Shop Press

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Should You Replace That Damaged Plastic Intake Manifold?

It seems like plastic is everywhere under the hood of a modern car. You even have to remove a plastic cover to find the engine! But plastic and composite parts like distributor caps and ignition coil housings have been in use for over 100 years. In the 1970s,...

Politics Ain’t Politic

Red, blue, or green? You’ve pieced together the point of this article by now, no doubt. This will not be a piece that risks raising the hackles of those who are deeply political. That’s not because you’re encouraged to avoid the topic, but instead, to do what makes...

Belt Noise – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says that "chirp" is the most common type of noise complaint customers bring to the shop. Technician B says that EPDM belts can be worn out yet pass a visual inspection. Who is correct?A) Technician AB) Technician BC) Both Technician A and BD)...

Diagnosing a Prius Coolant Leak (VIDEO)

Description When a Toyota Prius develops an exhaust leak or a coolant leak, the problems can be interrelated… and hard to diagnose. Dorman Training Center instructor Vince Manship explains the functions and failures of the Prius heat exchanger system.Related Videos

A Crash Course on Modern Impact Sensors

We’ve come a long way since the automotive impact detector was developed decades ago. One clever design used a metal ball in a tube that would move to complete a circuit during a collision. This rudimentary accelerometer proved that the idea of detecting a collision...

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...

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

When I first began writing service at an indie auto repair shop, one line item on the bill was “shop supplies.” We tacked on some percentage of the bill, capping at $19.88. Shows you how long ago that was! Customers would ask about it, and many were angry about the...
Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO) Description When placing an airbag on a workbench, which is the safest direction for it to face? A) Up B) Down C) To a wall D) Away from a wall More ASE Practice Questions Airbag direction – ASE practice...
Bump steer – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Bump steer – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Bump steer – ASE practice questions (VIDEO) Description All of the following could cause bump steer EXCEPT: A) Incorrectly mounted steering rack B) Worn idler arm C) Worn center link D) Incorrect camber More ASE Practice Questions Bump steer – ASE practice...