Why you should use standard operating procedures for customer communications.
Better ops with SOPs
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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.
The most important fluid in the car and how to test it.
Brake fluid can wear out just like any other fluid.
Rust belt vs salt belt: Do you know the difference? (VIDEO)
The Rust Belt and the Salt Belt may sound similar, and you might even hear them used interchangeably, but they are distinct names that any automotive professional or enthusiast should know. Take a few seconds to get the real story on these terms.
Buy once, cry once: Don’t cheap out on these auto repair tools (VIDEO)
Auto repair pros probably know the expression “buy once, cry once,” and for some tools, techs should buy the best they can afford.
Engine knock – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
An engine exhibits a knocking noise. During a cylinder power balance test, the noise abates. Which technician has the correct diagnosis?
“Can I borrow a…”
We’ve all heard the question that starts like this. So will you lend tools?
A visit to Elite JDM (VIDEO)
A playlist of videos from a recent trip to a Dorman contributor’s personal shop.
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)
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
Spoiler alert: be careful running it through the car wash.
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
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.
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.
A few things to bear in mind considering the increased wear on tires.
Separate gasket – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to require a separate gasket for installation?
Smarter, not harder: relative compression testing
Analyzing a new trick I learned from an old dog.
Can’t break that crank bolt loose? You need a crank socket (VIDEO)
Crank fasteners are often a real pain to remove. Mechanics with expensive impact wrenches and large breaker bars struggle to remove them—but there’s a better way.