CAR Vehicle Dismantling & Processing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When dismantling a hybrid vehicle, which component must be de-energized FIRST before any other work begins?
- Coolant system
- High-voltage battery pack (Correct answer)
- 12-volt auxiliary battery
- Air conditioning refrigerant
Correct answer: High-voltage battery pack
The high-voltage battery pack must be de-energized first to eliminate electrocution risk before any hybrid vehicle dismantling proceeds.
Question 2: Which EPA regulation specifically governs the handling and disposal of automotive mercury switches during vehicle dismantling?
- RCRA Subtitle C
- End-of-Life Vehicle Solutions (ELVS) program standards (Correct answer)
- TSCA Section 6
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000
Correct answer: End-of-Life Vehicle Solutions (ELVS) program standards
The ELVS program sets voluntary but widely adopted standards for recovering mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles before crushing.
Question 3: A vehicle arrives with an undeployed side-curtain airbag. What is the correct handling procedure before dismantling the door panel?
- Remove the airbag module and store it separately
- Deploy the airbag using a deployment tool before removal (Correct answer)
- Cut the wiring harness to disable the system
- Leave it in place and proceed with normal dismantling
Correct answer: Deploy the airbag using a deployment tool before removal
Undeployed airbags should be deployed using a proper deployment tool before dismantling to prevent accidental activation that could injure workers.
Question 4: When draining engine oil from a vehicle, what is the minimum temperature consideration for efficient drainage?
- Oil drains equally at any temperature
- Warmer oil drains faster and more completely than cold oil (Correct answer)
- Cold oil drains faster due to lower viscosity
- Temperature only matters for synthetic oils
Correct answer: Warmer oil drains faster and more completely than cold oil
Warmer oil has lower viscosity and flows more freely, resulting in faster and more complete drainage, which maximizes recovered oil volume.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'depollution' in the context of automotive recycling?
- Removing cosmetic damage from salvage vehicles
- Extracting all hazardous fluids and materials before processing (Correct answer)
- Cleaning a vehicle exterior before sale of parts
- Removing the catalytic converter for precious metal recovery
Correct answer: Extracting all hazardous fluids and materials before processing
Depollution refers to the systematic removal of all hazardous materials including fluids, batteries, and mercury switches before a vehicle is shredded or processed.
Question 6: A technician recovers refrigerant from a vehicle AC system. Where must the recovered refrigerant be stored?
- In any sealed container away from heat
- In approved DOT-compliant recovery cylinders (Correct answer)
- Back into the same vehicle's AC system temporarily
- In open containers in a ventilated area
Correct answer: In approved DOT-compliant recovery cylinders
Recovered refrigerant must be stored in DOT-approved recovery cylinders to prevent release and ensure safe containment during transport or reclamation.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a vehicle identification number (VIN) check during the intake stage of automotive recycling?
- To determine the vehicle's fuel economy rating
- To verify ownership and check for theft or outstanding liens (Correct answer)
- To calculate the weight of recyclable steel
- To identify the vehicle's original color code
Correct answer: To verify ownership and check for theft or outstanding liens
VIN checks confirm legal ownership and alert recyclers to stolen vehicles or outstanding financial liens, protecting the facility from legal liability.
CAR Vehicle Dismantling & Processing 2
When dismantling a hybrid vehicle, which component must be de-energized FIRST before any other work begins?