Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge

1. Safety and registration Requirement

Eight parts, (a) to (h): hazards, safety equipment, power sources, high-voltage systems, the maintenance chart, restraints, inspections and registration.

8 parts, 1 ticked

• 1(a). The hazards of automotive maintenance
• 1(b). Safety equipment, tools and clothing, and use them Often forgotten This part does not end with the discussion: use the safety equipment, tools, and clothing, when needed or called for, in meeting the requirements for this merit badge. That covers every check and demonstration on the vehicle that follows.
• 1(c). The different ways motor vehicles are powered
• 1(d). Safety with a high-voltage electrical system
• 1(e). The maintenance chart in the owner's manual
• 1(f). Safety belts and passive restraints
• 1(g). Your state's emissions and safety inspections
• 1(h). Registering a vehicle, and your family car's fee Often forgotten

2. General maintenance Requirement

Five parts, (a) to (e), all checked or demonstrated on the vehicle.

5 parts

• 2(a). Check the fluids and the battery
• 2(b). Fuse boxes and fuses
• 2(c). Belts and hoses
• 2(d). Check the vehicle's lights
• 2(e). Locate and check the air filter(s)

3. Dashboard and driver information center Requirement

Three parts, (a) to (c).

3 parts

• 3(a). The gauges, pointed out on the instrument cluster
• 3(b). Dashboard symbols and indicators
• 3(c). Dashboard messages and alerts

4. Tires Requirement

Five parts, (a) to (e).

5 parts

• 4(a). Tire and vehicle manufacturer's specifications
• 4(b). Check tire pressure, inflate a tire, and check the spare Often forgotten
• 4(c). Wheel alignment
• 4(d). The lateral-wear bar indicator
• 4(e). Disposing of old tires

5. Engine Requirement

Three parts, (a) to (c).

3 parts

• 5(a). How engines work: gasoline, diesel and hybrid
• 5(b). Engine oil, and how it is rated
• 5(c). Where to find the right oil type and amount

6. Cooling system Requirement

Two parts.

2 parts

• 6(a). Coolant, and the correct type
• 6(b). Flushing and changing coolant, and disposing of it

7. Fuel system Requirement

Two parts.

2 parts

• 7(a). Air and fuel systems, and their filters
• 7(b). Fuel injection and the onboard computer

8. Ignition and electrical systems Requirement

Six parts, (a) to (f).

9 parts

• 8(a). Diagram and explain one electrical system
• 8(a)(1). The starting/charging system Optional May not apply
• 8(a)(2). A hybrid or electric vehicle inverter Optional May not apply
• 8(a)(3). The lighting system Optional May not apply
• 8(b). The engine's firing order
• 8(c). The purpose of the spark gap
• 8(d). Safely connect jumper cables to your car battery
• 8(e). Range and recharging of electrified vehicles
• 8(f). Systems that depend on the electrical system

9. Drive train Requirement

Five parts, (a) to (e).

5 parts

• 9(a). Diagram the drive train and explain its parts
• 9(b). Automatic and standard transmissions
• 9(c). Types of automatic transmission fluid
• 9(d). Lubricants for the standard transmission, differential and transfer case
• 9(e). Front-wheel, rear-wheel and four-wheel drive

10. Brake system Requirement

Three parts, (a) to (c).

3 parts

• 10(a). How the brake system operates, with antilock systems
• 10(b). Disc and drum brakes
• 10(c). Check the brakes and recommend repairs Often forgotten

11. Two projects. Do TWO Requirement

The badge states the choice: two of four.

4 parts

• 11(a). Value, insurance and operating cost of three vehicles Optional May not apply Often forgotten
• 11(b). Clean and wax a vehicle Optional May not apply
• 11(c). Use the manufacturer's jack, and change a tire Optional May not apply
• 11(d). Change the oil and oil filter Optional May not apply

12. Three automotive careers, one researched Requirement

Find out about three career opportunities in the automotive industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required. Discuss it with your counselor, and why it might interest you.

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Safety and registration, 3. Dashboard and driver information center and 9 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.