Engine Systems
16%of exam
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
7%of exam
Manual Drive Train & Axles
11%of exam
Suspension & Steering
24%of exam
Brakes
20%of exam
Electrical
15%of exam
Heating, Ventilation & AC
7%of exam
Quick Facts
- Exam
- G1
- Credential
- Auto Maint. & Light Repair
- Questions
- 55 (45 scored)
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Pass
- 70 scaled score
- Format
- CBT, Prometric/ProProctor
- Level
- Entry-level
- Blueprint
- 2026 ASE spec
- Experience
- 1 year required
- Validity
- 5 years
Engine Fluid Check Order
Oil, then coolant, then belts
Oil: check level, lifeCoolant: check level, typeBelts: check cracks, tensionFilters: air and oil
Engine Service Decision
- Oil life monitor lit→Change oil and filter(Reset monitor after)
- Overheating concern reported→Pressure test cooling system(To cap rating)
- Rough idle, DTC set→Retrieve codes first(Before parts swap)
- Fuel smell present→Inspect tank and lines(Check EVAP too)
- Belt squeal noise→Inspect belt and tensioner(Check pulley alignment)
Engine Fluids & Belts
- Oil change
- Warm engine before draining
- Oil filter
- Check for stuck gasket
- Coolant service
- Drain, flush, refill, bleed
- Pressure test
- To radiator cap rating
- Drive belt
- Inspect tensioner and pulleys
- Thermostat
- Controls coolant flow rate
Engine Diagnostics & Emissions
- DTCs
- Retrieve before any repair
- Spark plugs
- Check secondary ignition parts
- Air filter
- Replace if restricted, damaged
- EVAP system
- Inspect canister, lines, hoses
- DEF fluid
- Diesel exhaust fluid only
- Exhaust leak
- Check hangers and shields
Automatic Transmission Service
- Fluid check
- Type, level, and condition
- External seals
- Replace if leaking
- CV boots
- Inspect for cracks, tears
- Filter service
- Replace with fluid change
- Cooler lines
- Visually inspect for leaks
- Powertrain mounts
- Inspect for excess movement
Automatic vs Manual Drivetrain
Automatic Transmission
- Fluid and filter service
- No clutch pedal present
- Torque converter driven design
Manual Drivetrain
- Clutch hydraulics present
- Shift linkage needs service
- Driver-operated clutch pedal
Fluid service vs clutch
Clutch & Driveline
- Clutch hydraulics
- Bleed slave and master
- Shift linkage
- Inspect bushings and pivots
- U-joints
- Verify proper phasing
- CV joints
- Inspect boots for wear
- Support bearing
- Inspect center driveshaft bearing
- Wheel bearings
- Excludes press-type designs
Axles & 4WD/AWD
- RWD axle
- Identify fluid leak points
- Axle housing
- Inspect vent for blockage
- Transfer case
- Check fluid level, condition
- Front differential
- Inspect seals and vents
- 4WD/AWD
- Verify engagement and operation
- Tire size
- Match front and rear
Alignment Angle Order
Camber first, caster next, toe last
Camber: tilt in or outCaster: steering axis angleToe: adjusted last alwaysThrust: rear axle reference
Camber vs Caster
Camber
- Wheel tilt in/out
- Vertical angle measurement
- Affects tire wear pattern
Caster
- Steering axis tilt angle
- Affects steering return, stability
- Not a tire-wear angle
Tilt vs steering axis
Alignment Symptom Decision
- Vehicle wanders or drifts→Check alignment angles(Camber, caster, toe)
- Tire wear is uneven→Inspect toe setting(Or camber wear)
- Steering wheel is off-center→Center it mechanically(After toe set)
- Vehicle pulls one direction→Check caster split(Between left, right)
- Warning light after service→Calibrate angle sensor(Post-alignment requirement)
Power Steering Service
- PS fluid
- Match type, check level
- Pump noise
- Check belt and pulleys
- Rack boots
- Inspect for tears
- System bleed
- Flush, fill, bleed air
- System type
- Identify electric or hydraulic
Toe vs Thrust Angle
Toe
- Front or rear wheel pair
- Set last in alignment
- Directly affects tire wear
Thrust Angle
- Rear axle centerline angle
- Compares to body centerline
- Affects steering wheel centering
Wheel pair vs axle
Front & Rear Suspension
- Ball joints
- Check wear indicators first
- Control arms
- Inspect bushings and shafts
- Struts
- Inspect cartridge and mount
- Stabilizer bar
- Inspect links and bushings
- Springs
- Inspect insulators and shackles
- Air suspension
- Disable before servicing system
Direct vs Indirect TPMS
Direct TPMS
- Wheel-mounted pressure sensors
- Reads actual tire pressure
- Needs relearn after service
Indirect TPMS
- Uses wheel speed sensors
- Estimates pressure through ABS
- No physical pressure sensor
Sensor vs ABS-based
Steering Linkage & Alignment
- Pitman arm
- Inspect center link, idler
- Tie rod ends
- Inspect sockets and bushings
- Camber
- Adjust to specification first
- Caster
- Affects steering pull, return
- Toe
- Set last, both axles
- Thrust angle
- Rear axle alignment reference
- Angle sensor
- Calibrate after alignment work
Wheels & Tires
- Wear pattern
- Diagnoses alignment or inflation
- Tread depth
- Check load, speed rating
- TPMS
- Direct or indirect system
- Wheel balance
- Fixes vibration and shimmy
- Lug torque
- Always to specification value
- TPMS relearn
- Required after tire service
Brake Service Steps
Inspect, measure, machine, then install
Inspect: pads and rotorsMeasure: with a micrometerMachine: only if in-specInstall: torque to spec
Drum vs Disc Brakes
Drum Brakes
- Self-adjusting shoe design
- Common on rear axles
- Requires drum machining check
Disc Brakes
- Caliper and pad design
- Better heat dissipation ability
- Rotor resurfacing is option
Shoes vs pads
Brake Noise/Feel Decision
- Grinding noise while braking→Inspect pads and rotors(Measure thickness first)
- Soft, spongy pedal feel→Bleed hydraulic system(Check for air)
- Vehicle pulls one side→Inspect calipers and hoses(Check for drag)
- ABS warning light on→Retrieve ABS codes(Check wiring routing)
- Parking brake feels weak→Adjust brake shoes(After shoe service)
Brake Hydraulic System
- Master cylinder
- Check fluid level, condition
- Brake lines
- Inspect for rust, kinks
- Brake fluid
- Store in closed container
- Bleeding
- Removes trapped system air
- ABS light
- Verify operation and wiring
- Pedal feel
- Diagnoses hydraulic system problems
Vacuum Booster vs Hydro-Boost
Vacuum Booster
- Uses engine intake vacuum
- Common on gas engines
- Needs a check valve
Hydro-Boost
- Uses power steering fluid
- Common on diesel engines
- No vacuum supply needed
Vacuum vs hydraulic assist
Drum & Disc Brakes
- Brake drums
- Measure before machining option
- Brake shoes
- Inspect springs, pins, adjusters
- Calipers
- Inspect slides and pins
- Rotors
- Measure with a micrometer
- Brake pads
- Inspect retaining hardware condition
- Burnishing
- Break in new pads
Power Assist & Parking Brake
- Vacuum booster
- Check pedal free travel
- Hydro-boost
- Uses power steering fluid
- Parking brake
- Adjust after shoe service
- Electric-hydraulic
- Check leaks and operation
Battery Test Sequence
Visual check, then load test
Visual: cables and terminalsLoad: capacitance and CCACharge: slow or fastVerify: charge holds after
Battery vs Charging Fault
Battery Fault
- Fails battery load test
- Won't hold a charge
- Slow or no crank
Charging Fault
- Low alternator output reading
- Dash lights appear dim
- Battery drains while driving
Storage vs generation fault
No-Start Electrical Decision
- Slow or no crank→Load test battery first(Check terminal connections)
- Battery tests good→Run starter draw test(Interpret amperage reading)
- Dash lights look dim→Check charging output(Test alternator function)
- Battery won't hold charge→Inspect battery cables(Check clamps, hold-downs)
- Emergency start needed now→Jump-start the vehicle(Use booster pack)
Battery & Charging
- Battery test
- Load and capacitance test
- Charging output
- Identify under or overcharge
- Alternator belt
- Inspect tension and pulleys
- Jump start
- Use booster or pack
- Battery cables
- Inspect clamps, hold-downs
Starting & Circuits
- Starter draw
- Interpret amperage test reading
- Voltage drop
- Locate circuit resistance point
- Continuity test
- Confirms complete circuit path
- Electronic memory
- Save before disconnecting battery
- Airbag
- Disarm before electrical work
Lighting & Accessories
- Headlight aim
- Adjust to specification
- Wiper motor
- Replace with new blades
- Horn
- Verify operation function
- Gauges
- Reset maintenance indicator lights
- Lenses
- Inspect for cracks, damage
HVAC Performance Decision
- Warm air only blows→Check refrigerant charge level(Recover, recharge system)
- Weak airflow from vents→Inspect blower and fan(Check for restrictions)
- Musty cabin odor present→Replace cabin air filter(Clean evaporator drain)
- Visible refrigerant leak found→Check A/C components(Dye or UV test)
HVAC Service
- Refrigerant
- Identify type before recharge
- Recharge
- Follow manufacturer specifications exactly
- Cabin filter
- Replace on service interval
- Evaporator drain
- Clean to prevent clogs
- Condenser
- Check for restricted airflow
- Compressor
- Verify engagement and cycling
Common Traps
Camber vs Caster Confusion
Camber = tilt angle ≠ Caster = steering axis
Toe vs Thrust Angle
Toe = wheel pair ≠ Thrust = axle centerline
Scored vs Unscored Questions
45 scored questions count ≠ 10 unscored questions don't
Drum vs Disc Service
Drums get machined ≠ Rotors get resurfaced
Direct vs Indirect TPMS
Direct reads real pressure ≠ Indirect infers via ABS
Vacuum vs Hydro-Boost Assist
Vacuum uses engine vacuum ≠ Hydro-boost uses steering fluid
Passing Score Myth
No fixed raw cutoff ≠ Uses scaled score 70
Last Minute
- 1.55 total questions, 45 scored
- 2.90-minute time limit total
- 3.Suspension/Steering is largest domain, 24%
- 4.Brakes is second largest, 20%
- 5.Passing uses a scaled score
- 6.1 year experience required for certification
- 7.Camber tilts wheel, caster steers
- 8.Toe is adjusted last always
- 9.Drums machined, rotors resurfaced separately
- 10.TPMS service needs a relearn
- 11.Retest wait is 30 days
- 12.Disarm airbag before electrical work
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