out simpler tasks such as vehicle maintenance and repair of minor defects. They also assist journeymen for more complex repairs.

For their part, journeymen may maintain and repair all vehicle systems. They have the following tasks and responsibilities :

• Checking, maintaining, adjusting, repairing, or replacing various components or parts in cars or light trucks, including electromagnetic accessories, transmission components, brakes, steering, suspension, safety accessories, gasoline or diesel engine components, starting, heating, cooling, air conditioning, fuel supply, anti-pollution, ignition, and electronic injection systems, etc.
• Maintaining, adjusting, diagnosing, repairing, and replacing defective parts and components of the various systems of a vehicle, using manual and mechanical tools and special equipment.

Training aims to produce good general mechanics, but apprentices may also specialize in :

(Specialization examples)

• Automobile alignment and suspension
• Automobile electricity
• Add-on electrical and electronic systems installation
• Trim Man

In order to qualify in these specializations, after accumulating the required number of hours candidates must take and pass the professional qualification exam for the trade in which they want to work.

Tools to prepare for the professional qualification exam in automobile mechanics

Self-evaluation test in automobile mechanics

Candidates wishing to prepare for the professional qualification exam in automobile mechanics can complete the self-evaluation test for this trade.

This test was developed by the CPA Montréal in collaboration with Emploi-Québec in order to avoid the candidates being disappointed when they receive the results of their qualification exam. This is an important tool to help candidates assess their knowledge of automobile mechanics. This test will also help them determine what level they have reached in the learning process.

Self-training guides in automobile mechanics

Candidates wishing to prepare for the professional qualification exam can obtain self-training guides on the following subjects :

• Power Train guide [jpg]
  
• Brakes guide [jpg]
  
• Internal Combustion Engines guide [jpg]
  
• Electricity and Supply System guide [jpg]
  
• Alignement guide [jpg] Currently available only in French

These guides may be obtained by downloading the PDF Guide purchase order. This document must be completed by hand and must be sent by mail at 509 Bélanger Street, Montreal, Quebec H2S 1G5, with a cheque payable to CPA Montréal. These guides may also be obtained in person at the CPA Montréal office. In this case, candidates do not have to pay handling costs.

Course for third-year apprentice automobile mechanics

Candidates are invited to refer to the training section.

Professional qualification exam in automobile mechanics

The professional qualification exam in automobile mechanics has been developed according to the profile of the tradespeople working in the field. In order to reflect the realities of this constantly changing market, this profile is annually revised according to the input of qualified and recognized automobile mechanics from all regions of Québec.

The exam, which lasts approximately three hours, is the same for all the parity committees. It was developed by the CPAs in collaboration with technical and educational professionals. It is an oral exam composed of a theoretical part and a practical part, given in an appropriate atmosphere for evaluating the candidate. The exam tests what a competent journeyman must know to be able to correctly maintain, diagnose, and repair the basic components of a standard vehicle. For each module, an examiner will question the candidate on his skills and abilities to make the right diagnosis. The exam is divided into four modules on the following subjects  :

Module I : Transmission

• Transmission systems
• Steering systems

Module II : Brakes

• Brake systems
• Hydraulic circuits

Module III : Engine

• Maintenance and adjustment
• Cooling systems

Module IV : Electricity

• Electric circuits
• Power systems
• Emission control

Required percent scores to obtain a qualification certificate in automobile mechanics :

3rd class : between 60% and 69.9%

2nd class : between 70% and 79.9%

1st class : between 80% and 100%

The qualification earned by candidates is province-wide and is recognized everywhere in Québec (in the six parity committees in Québec).

Note Candidates earning scores lower than 60% continue to hold the cards they held when they took the exam.

Candidates are invited to consult the professional qualification exam section to obtain general information regarding the qualification exams (admission conditions, registration, location, format, results, retakes, etc.)

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Alignment and Suspension Specialist

Tasks and responsibilities

Alignment and suspension specialists are workers whose tasks primarily concern repairs to the suspension and alignment of vehicles.

Professional qualification exam
(Currently available only in French)

Whether they hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (D.E.P. in French) in automobile mechanics, or whether they practise that trade without professional training in that field, candidates who have worked 6,000 hours as apprentice automobile mechanics may register for the professional qualification exam not only in automobile mechanics, but also in alignment and suspension, a specialty in automobile mechanics.

The professional qualification exam deals with the following subjects :

• Checking ball joints
• Checking wear
• Checking shock absorbers and springs
• Adjusting bearings
• Checking linkage
• Checking play
• Installing tuning equipment
• Checking alignment
• Diagnosis of tire wear
• Tuning alignment, camber, and castor angle
• Diagnosis of understeering or oversteering
• Centering of steering wheel
• Tuning of steering gearbox
• Tuning of rack-and-pinion steering
• Diagnosis of power steering
• Hydraulic servicing for power steering
• Wheel balancing

Required percent scores to obtain a qualification certificate in alignment and suspension :

3rd class : between 60% and 69.9%

2nd class : between 70% and 79.9%

1st class : between 80% and 100%

The qualification earned by candidates will be recognized within the jurisdiction of the CPA Montréal. We suggest that candidates contact the other parity committees to determine if this trade is recognized in their jurisdictions.

Note Candidates earning scores lower than 60% continue to hold the cards they held when they took the exam.

Candidates are invited to consult the professional qualification exam section to obtain general information regarding the qualification exams (admission conditions, registration, location, format, results, retakes, etc.)

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Automobile electrician

Tasks and responsibilities

Automobile electricians install, maintain, and repair components that produce or use electricity or electronics in motor vehicles such as cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks.

Professional qualification exam
(Currently available only in French)

Candidates who have worked 6,000 hours as apprentice automobile electricians may register for the professional qualification exam.

Also, candidates who hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (D.E.P. in French) in automobile mechanics or practising that trade without professional training in that field may register for the professional qualification exam in automobile electricity, a specialization in automobile mechanics, provided they have worked 6,000 hours as apprentice automobile mechanics.

The professional qualification exam deals with the following subjects :

• Checking the control module
• Checking the various sensors
• Checking the air-fuel mixture
• Analysis of the air-fuel mixture
• Analysis of battery condition
• Checking the starting system
• Checking the charging system
• Diagnosis of charging and starting system components
• Checking certain components of an electrical circuit
• Diagnosis of ignition system
• Use of measuring devices

Required percent scores to obtain a qualification certificate in electricity :

3rd class : between 65% and 72.4%

2nd class : between 72.5% and 79.9%

1st class : between 80% and 100%

The qualification earned by candidates will be recognized within the jurisdiction of the CPA Montréal. We suggest that candidates contact the other parity committees to determine if this trade is recognized in their jurisdictions.

Note Candidates earning scores lower than 65% continue to hold the cards they held when they took the exam.

Candidates are invited to consult the professional qualification exam section to obtain general information regarding the qualification exams (admission conditions, registration, location, format, results, retakes, etc.)

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Add-on electrical and electronic systems installer

Tasks and responsibilities

Add-on electrical and electronic systems installers install, repair and replace electric and electronic accessories such as audio systems, security systems, multimedia systems, telecommunications systems, remote starters and electric windows, roofs and locks.

Professional qualification exam

Candidates who have worked 6,000 hours as apprentice electricians may register for the professional qualification exam.

Also, candidates who hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (D.E.P. in French) in automobile mechanics or practising that trade without professional training in that field may register for the professional qualification exam in Add-on electrical and electronic systems installation, a specialization in automobile mechanics, provided they have worked 6,000 hours as apprentice automobile mechanics.

The professional qualification exam contains a theoretical section and a practical section.

The theoretical section of the exam is divided into several sections :

• Safety
• Ohm's law
• Multimeter
• Electrical circuit
• Electronics
• Automobile systems
• Cruise control
• Automotive security systems and remote starters
• Audio systems

The practical section of the exam is divided into two parts :

Module 1

• Electrical circuit and electronics

Module 2

• Antitheft systems, remote starters, cruise control, and audio systems

Required percent scores to obtain a 3rd-class qualification certificate in Add-on electrical and electronic systems installation

Candidates obtaining 60% or more on the professional qualification exam will receive a 3rd-class qualification certificate, recognized within the jurisdiction of the CPA Montréal. To obtain higher classes, candidates must take the professional qualification exam in automobile electricity and obtain a mark between 72.5% and 79.9% for a 2nd-class qualification certificate in automobile electricity, and between 80% and 100% for a 1st-class certificate.

We suggest that candidates contact the other parity committees to determine if this trade is recognized in their jurisdictions.

Note Candidates earning scores lower than 60% continue to hold the cards they held when they took the exam.

Candidates are invited to consult the professional qualification exam section to obtain general information regarding the qualification exams (admission conditions, registration, location, format, results, retakes, etc.)

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Trim Man

Tasks and responsibilities

Trim men perform various tasks relating to the repair and installation of various accessories to various types of new and used vehicles. They repair or refurbish various manual or electrical accessories and align various body components to eliminate wind noises and the infiltration of drafts and dust.

They may replace or repair window regulators also various mechanisms, adjust convertible vehicle roofs or install the small accessories requested by the client upon the purchase of a vehicle.

Trim men have the following tasks and responsibilities :

• Installing safety belts, performing minor welding and retouching paint work
• Replacing, adjusting and adding manual and electric window and seat regulators and repairing locks
• Locating and eliminating body noise and water and dust leaks, aligning doors and windows, installing and aligning automotive trim and adjusting windows, doors, mudguards, hoods, and trunk lids
• Installing or removing rear defrosters and radios and removing mirror controls and windshield wipers

Professional qualification exam
(Currently available only in French)

Whether they hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (D.E.P. in French) in bodywork or automobile mechanics, or whether they practise one of these trades without professional training in that field, candidates who have worked 6,000 hours as apprentice bodymen or automobile mechanics may register for the qualification exam as trim men, a specialization in body repair and automobile mechanics.

The professional qualification exam is divided into three modules on the following subjects:

Module I : Theory

Module II : Removable components of the body

Module III : Windows and accessories

Required percent scores to obtain a qualification certificate as trim men :

3rd class : between 60% and 67.4%

2nd class : between 67.5% and 74.9%

1st class : between 75% and 100%

The qualification earned by candidates will be recognized within the jurisdiction of the CPA Montréal. We suggest that candidates contact the other parity committees to determine if this trade is recognized in their jurisdictions.

Note Candidates earning scores lower than 60% continue to hold the cards they held when they took the exam.

Candidates are invited to consult the professional qualification exam section to obtain general information regarding the qualification exams (admission conditions, registration, location, format, results, retakes, etc.)

Suggested links

For more information on the D.E.P. in automobile mechanics.

For more information on the A.E.P. in diesel engine mechanics and electronic controls (Currently available only in French).

To register online for a professional training program.

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