Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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Hot Off the Press

Why “topping off” a gas tank can be an expensive mistake (VIDEO)

Description When the pump automatically shuts off after filling a vehicle’s tank, many people are tempted to add a little more gas. Unfortunately, this can do more harm than good, and the repair bills could add up quickly.Related Videos

Why don’t you keep gloves in your car’s glove box? (VIDEO)

Description Most people treat their glove boxes like junk drawers. Ever consider keeping a pair of gloves in there? Gloves were essential equipment for early motorists, and it’s a good idea to keep a pair on hand today, too.

Brake drum – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description When checking a brake drum during service, all the following should be checked EXCEPT: A) Diameter B) Out-of-roundness C) Minimum thickness D) Taper wearMore ASE Practice Questions

How to choose a memory saver tool for cars and trucks

As vehicle electronics become increasingly complex, the humble memory saver tool has gone from a convenience to an absolute necessity for maintaining power to vehicle systems while the battery is disconnected. Memory saver tools have changed over the years, too, and...

Welding tips for automotive repair: What you need to know (VIDEO)

Description Any auto repair shop worth its salt has at least one welding rig to handle all kinds of jobs. Whether you’re a competent welder or totally new to the game, check out these tips to improve the welding workflow and output in your shop.

Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

I’m a sucker for the sleek, smooth, and aggressive look of late 1950’s automobiles. As such, I owe a debt of gratitude to one man: Virgil Exner. In the 50’s, Exner was the head of styling at Chrysler, and he spearheaded the “Forward Look” of their cars, a look that...

Noisy disc brakes – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

How to test for blown fuses in a car or truck | Fast and easy methodDescription All of the following could cause noisy disc brake operation EXCEPT: A) Glazed pads B) Grease contamination on the pads C) Broken anti-rattle clipsD) Foreign matter embedded into the pad...

Fuel pump designs are changing. Do you know what kind of fuel pump you’re troubleshooting?

Whether you used a fuel pressure gauge or relied on the Fuel Rail Pressure PID on your scan tool, a reading of zero when testing fuel pressure is a bad thing. What are your next steps? Do you jump the relay to see if the pressure builds? Do you use an amp probe and a...

Mastering the Numbers – Part 2

Using your shop’s Cost of Doing Business (CODB) as a baseline for labor rates.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Commercials That Make Technicians and Dealers the Stars of the Show

Commercials That Make Technicians and Dealers the Stars of the Show

Here are some outlandish—and not so outlandish—examples of mechanic and dealership TV commercials.

Store stuff in your glove box? Thank automobile pioneer Dorothy Levitt (VIDEO)

Store stuff in your glove box? Thank automobile pioneer Dorothy Levitt (VIDEO)

Ever wonder why virtually all cars and trucks have glove boxes? A visionary woman and her little book about driving changed in-vehicle storage over a hundred years ago.

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.

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.

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

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

Technician A is preparing to recover the refrigerant from a customer’s vehicle. What are the steps he should take when performing this service?

Are You Adding Engine Oil the Wrong Way? (VIDEO)

Are You Adding Engine Oil the Wrong Way? (VIDEO)

Think you know how to pour oil out of a jug? Are you sure about that? Lemmy and Nick talk about the best oil pour techniques to avoid making a mess.

Dealers make house calls. Why not you?

Dealers make house calls. Why not you?

Can independent repair shops benefit by offering mobile service to an increasingly immobile America?

What an oscilloscope shows that your DVOM can’t (VIDEO)

What an oscilloscope shows that your DVOM can’t (VIDEO)

Your multimeter is a versatile tool. But for certain diagnostics, you need an oscilloscope to get a closer look at a vehicle’s electrical systems.

Tire techs: Elevate your work with this one humble task

Tire techs: Elevate your work with this one humble task

A set of tires is expensive. Make it special.

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SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Do I Need a Tune-up?

Do I Need a Tune-up?

When a customer rolls into your shop and asks for a “tune-up,” what’s your first reaction?

Transfer cases: how to talk to your customers

Transfer cases: how to talk to your customers

You can’t sell what you don’t understand.

Easy trick to transfer gear oil with a simple length of hose (VIDEO)

Easy trick to transfer gear oil with a simple length of hose (VIDEO)

A fluid transfer pump is the cleanest and easiest way to fill a differential, transmission or transfer case with its necessary fluid.

Bitten by a misfire

Bitten by a misfire

Formal education teaches you theory and the real world teaches you the rest.

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.

VIDEOS

Why We Take the Negative Battery Cable off First and Put It on Last (VIDEO)

Why We Take the Negative Battery Cable off First and Put It on Last (VIDEO)

Lemmy explains why this basic task always comes before removing the positive cable to help you understand the theory behind the practice.

Stress Test Vehicle Grounds

Stress Test Vehicle Grounds

Resistance is futile.

The Tightwad’s Way To Install Any Wheel Bearing Race

The Tightwad’s Way To Install Any Wheel Bearing Race

Stop beating your sockets to death.