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

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

Description A vehicle equipped with a MacPherson strut suspension is in the shop for new tires and an alignment. The technician notes play in the left-side inner tie rod end. What should the technician tell the customer?A) The play will not affect the vehicle's...

Put the Second Floor to Work

Paying the mortgage (or the rent) on the bricks—the actual shop itself—is an expense. (A fixed cost, if you want to be particular.) But that building does more than keep your tools and techs dry. It provides room to work and house equipment. And if you’re like most...

The One Tool That Knows More Than Any Tech (VIDEO)

Description A factory service manual gives you every spec, procedure, and diagram—stop guessing, start fixing smart.Related Videos

How Does Regenerative Braking Affect Brake Wear?

We’ve come a long way since the days of rubbing wooden blocks against a wagon wheel to slow down a carriage. Modern braking systems are amazingly effective at halting several thousand pounds in a safe, controlled manner. The most common automotive braking technique is...

Air Conditioning Service Fundamentals – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description A/C system designs are changing, and new refrigerants are being introduced. Technician A and Technician B are discussing the importance of proper diagnosis and repair of today’s climate control systems. Which of the following statements related to A/C...

Don’t Overlook the Elementary

Today’s article is one borne from experiences. Exasperating experiences, no less. All novice mechaniclets are taught engines need fuel, air, spark, and compression to run. This is true, but we often take those for granted, and diagnosing even one vehicle with a basic...

ADAS Alignment and Calibration – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says that the thrust angle must be maintained at zero degrees when performing an alignment on many vehicles equipped with certain ADAS systems (like lane departure warning). Technician B says that the steering angle sensor must be properly...

What are Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Why are They Important?

It may sound crazy, but there was a time when automobile manufacturers were not required to make vehicles safe. Many manufacturers touted the safety of their vehicles, but some of those features were just as much marketing as they were practical. In the 1960s,...

Read more from Shop Press Staff

Testing Battery State of Charge – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Oct 7, 2025 | 0 Comments

Technicians discuss battery testing, one says open circuit voltage of less than 10.5 volts indicates a bad battery, while the other says that a reading of 12.5 volts indicates an 80% state of charge. Who is correct?

The Real Meanings Behind OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Codes (VIDEO)

Sep 30, 2025 | 0 Comments

By breaking down the structures used to create DTCs, you can learn how to “decode” beyond the simple descriptions presented by a scanner.

What’s Torque-to-Angle All About?

Sep 25, 2025 | 0 Comments

It’s like torquing a bolt, but with an extra twist.

Hybrid A/C Compressor Oil-ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Sep 23, 2025 | 0 Comments

On a hybrid vehicle’s air conditioning system that utilizes a high voltage electrical compressor, can only the oil specified by the vehicle manufacturer be used in the compressor or is PAG oil acceptable for use in an electric vehicle’s compressor?

Is the Oil Change Interval in a Vehicle’s Owner’s Manual Always the Right Choice? (VIDEO)

Sep 16, 2025 | 0 Comments

Pete Meier explains how vehicle usage and oil/filter quality should affect your maintenance schedules.

Recovering A/C Refrigerant-ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Sep 9, 2025 | 0 Comments

Technician A is preparing to recover the refrigerant from a customer’s vehicle. What are the steps he should take when performing this service?

Is It Ever Safe to Reuse Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Fasteners? (VIDEO)

Sep 2, 2025 | 2 Comments

Pete Meier explains why these single-use bolts should always be replaced for safety and proper function.

Interpreting Compression Tests–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Aug 26, 2025 | 0 Comments

Technician A completed a compression test, noting high readings suggest an exhaust restriction, while Technician B says the test checks volumetric efficiency.

Should You Lubricate Spark Plugs Before Installing Them? (VIDEO)

Aug 19, 2025 | 0 Comments

Do you lubricate the threads on spark plugs before installing them? Should you? Pete Meier explains the finer points of spark plug lube application for best results and OE service procedure compliance.

Compression Testing | ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Aug 12, 2025 | 2 Comments

All four cylinders are below specification by about the same amount. After performing a wet compression test, values remained unchanged. What could cause this condition?

Which Is Faster: A Spark Plug Firing or a Fuel Injector Spraying? (VIDEO)

Aug 5, 2025 | 0 Comments

Did you know that a modern fuel injection system can fire off multiple sprays in the same time it takes for a spark to jump across a plug?

Troubleshooting Fuel Trim–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Jul 29, 2025 | 0 Comments

Technician A and Technician B are discussing ways to use fuel trim as a troubleshooting aid. Technician A says that fuel trims that are correcting for a lean condition at high RPM and load conditions indicates a problem in fuel delivery. Technician B says that this condition is caused by a vacuum leak.