Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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Hot Off the Press

Are daytime running lights really a bad idea?

I’ve kind of had it with headlights. I mean, headlights are grand. Heck, I need them more than ever; I’m no spring chicken. Driving at night has become harder for me as my vision has deteriorated. However, other drivers operating their headlights incorrectly or...

Turbochargers saved the world long before they saved automakers fuel

Turbochargers have become so popular on cars and trucks so quickly, it could almost seem like they came out of nowhere. From 2000 to 2020, they went from being installed on less than 1 percent to more than 35 percent of new vehicles sold in the United States. There...

150+ of the truly best songs about cars, trucks and driving

You can read our methodology below, or click here to skip right to the playlist. Wrenching on cars and listening to music go hand in hand. Any work with your hands sure goes a lot faster and easier when you’ve got good tunes in the background. It gives you a little...

That viral repair shop who paid an employee in pennies? Yep, it’s getting sued.

In a shining example of how to probably not treat your employees, a car repair shop in Georgia went viral in March 2021 for paying a disgruntled former manager by dumping more than 90,000 pennies, possibly covered in power steering fluid, in a pile at the end of his...

The easiest way to remove a cotter pin (VIDEO)

Description For the longest time I used to remove cotter pins with either a hooked mechanic’s pick or a pair of needle-nose pliers. And when I say a long time, I mean, probably 15 years. Then my friend Zito showed me a better way. I’ve since seen others use this...

How to fix a Ford cupholder for almost free

The in-dash cup holder on certain late '90s to early 2000s F-150s, Expeditions and Navigators - which also holds an ash tray in some vehicles - has a tendency to break in service, leading to a cupholder that has to be pried into the open position in order to use it....

How the electric starter motor helped start the automotive revolution

In 1908, a young inventor named Byron Carter pulled over to help a stranded driver start their car. This goodwill gesture ultimately ended Carter’s life, but also inspired a new automotive era. This was back when most vehicles on the road had to be hand cranked to...

The other “Phillips” head screwdriver you might not know about

Not every Phillips head fastener is a Phillips head fastener. I believed this was common knowledge until today, when I was speaking with another tech who had no idea what I was talking about, and I relived a lesson from my salad days of wrenching. Many moons ago, when...

DSO Settings – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Technician A argues that the 20/20 Rule captures most lab scope signals, while Technician B counters that a DSO doesn’t record signals in real time but samples and plots voltage data. Who is correct?

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.

Set the Toe and Go!

Set the Toe and Go!

The finer points of performing coarse alignments.

Brake booster valve – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Brake booster valve – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

A customer states the brake pedal falls slightly when the brakes are applied while starting the engine. Which technician response is correct?

The final days (and cars) of AMC

The final days (and cars) of AMC

In November 1988, two employees snuck a camera into AMC’s Kenosha plant for a farewell tour.

What is a core charge?

What is a core charge?

A little glimpse into the world of making old parts new.

How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?

How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?

Inspection of a belt goes beyond the old standbys of checking for cracks and fraying.

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.

Symbol of a Stumble: Edsel’s “Horse Collar” Grille

Symbol of a Stumble: Edsel’s “Horse Collar” Grille

This one part became the symbol of the Edsel’s failure.

The importance of testing engine coolant (VIDEO)

The importance of testing engine coolant (VIDEO)

Peter Meier discusses the importance of testing coolant and how mechanics can use simple strip testers to keep cooling systems safe.

$How to use a refractometer$

How to use a refractometer

Dorman trainer Pete Meier turned me on to a handy new tool.

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

When two transfer cases love each other very much…

New to the team but not new to the business (VIDEO)

New to the team but not new to the business (VIDEO)

A Master Technician and nationally known trainer joins the Shop Press family. Say hello to Pete Meier!

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.