Vehicle diagnosis is no walk in the park. Proper diagnosis is critical and difficult, and it shouldn’t be done without doing the work.
Why service writers should always charge a diag fee – and let techs earn it
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
What are your least favorite repair jobs? (VIDEO)
Life can’t all be brake jobs and pre-delivery inspections. Beating time is the name of the game, but it doesn’t always work out. Watch as a few Dorman mechanics talk about the jobs that make more sweat than bread in this video.
PSA: Take a quick look at your punches and chisels (and be sure they’re ready for service)
Dressing chisels and punches, however, is a housekeeping task I’ve found not everyone knows they should be doing, and dress your punches and chisels!
The best auto racing movies to convert non-racing fans
There are two kinds of people in the world: race fans and people who haven’t watched these movies.
ABOUT 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. 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.
CDK Global Outage: The Aftermath.
How one dealership stayed open through the uncertainty of a cyberattack.
What the first federal right-to-repair law could mean for auto service shops
If passed, the proposed REPAIR Act in U.S. Congress would give vehicle owners and independent repair services full access to vehicle data, parts, and more.
Are daytime running lights really a bad idea?
DRLs can have the strange, unintended effect of hurting visibility overall.
Turbochargers saved the world long before they saved automakers fuel
Before you could find a turbo on a Ford Fusion, turbine-driven forced induction systems helped win WWII on planes like the B-17 Flying Fortress.
150+ of the truly best songs about cars, trucks and driving
We curated all the best songs about cars and driving, creating the definitive playlist for when you’re working on automobiles or driving in them.
Want to contribute an article to Shop Press?
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.
Store stuff in your glove box? Thank automobile pioneer Dorothy Levitt (VIDEO)
Ever wonder why virtually all cars and trucks have glove boxes? A visionary woman and her little book about driving changed in-vehicle storage over a hundred years ago.
The easiest way to remove a cotter pin (VIDEO)
If you’re using needle-nose pliers like I did for years, there’s a better way.
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.
VIDEOS
The rarely seen control arm-mounted trailer ball rears its head
I really hope the whole week doesn’t go like this.
Let’s hear it for the mighty roach coach
In spite of the not-so-savory name, this ancillary piece of daily life in the shop is a beloved tradition in the automotive industry.
February Automotive Horoscopes
We read the astrological signs and predicted your automotive future.