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Shop Press

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Diesel Engines and Racing

Nearly every conceivable version of the internal combustion engine has made its way to the Indy 500. But it was a 1931 entry of a rather unusual type that made it into the record books as the first to complete the entire 500-mile race without a pit stop. That entry...

Recovering A/C Refrigerant-ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A is preparing to recover the refrigerant from a customer’s vehicle. All of the below are steps he should take when performing this service EXCEPT: A) Test for the presence of sealant in the vehicle systemB) Identify the type of refrigerant the...

Is It Ever Safe to Reuse Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Fasteners? (VIDEO)

Description Torque-to-yield fasteners are designed to deform during installation to ensure a secure connection. If a TTY fastener looks to be in good shape after removal, can it be reused? Pete Meier explains why these single-use bolts should always be replaced for...

Do You Survey Your Customers, and How?

Recently, I had the opportunity to take my car to a body shop (it’s a long story). Once the work was done and I was checking out, the office manager mentioned to me that they would be sending me a customer satisfaction survey and encouraged me to fill it out. Then she...

Interpreting Compression Tests–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A has just completed a running compression test using a mechanical compression gauge. Technician B says that the test is used to check the volumetric efficiency of the engine. Technician A says that the higher-than-expected readings indicate a...

Do I Need a Tune-up?

If you’re like me, you might cringe a little. More often than not, they’re hoping this magical procedure will fix some mysterious issue with their car. But let’s break it down: what is a tune-up, anyway? Most dictionaries describe a tune-up as “a general adjustment to...

Windshield wipers have had a surprisingly messy evolution

Windshield wipers have had a surprisingly messy evolution

by | Jul 7, 2022

We take many modern automotive conveniences for granted, and windshield wipers must be somewhere near the top of the list. You don’t think about them much until you’re driving in the rain with worn blades or, far worse, a bad wiper motor or linkage. Even on a clear...
Prime numbers are the secret to prolonged gear life

Prime numbers are the secret to prolonged gear life

by | Jun 9, 2022

I’m going to make a list of numbers, and I want you to see if you can tell me where you might know them from. Ready? Here goes: 3.23, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10, 4.11, 4.56. Rest your eyes here because the answer is in the next paragraph. My suspicion is if you’ve taken apart...