Turning all jobs into team efforts promotes knowledge transfer to the less-experienced techs, who pay tuition in physical labor.
Can the flat rate system work better for a team?
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Texas nonprofit helps low-income vehicle owners afford auto repairs
Autocare Haven uses donations and volunteers to subsidize service for vets, seniors, single parents and others.
A day in the life of a service writer (VIDEO)
A Shop Press ode to the unsung heroes taking calls, keys, and credit cards.
Serviceability Hall of Shame: Ford Taurus Spring Shields
Ford’s so-called fix for servicing corroded front springs was something neither drivers nor dealer techs were happy about.
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Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle. With interesting stories from around the world, features on creative people and solutions, and all kinds of other stuff that’ll make you use your mind and your hands.
SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
Watch this video on the four stages of grief for mechanics
A Facebook reel that applies a psychological model to wrenching.
How to fix a Ford cupholder for almost free
The in-dash cup holder on certain late ’90s to early 2000s F-150s, Expeditions and Navigators tends to break, but it’s easy to repair.
How the electric starter motor helped start the automotive revolution
One man’s tragic death led to a device that transformed the automobile from a luxury fascination to something everyone could own and use regularly.
The other “Phillips” head screwdriver you might not know about
Not every Phillips head fastener is a Phillips head fastener. If you don’t know about Japanese Industrial Standard, now you’ll know.
In defense of the beam-style torque wrench
Beam-types have a few advantages that keep them relevant. If your arsenal doesn’t include one, you might want to think about acquiring one.
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Are you a wrench and a writer? A counterperson and a communicator? A service writer and a scribe? Get paid to share your experience and expertise with thousands of Shop Press readers.
SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
Fronting & facing and staging orders: the fast track to the wholesale parts counter
Putting up freight and pulling orders is more than busywork. It’s tuition.
7 low-tech tips to help bleed difficult brakes
Bleeding brakes is one of those jobs most of us know how to do, but when a hard-to-bleed system pops up, experienced techs have a few additional tricks up their sleeves to help get the job done.
Why service writers should always charge a diag fee – and let techs earn it
Vehicle diagnosis is no walk in the park. Proper diagnosis is critical and difficult, and it shouldn’t be done without doing the work.
Choosing the right oil filter’s more complicated than you think
Installing an old-fashioned filter on a modern vehicle because that’s what’s in stock may not be the best course of action.
The Toyota Tacoma just doesn’t make sense any more
Hordes of man-bunned millennials and newly-minted softroaders probably just picked up their pitchforks and are calling for my blood.
VIDEOS
The bumpy story of vinyl record players in cars
Despite being obviously ill-suited for use in vehicles, I still want to find a workable solution for installing a record player in my car.
U.S. parents becoming slightly more likely to recommend their kids pursue trades, although prefer electrician and plumber over mechanic
New report from IMR Inc. measures household perception of trade professions to help the automotive industry attract more skilled workers.
Chasing down Volkswagen’s best-selling sausage
For decades, VW served its workers a unique German dish that I had to try for myself: currywurst.