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Colin Chapman: The Philosopher of Motion (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this piece, we looked at Colin Chapman’s career up to the mid-60s. In this part, we’ll pick it up in 1965.Lotus wins the Indianapolis 500 In 1965, Chapman and Clark teamed up and made more racing history, this time across the pond at the Brickyard. Their...

How Often Should You Really Flush Coolant? (VIDEO)

Description How do you know when it’s time to flush coolant? Technicians may have different views on the subject, but Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier explains how using a test strip at every service is a surefire way to get an accurate picture of the...

Colin Chapman: The Philosopher of Motion (Part 1)

Car designers have a lot of brain synapses firing. Some designers are driven by the pursuit of beauty, while others are motivated by the pursuit of speed. Giorgetto Giugiaro, Marcello Gandini, and Battista Pininfarina, though responsible for cars that raced, were...

Maximum Voltage Reading – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A is using the min/max function of a digital voltmeter to test the battery and charging system on a customer’s vehicle. He notes a max reading of 17.2 volts has been recorded. Technician B says that the alternator has failed and is overcharging....

The Story of Dagmar Bumpers

If you’ve read my work here on Shop Press, you know I’m a sucker for chrome and mid-century automotive design. This week, I'd like to take a look at one of my favorite examples of that era: "Dagmar bumpers," the colorfully common slang used to describe the...

Should You Charge More When Dealing with Tire Sealant? (VIDEO)

Description Aerosolized tire sealant is widely available, and in some vehicles, it is used in place of a full-size spare. While this “tire repair in a can” might be the best solution in a jam, it creates a messy, stinky situation for a tech changing the tire for a...

An Ode to “Car Talk”

Back in the early aughts, I lived in the Washington, D.C. area for about nine years. Since my parents live in Pennsylvania, this necessitated many three-and-a-half-hour drives (as little as three, if I was lucky) back home for holidays or just a regular visit. At the...

Preston Tucker: Visionary or Villain?

Preston Tucker: Visionary or Villain?

by | Jun 13, 2023

It’s possible you have already heard of Preston Tucker. He was the subject of “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” a 1988 Francis Ford Coppola movie starring Jeff Bridges. More recently, he was the subject of the biographical book “Preston Tucker and His Battle to Build...
May Automotive Horoscopes

May Automotive Horoscopes

by | May 11, 2023

Aries: Your service writer will be keeping you busy this month, and you’ll need to keep your focus to avoid burnout. Pay special attention to the effects of distractions around you. Some coworkers have a way of keeping you from your work for a little longer than you...
Junkyard therapy. It’s my kind of therapy.

Junkyard therapy. It’s my kind of therapy.

by | Apr 25, 2023

For some folks it’s fishing. For others it’s golf. But when I feel like dropping off the grid for a couple hours of “me” time, I head out for a walk in the park—in the junkyard. Actually let me clarify that, because not all junkyards are the kind of junkyard where I...