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Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 8th Edition

Rob Thompson, Jack Erjavec

  • Copyright 2025
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2024-10-16T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $74.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach 8th Edition by Rob Thompson/Jack Erjavec
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Overview

Thompson/Erjavec's AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY: A SYSTEMS APPROACH, 8th Edition, provides comprehensive coverage with updates to address the 2022 ASE Education Foundation requirements for Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR), Automotive Service Technology (AST) and Master Service Technology (MAST) program accreditation levels. Thoroughly revised to provide accurate, current information on the latest technology, industry trends and state-of-the-art tools and techniques, the 8th edition is an essential resource for building career-ready students who want to succeed in the dynamic, rapidly evolving field of automotive service and repair.

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Meet the Authors

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Rob Thompson

Rob Thompson has been teaching high school automotive technology since 1995. He currently teaches 11th- and 12th-grade students in an ASE Education Foundation-accredited maintenance and light repair (MLR) program. His teaching career began in 1994 as an adjunct faculty member at Columbus State Community College. Since 2007, Thompson has worked on numerous projects for Cengage Learning and is the author of AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE & LIGHT REPAIR. He has also served on the board and is a past president of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers.

Jack Erjavec

Jack Erjavec has become a fixture in the automotive textbook publishing world. He has decades of experience as a technician, educator, author and editor, and he has authored or co-authored more than 30 automotive textbooks and training manuals. Erjavec holds a master's degree in vocational and technical education from The Ohio State University, and he spent 20 years at Columbus State Community College as an instructor and administrator. A long-time affiliate of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT), he also served as executive vice-president for the organization and spent several years on its board of directors. Erjavec is also associated with ATMC, SAE, ASA, ATRA, AERA and other automotive professional associations.

What's New

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  • The 8th edition features dozens of new photos and illustrations, providing current visual references to help students connect chapter material to real-world scenarios. The chapters on hybrids and electric vehicles have been completely revised and updated to include common services and repairs.
  • The authors have added new content on modern engine systems, tire pressure monitoring, autonomous vehicles and air conditioning service, giving students valuable exposure to these important innovations.
  • Updated for the 8th edition, each technical chapter includes a Three C’s feature presenting a real-world diagnostic scenario to engage students' interest while demonstrating how concepts and procedures are applied to actual automotive problems. Additionally, the Using Service Information features have been updated to encourage readers to use service information to research common vehicles and concerns.

Features

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  • An early chapter on automotive systems covers the basic ASE Education Foundation task lists for program accreditation that apply to all systems, providing a wide-ranging overview of essential concepts that today's automotive technicians need to master.
  • Extensive questions conclude each chapter to reinforce key concepts, enable students to assess their understanding and help them prepare effectively for ASE Student Certification.
  • The text provides a uniquely thorough, detailed guide to essential automotive topics, including all of the basic topics included in the ASE Automobile and Light Truck Certification Test series such as engine repair, automatic transmissions, manual transmissions and transaxles, suspension and steering, brakes, electricity and electronics, heating and air conditioning and engine performance.
  • An extensive suite of instructor resources is available to reinforce teaching and learning, including chapter presentations in PowerPoint with videos and animations, electronic test banks, ASE Education Foundation task correlations, an Image Library of all chapter figures and more.

Table of Contents

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Part I: AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY.
1. Careers in the Automotive Industry.
2. Workplace Skills.
3. Basic Theories and Math.
4. Automotive Systems.
5. Hand Tools and Shop Equipment.
6. Diagnostic Equipment and Special Tools.
7. Working Safely in the Shop.
8. Preventative Maintenance and Basic Services.
Part II: ENGINES.
9. Automotive Engine Designs and Diagnosis.
10. Engine Disassembly and Cleaning.
11. Lower-End Theory and Service.
12. Upper-End Theory and Service.
13. Engine Sealing and Reassembly.
14. Lubricating and Cooling Systems.
Part III: ELECTRICITY.
15. Basics of Electrical Systems.
16. General Electrical System Diagnostics and Service.
17. Batteries: Theory, Diagnosis, and Service.
18. Starting and Motor Systems.
19. Charging Systems.
20. Lighting Systems.
21. Instrumentation and Information Displays.
22. Basics of Electronics and Computer Systems.
23. Electrical Accessories.
Part IV: ENGINE PERFORMANCE.
24. Engine Performance Systems.
25. Detailed Diagnosis and Sensors.
26. Ignition Systems.
27. Ignition System Diagnosis and Service.
28. Gasoline, Diesel and Other Fuels.
29. Fuel Delivery Systems.
30. Electronic Fuel Injection.
31. Fuel Injection Diagnosis and Service.
32. Intake and Exhaust Systems.
33. Emission Control Systems.
34. Emission Control Diagnosis and Service.
35. Hybrid Vehicles.
36. Electric Vehicles.
Part V: MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND TRANSAXLES.
37. Clutches.
38. Manual Transmissions and Transaxles.
39. Manual Transmission and Transaxle Service.
40. Drive Axles and Differentials.
Part VI: AUTOMATIC TRANMISSIONS AND TRANSAXLES.
41. Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles.
42. Electronic Automatic Transmissions.
43. Automatic Transmission and Transaxle Service.
44. Four- and All-Wheel Drive.
Part VII: SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEMS.
45. Tires and Wheels.
46. Suspension Systems.
47. Steering Systems.
48. Restraint Systems: Theory, Diagnosis, and Service.
49. Wheel Alignment.
Part VIII: BRAKES.
50. Brake Systems.
51. Drum Brakes.
52. Disc Brakes.
53. Antilock Brake, Traction Control, and Stability Control Systems.
Part IX: PASSENGER COMFORT.
54. Heating and Air Conditioning.
55. Heating and Air Conditioning Diagnosis and Service.

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Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

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  • ISBN-10: 0357934679
  • ISBN-13: 9780357934678
  • RETAIL $99.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214116775
  • ISBN-13: 9798214116778
  • RETAIL $99.95
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Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 0357934717
  • ISBN-13: 9780357934715
  • RETAIL $74.95

  • ISBN-10: 035793461X
  • ISBN-13: 9780357934616
  • RETAIL $255.95
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

MindTap for Thompson/Erjavec's Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 4 terms Instant Access

ISBN: 9780357934678
MindTap for Thompson/Erjavec's AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY: A SYSTEMS APPROACH, 8th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You.\n\nMindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.

MindTap for Thompson/Erjavec's Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 1 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214116778
MindTap for Thompson/Erjavec's AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY: A SYSTEMS APPROACH, 8th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You.\n\nMindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.