Become an ASE-Certified Brake Technician with Today's Technician Book
Today's Technician: Automotive Brake Systems book pdf
If you are looking for a comprehensive and up-to-date resource that will help you understand, diagnose, and repair today's brake systems, you should check out Today's Technician: Automotive Brake Systems by Ken Pickerill. This book is a two-volume set that covers the theory and application of the total brake system, subsystem, and components in the first volume (Classroom Manual), while the second volume (Shop Manual) explores real-world symptoms, diagnostics, and repairs. The book is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about brake systems or pursue ASE certification in this area. In this article, we will give you an overview of what you can expect from this book and why you should read it.
Today rsquo;s Technician: Automotive Brake Systems book pdf
What is automotive brake system?
An automotive brake system is a complex system that allows a vehicle to slow down or stop by converting kinetic energy into heat energy. The main components of a brake system are:
The master cylinder, which generates hydraulic pressure when the brake pedal is pressed.
The brake fluid, which transfers the hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the brake calipers or wheel cylinders.
The hydraulic lines, valves, and switches, which control the distribution and modulation of the hydraulic pressure.
The power brake booster, which amplifies the force applied by the driver on the brake pedal.
The disc brakes or drum brakes, which use friction pads or shoes to squeeze or press against a rotating disc or drum attached to the wheel hub.
The parking brake, which locks the rear wheels or driveshaft to prevent the vehicle from rolling when parked.
The electrical braking systems, which use sensors, actuators, and controllers to enhance or supplement the conventional braking systems.
The book explains each component in detail and how they work together to provide effective braking performance.
Why is brake system maintenance important?
Brake system maintenance is essential for ensuring the safety, performance, and efficiency of your vehicle. A well-maintained brake system will:
Reduce the stopping distance and improve the handling of your vehicle.
Prevent premature wear and tear of your brake components and tires.
Avoid costly repairs and replacements of your brake components.
Increase your fuel economy and reduce your emissions.
Comply with the state and federal regulations and standards for your vehicle.
The book provides you with practical tips and guidelines on how to inspect and service your brake system regularly, as well as how to recognize and troubleshoot common brake problems.
How to diagnose and repair brake systems?
Diagnosing and repairing brake systems can be challenging, but not impossible. With the right tools and techniques, you can fix most brake issues yourself or with the help of a professional. The book covers the following topics:
Brake safety: How to work safely and efficiently with brake systems, including the proper use of personal protective equipment, tools, and equipment.
Brake service tools and equipment: How to select and use the appropriate tools and equipment for brake service, such as brake lathes, pressure gauges, bleeders, scanners, and testers.
Related systems service: How to service the related systems that affect or are affected by the brake system, such as tires, wheels, bearings, and suspensions.
Master cylinder and brake fluid service: How to service the master cylinder and the brake fluid, including how to check the fluid level and condition, how to flush and bleed the system, and how to replace the master cylinder.
Hydraulic line, valve, and switch service: How to service the hydraulic lines, valves, and switches, including how to inspect and test the lines, valves, and switches, how to repair or replace them, and how to adjust them.
Power brake service: How to service the power brake system, including how to inspect and test the power brake booster, how to repair or replace it, and how to adjust it.
Disc brake service: How to service the disc brakes, including how to inspect and measure the disc brake pads and rotors, how to replace them, and how to perform a disc brake job.
Drum brake service: How to service the drum brakes, including how to inspect and measure the drum brake shoes and drums, how to replace them, and how to perform a drum brake job.
Parking brake service: How to service the parking brake system, including how to inspect and adjust the parking brake cable, lever, pedal, or switch, how to repair or replace them, and how to test the parking brake operation.
The book provides you with step-by-step instructions, illustrations, photos, diagrams, tables, charts, formulas, specifications, procedures, tips, cautions, warnings, and examples for each topic. It also includes job sheets that guide you through each task in a systematic way.
What are the new and emerging technologies in brake systems?
Brake systems are constantly evolving and improving with new and emerging technologies. Some of the latest developments and innovations in brake systems are:
Hybrid vehicles: Vehicles that use both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion. Hybrid vehicles use regenerative braking systems that capture some of the kinetic energy of the vehicle during braking and convert it into electrical energy that can be stored in a battery or capacitor. This reduces the amount of heat generated by the brakes and improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Brake by wire: Brake systems that use electronic signals instead of hydraulic pressure to activate the brakes. Brake by wire systems eliminate the need for hydraulic components such as master cylinders, lines, valves, and boosters. They also allow for more precise control of the braking force and distribution. Brake by wire systems can be integrated with other electronic systems such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), adaptive cruise control (ACC), and autonomous driving systems (ADS).
Electric brakes: Brake systems that use electric motors instead of hydraulic calipers or wheel cylinders to apply friction on the disc or drum. Electric brakes are more compact, lightweight, efficient, responsive, and reliable than conventional brakes. They also eliminate the need for brake fluid and reduce noise and vibration. Electric brakes can be used on hybrid vehicles or fully electric vehicles (EVs).
The book provides you with comprehensive information on these new and emerging technologies in brake systems. It explains how they work, how they differ from conventional brakes, how they affect or are affected by other vehicle systems, and how to diagnose and repair them.
How to prepare for ASE certification in brake systems?
If you want to become a professional automotive technician or advance your career in this field, you should consider getting ASE certification in brake systems. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, and it is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in various areas of automotive service and repair. ASE certification in brake systems will:
Enhance your credibility and reputation as a technician.
Increase your employability and earning potential.
Showcase your commitment to excellence and professionalism.
How to prepare for ASE certification in brake systems?
If you want to become a professional automotive technician or advance your career in this field, you should consider getting ASE certification in brake systems. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, and it is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in various areas of automotive service and repair. ASE certification in brake systems will:
Enhance your credibility and reputation as a technician.
Increase your employability and earning potential.
Showcase your commitment to excellence and professionalism.
Help you stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in brake systems.
To get ASE certified in brakes, you need to meet the following requirements:
You need to have at least two years of hands-on work experience in brake systems from a recognized training school or motor garage. You can also combine one year of formal education with one year of work experience to qualify.
You need to register and pay for the ASE brake certification test online or by phone. The test fee is $47 for cars and light trucks (A5 test) and $52 for medium-heavy trucks (T4 test).
You need to schedule and take the computer-based test at a Prometric test center near you. The test consists of 45 questions for cars and light trucks and 50 questions for medium-heavy trucks. The questions are multiple-choice and cover various topics related to brake systems, such as diagnosis, repair, maintenance, safety, tools, equipment, and standards.
You need to pass the test with a score of at least 70%. You will receive your score report immediately after the test. If you pass, you will receive your ASE certification credentials by mail within four weeks.
The book provides you with valuable information on how to prepare for the ASE certification test in brake systems. It includes an appendix with an ASE practice exam that simulates the actual test format and content. It also includes a glossary of key terms and acronyms that you need to know for the test. The book also gives you tips and strategies on how to study effectively, manage your time, reduce your anxiety, and improve your test-taking skills.
Conclusion
Today's Technician: Automotive Brake Systems is a book that every brake technician should read. It covers everything you need to know about brake systems, from the basic principles and theories to the advanced technologies and techniques. It also helps you prepare for the ASE certification test in brake systems, which can boost your career and income. Whether you are a student, a novice, or an experienced technician, this book will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this field.
If you are interested in buying this book, you can find it online or at your local bookstore. You can also download a pdf version of the book from various websites. However, we recommend that you buy the original book to support the author and get the best quality and value.
Thank you for reading this article. We hope that you found it informative and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to read this book?
A: It depends on your reading speed and comprehension level, but on average, it takes about 10 hours to read this book.
Q: Is this book suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, this book is suitable for beginners who want to learn the basics of brake systems. However, it also covers advanced topics that may require some prior knowledge or experience.
Q: How often is this book updated?
A: This book is updated regularly to reflect the latest developments and innovations in brake systems. The current edition is the seventh edition, which was published in 2018.
Q: What are some other books that are similar to this book?
A: Some other books that are similar to this book are:
Automotive Brakes by Tim Gilles
Automotive Brake Systems by James D. Halderman
Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach by Jack Erjavec and Rob Thompson
Q: Where can I find more information about ASE certification?
A: You can find more information about ASE certification on the official website of ASE: https://www.ase.com/.
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