Automotive Systems: Gasoline & Diesel

A Complete High School Course in Engines, Vehicle Systems & Diagnostics

Gasoline Engines • Diesel Engines • Heavy-Duty Systems • Diagnostics

Give your high school student more than a traditional “auto shop” class. Automotive Systems: Gasoline & Diesel is a complete, secular, self-paced, lab- and project-based course that teaches students how automotive systems actually work—and how the individual systems work together.

This 36-week, one-credit high school elective is designed for independent learners and requires no prior automotive knowledge or access to a real vehicle or professional shop.

Students explore the physics, chemistry, electricity, hydraulics, mechanical systems, and diagnostic reasoning behind modern gasoline vehicles, diesel engines, and heavy-duty equipment.

🚗 SEMESTER 1: GASOLINE VEHICLE SYSTEMS

The first semester builds a comprehensive understanding of gasoline-powered vehicles from the engine outward.

Students study:

• Introduction to the automobile
• Four-stroke engine cycle
• Engine fundamentals
• Engine block and bottom-end components
• Cylinder head and valve train
• Gasoline fuel and air systems
• Ignition systems
• Engine lubrication
• Cooling systems
• Electrical fundamentals
• Sensors, actuators, and control modules
• Starting and charging systems
• Transmission systems
• Drivetrain
• Steering and suspension
• Brake systems
• Exhaust and gasoline emissions
• Automotive computer systems
• Diagnostics

The semester concludes with a Gasoline Vehicle Systems Analysis capstone portfolio and presentation.

🛻 SEMESTER 2: DIESEL & HEAVY-DUTY SYSTEMS

Rather than simply repeating the gasoline material, Semester 2 explains why diesel engines and heavy-duty systems are engineered differently.

Students study:

• How diesel engines work
• Diesel engine components
• Diesel fuel systems
• High-pressure diesel injection
• Turbocharging and boost systems
• Glow plugs and diesel starting systems
• Diesel cooling and lubrication
• Diesel emissions
• DPF, SCR, and DEF aftertreatment
• Heavy-duty truck air brakes
• Heavy-duty drivetrains
• Trailer systems
• Diesel electrical and electronic systems
• Diagnostic processes
• Gasoline diagnostic case studies
• Diesel diagnostic case studies
• Automotive and diesel technology careers

The semester culminates in a Diesel Powertrain & Heavy-Duty Systems Analysis, an original diagnostic case study, and a final presentation.

🔧 36 HANDS-ON LABS

Every week includes a lab or hands-on/diagram-based investigation.

Students don't just memorize parts—they investigate how systems function.

Examples include:

• Vehicle systems identification
• Four-stroke cycle modeling
• Bottom-end component tracing
• Engine and valve-train modeling
• Air/fuel system tracing
• Spark plug forensics
• Oil-flow investigations
• Cooling-system modeling and diagnosis
• Multimeter measurements
• Building a working electrical circuit
• Sensor-to-actuator signal mapping
• Starting and charging troubleshooting
• Gear-ratio modeling
• Power-flow analysis
• Steering and suspension investigations
• Brake-system demonstrations
• OBD diagnostic investigations
• Diesel fuel-system diagrams
• Diesel injection-system investigations
• Turbocharger investigations
• Cold-start troubleshooting
• Diesel emissions investigations
• DPF/SCR/DEF investigations
• Heavy-duty air-brake systems
• Diesel electronic-system investigations
• Gasoline and diesel diagnostic case studies

🧰 36 MINI-PROJECTS

Every week also includes a project designed to make students apply what they've learned.

Projects include:

• Manufacturer and milestone research
• Horsepower vs. torque comparisons
• Engine failure investigations
• Valve-timing diagrams
• Carburetor vs. EFI research
• Ignition-system timelines
• Oil comparisons
• Coolant chemistry research
• Working electrical circuits
• Sensor scavenger hunts
• Charging-system calculations
• Transmission comparisons
• Differential models
• Suspension comparisons
• Brake research
• OBD-II trouble-code investigations
• Diesel technology comparisons
• Turbo-lag investigations
• Cold-climate diesel preparation
• Emissions research
• DPF/SCR maintenance research
• Heavy-duty drivetrain investigations
• Diagnostic flowcharts
• Career pathway research

🧠 LEARN DIAGNOSTIC THINKING

One of the most valuable aspects of this course is that students aren't simply asked to identify automotive parts.

They learn to reason through problems.

Students investigate symptoms, understand system relationships, interpret information, follow diagnostic processes, and develop evidence-based conclusions.

The course includes dedicated gasoline and diesel diagnostic case studies and culminates in a diagnostic case-study project.

🎓 CAREER EXPLORATION

Automotive technology is much bigger than repairing passenger cars.

The course introduces students to career paths including:

• Automotive technician
• Diesel technician
• Heavy-duty technician
• Fleet technician
• Agricultural equipment technician
• Construction equipment technician
• Performance technician
• Service writer
• Parts specialist
• Diagnostic technician
• Automotive engineer
• Diesel engineer
• Fleet manager
• Equipment dealer
• Mobile mechanic
• Restoration specialist

Students also research certification and training pathways such as ASE certification, manufacturer-specific certifications, technical college programs, apprenticeships, and other industry pathways.

📚 COMPLETE COURSE PACKAGE

Your purchase includes:

• 36-week day-by-day course plan
• 36 hands-on labs
• 36 mini-projects
• 36 varied worksheets
• 36 printable diagram and chart templates
• 2 major semester capstone projects
• Complete answer key and expected-outcome booklet
• Grading rubrics
• Materials list
• Parent guide
• Clickable free video and reading links
• Major Projects Booklet
• Lab Booklet
• Worksheet Booklet
• Mini-Project Booklet
• Certificate of Completion

🏠 DESIGNED FOR INDEPENDENT HOMESCHOOL LEARNERS

You don't need to be a mechanic—or an automotive instructor—to use this course.

The curriculum is specifically designed for students to work with minimal adult instruction. Each day provides the student with what to watch, read, study, and complete. Labs contain step-by-step instructions, and the Answer Key allows parents to check work without already knowing automotive systems.

The weekly rhythm is simple:

Day 1: Watch, read & take notes
Day 2: Continue studying & review
Day 3: Complete the weekly lab
Day 4: Complete the mini-project & worksheet

🔩 NO GARAGE OR VEHICLE REQUIRED

This course was intentionally designed so that a real vehicle or professional shop is not required.

Most labs use diagrams, models, research, calculations, and inexpensive or readily available materials. Optional vehicle and shop extensions are clearly identified for families who have safe access to them.

That means your student can complete the course successfully whether your family has a full garage, an old truck in the driveway, or no vehicle access at all.

📊 GRADING & HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT

The course includes complete grading rubrics for:

• Worksheets
• Labs
• Mini-projects
• Semester capstones

Suggested weighting is:

• Worksheets — 20%
• Labs — 25%
• Mini-Projects — 25%
• Semester 1 Capstone — 15%
• Semester 2 Capstone — 15%

Families can also adapt the rubrics for mastery-based or narrative grading.

⚠️ SAFETY & CONTENT INFORMATION

This course is primarily designed around diagrams, models, research, calculations, and simulations. However, optional hands-on extensions may involve a real vehicle, vehicle battery, multimeter, running engine, or tools with moving, sharp, or hot parts.

Direct adult supervision is required for these activities. Students should never work under a vehicle, open a radiator cap on a warm engine, or work around a running engine or moving belts without an adult present.

The course is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional automotive technician training, certification, or hands-on shop instruction.

📋 COURSE DETAILS

Course: Automotive Systems: Gasoline & Diesel
Grade Level: High School, approximately ages 14–18
Length: 36 weeks
Schedule: 4 instructional days per week
Credit: 1 high school elective credit
Format: Digital PDF
Labs: 36
Mini-Projects: 36
Worksheets: 36
Capstone Projects: 2
Textbook: Not required
Learning Style: Self-paced and independent

💻 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD — NO REFUNDS

Please read before purchasing.

This is a digital curriculum product. No physical product or printed book will be shipped.

Because digital products are delivered electronically and cannot be returned, all digital-download sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, or cancellations will be accepted after purchase.

Please review the course description, grade level, scope and sequence, materials requirements, safety information, and course disclaimer before purchasing to make sure this curriculum is appropriate for your student.

By purchasing this digital course, you acknowledge and agree to this no-refund policy.

🔒 SINGLE-FAMILY LICENSE

Your purchase provides a license for use by the purchasing household. The curriculum may be reproduced for students within that household, but may not be resold, shared with other families, uploaded to file-sharing services or public websites, or redistributed to schools, co-ops, or other organizations without the appropriate license.

For co-ops, schools, or multi-family use, please contact Homeschool Uncensored LLC regarding licensing.

Automotive Systems: Gasoline & Diesel

Don't just teach your student how to change the oil.

Teach them how the entire vehicle works.

36 weeks • 36 labs • 36 projects • 2 capstones • 1 complete high school elective credit

Gasoline. Diesel. Heavy-Duty. Diagnostics.

A serious automotive systems course for the student who wants to know what's really happening under the hood.