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

The aggressive question you can ask that instantly calms a customer down

If you write service or sell parts, angry customers on the other side of the counter are an occasional part of the job. Maybe it’s someone picking up a car who is facing a bill that’s vastly different than the estimate. Or maybe in the parts store it’s a customer with...

The most entertaining social media accounts to follow for car enthusiasts in 2023

Everyone likes informative, interesting, or funny social media accounts. Here are a few entertaining ones about cars and the people who drive them. And don't forget to follow us, too, at the following accounts:Obscure Cars...

Catalytic converters are the coolest car parts that get no respect

The air in Detroit during the 1960s was so polluted that mothers were scared for their children to play outside. In certain places, you couldn’t see the sun at noon, and buildings had to be cleaned or repainted every six months. Some people wrote letters to...

Car designer Brooks Stevens: the man behind the first Jeep Wagoneer, planned obsolescence, an iconic Harley-Davidson, and more

Previously, I wrote about Raymond Loewy, an automotive, industrial, and graphic designer who I thought should be better known due to his contributions to the look of early- to mid-20th century America. After we posted that piece, a former colleague of mine, Todd,...

A review of the last grease coupler you’ll ever need, the LockNLube

Several years ago, I was standing in a field watching a friend of mine add grease to a wheel. When he was done, he tugged on the coupler, and it held fast to his wheel. He tugged a little harder, and the coupler ripped the zerk right out of its threads, necessitating...

Is perseverance in the service bay a feature or a bug?

I am a proficient mechanic. I have long said my proficiency comes partially from skill, but mostly I’ve achieved good results due to my perseverance. I am generally unwilling to toss in the towel on something until it works correctly. “Too stupid to know when to quit”...

May Automotive Horoscopes

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...

Right to Repair gains momentum in Maine

The state motto of Maine, “Dirigo,” Latin for “I lead,” is being embraced by the members of the Maine Right to Repair Coalition who find themselves at the vanguard of a movement to ratify legislation that protects independent repair shops. Last February, a referendum...

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

You ARE accounting for them, right?

HOT OFF THE PRESS

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

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

We’ve all heard the expression “buy once, cry once,” and for some auto parts, those are words of wisdom. For others, it might be an unnecessary expense.

Making your own gaskets? Get a hollow punch set for pro results. (VIDEO)

Making your own gaskets? Get a hollow punch set for pro results. (VIDEO)

When it is necessary to make your own gaskets, small bolt holes are often the trickiest features to cut.

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

Featuring state-of-the-art editing, this video is still relevant nearly a century later.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Welding tips for automotive repair: What you need to know (VIDEO)

Welding tips for automotive repair: What you need to know (VIDEO)

Any auto repair shop worth its salt has at least one welding rig to handle all kinds of jobs.

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box, Part 2

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box, Part 2

The Proving Grounds crew takes on another round of The Mystery Box Challenge with new parts and a few new faces.

Why auto mechanics should check cabin air filters in every vehicle (VIDEO)

Why auto mechanics should check cabin air filters in every vehicle (VIDEO)

Air filters are an easy service item to overlook, but most manufacturers recommend a new filter every year or 15,000 miles.

Creative repurposing: Shims have all sorts of uses in an automotive shop

Creative repurposing: Shims have all sorts of uses in an automotive shop

There are applications for shims besides fixing camber and panel gaps.

Don’t let your scanner go unprotected

Don’t let your scanner go unprotected

Faults in the car pay you. Faults in the scanner cost you.

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.

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

Let’s review some of the icons and oddballs we’ve featured here so far.

Give your customers extra grease

Give your customers extra grease

Especially for your mechanically-inclined clientele, sometimes a fingerful of clean grease is a lifesaver.

This tungsten scraper is my new favorite tool.

This tungsten scraper is my new favorite tool.

A fellow YouTuber recommended it. Why not give it a try?

Polishing headlights vs. replacing them! (VIDEO)

Polishing headlights vs. replacing them! (VIDEO)

Two solutions for yellowed, hazy headlights.

Parallel connectors vs. butt connectors

Parallel connectors vs. butt connectors

They look the same, but serve different roles. Here are the very specific scenarios where the lesser-known parallel connector shines.

VIDEOS

$How to use a refractometer$

How to use a refractometer

Dorman trainer Pete Meier turned me on to a handy new tool.

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

When two transfer cases love each other very much…

New to the team but not new to the business (VIDEO)

New to the team but not new to the business (VIDEO)

A Master Technician and nationally known trainer joins the Shop Press family. Say hello to Pete Meier!