Trade Profile

Automotive Service
Technician
 RED SEAL
TRADE PROFILE
Automotive Service
Technician
STRUCTURE OF THE TRADE PROFILE
This profile has two sections that provide a snapshot of the trade’s description, and all trade activities as
they are organized in the Red Seal Occupational Standard:

Description of the Automotive Service Technician trade: an overview of the trade’s duties, work
environment, job requirements, similar occupations and career progression

Task Matrix: a chart which outlines graphically the major work activities, tasks and sub-tasks of this
trade

Major Work Activity (MWA): the largest division within the standard that is comprised of a distinct set
of trade activities

Task: distinct actions that describe the activities within a major work activity

Sub-task: distinct actions that describe the activities within a task

A complete version of the occupational standard, which provides additional detail for the trade activities,
skills and knowledge can be found at www.red-seal.ca.

3 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician

Description of the Automotive Service
Technician Trade
“Automotive Service Technician” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA.
This standard covers tasks performed by automotive service technicians.

Automotive service technicians possess the full range of knowledge and abilities required to perform
preventative maintenance, diagnose faults and repair automotive vehicle, light truck, hybrid vehicle and
electric vehicle systems. These systems include engines, vehicle management, steering, braking, tires,
wheels, drivetrains, suspension, electrical, advanced driver assistance systems [ADAS]), electronics,
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), restraints, trim and accessories.

Automotive service technicians may be employed by automotive repair shops, dealerships, automotive
specialty repair shops, large organizations that may own a fleet of vehicles and motor vehicle body repair
companies.

While the scope of the automotive service technician trade includes many aspects of vehicle service and
repair, an increasing number of technicians specialize in specific areas of automotive vehicle repair due
to the complexity of today’s motor vehicle systems.

Technicians usually work indoors and can expect a work environment that includes noise, fumes, odours,
hazardous compounds, drafts, vibrations, and confined spaces. The work often requires considerable
standing, bending, crawling, lifting, pulling and reaching. Safe work practices must be observed.

Some important attributes of automotive service technicians are: good hand-eye coordination, mechanical
aptitude, time management skills, logical, analytical and critical thinking and decision-making skills,
excellent communication and mentoring skills, computer skills and the ability to continue learning as
technology advances. It is also imperative to have a valid driver’s licence.

With additional training, experienced automotive service technicians may advance to shop supervisor or
service manager positions. Technicians can transfer their skills and knowledge to related occupations
such as automotive instructor, industry parts and equipment representative, truck and transport
mechanic, agricultural equipment technician or heavy duty equipment technician. Some technicians may
open their own garage or automotive specialty shop.

4 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician

Automotive Service Technician
Task Matrix and Weightings
A – Performs common occupational skills 7%

Task A-1 A-1.01 Maintains safe work A-1.02 Uses personal A-1.03 Implements specific
Performs safety-related functions environment protective equipment (PPE) safety protocols for hybrid and
42% and safety equipment electric vehicles (EV)

Task A-2 A-2.01 Uses tools and A-2.02 Uses fasteners, A-2.03 Uses hoisting and
Uses tools, equipment and equipment tubing, hoses and fittings lifting equipment
documentation
50%

A-2.04 Uses electronic service A-2.05 Uses documentation

tools and systems for and technical information
diagnostics and programming

Task A-3 A-3.01 Uses communication A-3.02 Uses mentoring

Uses communication and mentoring techniques techniques
techniques
8%

B – Diagnoses and repairs engine and engine support systems 17%

Task B-4 B-4.01 Diagnoses cooling B-4.02 Diagnoses lubricating B-4.03 Diagnoses engine
Diagnoses engine systems systems systems assembly
19%

B-4.04 Diagnoses accessory

drive systems

5 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician

Task B-5 B-5.01 Repairs cooling B-5.02 Repairs lubricating B-5.03 Repairs engine
Repairs engine systems systems systems assembly
16%

B-5.04 Repairs accessory

drive systems

Task B-6 B-6.01 Diagnoses gasoline B-6.02 Diagnoses gasoline B-6.03 Diagnoses gasoline
Diagnoses gasoline engine support fuel delivery and injection electronic ignition systems intake and exhaust systems
systems systems
21%

B-6.04 Diagnoses gasoline

emission control systems

Task B-7 B-7.01 Repairs gasoline fuel B-7.02 Repairs gasoline B-7.03 Repairs gasoline
Repairs gasoline engine support delivery and injection systems electronic ignition systems intake and exhaust systems
systems
18%

B-7.04 Repairs gasoline

emission control systems

Task B-8 B-8.01 Diagnoses diesel fuel B-8.02 Diagnoses diesel B-8.03 Diagnoses diesel
Diagnoses diesel engine support delivery and injection systems intake and exhaust systems emission control systems
systems
14%

Task B-9 B-9.01 Repairs diesel fuel B-9.02 Repairs diesel intake B-9.03 Repairs diesel
Repairs diesel engine support systems delivery and injection systems and exhaust systems emission control systems
12%

6 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician

C – Diagnoses and repairs vehicle module communications 10%
systems
Task C-10 C-10.01 Reads diagnostic C-10.02 Monitors data C-10.03 Tests system circuitry
Diagnoses vehicle networking systems trouble codes (DTCs) and components
62%

C-10.04 Interprets test

results

Task C-11 C-11.01 Updates component C-11.02 Replaces C-11.03 Repairs system
Repairs vehicle networking systems software components circuitry and components
38%

C-11.04 Verifies vehicle

module communications
system repair

D – Diagnoses and repairs driveline systems 14%

Task D-12 D-12.01 Diagnoses drive D-12.02 Diagnoses manual D-12.03 Diagnoses automatic
Diagnoses driveline systems shafts and axles transmissions and transaxles transmissions and transaxles
57%

D-12.04 Diagnoses clutches D-12.05 Diagnoses transfer D-12.06 Diagnoses final drive
cases assemblies

Task D-13 D-13.01 Repairs drive shafts D-13.02 Repairs manual D-13.03 Repairs automatic
Repairs driveline systems and axles transmissions and transaxles transmissions and transaxles
43%

D-13.04 Repairs clutches D-13.05 Repairs transfer D-13.06 Repairs final drive
cases assemblies

7 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician

E – Diagnoses and repairs electrical and comfort control systems 18%

Task E-14 E-14.01 Diagnoses wiring and E-14.02 Diagnoses E-14.03 Diagnoses lighting
Diagnoses electrical systems and electrical systems starting/charging systems and wiper systems
components and low voltage (12 volt)
36% batteries

E-14.04 Diagnoses E-14.05 Diagnoses electrical E-14.06 Diagnoses

entertainment systems options and accessories instrumentation and
information displays

E-14.07 Diagnoses advanced

driver assistance system
(ADAS) components

Task E-15 E-15.01 Repairs wiring and E-15.02 Repairs E-15.03 Repairs lighting and
Repairs electrical systems and electrical systems starting/charging systems wiper systems
components and low voltage (12 volt)
24% batteries

E-15.04 Repairs E-15.05 Repairs electrical E-15.06 Repairs

entertainment systems options and accessories instrumentation and
information displays

E-15.07 Repairs advanced

driver assistance system
(ADAS) components

Task E-16 E-16.01 Diagnoses air flow E-16.02 Diagnoses refrigerant E-16.03 Diagnoses heating
Diagnoses heating, ventilation and air control systems systems systems
conditioning (HVAC) and comfort
control systems
24%

Task E-17 E-17.01 Repairs air flow E-17.02 Repairs refrigerant E-17.03 Repairs heating
Repairs heating, ventilation and air control systems systems systems
conditioning (HVAC) and comfort
control systems
16%

8 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician

F – Diagnoses and repairs steering, suspension, braking and 19%
control systems, tires, hubs and wheel bearings
Task F-18 F-18.01 Diagnoses steering, F-18.02 Diagnoses braking F-18.03 Diagnoses tires,
Diagnoses steering, suspension, suspension and control and control systems wheels, hubs and wheel
braking and control systems, tires, systems bearings
wheels, hubs and wheel bearings
56%

F-18.04 Diagnoses advanced

driver assistance system
(ADAS) components related to
steering, suspension and
braking systems

Task F-19 F-19.01 Repairs steering, F-19.02 Repairs braking and F-19.03 Repairs tires, wheels,
Repairs steering, suspension, braking suspension and control control systems hubs and wheel bearings
and control systems, tires, wheels, hubs systems
and wheel bearings
44%

F-19.04 Repairs advanced

driver assistance system
(ADAS) components related to
steering, suspension and
braking systems

G – Diagnoses and repairs restraint systems, body components, 8%

accessories and trim
Task G-20 G-20.01 Diagnoses restraint G-20.02 Diagnoses wind G-20.03 Diagnoses interior
Diagnoses restraint systems, body systems noises, rattles and water leaks and exterior components,
components, accessories and trim accessories and trim
59%

G-20.04 Diagnoses latches,

locks and movable glass

Task G-21 G-21.01 Repairs restraint G-21.02 Repairs wind noises, G-21.03 Repairs interior and
Repairs restraint systems, body systems rattles and water leaks exterior components,
components, accessories and trim accessories and trim
41%

G-21.04 Repairs latches,

locks and movable glass

9 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician

H – Diagnoses and repairs hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) systems 7%

Task H-22 H-22.01 Diagnoses hybrid H-22.02 Diagnoses electric H-22.03 Diagnoses high
Diagnoses hybrid and electric vehicle vehicle systems vehicle (EV) systems voltage batteries
(EV) systems
58%

H-22.04 Diagnoses hybrid and

electric vehicle (EV) HVAC
systems

Task H-23 H-23.01 Repairs hybrid H-23.02 Repairs electric H-23.03 Services high voltage
Repairs hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) vehicle systems vehicle (EV) systems batteries
systems
42%

H-23.04 Repairs hybrid and

electric vehicle (EV) HVAC
systems

10 Red Seal Trade Profile – Automotive Service Technician