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

Ten (sort of serious) questions every service writer should ask

At its core, writing service is information synthesis—collect, sort, simplify, regurgitate, repeat. Obtaining the raw information from techs and customers alike relies on prompts, usually in the form of a question. The correct question asked at the correct time pays...

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: Can you identify these dash lights? PART 4 (VIDEO)

Description Think you know your dash lights? Shop Press contributors Keith, Miriam, Chris, and Greaser try their best to identify all kinds of lights, symbols, and indicators. Some are easy, others obscure, and a few are even fakes. How many can you identify?Other...

Several tips to make brake line removal less of a headache

“Got a seven-foot section of brake line out without dropping the tank, cutting the line, or ruining a fitting. Today was a good day.” I sent that text to a friend of mine the other day. In a past life he was a wrench at a Cadillac dealer, so I think he sort of...

Quick tip: how to use an old phone to check vehicle lights by yourself

I picked up a habit many of you probably have: I had a “Lights Buddy” (patent pending) in the shop. This was usually someone who worked nearby who you could notify when pulling in a car. Said Lights Buddy would walk to the vehicle door as I exited the man door, open...

Shop Upkeep Essentials (VIDEO)

Description ShopPress's Miriam discussing shop upkeep and some important tips to maintaining a well rounded shop.

A comprehensive primer on the automotive right to repair debate

I began my wrench-turning career back in the late ‘70s when cars still used carbureted engines with mechanical points ignition systems. I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of what once were primarily mechanical systems controlling major engine and vehicle functions...

What is the best type of air filter? (VIDEO)

Description Air filter elements come in a variety of shapes and designs, but which one is right for you? Nick and Greaser discuss the advantages and drawbacks of three air filter designs, including filtration effectiveness, airflow, serviceability, overall size, and...

Maine voters approve ballot measure requiring automakers to share diagnostic system access

At a time when it seems like no one can agree on anything, 4 out of 5 voters in Maine voted “Yes” for a ballot question in Maine that asked whether vehicle manufacturers should be required to make it easier for drivers and mechanics to fix cars and trucks. More...

Check Engine Light On?

Grab a generic OBD-II scan tool and take these first steps to turn it off and keep it off.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

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.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Check Out This Hacky Diag Tool

Check Out This Hacky Diag Tool

Why build what you can buy inexpensively?

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.

Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

Exner was responsible for the look of cool cars of the late 1950’s, not just at Chrysler, but at other automakers as well.

Noisy disc brakes – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Noisy disc brakes – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

What causes brake noise?

Fuel pump designs are changing. Do you know what kind of fuel pump you’re troubleshooting?

Fuel pump designs are changing. Do you know what kind of fuel pump you’re troubleshooting?

Many vehicles today have made the switch to DC brushless fuel pumps. They don’t work like the older brush-type pumps do.

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.

Tools beyond the basics for DIYers

Tools beyond the basics for DIYers

Step up your repair game with sensible choices.

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.

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

What does “MIN THK.” really mean?

Battery date codes are painfully unstandardized and you’re better off without them

Battery date codes are painfully unstandardized and you’re better off without them

Don’t waste your time with codebreaking. Just grab a paint pen.

Using a spaghetti trick to keep zip ties organized (VIDEO)

Using a spaghetti trick to keep zip ties organized (VIDEO)

Chefs know a helpful hack to keep spaghetti from falling out of an opened bag, and the same idea happens to work perfectly for zip ties. Give it a try next time you have a pack of zip ties that doesn’t have a resealable closure.

VIDEOS

The very best way to remove grease from auto upholstery

The very best way to remove grease from auto upholstery

This surefire solution really stinks.

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

When placing an airbag on a workbench, which is the safest direction for it to face? We have the answer.

A different type of timed event: the Bobby Bosch Relay Race

A different type of timed event: the Bobby Bosch Relay Race

Your daily work is also a cruel automotive penalty.