Course in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles
Online 300-hour course in brake configuration for off-road vehicles. 6 modules covering UNECE Regulation No. 13-H (passenger car braking), UNECE Regulation No. 90 (replacement pads and discs) and MATLAB/Simulink. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles — studying from Australia
Off-road and special-purpose vehicles are central to Australia's mining, agriculture, construction and emergency services sectors. Remote geography and harsh conditions create strong demand for robust machinery, including haul trucks, agricultural equipment and specialist fire and rescue vehicles. Engineers work on hydraulics, drivetrains, operator safety and machine automation. Employers include mining equipment manufacturers and dealers, agricultural machinery firms, construction companies and government fleet agencies.
Fees for Australia: A$1,270 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Will this qualification be recognised by Australian engineering bodies for off-road vehicle work?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by Engineers Australia or any national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant professional body assessing your application. Engineers Australia assesses competence independently, so check its requirements before enrolling if membership is your goal.
Which Australian employers work with off-road and special vehicles and machinery?
Mining and agricultural equipment makers, fleet operators, defence and emergency service vehicle suppliers, and four-wheel-drive modification businesses are examples. Their hiring decisions depend on their own criteria. Relevant experience and a practical final project are often as important as the qualification.
Can I study this online while working in Australia, and is there support?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online and taught in English, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. You can study from anywhere in Australia without a student visa. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible; check the total hours and plan a realistic schedule.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse the particularities of braking off-road.
Select discs, calipers, pads and brake hoses according to use.
Calculate brake distribution and the required braking force.
Assess thermal management and fatigue risk on prolonged descents.
Configure ABS, descent control and other electronic braking systems.
Plan maintenance, testing and the legalisation of modifications.
Design the brake configuration for a specific off-road vehicle.
Who it's for
- Brake systems engineer looking to specialise in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles.
- Off-road vehicle preparer looking to specialise in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles.
- 4×4 workshop technician looking to specialise in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles.
- Vehicle modification engineer looking to specialise in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles.
- Competition engineer looking to specialise in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles.
- ITV technician looking to specialise in Brake Configuration for Off-Road Vehicles.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter off-road vehicle preparation.
What you'll work with
- UNECE Regulation No. 13-H (passenger car braking)
- UNECE Regulation No. 90 (replacement pads and discs)
- RD 866/2010 (processing of vehicle modifications)
- SAE J2522 (brake effectiveness testing on a dynamometer, AK Master)
- ISO 611 (braking vocabulary)
- ISO 4925 (brake fluids)
- ISO 26262 (functional safety in road vehicles)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Requirements specific to off-road use1.2Variable grip and wheel lock-up1.3Braking on gradients and under load1.4Service, emergency and parking brakes1.5Regulations applicable to the vehicle1.6Brake circuit architecture1.7Front-to-rear distribution1.8Terminology and quantities1.9Documentation of the original system1.10Workshop: characterising a vehicle's braking system
2.1Discs: diameter, thickness and ventilation2.2Pads: compounds and temperature range2.3Fixed and floating calipers2.4Wheel cylinder and pedal ratio2.5Brake servo and its behaviour2.6Rigid and flexible brake hoses2.7Brake fluid and boiling point2.8Drums: when they still make sense2.9Compatibility and homologation of parts2.10Practice: selecting components for a vehicle
3.1Load transfer during braking3.2Calculating force on each axle3.3Ideal and actual distribution3.4Limiting valves and proportioning valves3.5Adjustable proportioning valve in competition3.6Achievable deceleration and grip3.7Pedal travel and effort3.8Verification on a brake tester3.9Interpreting the results3.10Practice: calculating and adjusting distribution
4.1Energy dissipated on a long descent4.2Material and vapour fade4.3Cooling of discs and ducts4.4Protection against mud and water4.5Braking with engine braking and low-range gearing4.6Exhaust brake and retarders4.7Severe-use cycles4.8Temperature measurement4.9Maintenance after severe use4.10Practice: prolonged descent test
5.1ABS and its behaviour off-road5.2ABS off-road modes5.3Hill descent control on gradients5.4Stability and traction control5.5Interaction with differential locks5.6Diagnosing electronic faults5.7Wheel sensors and their protection5.8When to deactivate and on what criteria5.9System event logging5.10Practice: functional check of the system
6.1Periodic system inspection6.2Bleeding and fluid change6.3Replacing discs and pads6.4Machining and disc flatness6.5Parking brake: adjustment6.6Testing on track and on gradient6.7Pre-departure checklist6.8Common preparation errors6.9Real cases of braking failure6.10Final project: brake configuration and validation
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, CarSim, ANSYS Mechanical (thermal), advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for braking tests on gradients and loose terrain, disc temperature measurement during prolonged descent, and verification on an ITV brake tester. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse the particularities of braking off-road.
Select discs, calipers, pads and brake hoses according to use.
Calculate brake distribution and the required braking force.
Assess thermal management and fatigue risk on prolonged descents.
Configure ABS, descent control and other electronic braking systems.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualifications are required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- A sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulations.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with MATLAB/Simulink, CarSim, ANSYS Mechanical (thermal) and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
You will receive a SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area count towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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