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Boost Isn’t New! A History of Turbocharged Cars

It seems every automaker has jumped on the forced induction bandwagon over the last decade. While some say there is no replacement for displacement, a turbocharged engine makes a pretty good argument to the contrary. Turbocharging is hardly new, though. You can read...

Two Common Oil Change Mistakes That Techs Can Make (VIDEO)

Description Too many technicians make these simple mistakes while performing oil changes for customers. Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier points out a pair of errors that can turn easy jobs into big headaches.  Related Videos

Fundamental Electrical Knowledge – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A and Technician B are discussing electrical fundamentals. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?A) All electrical circuits are made up of a load, a source, a control, a circuit protection device and a path that connects them all.B)...

Is an Appointment-Only Shop Schedule Wise or Madness?

You probably have an “Open” sign hanging in the shop window or door. But what if you didn’t? Could you—and your shop—function as a shop without regular hours? The answer, like so many things in life, isn’t completely binary. Before we begin, maybe it makes sense to...

What does dark brake fluid really mean? (VIDEO)

Description Don’t just rely on brake fluid color to determine its condition. Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier demonstrates how to use a quick DVOM test for a more precise brake fluid condition check.Related Videos

Beware the SAE Lead

The SAE connector is instantly recognizable to many technicians. Commonly found on electrical junctions that need the ability to be disconnected often but ought not be reversed, the plug seems like it should be a no-brainer—however, it’s anything but. If the picture...

DSO Settings – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says that when using a lab scope, most signals can be captured using the 20/20 Rule - that is, by setting up the scope to capture a range of 0-20v on the vertical scale and setting the time base to 20ms per division. Technician B says that a...

Modern Power Window Switches: Smarter than You’d Think

Modern Power Window Switches: Smarter than You’d Think

by | Feb 12, 2026

When was the last time you rolled down the power windows in an older car or truck? I’m talking at least pre-2000. The older, the better. As a passenger, you’ll find that every door has a mix of buttons, switches, locks, and handles to mess around with, plus maybe a...
What are rear fog lights, and when should you use them?

What are rear fog lights, and when should you use them?

by | Jan 23, 2025

If you’re a vehicle owner or auto repair professional in the United States, odds are that you haven’t seen (or even used) rear fog lights on a vehicle. The vast majority of vehicles sold in the US do not include them, and in some cases, the feature is disabled or the...
What is a core charge?

What is a core charge?

by | Apr 2, 2024

The article title is a question I asked when I was a young counterman, and most of you oldtimer mechanics and parts people of course know the story: the core charge is a way to be sure the smoked part makes its way back to the parts counter. A core charge is a deposit...
Watch this video on the invention of the Ford V-8 engine

Watch this video on the invention of the Ford V-8 engine

by | Feb 29, 2024

If you enjoy pioneering developments in automobile history, this video on the development of Ford’s V8 engine is a must-watch. It’s a bit on the long side (a little over an hour), but it’s well worth your time to fully appreciate this revolutionary success in Ford—and...