Comprehensive ASVAB Auto and Shop Information Study Guide for Success

Are you looking for the ultimate ASVAB Auto and Shop Information study guide to help ace the test? Whether it is intended for a technical military position or just to improve your overall ASVAB score simply, mastery of Auto and Shop Information is imperative. This guide will walk you step by step through all the critical automotive and shop concepts you need to know, from internal combustion engines through woodworking and metalworking. Let’s get into the details to get you ready for success!

What is on the ASVAB Auto and Shop Information Test?

The Auto and Shop Information (AS) is the subtest in the paper-and-pencil administration while it is separated into Auto Information (AI) and Shop Information (SI) in the computer administration. You have to answer 25 questions in 11 minutes on the P&P-ASVAB. While on the CAT-ASVAB, the AI had 10 questions with the time limit of 7 minutes, and the SI involved 10 questions in 6 minutes.  

ASVAB Auto and Shop Information subtest extends your knowledge of basic automobile systems and shop practices. On the automotive part, questions will ask your understanding of vehicle components such as the engine, fuel, electrical, and braking systems. The shop portion involves tools and techniques in woodworking and metalworking, everything from proper tool usage to safety. With mastery of these areas, you will go a long way toward ensuring success in this section and improving your overall score in ASVAB. The specific content areas are listed below:

Automotive Knowledge

Internal combustion engine components

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Pistons: They move up and down inside the cylinders, through which mechanical power is realized. 

  • Cylinders: Provide the chamber area in which fuel combustion is done to provide energy. 

  • Crankshaft: Transfers the reciprocating action-that is, up-and-down-made by pistons-into rotational motion, driving the car’s wheels. 

  • Spark Plugs: Ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the cylinders, hence initiating combustion.

  • Valves: Regulate the intake of fuel and air and the exhaust of gases from the cylinders. 

  • Camshaft: A component that operates the valves and ensures proper timing for intake and exhaust.

  • Timing Belt/Chain: This is arranged internally to coordinate the camshaft and crankshaft so the working of the engine runs smoothly.

Fuel systems

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Fuel Tank: It holds the fuel that drives the working of the engine; this is normally at the rear of a vehicle.

  • Fuel Pump: Draws the fuel from the tank and pushes it towards the engine with a continuous flow at the required pressure.

  • Fuel Injectors: Spray fuel directly into the combustion chambers or intake manifold in just the right amounts for efficient combustion.

  • Carburetor: On older engines, it mixes the air and fuel that reaches the engine-most modern vehicles don’t have it, instead, they use fuel injection systems.

  • Fuel Lines: The ones carrying the fuel from the tank inside the engine are made of metal or with reinforcement in the rubber due to the pressure.

  • Fuel Filter: Intercepts dirt and impurities in fuel before it goes to the engine; therefore, clean combustion.

  • Fuel Pressure Regulator: Keeps the fuel pressure in the system at the right value, so that the correct amount of fuel can be supplied to the engine.

  • Throttle Body: Regulates the amount of air mixing with the fuel before combustion, affecting thus the engine’s power and economy.

 

Electrical systems

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Battery: Supplies the electrical input for cranking the engine and running all other accessories in the car when the engine is not on. It actually stores chemical energy within it and then converts it into electrical energy.

  • Alternator: This produces the electricity that will recharge the battery and power up all the other electrical systems in the vehicle once it has started running. The mechanical energy generated by the engine is converted into electrical energy through the alternator.

  • Starter Motor: This uses electrical energy from the battery to turn the engine to start the combustion process.

  • Ignition System: The other components of the ignition system include spark plugs, ignition coils, and distributors in older vehicles. It generates the spark needed to burn the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chambers.

  • Fuses and Relays: Electrical overload protection, by breaking the circuit when current exceeds safe levels. Relays allow a low-current circuit to act as a control for a high-current circuit.

  • Wiring Harness: This is an assembly of wires and connectors that directs both electrical power and signals to several components located within the vehicle.

  • Lighting Systems: This includes headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and interior lighting. It’s required for the operational and safety functions of the vehicle.

  • ECU: Abbreviation for Electronic Control Unit, the in-car computer that governs the behavior of the engine and emission, among others, depending on the data fed into it from various sensors.

  • Sensors and Actuators: Sensors monitor temperature, oxygen levels, speed, and other factors; they send the analog data to the ECU. They send signals to actuators to do something – for instance, change the amount of fuel being injected into the engine.

  • Accessory Systems: Comfort and convenience are increased by electric components such as the radio, air conditioning, power window systems, and navigation systems.

Braking systems

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Disc Brakes: These are the brakes containing a disc, commonly known as a rotor, and a caliper. When the pedal of the brake is pressed, the brake pads clamp onto the disc, creating friction to retard the vehicle. Disc brakes are standard on the front wheels and have excellent performance and heat dissipation.

  • Drum Brakes: A type of brake that consists of a rotating drum and a set of shoes. Through these shoes, friction is applied to the inner surface of the drum. Drum brakes are normally used at the rear since this generally allows for a greater degree of braking. Most modern cars use disc brakes, which are superior in stopping capability.

  • Brake Pads: The components used in disc brakes that apply friction to an object to slow down the rotation of the wheel.

  • Brake Rotors (Discs): The disc brake rotor is the rotating part that the brake pads clamp onto. Generally, it is made from cast iron or some sort of carbon composite.

  • Brake Lines: The tubing that conducts the brake fluid from the master cylinder to either the brake calipers or to the drums. It is usually made from metal or reinforced rubber.

  • Master Cylinder: Transfers force applied to the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure, which is transferred via the brake lines to the brake calipers or drums.

  • Brake Fluid: The hydraulic fluid normally used in the braking system to transfer force from the brake pedal to the components performing the act of braking. It needs regular checking and replacement because it may absorb moisture and affect braking performance.

  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): A safety feature to prevent any sort of lockup of the wheel, mainly during hard braking. ABS deploys sensors to monitor the speed of the wheel and regulates the brake pressure so that traction is maintained and control assured.

  • Brake Booster: Used to assist in applying brake pressure either by vacuum or hydraulic pressure to increase the force applied onto the brake pedal for easier stopping of the vehicle.

  • Emergency Brake: A secondary brake system that commonly consists of a lever or pedal, which applies braking force to the rear wheels to keep the vehicle stationary during parking.

Automotive tools

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Wrenches: These are used to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts. The most common types are open-end, box-end, and adjustable wrenches.

  • Sockets and Ratchets: These are very helpful in reaching nuts and bolts in tight spots. Socket sets come in a range of sizes and are connected to a ratchet handle for convenience.

  • Screwdrivers: These are used to drive screws in a lot of materials. They come in flathead or slotted and Phillips head, with each being used for different screw types.

  • Pliers are general-purpose tools used for gripping, twisting, and cutting. The different types include needle-nose pliers, slip-joint pliers, and cutting pliers.

  • Torque Wrench: A torque wrench is a tool used for applying a determined amount of torque to a fastener to achieve a correct specification of tightness, critical in assembling engines and tightening wheel lug nuts.

  • Creeper: A wheeled, low-profile platform that allows mechanics to easily slide under vehicles to perform maintenance and repairs.

  • Jacks and Jack Stands: These are imperative in safely raising or lifting a vehicle to work underneath it. Hydraulic jacks are those usually employed for lifting, while jack stands provide support.

  • Brake Bleeder Kit: This is supposed to bleed air out of the brake lines for proper functioning of the brakes and a pedal feel. It is essential for the upkeep of the braking system.

  • Multimeter: An electrical test tool used to measure voltage, current, and resistance in automotive electrical systems. It is meant to locate problems with the electric parts.

  • Compression Tester: A compression tester checks the compression pressure of every single cylinder inside an engine to diagnose problems with engine performance and its internal components.

  • Oil Filter Wrench: Designed to take off and put on oil filters during cases of oil change which may be unreachable or not easily removable by hand.

  • The Timing Light: It is a device utilized in an engine, used to check and adjust the ignition timing so that the proper performance and efficiency are derived from an engine.

Mechanical Systems

Gears

asvab auto and shop information study guide

Gears transmit motion and torque between shafts, enabled by toothed mechanical elements. Spur gears and helical gears deal with parallel axes, bevel gears handle angle changes, worm gears offer compact high-ratio adjustments, planetary gears provide high torque, while rack and pinion gears convert rotation into linear motion for precision.

Pulleys

Pulleys are wheels with grooved rims which support and guide a rope, belt, or chain, and change the direction of force applied to move an object. Pulleys make it easier to lift or move loads. 

A fixed pulley provides only a change in force direction, a movable pulley shares the load to reduce effort, while a compound pulley does both for further reduction in required effort. Belt pulleys are used to transfer motion from one shaft to another and find wide application in machinery and engines.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

Levers

Levers can be described as rigid bars that move about a fixed point called the fulcrum, amplifying force or distance. Each type helps in lifting or moving objects with less force.

  • First-class levers are those that have the fulcrum between the effort and the load, such as a seesaw. 

  • Second-class levers have the load between the fulcrum and the effort, such as a wheelbarrow.

  • Third-class levers have the effort between the fulcrum and the load, like a pair of tongs.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

 

Wheel and axle

A wheel and axle is simply a big wheel connected to a lesser axle where the movement is accomplished when a force applied to the wheel is transmitted onto the axle, leveraging force over a larger distance. The system reduces the effort to move or lift objects. 

They find their applications in carts, bicycles, and even vehicle steering systems, among many others, because this facility by the wheel and axle reduces friction and does much to ease motion. They constitute integral parts of gears and pulleys, where rotational motion and force are transferred between components.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

Inclined plane

The inclined plane can be conceptualized as simply a flat surface that is set at an angle to horizontal and acts to make lifting or moving of heavy objects easier by spreading the effort over a longer distance. Rather than lifting the object vertically, one can slide the object along the surface of the ramp, thereby reducing the force exerted. As the angle of the slope decreases, the mechanical advantage increases. 

Examples include inclined planes used in ramps, slides, and loading docks, but also in screw designs and roadways where the planes help vehicles rise steeply with less exertion.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

Wedge

A wedge is a simple machine in the form of two joined inclined planes that form an acute edge for splitting, cutting, or raising any object. When the thick end is subjected to force, the wedge drives between or into materials, concentrating the force along its narrow edge. The effort required to cause separation or penetration becomes less than it would be otherwise. 

Applications include splitting axes, cut-through knives, and chisel ends for the various types of materials that need to be shaped. They hold things in place, such as in doorstops, and they also hold objects in place in the form of nails.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

Screw

A screw is a simple machine that converts turning or rotary movement to a linear motion along its helical threads. It works like an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder such that the force applied can be transmitted over larger distances with less effort. The threads on a screw dig into materials as it rotates, providing forces for fastening or lifting. 

Screws find applications in screwing mainly for holding objects together, such as screws and bolts, adjusting tension such as in clamps, and also for lifting heavy loads in the case of jacks. They can also be found in tools like corkscrews and spiral staircases where they offer mechanical advantage.

asvab auto and shop information study guide
Photo: ScienceFacts

Woodworking

Woodworking tools

  • Hand Saw: A saw used for manually cutting wood, in various types such as the crosscut saw for cutting across the grain and rip saws for cutting along the grain.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Chisels: Wedged-shaped sharp-edged tools used in wood to carve, shape, and cut. It is in wide use in joinery and fine woodworking.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Claw Hammer: The very basic tool for driving and pulling nails besides small shaping.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Wood Planers: These are used in smoothening, flattening, or shaping wooden surfaces by the removal of thin layers. This is quite important in providing accurate dimensions and finishes.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Drill: Power or hand-operated device to make holes in wood to anchor screws or other types of fasteners.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Tape Measure: This is very useful in any process where measurement is important. It is involved in the cutting or assembling stage of the wood.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Square: A measuring tool resorted to in the provision of exact 90-degree angles for the execution of proper alignment in joinery.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Mallet: Used in tapping the chisels or other tools without breaking their handles, among other uses, and in assembling joints.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Sanding Block or Power Sander: Used in smoothing the surface of the wood to make it ready for finishing.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Clamps: Hold the pieces of wood together securely while the glue dries or during the cutting and assembling of wood.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Router: Power tool utilized in hollowing out selected sections of wood, often for decorative edges or specific joinery work.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Jigsaw: A powered saw with a reciprocating blade that is used to cut curves or odd shapes in a piece of wood.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Lathe: A device that holds and spins a piece of wood so other tools can shape or carve it. It is commonly used in furniture-making and woodturning projects.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

Woodworking materials

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Hardwoods: are taken from deciduous trees, such as oak and maple. Because they are so strong, resilient, and handsome, they are used in making high-quality furniture and cabinetry. 

  • Softwoods: are derived from trees with cones, such as pine and cedar. Due to their light weight, easiness of work, and economy, they are good for construction, framing, and low-budget projects.

  • Plywood: is a type of engineered wood product made from several layers of veneer subjected to gluing. It bears strength, and stability, and can be applied well for various jobs involving structural uses, furniture, and cabinetry.

  • MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): an engineered wood product that is smooth, and because the fibers are compressed, it has specific advantages in cabinetry and painted surfaces, providing uniformity and ease of machining.

  • Particle Board: is made up of wood chips and sawdust bonded with resin. The price is a bit cheap, so its use is for low-cost furniture and also interior construction when high strength is not critical.

  • Veneer: Thin pieces of wood that are glued onto a surface such as plywood or MDF to afford a fine wood look and appearance at less cost.

  • Laminates: A synthetic overlay that is bonded to a surface to provide an appearance of wood or other finish. Laminate provides hardness, low maintenance, and economy for countertops and furniture.

  • Wood Glue: A glue formulated to bond pieces of wood together to produce strong, durable joints in woodworking projects.

  • Stains and Finishes: are liquids applied to the wood to develop color, protect it from moisture, and accentuate the grain for durability and beauty.

Joinery techniques

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Butt Joint: The simplest joint where two pieces of wood are joined end to end or edge to edge, usually with some other reinforcement added to strengthen the joint.

  • Dovetail Joint: An interlocking joint having tapered pins and tails, highly strength-providing, and utilized in quality furniture and drawers.

  • Mortise and Tenon Joint: A classic joint in which a tenon fits into a mortise, providing strong, stable connections that are ideal for frames and furniture.

  • Box Joint: A type of interlocking rectangular pin and slot joint; used for strong, visible joints in boxes and drawers; also called a finger joint.

  • Rabbet Joint: A joint wherein one of the pieces has a recess cut on its edge to receive the edge of another piece, thus providing a broad gluing surface in the construction of cabinets and frames.

  • Mitre Joint: This is a joint where two pieces of wood are cut at an angle and joined. This occurs mainly in trim work and in frames when you want a clean seam.

  • Biscuit Joint: In this biscuit joint, oval-shaped wooden biscuits are inserted into slots to align and add strength to the joints. It finds regular application in the building of furniture pieces and cabinetry.

  • Pocket Hole Joint: A screw joining two pieces of wood, one to another, at angles through holes in one piece of wood; enables speedy and solid joints in furniture and cabinetry.

Safety practices

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Wear Protective Gear: Safety goggles, ear protection, and dust masks protect you from various injuries with sawdust, noise, and debris.

  • Inspect Tools Before Use: Always check your tools before use for damage or defects. This will help you get the tools in safe working conditions.

  • Use Tools Properly: Use your tools in the manner intended. Follow the instructions of the manufacturers and use the appropriate tool for the job to avoid accidents and prolong its useful life.

  • Secure Workpieces: The clamping of workpieces with clamps and fixtures during cutting or drilling keeps them in place to avoid misalignments that may lead to errors.

Metal Shop

Metalworking tools 

  • Angle Grinder: A portable power tool fitted with a disc for cutting, grinding, or polishing metal; used in very many different tasks in the treatment of steel. 

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Welding Machine: A device that joins pieces of metal utilizing an electric arc or gas flame, and forms an indispensable part in treating and maintaining metal appliances. 

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Lathe: A machine that rotates metal workpieces with cutting tools shaping them, which is good for turning and specialty parts.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Drill Press: A mounted tool for drilling into precise holes in metal, which offers stability and accuracy compared to handheld drills.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Bandsaw: A saw involving a continuous metal band in cutting metals, hence smooth and accurate cuttings of various thicknesses.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Bench Grinder: A tool with rotating grinding wheels used in sharpening and shaping metal parts; it’s useful in the maintenance of tools and metalwork.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Sheet Metal Shears: These are tools intended for cutting thin sheets of metal and come in clean, precise cuts for fabrication projects.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Metal Files: One of many different kinds of hand tools having rough surfaces used to smooth out or shape metals; among many other uses, it is important in finishing and detailing metal parts.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Press Brake: This is a machine used in bending and forming metal sheets with much precise accuracy, hence crucial in making appropriate bends and angles in fabricating metals.

asvab auto and shop information study guide

Welding techniques

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding: One of the fastest and easiest ways of welding whereby wire electrodes with gas shielding are employed. It works on various metals and thicknesses.

  • Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding: Very accurate, using a tungsten electrode with an inert gas shield, operating to create high-quality welds in thin metals, even down to aluminum.

  • Stick Welding (Shielded Metal Arc Welding, SMAW): general-purpose welds in thick materials; usually, this type can be done outdoors.

  • Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW): Similar to MIG, except the continuous wire has a flux core in it, making it useful on thicker materials and even out of doors.

  • Oxy-Acetylene Welding (Gas Welding): this process includes the use of oxygen and acetylene gases in welding thin metals. The same process also finds its application in cutting and brazing.

  • Plasma Arc Welding: High-temperature welding with great accuracy applied on thin materials, mainly applied in aerospace and automotive industries.

Metal cutting

asvab auto and shop information study guide

  • Oxy-Acetylene Cutting: This is done with the help of a flame from oxygen and acetylene gases. It is ideal for heavy work on thick metals.

  • Plasma Cutting: A high-velocity plasma jet is used here to make cuts in metals accurately. Various thicknesses are possible in this manner.

  • Laser Cutting: It achieves precision cuts on metals with the help of a well-focused laser beam. It will be perfect for detailed work.

  • Waterjet Cutting: This is a method in the cutting of metals using a very high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasives. It provides a method for cutting that has no heat and is highly accurate.

  • Band Saw Cutting: This type of cutting is undertaken on metals with a continuous toothed blade; this is excellent and operates for both straight and curved cuts.

  • Shearing: A method adopted in the cutting of metal sheets, normally effectuated with sharp blades, usually best for clean, straight cuts at great speed.

  • Angle Grinder Cutting: This refers to the use of a rotating abrasive disc for metal cutting; a versatile, portable solution for varied cutting tasks.

How to study for ASVAB Auto and Shop Information?

The ASVAB Auto and Shop Information requires a firm knowledge of automotive systems and shop tools. Below are the main keys you should truly prepare to help you easily navigate through the test:

Master core concepts

The success ingredients for the ASVAB Auto and Shop Information subtest involve a great foundation of basics about automotive and shop matters. 

  • Learn about internal combustion engines, fuel systems, electrical systems, braking systems, and other vital systems within a vehicle.

  • Learn how each system works and the components that lead to the working of the system, like spark plugs, fuel injectors, batteries, and brake pads. 

  • Besides, you have to understand the fundamental mechanical systems such as gears, pulleys, and levers. The knowledge of how these systems work and are actually applied will provide a sound basis for taking the test.

Know your tools

Critical to this module is the identification of tools and their uses. You will identify various woodworking and metalworking tools, including saws, drills, grinders, and welding equipment. The purpose of the tools and how they are used will be applied to your automotive and shop environments. You will learn the safety practices of wearing protective gear, how to secure workpieces, and the use of proper tool techniques. A proper understanding of the functioning of such tools and the necessary precautions with them would give you a sure-footed response to questions pertaining to their application.

Practice simulated test questions

It would be easier to study for the test by practicing consistently with our ASVAB Auto and Shop Information practice test. These will get you accustomed to question types, usage of tools, and practices in shops. Timed practice tests will also help you manage time effectively during the actual exam. In this way, the consistency of testing yourself then enables you to highlight areas where improvement is needed and also to chart your progress.

Practice ASVAB Auto and Shop Information now 

FAQs

1. Does Auto and Shop Information count in the ASVAB score?

Yes, the score from the Auto and Shop Information subtest counts toward your overall ASVAB score. Although the test is not a component of the AFQT score, it does set qualifications for branches.

2. What is Auto and Shop Information on the ASVAB?

ASVAB Auto and Shop Information is a subtest of the ASVAB exam. It tests the candidate’s knowledge of automotive systems, shop tools, and repair techniques. It tests the ability to understand how cars, woodworking, and metalworking generally work, which is a crucial part of any technical role in the military.

3. How many Auto and Shop questions are on the ASVAB?

You have to answer 25 questions on the P&P-ASVAB. While on the CAT-ASVAB, there are 10 questions on Auto Information and 10 questions on Shop Information. To know more generally and comprehensively, you can read our post on the number of questions on ASVAB.

Conclusion

The ASVAB Auto and Shop Information subtest can be tricky, but again, good preparation will see you through. If you understand the main topics this guide has covered, including automotive knowledge, mechanical systems, woodworking, and metal shop, you’re already more than halfway toward getting a high score. You can start studying today to prepare for the ASVAB with our complete ASVAB Auto and Shop Information study guide and confidently conquer it!


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Sarah Wilson