AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN REFERENCE GUIDE

Comprehensive Service, Diagnostics & Maintenance Standards

1. OEM SERVICE INTERVALS - 30-60-90 SCHEDULE

All Vehicles - Standard Maintenance Schedule

Interval (Miles/KM) Oil & Filter Air Filter Spark Plugs Other Tasks
5K-8K / 8-13K CHANGE Inspect — Tire rotation, fluid top-off,
lights check
10K / 16K CHECK Check — All fluids, battery test,
hoses/belts
20K-25K / 32-40K CHANGE REPLACE if needed — Rotate tires, inspect
suspension
30K / 48K CHANGE REPLACE — Fuel filter, transmission
fluid check
40K-50K / 64-80K CHANGE Check REPLACE (some) Coolant flush, battery
replacement
60K / 96K CHANGE REPLACE REPLACE (all) Transmission fluid, drive
belts, hoses
80K-100K / 129-160K CHANGE Check — Brake pad/rotor
inspection, shocks/struts
90K / 144K CHANGE Check — Coolant flush, differential
fluid, transfer case
100K+ / 160K+ CHANGE REPLACE Consider Timing belt (if applicable),
suspension
Every 2-3 Years — — — Brake fluid flush, cabin air
filter

2. FLUID SPECIFICATIONS & CAPACITIES

Fluid Type Specification Typical Capacity Change Interval Color/Indicators
Engine Oil SAE 0W-20, 5W-30, 10W-40 4.5-6.0 quarts Every 5-8K miles or 6 Clear amber→dark brown
(OEM spec) months (change)
Transmission (Auto) Mercon/Dexron/Type T-IV 8-15 quarts 50-100K miles or per OEM Bright red→brown (change if
(OEM) dark)
Transmission (Manual) ISO 46/68 synthetic gear oil 2-3 quarts 50-80K miles or per OEM Clear red/amber (normal
operation)
Coolant/Antifreeze G05/G12/G13/Pink/Orange 10-15 quarts 3-5 years or 50-100K miles Bright color→brown/rusty
(OEM) (flush)
Brake Fluid DOT 3 / DOT 4 / DOT 5.1 1-2 pints total 2-3 years or per OEM Clear amber→dark brown
(OEM) (bleed)
Differential (RWD/AWD) GL-4 75W-90 / GL-5 (OEM) 2-3 quarts 50-100K miles (severe: 20- Golden→brown/black
30K) (change)
Power Steering ATF or ISO 32 synthetic 1.5-2 quarts 100K miles or per OEM Clear red→brown (top off
(OEM) only)

3. OBD-II DIAGNOSTIC CODES & TROUBLESHOOTING

DTC Code Format: Letter P, C, B, U + 4 Numbers (First digit = System, Next 3 = Specific Fault)

Code Prefix System Common Codes First Diagnostic Steps

P Powertrain/Engine P0101 (MAF), P0171 (Lean), P0300 Check oxygen sensors, MAF sensor,
(Misfire) vacuum leaks, fuel pressure
P (continued) Fuel/Ignition P0420 (Cat efficiency), P0356 (Ign Check catalytic converter, O2 sensor,
coil) coil-on-plug units
P (continued) Emission P0440 (EVAP), P0456 (EVAP leak) Inspect fuel cap, EVAP canister,
charcoal lines for cracks
C Chassis/ABS C0040 (ABS wheel sensor) Check wheel speed sensors, ABS
module for faults, scan ABS system
B Body/Comfort B10XX (Airbag), B20XX (Climate) Diagnose specific airbag/door
lock/HVAC circuit using scan tool
U Network/CAN U0100 (ECU comms), U0122 (Lost Check battery voltage, CAN bus
signal) wiring, module connectors
P0005 Fuel Injector 5 Control Injector circuit problem Check injector resistance (2-14Ω),
wiring, ECU driver circuit
P0101 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor MAF sensor dirty/bad signal Clean or replace MAF sensor (DO
NOT TOUCH SENSOR ELEMENT)
P0171 System Too Lean (Fuel) Not enough fuel to mix Check fuel pressure (35-65 psi
typical), fuel injector spray, leaks
P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bad catalytic converter Check O2 upstream/downstream,
exhaust for leaks, cat converter
4. ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Fuel Injection & Ignition Timing Control

Control Parameter ECU Input Sensors Output Adjustments Normal Operating Range
Fuel Injection Duration MAF, MAP, TPS, ECT, O2 sensors Injector pulse width (1-10ms) 12-18 ms typical @ idle, 2-4 ms @
WOT
Ignition Timing Advance Crankshaft position, knock sensor, Spark advance BTDC (5-35°) 0-15° @ idle, advanced at light
load load, retarded at heavy load
Air-Fuel Ratio (AFR) Oxygen sensor feedback (closed- Fuel trim ±10% correction 14.7:1 stoichiometric (gasoline,
loop) normal driving)
Idle Speed Control TPS, throttle stepper motor, IAC Idle RPM target adjustment 600-800 RPM (cold), 500-700 RPM
valve (warm)
Knock Retardation Knock sensor (piezoelectric), Retard spark if knock detected Retard 3-5° per cylinder knock
engine load event
Variable Valve Timing Camshaft position sensor, oil Solenoid timing adjust (0-30°) Advance at low load for efficiency,
pressure standard timing at high load

5. BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICE & ABS BLEEDING

ABS Bleeding Procedure (Most Common Method)

Step Action Key Points

1. Manual Bleed Bleed in sequence: RR → LR → RF → LF Use bleeder valve wrench, clear tubing, catch
(farthest from master cylinder first) container. Pump pedal, then hold & open
bleeder.
2. Drive Vehicle Drive to engage ABS system and cycle internal This forces old fluid out of internal ABS circuits.
pump & solenoids Repeat until clean fluid exits.
3. Second Manual Bleed Bleed again using same sequence to remove Most vehicles need two bleed cycles. Refer to
fresh fluid from ABS unit OEM procedure for specific sequence.
4. Check Pedal Feel Ensure brake pedal is firm with no sponginess. If soft pedal remains, repeat process or use scan
No air bubbles should exit bleeders tool for ABS module cycling

6. TIRE WEAR DIAGNOSIS & SUSPENSION ISSUES

Tire Wear Pattern Appearance/Cause Root Cause(s) Diagnostic/Correction
CENTER WEAR Tread worn in center stripe, edges Over-inflation (pressure >5 PSI Adjust to manufacturer spec (door
intact above spec) jamb label). Check for bent
rim/bulging sidewall.
EDGE/SHOULDER WEAR Both sides worn, center intact Under-inflation (<3 PSI below spec) Inflate to OEM spec. Check for slow
leak. Inspect valve stems.
FEATHERING Sawtooth pattern on tread blocks Excessive toe-in (toe angle too Perform 4-wheel laser alignment.
(inside edge) positive) Check tie-rod/ball joint wear.
INSIDE EDGE ONLY Inner shoulder worn, outer OK Negative camber excessive (top tilts Check ball joints, control arm
inward) bushings. Perform alignment.
Replace worn parts.
OUTSIDE EDGE ONLY Outer shoulder worn, inner OK Positive camber excessive (top tilts Inspect suspension geometry. Check
outward) for bent frame/axle. Perform
alignment.
CUPPING/SCALLOPING Wavy dips around circumference Worn shocks/struts, loose Replace shocks/struts. Inspect ball
suspension parts joints for play. Check wheel balance.
DIAGONAL WEAR Wear forming diagonal stripe across Loose suspension parts (ball joints, Inspect for worn suspension
tread bushings) components. Tighten or replace as
needed.

7. WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Angle Definition Typical Spec Excessive = Problem
CAMBER Tilt of wheel top relative to vertical 0° to -1.5° (negative preferred) >±2° = Inside/outside edge wear,
(viewed from front) pulling, tire damage
CASTER Angle of steering axis front-to-back 2° to 4° positive (nose forward) >4° = Hard steering, wander; <2° =
(viewed from side) Pulls, instability, road feel loss
TOE Angle of wheel relative to 0° to 0.3° total (slight toe-in >0.5° = Feathering wear, pulling,
centerline (viewed from above) typical) tight steering feedback
THRUST ANGLE Rear wheel directional alignment 0° (parallel to centerline) >0.5° = Vehicle pulls, dog-tracking,
(both rear wheels parallel) uneven brake wear

8. ESSENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Fuel Pressure Testing: Connect gauge to fuel rail (key on, engine off) → Should read 35-65 PSI (gasoline). If low, check fuel pump relay, filter,
pump. If high, check regulator.

Charging System: Battery voltage: 12-12.6V (key off) → Alternator output: 13.5-14.5V (engine running 1500 RPM). Below = weak alternator.
Above = regulator fault.

Starter Draw Test: Measure current during cranking → Normal: 100-300 amps depending on engine size. High = worn starter/internal short.
Low = battery/cable issue.

Cooling System Pressure Test: Attach test cap to radiator (engine cold) → Normal: 12-16 PSI. Leaks below 7 PSI indicate loose cap/weak hoses.
Above 18 PSI = bad thermostat.

Compression Test: Crank engine with spark plugs removed → Normal: 120-180 PSI all cylinders (within 10% of each other). Low = worn
rings/valves. Uneven = valve/head issue.

QUICK REFERENCE: COMMON REPAIR TIMES & LABOR

Repair Task Labor Hours Common Parts
Oil & Filter Change 0.5-1 hour Oil, filter, drain plug gasket
Spark Plug Replacement 0.5-1.5 hours (coil-on-plug adds time) Spark plugs, potentially coil packs
Brake Pad Replacement (4 wheels) 1.5-2.5 hours Pads, rotors (if needed), anti-rattle clips, fluid
Water Pump Replacement 1.5-3 hours (depends on access) Water pump, timing belt (if needed), coolant,
gaskets
Alternator Replacement 1-2 hours Alternator, serpentine belt, battery terminal
cleaner
Suspension Strut Replacement (one) 1-1.5 hours Strut assembly, coil spring (if not integrated),
bearing plate
Tire Rotation & Balance 1 hour Tire weights, balancing beads (optional)

Note: All specifications follow OEM standards and industry best practices (SAE, API, ASTM). Labor times are averages; actual times vary by vehicle
make/model/year. Always consult manufacturer service information for specific procedures and torque specifications. Safety glasses and proper tools
required for all work.