Today, we spent time learning how to fix and maintain cars. First, we went down to the first car we would work on: an economy sedan from the 90s.
Students were tasked with finding the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN of the vehicle which would be used to identify exactly what it was. From there, they could find the year of the car (1993), the make (Honda), the model (Accord), the trim (SE), the country of origin (Japan), and other important information. This information was then used to find the part number of the brake pads, which were in dire need of replacing. From there, students would find various aftermarket options for brake pads, comparing prices against the cost of the original pads from Honda. Finally, they would find a video detailing how to replace the brake pads and note the tools required.
After having gained knowledge about the brake pads and eaten lunch, students came back to the Honda to replace the pads. During this endeavor, students learned how to identify the jacking points on a car, how to safely jack up a car, how to use the scissor jack included in the spare tire kit, and how to remove a tire, in addition to replacing the brake pads.
