Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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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FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

Oil leak – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to cause an oil leak?A) Torn valve cover gasket B) Worn wrist pin bushings C) Worn rear main seal D) Worn piston ringsMore ASE Practice Questions

Stainless doesn’t mean stain-proof; just ask Tesla Cybertruck owners

Two years ago, I posted a piece wondering if stainless steel cars were finally having their moment. I wrote about the introduction of the Tesla Cybertruck and the announcement of a new DeLorean, both of which were to be clad in stainless steel body panels. I also...

Low-mileage JDM automatics: Worthwhile or worthless? (VIDEO)

Description Nick and Lemmy check out a flex plate from an imported Japanese automatic transmission with very few miles under its belt. Even so, Nick explains why nobody really wants these transmissions or parts… and why many of them end up in the scrapyard.

Fuse box-compatible circuit breakers are the ultimate spares when space is limited

My brother and I both work in vehicle repair, and he sure got my attention when he gave me a set of resettable blade “fuses” to try out. These devices are actually fuse-shaped circuit breakers, and my new kit of six breakers goes up to 30A in 5A increments—just right...

Harmonic balancers – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says a defective harmonic balancer can affect the accuracy of ignition timing readings. Technician B says a defective harmonic balancer can damage the crank. Who is correct?More ASE Practice Questions

Easy tests for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) contamination (VIDEO)

Description DEF is easy to contaminate, and fortunately, it's also easy to test. Check to be sure that your customers' DEF is up to spec with these simple tests.Related Videos

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 the target final pressure… but it’s not as easy as it looks. In this...

EVs go through tires quicker: here’s what that means for your shop.

Recently, my Shop Press colleague Andy wrote a piece about vehicle weights increasing and whether your lifts can handle it. Much of that increase in weight is due to hybrid and electric vehicles, which can be especially heavy with their batteries and motors. That...

P0420/P0430—The #1 DTC in the Country

And the most misdiagnosed.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Beyond the basics: best tools for auto repair DIYers and technicians (VIDEO)

Beyond the basics: best tools for auto repair DIYers and technicians (VIDEO)

The right tools will expand your capabilities and help you to tackle more advanced jobs, but it’s not always easy to know where to start.

“Can you drive a stick?”

“Can you drive a stick?”

It’s been asked of every new mechanic for more than a century. Does it matter in 2025?

Five best car and truck tips from mechanics to non-mechanics (VIDEO)

Five best car and truck tips from mechanics to non-mechanics (VIDEO)

Want to make your vehicle last? Not sure how to talk to a shop about car repairs? Nick and Lemmy offer their five top recommendations.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Inside Global (Generic) OBD-II

Inside Global (Generic) OBD-II

You don’t need an expensive scan tool to diagnose the cause of an illuminated check engine light.

Best of Shop Press 2024

Best of Shop Press 2024

Let’s recap the best of this year!

Fronting & facing and staging orders: the fast track to the wholesale parts counter

Fronting & facing and staging orders: the fast track to the wholesale parts counter

Putting up freight and pulling orders is more than busywork. It’s tuition.

Watch how magnetizer/demagnetizer tools work in this excellent video

Watch how magnetizer/demagnetizer tools work in this excellent video

Demagnetizers demystified.

Tool review: Klein 3255 bull pin

Tool review: Klein 3255 bull pin

You can’t beat it. Well, actually, you can.

ABOUT SHOP PRESS

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle. With interesting stories from around the world, features on creative people and solutions, and all kinds of other stuff that’ll make you use your mind and your hands.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Don’t Overlook This Step When Servicing Brakes (VIDEO)

Don’t Overlook This Step When Servicing Brakes (VIDEO)

A brake service job isn’t complete unless the reservoir cap’s diaphragm has been pushed back into place. This simple step is easy to forget, but it helps to reduce brake fluid contamination and ensure proper system function.

Sketching Skodas

Sketching Skodas

Stevan Ivanov strives to give a little-known brand its rightful place in automotive history.

Turbocharger repair and replacement: What you need to know (VIDEO)

Turbocharger repair and replacement: What you need to know (VIDEO)

Not so long ago, forced induction was mostly limited to high-performance sports cars and diesel trucks. Join Lemmy and Nick for a deep dive into modern forced induction systems and the parts that keep them running.

Better ops with SOPs

Better ops with SOPs

Why you should use standard operating procedures for customer communications.

Cars that make you think of something specific

Cars that make you think of something specific

Chances are you’re going to have a Pavlovian response when seeing one of these vehicles.

VIDEOS

Shop Profile: DeLorean Midwest

A Midwest mecca that offers services, sales, parts, and restorations—but only for DeLoreans.

Watch this video on the four stages of grief for mechanics

Watch this video on the four stages of grief for mechanics

A Facebook reel that applies a psychological model to wrenching.

The first step I now take in vehicle diagnostics

The first step I now take in vehicle diagnostics

I’m a slow learner. Don’t be like me.