Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle.

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FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

Can’t break that crank bolt loose? You need a crank socket (VIDEO)

How to test for blown fuses in a car or truck | Fast and easy method Description Crank fasteners are often a real pain to remove. And sometimes, even expensive impact wrenches and large breaker bars struggle to remove them. A crank socket is just the ticket for these...

So you want to restore a classic or build a kit car? Think twice.

For reasons that have more to do with personality than pragmatism, I recently considered anew the possibility of restoring a classic car, or perhaps building a kit car. It’s an itch I’ve thought about scratching since the days when Popular Mechanics regularly featured...

EGR system – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Under what conditions would the EGR system be expected to be operational?A) Cold engine, full throttle B) Hot engine, idle C) Hot engine, full throttle D) Hot engine, part throttleMore ASE Practice Questions

A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)

In the modern age, it’s plenty easy to pull a vehicle’s service history; even the smallest shops have implemented shop management software. Paper tracking has become less and less important as time has marched on. Similarly, customers are less and less likely to keep...

ASE test prep requires more than sample questions (VIDEO)

Description Do you have a study guide to prepare for your ASE exams? Which parts of that study guide do you use the most? Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier explains why you need to look at more than the sample question section in the back of the...

The TPMS tool that pays for itself

If you’re a regular Shop Press reader, you’ve met Chris before. (He’s hilariously identified some dash lights and also is better at identifying auto parts by feel than anyone else I know.) I’ve worked here for a while, but his tenure bests mine. The other day we were...

Tapping V6 – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Two technicians are examining a tapping sound coming from a V6 engine. Technician A says the noise could be caused by a bent pushrod. Technician B says the noise could be caused by escaping exhaust gas. Who is correct?More ASE Practice Questions

Buy once, cry once: Auto parts that are worth the extra cost (VIDEO)

Description We’ve all heard the expression “buy once, cry once,” and for some auto parts, those are words of wisdom. For others, the extra costs are unnecessary, and economical parts can be used instead. It’s up to you to explain the differences to your customers....

Inside Global (Generic) OBD-II

You don’t need an expensive scan tool to diagnose the cause of an illuminated check engine light.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

The first step I now take in vehicle diagnostics

The first step I now take in vehicle diagnostics

I’m a slow learner. Don’t be like me.

PSA: Stop throwing away brake rotor screws

PSA: Stop throwing away brake rotor screws

They’re real important for two separate reasons.

What tools do you keep in your road box for car repair? (VIDEO)

What tools do you keep in your road box for car repair? (VIDEO)

Do you have a toolbox ready to go for repairs on the road? What do you keep in it?

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Are You Adding Engine Oil the Wrong Way? (VIDEO)

Are You Adding Engine Oil the Wrong Way? (VIDEO)

Think you know how to pour oil out of a jug? Are you sure about that? Lemmy and Nick talk about the best oil pour techniques to avoid making a mess.

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Lemmy tries out the cheapest lab scope available on Amazon.

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Coiled wire is a smart idea for adding service loops or mechanical strain relief on automotive electrical jobs or other projects.

New techs: hang in there. An old transmission pan mystery exemplifies the difficulties of being a mechanic

New techs: hang in there. An old transmission pan mystery exemplifies the difficulties of being a mechanic

What do you do when a part isn’t in an IPD/fiche?

Choosing the right brake fluid

Choosing the right brake fluid

Just because it says “DOT 4” on the bottle doesn’t mean it’s the correct DOT 4 for the vehicle.

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.

Transfer cases: how to talk to your customers

Transfer cases: how to talk to your customers

You can’t sell what you don’t understand.

ICYMI: Secondary hood prop positions

ICYMI: Secondary hood prop positions

Props to second place, too.

Automotive terms that differ in other English-speaking countries

Automotive terms that differ in other English-speaking countries

Are they C-clamps or G-clamps?

LT-series vs. P-series tires

LT-series vs. P-series tires

The truck and SUV have never been more prolific than they are today. Learn when to sell each type of these tires.

If you have a soldering iron, you need a solder sucker (VIDEO)

If you have a soldering iron, you need a solder sucker (VIDEO)

Removing old solder is a crucial part of preparing a component for a new soldered connection, and a desolder pump (often called a solder sucker) is the ideal tool for the job.

VIDEOS

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Understanding how voltage is used in an electrical circuit can help your troubleshooting.

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

You ARE accounting for them, right?

Fixing cracked plastic parts with a hot staple tool (VIDEO)

Fixing cracked plastic parts with a hot staple tool (VIDEO)

When plastic parts break, sometimes replacements can be prohibitively expensive or hard to find. Learn how to use a hot staple tool to salvage broken plastics for auto repairs and other projects.