A shop foreman who did it for a year gained some firsthand experience that might help you answer the question.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
“Horizon Chase Turbo” is probably my favorite racing game of the last 30 years (VIDEO)
There’s still a place for arcade racing games, even in today’s world of hyper-realistic simulation racing games
January Automotive Horoscopes
We read the astrological signs and predicted your automotive future.
It’s totally fine to run your fuel tank down to empty
Stop telling your customers otherwise—modern fuel systems don’t care.
SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)
Break out your paint pen—you’re the service writer now!
The fastest way to remove valves from a cylinder head (VIDEO)
In my salvage yard days, I learned a trick I still use today that’s the fastest method in the world, hands down.
Can the flat rate system work better for a team?
Turning all jobs into team efforts promotes knowledge transfer to the less-experienced techs, who pay tuition in physical labor.
Boomerang business cards: a quick sales tip
Here’s an easy guerilla marketing trick to get your customer counts up by selling on your days off.
What kind of car is that? A primer on esoteric body styles.
Everyone knows about sedans and pickups, but what about shooting brakes and pony cars? Here’s an incomplete guide to the rarer designs on the road.
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.
Making your own gaskets? Get a hollow punch set for pro results. (VIDEO)
When it is necessary to make your own gaskets, small bolt holes are often the trickiest features to cut.
Should a repair shop be liable for fixing a vehicle involved in a hit and run?
A new bill in Pennsylvania would create an alert system that service centers would need to regularly check.
Serviceability Hall Of Shame: CDJR batteries
Who puts a battery in a fender? Quite a few mechanics, that’s who.
Is it OK to plug a tire? (VIDEO)
Some sources say you should never, ever plug a tire … despite the fact that trained professionals have been doing it for decades. We debate.
The real history behind the fake turboencabulator (VIDEO)
Turning absurdly specific jargon into a joke isn’t a new idea, but that didn’t stop us from turning it into an April Fools’ joke.
VIDEOS
Geography by way of fittings and couplers
What does your shop use? Where are you? Can you help us make a map?
How accurately can you torque a fastener? (VIDEO)
Torquing accurately without a torque wrench is harder than it sounds, as you can see we learned in this contest in the Dorman Proving Grounds.
Hidden external speakers are changing the soundscape of our streets
One of the most noticeable changes we’ll experience with more electric vehicles will be the noises from their acoustic vehicle alert systems, or AVAS.