Honda PACT Program

As Americans buy more and more cars, we need more mechanics. Go through the Honda PACT Program at a Honda Mechanic School to pursue your passion.

How to Become a Honda Mechanic

The main way you can become a Honda mechanic is through the Honda PACT Program. So, what is the PACT Program? The Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) Program is simply an automotive training program that focuses on the technicalities of Honda vehicles. Since the training is focused, students can receive a better understanding of how Honda vehicles work. The PACT Program focuses on two different types of training, job-based and class-based.

Job-based training in the Honda PACT Program comes through a mandatory internship at a Honda or Acura dealership. This gives students a glimpse of what life after attending a Honda mechanic school will be like. Along with that, it gives students the opportunity to make money while they are getting their Honda mechanic training. 

Class-based training on the other hand, is a much more typical mechanic school experience. Students in the Honda PACT Program will be going through an automotive technology program with much greater detail into the specifics of the vehicles. This is only possible because of the focus on the one manufacturer, Honda. Students will gain experience and knowledge working with Honda and Acura vehicles, tools, equipment, and on-the-job experience through their dealership internship.

Honda Mechanic School List

These are all of the schools in the nation that have partnered with Honda to offer PACT training to aspiring mechanics:

Tidewater Community College

Gateway Community College

Butte College

Cerritos College

Evergreen Valley College

Golden West College

Rio Hondo College

San Diego Miramar College

Gateway Community College - CT

Pinellas Technical College

Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College

Triton College

Des Moines Area Community College

Metropolitan Community College

Dunwoody College of Technology

Ranken Technical College

Nashua Community College

San Juan College

Suffolk County Community College

Central Piedmont Community College

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Sinclair Community College

Stark State College

Oklahoma City Community College

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Greenville Technical College

Austin Community College

Eastfield College

San Jacinto College

Clark College

Shoreline Community College

Steps and Qualifications to Become a Honda Mechanic

Certifications Acquired in the PACT Program

The Honda PACT Program splits into two different paths, the general PACT program and the PACT Collision program. Therefore, depending on which route you take, you will gain different Honda/Acura factory training certifications and even the option to earn ASE certifications. 

If you choose to complete the general Honda PACT Program, you will earn the following Honda/Acura factory training certifications: Maintenance, General Electrical Fundamentals, Electrical Systems, Engine, Brake System, Manual Transmission, Automatic Transmission, Air Conditioning, Restraints, Steering and Suspension, and Fuel and Emissions. On top of those ten certifications, you will have the option to earn 2 different ASE certifications. 

If you take the other route of the Honda PACT Collision Program, you can earn six Honda/Acura factory training collision repair certifications in the following areas: Service Information, High-Strength Steel, Restraints, Electrical, A/C, and TPMS.

Honda PACT Program Qualifications

Since Honda has partnered with many different schools across the nation to offer Honda mechanic training, there is not one set of requirements to get into the program. Each school can set their own program requirements and can even require an interview to enter the program. Even though, there are four general guidelines you should keep in mind as these will be almost always required at each Honda mechanic school:

  1. Earn a high school diploma or GED
  2. Be motivated to become a Honda mechanic
  3. Have or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license
  4. Be hungry to learn!

Honda Mechanic Job Outlook

There are many things you can do after going through the Honda PACT Program. From working in a Honda or Acura dealership or finding a job in a Honda/Acura specific auto shop to continuing on for higher education. If you end up working in a Honda dealership there are a few different pathways you can take directly out of the PACT program. Almost all graduates will start as an entry level technician, from there, graduates have five potential paths; sales consultant, retail parts, wholesale parts, mid-level technicians, and service advisor. This shows that there is great opportunity to learn a variety of things while on the job.

Honda PACT Salary

Graduates of the Honda PACT’s salary will be about $44,000 as that is the national average of dealership mechanics. Below are a list of the highest paying jobs you could attain through Honda training/experience and their average salaries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017).

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

  • Average Salary: $59,260

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

  • Average Salary: $50,750

Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians and Mechanics

  • Average Salary: $50,310

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

  • Average Salary: $55,790

Trade Schools Near You

Honda PACT Curriculum Overview

Here’s what you can expect to learn in the PACT Program at a Honda mechanic school:

  • Electrical Fundamentals

    • Battery
    • HDS
    • Digital meter
    • Ohms Law (voltage, current, resistance)
    • Circuits
    • Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
    • Terminal repair
  • Electrical Systems

    • B-CAN
    • Power sliding doors/tailgate
    • Immobilizer
    • DPMS
    • Navigation
    • Hybrid
    • HFL
    • Entertainment systems
  • Advanced Electrical Systems

    • Electronic components (resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, and control units)
    • Inputs and outputs
    • Multiplex
    • Key off draw testing
    • Troubleshooting
  • Battery Powered Electric Vehicles

    • Battery removal, handling and installation
    • Battery master switch
    • 110 V and 240 V charging
    • Brake system
    • 110 V and 240 V charging
    • HVAC service and equipment
    • Keyless remote, smart phone operation
  • Engine

    • Precision measurement
    • Compression and leakage testing
    • Engine overhaul
    • Construction and function
    • Valve adjustment
    • Engine repair, belts, chains
    • VTEC, iVTEC, VCM
  •  Restraints

    • Construction and function
    • Cable reel replacement
    • Occupant detection system inspection and calibration
    • Component deployment
    • SRS system troubleshooting and repair
    •  
  • Fuel and Emissions Basics

    • HDS high speed snapshot and drive recorder set-up
    • Ignition timing control
    • H02S function/diagnostics
    • Evaluating system inputs
    • Fuel system analysis and troubleshooting
    • Idle system
    • VTEC
    • Readiness monitors and OBD status
  • Fuel and Emissions Advanced

    • Input/output/DTC diagnosis
    • Misfire analysis and T/S
    • Fuel trim analysis and T/S
    • EGR testing and T/S
    • A/F sensor operation
    • Enhanced evaporative T/S
    • LEV II Evaporative T/S
    • ORVR Testing
  • General Maintenance

    • New model technical information guides
    • Individualized Skills Training introduction
    • Service information/Tech Line introduction
    • Warranty repair order processing
    • Express Service skills
    • HDS introduction
    • Precision measuring tools
    • Threaded fasteners and torque
    • Brake system servicing
  • Pre-Delivery Inspection

    • Pre-delivery inspection skills
    • Basics of troubleshooting introduction
    • T/S squeaks and rattles/wind noise/water leaks
    • Timing belt replacement
    • Valve train inspection and adjustment
    • Troubleshooting wheel and tire vibrations
    • Inspecting drive lines, suspension, and steering
    • Troubleshooting alignment problems
    • TPMS introduction
    • Drive train fluid replacemen

 

  • Air Conditioning

    • Control cables
    • Construction and function
    • Leak testing
    • Recovery, evacuation, and charging
    • Refrigeration and electrical systems diagnosis
    • Climate control system operation and diagnosis
  • Brake Systems

    • Construction and function of conventional brakes, ABS, TCS, and VSA
    • Inspection
    • Brake disc refinishing, pad/shoe replacement
    • Master cylinder/booster pushrod adjustment
  • Drivetrain/Transmission

    • Installing remanufactured automatic transmission
    • Construction and function
    • Mechanical and electrical diagnosis to determine need for replacement or external repair
    • CVT and VTM-4
    • Hydraulic clutch adjustment
    • Precision measurement
    • Overhaul
  • Express Service

    • Service information
    • Hydraulic lift operation
    • Torque procedures
    • Initial checks
    • Exhaust system/clutch/steering system/ drive line/suspension inspection
    • Drive belt/cooling hose/tire/ battery/fluid level inspection
    • Brake inspection
    • Oil and oil filter/drive train fluid replacement
    • Maintenance Minder operation
    • Technician choreography
  • Steering and Suspension

    • Construction and function
    • Alignment
    • TPMS

FAQs for Honda Mechanic Schools

Should I go into the Honda PACT Program?

In the end, this comes down to personal preference. Each manufacturer program has its pros and cons and each manufacturer vehicles have their pros and cons. Therefore, it depends on location and desire. Location is important based on whether you want to stay close to home or go far away. Perhaps there aren’t any other manufacturer programs offered close to you, then the PACT Program is great or vice versa. Second, if your favorite vehicles are Honda/Acura, then you should totally do the PACT Program. This will help you stay interested in your career if you love the vehicles you are working on.

Where is the Honda PACT Program offered?

There are 29 different Honda mechanic schools across the nation and 5 locations that offer the Honda PACT collision program. These are in 20 different states; Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

How long is the Honda PACT Program?

The average time it takes to complete the program is 2 years. Keep in mind, this can be shorter if you have already completed some automotive training prior to entering the PACT program.

How much does Honda PACT cost?

This depends on your school. Each school has some freedom with what they can charge for the program, just like a general automotive program.

What certifications will I earn in Honda mechanic school?

Students will earn either an associates degree or a certificate in Automotive Technology. Along with this, students will earn 10 Honda specific certifications and the ability to earn 2 ASE certifications.

What is the job outlook for Honda mechanics?

There are over 1,300 Honda and Acura dealerships across the nation which means Honda PACT graduates have many different options when looking for a job out of mechanic school.