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

What’s the deal with permanent and lifetime antifreezes? (VIDEO)

Description Your customers may have heard the terms "lifetime" or "permanent" antifreeze, but those confusing names have very specific meanings. Make sure your customers know the limitations of antifreezes to protect their vehicles for many years of service.

Vehicle weights are increasing. Can your lifts handle it?

Average vehicle weights in the United States have steadily increased since the mid 1980s, driven by sustained consumer demand for vehicles with more power, features, and room. Hybrid and electric vehicles can be especially heavy with their batteries and motors,...

Diagnostics case study: don’t overcomplicate things

A vehicle recently came to me that made me feel pretty terrible. The customer was not happy, and I know for a fact the shop lost money on the job, so presumably they were unhappy, too. The vehicle—and scenario—seemed ripe for a quick story, because there were so many...

Do you mind working on customer vehicles equipped with dash cams?

When you spot a dashboard camera inside a customer’s vehicle, how do you react? At this point I think we have all seen dash cam videos from customer vehicles that capture what mechanics are saying and doing at work. Some recordings are harmless fun, like this chap...

The story of the very first reverse gear in an American car

Making a car go backwards was not the most important part of the automobile’s development, but it sure is important in its operation. In fact, if the average automobile enthusiast was to guess which American-built car had the first reverse gear, he or she would likely...

How to get a little more (temporary) performance out of your air impact gun

I would like to start this article off by mentioning that yes, I know air impacts are slowly going out of style—which is exactly why you might want to keep this tip in the back of your head. Parts availability can be a challenge for some old impact wrenches, and even...

Are automakers starting to rethink OTA microtransactions?

Over a year ago, I wrote a piece on this very media hub about the trend of auto manufacturers offering customers over-the-air (OTA) microtransactions to unlock options on their vehicles. I talked about what Tesla, BMW, VW, and Kia had introduced in that area, and...

Top 5 mechanical oddities on RHD vehicles, and how to deal with them if one rolls into your shop

Working in a shop means working on many different vehicles, each of which have their own quirks. However, right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles have their own specific mechanical oddities that are distinct from LHD vehicles. The next time a RHD car or truck rolls into your...

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.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

How to use a lockout kit (VIDEO)

How to use a lockout kit (VIDEO)

Powerful tools—if you know how to use ‘em.

Drag racing semi-trucks (VIDEO)

Drag racing semi-trucks (VIDEO)

Smokin’ tires and smokin’ stacks!

Bump steer – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Bump steer – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

You know what bump steer is. Where does it originate?

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

What tools do you keep in your road box for car repair? (VIDEO)

What tools do you keep in your road box for car repair? (VIDEO)

Do you have a toolbox ready to go for repairs on the road? What do you keep in it?

The most important fluid in the car and how to test it.

The most important fluid in the car and how to test it.

Brake fluid can wear out just like any other fluid.

Rust belt vs salt belt: Do you know the difference? (VIDEO)

Rust belt vs salt belt: Do you know the difference? (VIDEO)

The Rust Belt and the Salt Belt may sound similar, and you might even hear them used interchangeably, but they are distinct names that any automotive professional or enthusiast should know. Take a few seconds to get the real story on these terms.

Buy once, cry once: Don’t cheap out on these auto repair tools (VIDEO)

Buy once, cry once: Don’t cheap out on these auto repair tools (VIDEO)

Auto repair pros probably know the expression “buy once, cry once,” and for some tools, techs should buy the best they can afford.

Engine knock – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Engine knock – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

An engine exhibits a knocking noise. During a cylinder power balance test, the noise abates. Which technician has the correct diagnosis?

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.

What does horsepower really mean? (VIDEO)

What does horsepower really mean? (VIDEO)

The essential unit of automotive power has an unexpected history.

A visit to Elite JDM (VIDEO)

A visit to Elite JDM (VIDEO)

A playlist of videos from a recent trip to a Dorman contributor’s personal shop.

Why you shouldn’t throw out zip tie tails after a project (VIDEO)

Why you shouldn’t throw out zip tie tails after a project (VIDEO)

Before you toss those zip tie scraps in the trash, consider saving them for plastic repair jobs. In many cases, the plastic used in zip ties will bond with common automotive plastics with the help of a soldering iron.

Oil leak – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Oil leak – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to cause an oil leak? Our technicians have the answer.

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

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

Spoiler alert: be careful running it through the car wash.

VIDEOS

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

Let’s review some of the icons and oddballs we’ve featured here so far.

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

What does “MIN THK.” really mean?

Battery date codes are painfully unstandardized and you’re better off without them

Battery date codes are painfully unstandardized and you’re better off without them

Don’t waste your time with codebreaking. Just grab a paint pen.