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?
Harmonic balancers – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
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.
Book review: “Pump and Circumstance”
A walk (or drive) through the history of gas and service stations.
Piston rings – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
Study for your ASE exams with this quick practice question.
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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.
Inside Global (Generic) OBD-II
You don’t need an expensive scan tool to diagnose the cause of an illuminated check engine light.
Snap-on to expand Tennessee manufacturing plant
Company makes $44 million investment to expand plant.
Tire service tips (that aren’t just for new technicians)
The habits you form first can be the hardest ones to break.
TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box, Part 2
The Proving Grounds crew takes on another round of The Mystery Box Challenge with new parts and a few new faces.
Why auto mechanics should check cabin air filters in every vehicle (VIDEO)
Air filters are an easy service item to overlook, but most manufacturers recommend a new filter every year or 15,000 miles.
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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.
Don’t Overlook This Step When Servicing Brakes (VIDEO)
A brake service job isn’t complete unless the reservoir cap’s diaphragm has been pushed back into place. This simple step is easy to forget, but it helps to reduce brake fluid contamination and ensure proper system function.
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)
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.
Give your customers extra grease
Especially for your mechanically-inclined clientele, sometimes a fingerful of clean grease is a lifesaver.
This tungsten scraper is my new favorite tool.
A fellow YouTuber recommended it. Why not give it a try?
VIDEOS
Fuse box-compatible circuit breakers are the ultimate spares when space is limited
Throw a set of these resettable “fuses” in your toolbox.
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)
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.