It’s been asked of every new mechanic for more than a century. Does it matter in 2025?
“Can you drive a stick?”
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Technicians vs. DIYers: How well can you gauge tire pressure? (VIDEO)
Technicians vs. DIYers: How well can you gauge tire pressure? (VIDEO) Description After seating the bead on a new tire, the valve core needs to be installed and the tire inflated to the correct pressure. Some techs can air up a tire, install the core and land right on...
Smarter, not harder: relative compression testing
Pete Meier, one of our Dorman Training Center instructors, is a pretty smart cat. Since the day I’ve met him, he’s made it clear that the lab scope is one of his favorite tools and that not using one is a mistake. Now I’ve put a lot of miles on my DVOM over the years,...
A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)
In the modern age, it’s plenty easy to pull a vehicle’s service history; even the smallest shops have implemented shop management software. Paper tracking has become less and less important as time has marched on. Similarly, customers are less and less likely to keep...
The TPMS tool that pays for itself
If you’re a regular Shop Press reader, you’ve met Chris before. (He’s hilariously identified some dash lights and also is better at identifying auto parts by feel than anyone else I know.) I’ve worked here for a while, but his tenure bests mine. The other day we were...
How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?
Performing a visual inspection of a car part is usually the first step in assessing its condition. In the case of the serpentine belt, any sign of physical damage to the belt means the belt should be replaced, and may indicate the need to more closely inspect the...