Why you should use standard operating procedures for customer communications.
Better ops with SOPs
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Testing Battery State of Charge – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)
Technicians discuss battery testing, one says open circuit voltage of less than 10.5 volts indicates a bad battery, while the other says that a reading of 12.5 volts indicates an 80% state of charge. Who is correct?
PSA: Be Safe With Carburetor Cleaner, Too
Is carb cleaner actually more dangerous than brake cleaner?
The Real Meanings Behind OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Codes (VIDEO)
By breaking down the structures used to create DTCs, you can learn how to “decode” beyond the simple descriptions presented by a scanner.
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.
The One Tool That Knows More Than Any Tech (VIDEO)
A factory service manual gives you every spec, procedure, and diagram—stop guessing, start fixing smart.
CDK Global Outage: The Aftermath.
How one dealership stayed open through the uncertainty of a cyberattack.
DIYers: Yes, You Can Handle a Window Regulator Replacement
Here are some tips to help get you started.
Betcha Haven’t Serviced the Tool You Use on Every Job
The most dangerous piece of equipment in a shop is often the most neglected.
The Other Way to Use a File that Many Mechanics Don’t Know (VIDEO)
Need a smooth finish on a part you’re cleaning up with a file? Lemmy shows how draw filing can achieve a clean result with a totally different method of holding a traditional file.
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SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
What are Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Why are They Important?
A nationwide framework of safety regulations has transformed vehicle design and saved countless lives since its introduction in 1968.
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
You don’t need an expensive scan tool to diagnose the cause of an illuminated check engine light.
Time-Saving Tip for Bleeding Stubborn Brakes (VIDEO)
Some brake jobs can turn into headaches when small air bubbles get trapped within the caliper itself. To resolve the problem, you could pump the brakes over and over, or you could try this handy suggestion to free the air bubble and move on with the brake bleed process.
Shop Profile: Hansville Repair
71 years of success started at the end of the road.
VIDEOS
Do I Need a Tune-up?
When a customer rolls into your shop and asks for a “tune-up,” what’s your first reaction?
Should You Lubricate Spark Plugs Before Installing Them? (VIDEO)
Do you lubricate the threads on spark plugs before installing them? Should you? Pete Meier explains the finer points of spark plug lube application for best results and OE service procedure compliance.
PSA: Be Safe With Brake Cleaner
Brake cleaner is loved by techs (for good reason), but make sure you’re taking safety precautions.