Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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Hot Off the Press

Is side work OK for service techs?

Do you do side work? If you do, is that OK? There are tons of reasons for and against doing work outside the shop. I think my views have changed a little as I’ve been in the game a little longer, but this aspect of the job is contentious. I’ve heard various rationale,...

Ranking the best fictional TV mechanics

TV and automobiles were both major forces in America in the mid- to late-20th century, so it’s perhaps no surprise that mechanics are regular characters throughout the history of television. But which ones are the best? Let’s find out with this completely unscientific...

Jeep Spotter’s Guide (VIDEO)

Description If you can't tell DJs (2WD variant of the CJ) from PJs (the clothes you wear to bed), this is the video for you. Watch as Nick quickly walks you through identifying features of the Jeep. He covers the major iterations of America's 4x4. Become a Wrangler...

Quiz: Can you prove how big of a car nerd you are?

Is your brain filled with automobilia obscurity? Prove it by answering these questions pulled from the minds of the Shop Press editorial team.

Does your shop handle performance work?

If you turn wrenches for a living, odds are good you’ve either hopped up your own ride at some point or had someone ask you to hotrod theirs. (Or maybe you’ve done it virtually.) The work is often fun and rewarding on a Saturday afternoon. But in the shop? There are a...

Ralph Nader inspired a vehicle safety revolution and all he got was a lousy bolt named after him

In 1965, Ralph Nader published his best-selling takedown of car companies, “Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.” The book accused automakers of prioritizing profits over personal safety, and caused an uproar from both politicians...

Before asphalt, automotive pioneers used the beach as their racetrack

If your idea of Jersey beach towns comes from “Jersey Shore,” Cape May is not that. As opposed to the ride-filled boardwalks of Ocean City or Wildwood or the casinos of Atlantic City, Cape May is a much more laid back, family-oriented shore destination. I recently...

Schedule more work by improving the life of the waiters

Everyone else knows a “waiter” as someone who brings you a burger. You and I, however, know a waiter to be a customer stranded in your customer lounge. Making waiting less painful can increase the likelihood folks schedule service. That seems pretty basic to me, but...

How Does Regenerative Braking Affect Brake Wear?

Regenerative systems slow the vehicle electrically, but the reduced use of friction brakes creates new maintenance challenges.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Tool review: Klein 3255 bull pin

Tool review: Klein 3255 bull pin

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

What does horsepower really mean? (VIDEO)

What does horsepower really mean? (VIDEO)

The essential unit of automotive power has an unexpected history.

Sketching Skodas

Sketching Skodas

Stevan Ivanov strives to give a little-known brand its rightful place in automotive history.

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.

Should You Charge More When Dealing with Tire Sealant? (VIDEO)

Should You Charge More When Dealing with Tire Sealant? (VIDEO)

Learn why it’s not a bad idea to charge a little more for the hassle.

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.

A visit to Elite JDM (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.

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.

What’s Torque-to-Angle All About?

What’s Torque-to-Angle All About?

It’s like torquing a bolt, but with an extra twist.

Harmonic balancers – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Harmonic balancers – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

A defective harmonic balancer can affect the accuracy of ignition timing readings or a defective harmonic balancer can damage the crank. Which technician is correct?

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.

VIDEOS

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?

Choosing the right brake fluid

Choosing the right brake fluid

Just because it says “DOT 4” on the bottle doesn’t mean it’s the correct DOT 4 for the vehicle.

Five ways repair shops can address the rising costs of car ownership

Five ways repair shops can address the rising costs of car ownership

The struggle is real for many of your customers.