Fleet Maintenance Technician Course

Lesson 1 • Maintenance Documentation Basics

Explains work orders, vehicle identification numbers, and service records. Accurate documentation supports compliance and repair traceability.

Lesson 2 • Shop Safety and Hazard Awareness

Introduces personal protective equipment, chemical handling, and shop hazard identification. Safety compliance underpins every hands-on task in the course.

Lesson 3 • Fleet Industry Overview

Covers fleet categories, ownership models, and industry scale. Establishes context for why systematic maintenance is critical to operational uptime.

Lesson 4 • Vehicle Systems Overview

Surveys major vehicle systems including powertrain, chassis, and electrical. Provides a systems-thinking framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Tire Inspection and Rotation

Teaches tire pressure, tread depth measurement, and rotation patterns. Proper tire maintenance is the single largest factor in fleet fuel economy.

Lesson 2 • Fluid Inspection and Replacement

Covers engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid service procedures. Fluid condition directly affects component longevity and safety.

Lesson 3 • Preventive Maintenance Concepts

Defines preventive maintenance philosophy, cost-benefit rationale, and interval types. Connects proactive servicing to reduced total cost of ownership.

Lesson 4 • Preventive Maintenance Inspection Checklists

Applies structured inspection checklists to complete a full vehicle walk-around. Checklist discipline ensures no safety-critical item is overlooked.

Lesson 1 • Fuel and Air Induction Systems

Covers fuel injection types, throttle bodies, and turbocharger operation. Fuel delivery faults are among the most common fleet engine complaints.

Lesson 2 • Lubrication System Diagnosis

Explains oil pressure testing, pump inspection, and seal replacement. Lubrication failures cause catastrophic engine damage if not caught early.

Lesson 3 • Cooling System Service

Addresses radiator, water pump, thermostat, and hose inspection and replacement. Cooling system failures are a leading cause of fleet roadside breakdowns.

Lesson 4 • Engine Construction and Operation

Reviews four-stroke cycle, engine configurations, and major internal components. Understanding construction is prerequisite to accurate diagnosis.

Lesson 1 • Battery and Charging System Service

Tests battery state of charge, alternator output, and charging circuit integrity. A healthy charging system is essential for modern electronics-heavy fleets.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Fundamentals Review

Covers voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law applied to vehicle circuits. Electrical theory is the foundation for all diagnostic work in this chapter.

Lesson 3 • Lighting and Accessory Circuits

Services headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and auxiliary accessories. Lighting compliance is a regulatory requirement for commercial fleet vehicles.

Lesson 4 • Wiring Diagrams and Circuit Testing

Reads OEM wiring diagrams and uses multimeters and test lights to isolate faults. Diagram proficiency cuts diagnostic time and prevents misdiagnosis.

Lesson 1 • Heavy-Duty Diagnostic Protocols

Covers J1939 and J1708 protocols used in commercial trucks and buses. Heavy-duty diagnostics require protocol knowledge beyond standard OBD-II.

Lesson 2 • Scan Tool Operation

Operates generic and OEM scan tools to retrieve codes, view live data, and run tests. Scan tool proficiency is the core skill of modern fleet diagnostics.

Lesson 3 • Fault Code Interpretation

Decodes diagnostic trouble codes and maps them to suspect systems and components. Code interpretation prevents unnecessary parts replacement and wasted labor.

Lesson 4 • Emissions System Diagnosis

Diagnoses catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, EGR, and diesel aftertreatment systems. Emissions compliance is a regulatory requirement for fleet operations.

Lesson 1 • Disc Brake Service

Covers rotor measurement, caliper overhaul, and pad replacement on disc brake assemblies. Disc brakes are standard on most modern fleet light and medium vehicles.

Lesson 2 • Brake System Principles

Explains hydraulic and pneumatic braking principles, force multiplication, and system layouts. Foundational theory enables accurate fault isolation in later sections.

Lesson 3 • Drum Brake Service

Details drum inspection, shoe replacement, and self-adjuster service on rear and trailer axles. Drum brakes remain common on heavy-duty and trailer applications.

Lesson 4 • Air Brake System Service

Inspects compressors, air dryers, slack adjusters, and chambers on air brake systems. Air brake proficiency is required for heavy-duty and commercial vehicle work.

Lesson 1 • Steering System Diagnosis

Diagnoses power steering pumps, rack-and-pinion units, and steering linkage wear. Steering faults compromise driver control and increase tire wear.

Lesson 2 • Transmission and Clutch Service

Covers manual and automatic transmission fluid service, clutch adjustment, and basic fault diagnosis. Drivetrain health directly affects fuel economy and driver safety.

Lesson 3 • Suspension Component Inspection

Inspects ball joints, control arms, shocks, struts, and springs for wear and damage. Suspension condition affects handling, tire wear, and load capacity.

Lesson 4 • Driveshaft and Axle Inspection

Inspects universal joints, CV joints, driveshafts, and axle seals for wear and damage. Driveline faults cause vibration, noise, and potential loss of vehicle control.

Lesson 1 • Fleet Management Software

Uses computerized maintenance management systems to schedule work and track costs. Software proficiency enables data-driven decisions across large fleets.

Lesson 2 • Parts and Inventory Control

Manages parts procurement, stocking levels, and vendor relationships to minimize downtime. Effective inventory control balances cost against parts availability.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory Compliance and Inspections

Prepares vehicles for roadside inspections, annual certifications, and emissions audits. Compliance failures result in out-of-service orders and financial penalties.

Lesson 4 • Maintenance Cost Analysis

Calculates cost per mile, repair-to-replace thresholds, and total cost of ownership. Cost analysis justifies maintenance investments to fleet managers.