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How to Make Your Own Molded Hose in a Pinch

When a vehicle’s vacuum or heater hose is in need of replacement, we tell the service writer, they sell the job and a little while later, a custom-formed piece with eleventy-four bends shows up, just like magic. But it wasn’t always this way. In Ye Olden Days, we’d...

Diesel and DEF – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says that an empty DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) tank can result in a “no start” complaint. Technician B says that the quality of the DEF fluid in the tank should be checked when SCR system faults are noted. Who is correct?A) Technician AB)...

EDC: Mechanic Edition

EDC, or “everyday carry” has become a popular topic of conversation. At first I thought people’s interest in this was a zeitgeist, but I think it’s got more staying power than I originally surmised. I used to (and still) roll my eyes when someone posts a beautiful...

The Most Neglected Part of the Cooling System

Cooling system jobs are, by and large, gravy repairs. Sure, we get the occasional hard-to-bleed system or the heater core that’s buried. But for the most part, the work is straightforward plumbing. And selling the stuff is easy! Even the most price-conscious customer...

When Selling a Job, Get It In Writing (Not an Emoji)

This one’s for anyone who interacts with customers directly: service writers, small shop owners, and even techs who do some moonlighting or side work. Be careful when using text abbreviations, slang, or emojis with your customer, and that goes double when a customer...

The Stories Spark Plugs Have to Tell (VIDEO)

Description In the days of carbureted engines, mechanics would always take a moment to examine the spark plugs they were replacing as part of a routine tune-up. The plugs often provided valuable information as to how well the engine was performing and whether there...

Service Managers: Buy Brake Fluid by the Pint

If you’re in charge of ordering the supplies for your shop, volume discounts are great when they come along. Sniff them out where you can. But brake fluid is different! Buy it in bulk, but buy it in the smallest containers you can get away with. The reason? Brake...

Six Ways to Best Protect Yourself from Keyless Car Theft (For Now)

In 2023, a record number of vehicles were stolen in the United States; 1,020,729 vehicles to be exact. While that number has declined over the past couple of years (850,708 in 2024 and 659,880 in 2025), car thieves haven’t given up. In fact, they’re finding more...

Does Fuel Octane Rating Really Matter?

Does Fuel Octane Rating Really Matter?

by | Jul 7, 2026

Life is full of small decisions. Pulling up to the gas pump, you are immediately faced with a choice: which octane fuel to use? The owner’s manual for any vehicle should provide a minimum octane requirement, but is it worth filling up with a more expensive fuel...
EDC: Mechanic Edition

EDC: Mechanic Edition

by | Jun 25, 2026

EDC, or “everyday carry” has become a popular topic of conversation. At first I thought people’s interest in this was a zeitgeist, but I think it’s got more staying power than I originally surmised. I used to (and still) roll my eyes when someone posts a beautiful...
Don’t Forget to Season the Automobiles, Mechanics!

Don’t Forget to Season the Automobiles, Mechanics!

by | Jun 4, 2026

I guess after you watch the following video, you won’t need much commentary. I thought this was common knowledge, but as I’ll explain in a moment, I may be wrong. I thought it necessary because a good friend at an independent repair facility recently bemoaned the fact...
What are Frits? (And Why Does Almost Every Car Have Them?)

What are Frits? (And Why Does Almost Every Car Have Them?)

by | May 28, 2026

It’s a pretty safe bet that most younger techs haven’t heard of frits before. Not one single customer, ever, has come into your shop looking for some help with a frit problem. So while this article won’t help you turn bays faster or improve your diagnostic skills,...