U

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.

From the creative minds at:

FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

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...

How to install a brake cable slack eliminator (VIDEO)

How to install a brake cable slack eliminator (VIDEO)

by | Aug 3, 2023

How to install a brake cable slack eliminator (VIDEO) Description If your parking brake is weak or not working at all, a stretched cable is usually the issue. The Dorman 03006 parking brake slack eliminator is a quick and easy way to restore brake function. Related...
Test fuses without removal! (VIDEO)

Test fuses without removal! (VIDEO)

by | Jul 6, 2023

Test fuses without removal! (VIDEO) How to test for blown fuses in a car or truck | Fast and easy method Description Checking fuses is one of the most basic (and important!) tests you’ll use when diagnosing a vehicle’s electrical system. Most cars and trucks on the...
The surreal appeal of steel wheels

The surreal appeal of steel wheels

by | Apr 11, 2023

By some estimations, steel wheels should have faded into obscurity about two decades ago. That’s based solely on my highly unscientific and not-at-all-researched memory of when the used hub cap shop in Downers Grove, Illinois, closed its doors for good. Nothing left...
There really are a ton of automotive door styles

There really are a ton of automotive door styles

by | Feb 21, 2023

The Shop Press team was sitting around jawing the other day about the history of the term “suicide doors.” I read a number of explanations, but none were very satisfactory. During my cursory research, however, I did start noting the rather large number of door styles...