The Current Online

by Micah Chrisman

Students walking to class at 10:40 a.m. on Sept. 29 witnessed paramedics and a rescue team rush through the MCC-Longview campus to the High Technology building. The Lee’s Summit Fire Department responded to a call made from the automotive department, where a student was injured during a routine lab class.

Automotive technology director Stan Abrahamson said that a student suffered a significant laceration to the lip.

“It happens more often than people think,” Abrahamson said. “We expect cuts and scrapes to happen all of the time in the automotive department.”

Abrahamson said that it is up to each instructor to decide whether or not to make the emergency call when someone is injured. Abrahamson said he would rather have faculty err on the side of caution.

The student’s name and condition were not released.

Longview’s Automotive Program students answer questions about your car.

Q:  The engine light on my 1999 Mazda 626 is on when I drive and the radiator has no fluid, even after I fill it up, but I can’t find a leak. The antifreeze hasn’t mixed with the oil, and there’s no stench coming from the exhaust when the head is cracked. What could be the problem?

A:  The 1999 Mazda 626 can have one of a few different problems. [...]

Send your car questions to student experts.

by MCC-Longview Automotive Tech Writing

Q. Whenever the weather starts to get cold, I start seeing signs to “weatherize your car,” and I’m always skeptical. Should I be doing something to my vehicle to get it ready for winter? If so, what should I be doing, and why?

A. There are many reasons to winterize your vehicle because if not done, it could lead to costly expenses.  One of the main reasons to winterize your vehicle is to protect your engine by having your coolant freezing point checked. [...]

Auto Tech students check under the hood (Uno Yi/The Current).

by Uno Yi

Every driver has had the experience of their cars breaking down on the highways, but many do not know how to deal with it. MCC Longview’s Automotive Technology program gives students the opportunity to learn simple skills to maintain their vehicles. [...]