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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Hot Off the Press

Why sidewall styling is both worthless and wonderful for drivers and tire shops

I know the title is a little spicy, so I’ll get right into the meat of this piece: Over the past few years, I have seen more and more tires, usually all-terrains, that have been redesigned with very, very aggressive sidewall styling, and I think it’s fantastic....

Surprise: having snacks and phone chargers in your repair shop’s waiting room makes customers happier

If you’re an auto repair shop owner, you’ve probably heard advice before about the value of improving your waiting room. However, it can also be hard to gauge how much that extra expense makes a difference to your customers. Is it really worth it? Well, we have some...

Exhaust tips: three ways to fine-tune your method

Exhaust work is straightforward and (I think) easy to understand. If you’ve got a lift and a ‘cety torch, it really should be gravy work. That said, I have made plenty of my own mistakes and repaired the mistakes of others. Hopefully this article helps a few of you...

Four not-so-obvious ways grease can come in handy

I like grease. You may or you may not, but as a very cheap staple of most shops, I’ve learned to use it in a few unconventional ways, which has made me like it more. Here are a few times plain ol’ grease is what you should reach for.Vertically-oriented O-rings...

Two A/C checks you don’t wanna skip

If you’ve already invested in RRR (recovery/recycle/recharge) machine equipment necessary to service vehicles with R1234yf, you may have also already learned that performing a refrigerant identification test prior to recovering what is in the customer’s vehicle is...

Five tips for servicing cartridge-style oil filters

The oil change is supposed to be simple, right? And while the service guide is always your guide, there are a few things that pertain to servicing vehicles equipped with cartridge-style oil filters that aren't always covered as well as they could be. Here's a few tips...

How to install a brake cable slack eliminator (VIDEO)

Description If your parking brake is weak or not working at all, a stretched cable is usually the issue. The Dorman 03006 parking brake slack eliminator is a quick and easy way to restore brake function.Related Videos

The seven words you never want to hear from a customer (and how to avoid them)

Picture this: it’s an unremarkable day at work, and you’re busy crossing lines off your to-do list. Suddenly, a recent customer returns and ruins your day with the following words. “Ever since you worked on my car…” Look, nobody’s perfect. If you make a mistake that...

Transfer cases: how to talk to your customers

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

HOT OFF THE PRESS

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.

Using a spaghetti trick to keep zip ties organized (VIDEO)

Using a spaghetti trick to keep zip ties organized (VIDEO)

Chefs know a helpful hack to keep spaghetti from falling out of an opened bag, and the same idea happens to work perfectly for zip ties. Give it a try next time you have a pack of zip ties that doesn’t have a resealable closure.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Tool review: Klein 3255 bull pin

Tool review: Klein 3255 bull pin

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

EGR system – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

EGR system – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Under what conditions would the EGR system be expected to be operational? We have the correct answer.

A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)

A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)

Break out your paint pen—you’re the service writer now!

ASE test prep requires more than sample questions (VIDEO)

ASE test prep requires more than sample questions (VIDEO)

Do you have a study guide to prepare for your ASE exams? Which parts of that study guide do you use the most? Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier explains.

The TPMS tool that pays for itself

The TPMS tool that pays for itself

Why wouldn’t your shop purchase a few of these?

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.

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.

Buy once, cry once: Auto parts that are worth the extra cost (VIDEO)

Buy once, cry once: Auto parts that are worth the extra cost (VIDEO)

We’ve all heard the expression “buy once, cry once,” and for some auto parts, those are words of wisdom. For others, it might be an unnecessary expense.

Making your own gaskets? Get a hollow punch set for pro results. (VIDEO)

Making your own gaskets? Get a hollow punch set for pro results. (VIDEO)

When it is necessary to make your own gaskets, small bolt holes are often the trickiest features to cut.

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

Featuring state-of-the-art editing, this video is still relevant nearly a century later.

Rust exhaust hole – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Rust exhaust hole – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Which of the following is the most critical result of a rust hole in an exhaust system?

VIDEOS

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.

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

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

Nick and Lemmy check out a flex plate from an imported Japanese automatic transmission with very few miles under its belt.

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

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

Throw a set of these resettable “fuses” in your toolbox.