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

How to find a good auto repair shop, according to actual repair professionals (VIDEO)

Description Here at Shop Press we’re always looking for interesting news about the auto repair industry, and we see articles pop up pretty routinely offering advice to vehicle owners about how to find a good mechanic. A lot of this advice is fairly generic and of...

The worst cars are the best classrooms

In my line of work it helps if you like cars. It helps even more if you love ‘em. Which I do, and far more than they deserve to be loved as inanimate objects. That misplaced affection—along with the fact that I bore easily—also helps explain why I’ve had so many....

What are the sockets and wrenches you can do without?

I was standing in the Dorman Proving Grounds the other day talking to Nick and Luke, both of whom wrench and appear in our videos. We got on the topic of sockets and wrenches we don’t use much. “20 millimeter,” Luke said. Nick’s 9mm socket wasn’t getting much use....

The surreal appeal of steel wheels

By some estimations, steel wheels should have faded into obscurity about two decades ago. That’s based solely on my highly unscientific and not-at-all-researched memory of when the used hub cap shop in Downers Grove, Illinois, closed its doors for good. Nothing left...

The fastest way to remove a Woodruff key (VIDEO)

Description Watch as Lemmy demonstrates the fastest, easiest way to remove a Woodruff key using a common tool that might surprise you. Give it a try next time!

Seven tips to help you pass your ASE exams

If you’re reading this, you know what the ASE exams are, so I won’t bore you with a recap. I took a few ASE exams recently. Some were recertification exams and some were fresh certifications, but boy, hasn’t this process changed? When I first started taking these...

What are your least favorite repair jobs? (VIDEO)

Description Life can't all be brake jobs and pre-delivery inspections. Beating time is the name of the game, but it doesn't always work out. Watch as a few Dorman mechanics talk about the jobs that make more sweat than bread in this video.

PSA: Take a quick look at your punches and chisels (and be sure they’re ready for service)

Rebuilding ratchets, cleaning the welder tips and nozzles, and oiling air tools all fall under the umbrella of things we know we should do, but don’t until a job stops. Dressing chisels and punches, however, is a housekeeping task I’ve found not everyone knows they...

The very best way to remove grease from auto upholstery

This surefire solution really stinks.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

The importance of testing engine coolant (VIDEO)

The importance of testing engine coolant (VIDEO)

Peter Meier discusses the importance of testing coolant and how mechanics can use simple strip testers to keep cooling systems safe.

$How to use a refractometer$

How to use a refractometer

Dorman trainer Pete Meier turned me on to a handy new tool.

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

When two transfer cases love each other very much…

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

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.

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

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

As dashboard cameras become more common, repair professionals should know how to deal with them.

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

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

Reverse is an innovation that’s easy to take for granted—but it was a revolutionary addition to the automobile.

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

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

“Rebuild in a can” is not the right way to fix the tool, but it will get you by until you can repair it correctly.

Are automakers starting to rethink OTA microtransactions?

Are automakers starting to rethink OTA microtransactions?

Microtransactions spark unexpected microaggressions.

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.

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.

The only two mistakes you can make on your first timing belt job (and why you shouldn’t worry about them)

The only two mistakes you can make on your first timing belt job (and why you shouldn’t worry about them)

T-belts aren’t scary at all.

Ten (sort of serious) questions every service writer should ask

Ten (sort of serious) questions every service writer should ask

Skillful interrogation is a wonderful way to make your professional life easier. Here are a few suggestions on where to start.

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: Can you identify these dash lights? PART 4 (VIDEO)

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: Can you identify these dash lights? PART 4 (VIDEO)

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.

Several tips to make brake line removal less of a headache

Several tips to make brake line removal less of a headache

Don’t break fittings—break ‘em free.

VIDEOS

Creative repurposing: Shims have all sorts of uses in an automotive shop

Creative repurposing: Shims have all sorts of uses in an automotive shop

There are applications for shims besides fixing camber and panel gaps.

Don’t let your scanner go unprotected

Don’t let your scanner go unprotected

Faults in the car pay you. Faults in the scanner cost you.

One lesson is harder for more experienced techs to learn than their rookie counterparts (VIDEO)

One lesson is harder for more experienced techs to learn than their rookie counterparts (VIDEO)

If you’re an experienced technician, you may feel as though you’ve seen everything, but don’t let your knowledge prevent you from learning more.