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A History of the U.S. Presidential State Car (Part 1)

The U.S. presidential state car (aka "The Beast", "Cadillac One", "First Car", and codename "Stagecoach") is an unmistakable symbol of our nation’s executive branch. Since we had a presidential inauguration this year, I thought it would be a good time to look at the...

Dead Battery? (Video)

Description With dozens of electronic control units on automobiles built in the last 25 years, incidents of battery drain caused by an ECU that will not turn off when it is supposed to are on the rise. Tracing the ultimate cause can be made easier, though, if you know...

Check Engine Light On?

Diagnosing an illuminated check engine light (CEL) is something professional technicians do on an everyday basis. The key to a correct diagnosis is following a logical diagnostic process and gathering the information you need to isolate and repair the cause. The...

CDK Global Outage: The Aftermath.

Nobody wants to hear it, but cyberattacks and ransomware are part of a complicated new reality for the digital systems supporting the auto repair industry. Are you prepared? Months after the CDK Global outage ravaged the auto repair industry, there are still lingering...

DIYers: Yes, You Can Handle a Window Regulator Replacement

I’ve had an ongoing disagreement with a few of my Shop Press colleagues for some time now. Personally, I believe that replacing a window regulator is a perfect job for a DIYer. I mean, I’ve done them myself, and I barely even consider myself a DIYer. However, some of...

Betcha Haven’t Serviced the Tool You Use on Every Job

The most dangerous thing we do all day long is one most of us don’t think about: we raise a vehicle weighing a ton or three high in the air and work beneath it. And yet, lifts aren’t maintained well in most shops. I’ve seen lifts out of plumb, bent legs, lifts with...

January Automotive Horoscopes

January Automotive Horoscopes

by | Jan 10, 2023

Aries: You may not think of some of your repairs as innovative, but a creative fix is a creative fix. Your outlook is out there, and that’s OK. Expect to see someone else cribbing your notes but remember to take it as flattery. Not everyone has the same gift of...
January Automotive Horoscopes

December Automotive Horoscopes

by | Dec 20, 2022

Aries: The shop has a somber attitude, so tone down the practical jokes on a friend. Stick close to home and get your chores done. Now is the time to to start thinking about spring tasks. Have you started seedlings for the garden yet? Restraint pays dividends this...
The bumpy story of vinyl record players in cars

The bumpy story of vinyl record players in cars

by | Dec 8, 2022

As a lover of vinyl records, I’ve often thought over the years of how to install a record player in my car, so I could enjoy the superior sound quality of vinyl while I’m driving. Of course, there are naturally a few ways that this idea is not practical. First, a form...