Shifting Gears Archives

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle.

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Report: cars are the worst products for protecting user privacy

Data security is one of the most frequently cited arguments automakers make in their fight against right to repair. For instance, in a memo published last October by their advocacy group, they called a new right to repair ballot initiative in Maine a “monetizable data...

Preventative maintenance is great, but are you performing preventative repairs?

In the world of commercial aircraft, parts are almost always replaced before the end of their expected service lives. Rather obviously, a plane that stops flying mid-flight presents some pretty serious hazards to the health and safety of the passengers and people on...

A/C bypass pulleys: a history lesson on a part you can’t get from a dealer

I’m going to share some theory behind bypassing air conditioning in this article. I recognize it may be elementary for some of you (who probably lived through the whole history I’m gonna delve into), but it may be quite the revelation for those who have not. In most...

The pros (and more than a few cons) of chrome

My Shop Press colleague Lemmy and I have had an ongoing debate about chrome. Since I’m a lover of antique cars, particularly Tri-Five Chevys, you can guess that I’m a pretty big fan of chrome. I think it makes any car look luxurious and stylish. Lemmy, on the other...

PSA: Make sure your Loctite isn’t fake!

Loctite’s threadlocking compounds are used by automotive professionals everywhere to secure critical fasteners. Unfortunately, Loctite's popularity has resulted in a wave of counterfeit products that can look remarkably like the real deal. Everything from the bottle,...

What sealed chassis parts can teach us about shifting customer habits and technology’s march forward

When I got to Dorman, I wasn’t bowled over by our chassis parts for one reason: for the most part, they are sealed. We do have a line of severe-service chassis parts (Premium RD™), but the bulk of our passenger-car offerings feature polymer bearings and the grease...

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: Can you identify these dash lights? (VIDEO)

Description Think you know your dash lights? Shop Press contributors Keith, Miriam, Chris, and Greaser try their best to identify all kinds of lights, symbols, and indicators. Some are easy, others obscure, and a few are even fakes. How many can you identify?

I’ll gladly pay an independent shop more for a rush repair, and I’m not alone

On a Sunday morning last May, the day before the planned start of a long-awaited vacation highlighted by a 1,200 mile road trip, I awoke to find a very slow but very obvious leak on one of the very expensive performance tires on my fancy SUV. My first and only call...

Gas vs. diesel (VIDEO)

by Shop Press Staff | Aug 9, 2022

Gas vs. diesel (VIDEO) Description Is there an ideal fuel for an ICE these days? Use case is everything, of course. Nick and Lem sat down to give some thoughts on the go-juice each prefers to burn, and while they might not agree on everything, neither of them seems...

RIP iPod, the best way to listen to music in your car, maybe ever

by Jonathan Roth | Jul 21, 2022

The news came out recently that Apple is no longer manufacturing the iPod Touch, the last remaining model of a piece of technology once as ubiquitous as smartphones are today. I must admit it made me feel extremely nostalgic, because the iPod was possibly the best way...

Where do you leave your hitch?

by Lemmy | Jul 14, 2022

One of the things I really can’t stand is coming around a truck too quick and whackin’ my shin on a trailer ball. After this happens, I say “Ow!” real loud, and then a swear word. Then I wonder why in tarnation I just busted my leg. Why oh why is that thing hanging...

Mechanics React: Can you diagnose a vehicle’s problem just from the sound? (VIDEO)

by Lemmy | Jul 5, 2022

Mechanics React: Can you diagnose a vehicle’s problem just from the sound? (VIDEO) Description Nick and Lemmy, Dorman employees and mechanics, took a gander at a few internet videos and did their best at diagnosing via the Internet. The results were humorous, if...

Mechanics React: Dorman techs respond to crazy Reddit questions (VIDEO)

by Lemmy | Jun 21, 2022

Mechanics React: Dorman techs respond to crazy Reddit questions (VIDEO) Description Oh, brother. The boys are at it again. Nick and Lemmy, both Dorman employees and mechanics, watch a few internet videos and try their hands at diagnosing over the phone again. The...

Mechanics React: Dorman techs react to customer car care issues (VIDEO)

by Shop Press Staff | Jun 7, 2022

Mechanics React: Dorman techs react to customer car care issues (VIDEO) Description Nick and Lemmy, both Dorman employees and mechanics, sat down to watch a few internet videos and try their hands at diagnosing over the phone. The results were as humorous as they were...