Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

The best auto racing movies to convert non-racing fans

There are two kinds of people in the world: race fans and people who haven’t watched these movies. If you’re not a fan, auto racing may seem like sort of the Earth-borne equivalent of space exploration: an oddly unsatisfying venture hallmarked by astronomical costs...

A few tips for tow truck operators

At one point in my automotive career, I ran a rollback wrecker. Those days are getting smaller in my rearview mirror and the game has changed over the years, but I learned a lot of things that I wish someone had just told me. My recovery work is limited to salvage...

The $2.5 million man: hire the right manager for your shop if you want to run with the big dogs

Starting a shop and managing it to the big leagues require very different skills. Odds are you don’t have both, and that’s okay. Let’s assume you’ve built a profitable independent repair shop and it’s…well, it’s just not enough. I get it. A convergence of your vision,...

Why you should add a spring hook to your toolbox

As a young mechaniclet, I fought springs often. Specifically, helical tension springs gave me metaphorical headaches and literal skinned knuckles. I encountered them most often when performing brake jobs on vehicles with drum brakes. I went through a ton of tools,...

March Automotive Horoscopes

Aries: The rhythm in your current workflow gives stability and predictability. Don’t lose it! Your service writer will have plenty of work for you soon. Lean on your focus to plow through your list of tasks, and use any down time to organize your personal space. You...

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box

Description So much in the repair world relies upon feel—but it's not so often you don't have sight to aid you in your work. Watch as a few Dormanites attempt to identify auto parts using just the sense of touch and see who comes out on top.

Beverly Hills auto body shop launched a jewelry business using scrap metal from luxury cars

Christi Schimpke still remembers the Bentley GT that inspired it all. Her husband’s auto body shop, Beverly Coachcraft, is 20 minutes from Beverly Hills and specializes in repairing high-end luxury vehicles. This particular $200,000-plus British import that took her...

Your customers are using their HVAC systems wrong

“Hey, you. Yeah, you driving with your windows all fogged up on the inside. I’ll betcha 10 bucks there’s one setting on your ventilation system—you know what, let’s make that two—that you’re using completely wrong for the conditions you’re driving in.” You probably...

SLABs: Slow, Loud, and Bangin’

The unique culture of slab cars.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Lemmy tries out the cheapest lab scope available on Amazon.

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Coiled wire is a smart idea for adding service loops or mechanical strain relief on automotive electrical jobs or other projects.

New techs: hang in there. An old transmission pan mystery exemplifies the difficulties of being a mechanic

New techs: hang in there. An old transmission pan mystery exemplifies the difficulties of being a mechanic

What do you do when a part isn’t in an IPD/fiche?

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.

Check Engine Light On?

Check Engine Light On?

Grab a generic OBD-II scan tool and take these first steps to turn it off and keep it off.

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.

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.

Want to contribute an article to Shop Press?

Are you a wrench and a writer? A counterperson and a communicator? A service writer and a scribe? Get paid to share your experience and expertise with thousands of Shop Press readers.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

The Other Way to Use a File that Many Mechanics Don’t Know (VIDEO)

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.

Easy tests for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) contamination (VIDEO)

Easy tests for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) contamination (VIDEO)

DEF is easy to contaminate, and fortunately, it’s also easy to test. Check to be sure that your customers’ DEF is up to spec with these simple tests.

Technicians vs. DIYers: How well can you gauge tire pressure? (VIDEO)

Technicians vs. DIYers: How well can you gauge tire pressure? (VIDEO)

In this challenge, techs and DIYers get as close as possible to a target final pressure to see who’s got the best skills and strategies at the tire machine.

EVs go through tires quicker: here’s what that means for your shop.

EVs go through tires quicker: here’s what that means for your shop.

A few things to bear in mind considering the increased wear on tires.

Separate gasket – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Separate gasket – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to require a separate gasket for installation?

VIDEOS

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?

When NOT selling helps business

When NOT selling helps business

You don’t want to sell every job. Trust me.