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.

From the creative minds at:

FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

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...

What’s in your toolbox?

Tools help ya earn your bread, which is why most automotive technicians have more than a passing interest in them. What brands do you buy? What do you buy, and what do you expect the boss to provide? Do you run a tab on the tool truck? Two Dormanites hash some of...

October Automotive Horoscopes

Aries: You will be where you are supposed to be, even if you aren't there now. When you’re undercar, rely upon intuition—and don’t forget the importance of timing. Keep the faith, because your goal is closer than you thought. Avoid Leo. This service writer is bound to...

Car Talk’s Ray Magliozzi calls on lawmakers to pass right to repair law

For 35 years, Tom and Ray Magliozzi helped coach car owners through their problems on Car Talk, with the last new episode recorded exactly a decade ago. Before they were Click and Clack, they operated their own repair shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Interesting...

Book review: “Car: A Drama of the American Workplace”

We’ve all taken a step back from a vehicle, groaned, and asked why-oh-why did they do it like this. Car: A Drama of the American Workplace helps answer that question. Mary Walton, the author, was embedded within Ford with what appears to me to have been excellent...

Fire the parts cannon! Is shotgun diag ever acceptable? (VIDEO)

Description Anyone who's turned wrenches knows at least one "spray 'n' pray" technician. Just keep throwing parts at the car until the Check Engine light goes off, right? But where does good intuition meet good guessing? What do you do when a flowchart suggests...

Alignment and Inner Tie Rod Play – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

A vehicle with MacPherson strut suspension is in for tires and an alignment. The technician finds play in the left inner tie rod end. What should the customer be told?

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.

Maximum Voltage Reading – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Maximum Voltage Reading – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Technicians debate using the min/max function of a digital voltmeter to test the battery and charging system on a customer’s vehicle to determine if the alternator has failed. Who is correct?

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.

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.

PSA: Be Safe With Carburetor Cleaner, Too

PSA: Be Safe With Carburetor Cleaner, Too

Is carb cleaner actually more dangerous than brake cleaner?

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

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.