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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Can the flat rate system work better for a team?

If you’ve been working in an automotive shop for longer than about fifteen minutes, you know what the flat-rate system is and how it works. The system promotes some behaviors and disincentivizes some others—for better or for worse. Over the years, I have become pretty...

Boomerang business cards: a quick sales tip

My first job writing service was at a now-defunct Goodyear/Kelly-Springfield tire dealer. The way my commission was structured, I didn’t make very much money unless I sold a lot of tires. But when I sold a lot of tires, money came pouring in—my per-tire cut went up,...

What kind of car is that? A primer on esoteric body styles.

We all deal with various body styles daily. I remember asking, “Lumina car or Lumina van?” in my salad days on the parts counter because I badly needed to know the body style for things like, say, a set of wiper blades. We all know the easy ones—sedan, convertible,...

Take it from a moron like me: giving customers advance notice of preventive maintenance works!

My colleague Lemmy recently talked about breaking down ROs into three easy boxes. Now I’d like to focus on “Box Two” from his list from a customer perspective. I'm the type of person who doesn't read my vehicle owner's manual from cover to cover. I can make excuses,...

Should a repair shop be liable for fixing a vehicle involved in a hit and run?

In 2016, 8-year-old Jayanna Powell was killed by a car while walking home from school. The driver fled, and had an accomplice take his damaged Nissan Altima to a body shop in the next county. The shop owner called the police after seeing on TV that they were looking...

Serviceability Hall Of Shame: CDJR batteries

Serviceability Hall of Shame is an occasional rant on vehicles that were simply not made mechanic-friendly. Have your own repair nightmare? Let us know at ShopPress@DormanProducts.com. Sometimes I marvel at the complexity of a task on a vehicle, and I’m sure you do,...

Is it OK to plug a tire? (VIDEO)

My career started with tire repairs, and I bet yours did, too. Depending on how many years ago that was, you may have been patching tires, plugging tires, or patch-plugging. I recall being told solemnly by my manager that I was never to plug a tire because it was...

The real history behind the fake turboencabulator (VIDEO)

I forget when I first saw the turbo encabulator video, but it was a long time ago, early in my life as a wrench. I came to understand most mechanics had seen it and was a bit of an in-joke, but had no idea it neither originated in the automotive industry nor was the...

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

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.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Junkyard therapy. It’s my kind of therapy.

Junkyard therapy. It’s my kind of therapy.

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When I feel like dropping off the grid for a couple hours of “me” time, I head out for a walk in the park—in the junkyard.

How to find a good auto repair shop, according to actual repair professionals (VIDEO)

How to find a good auto repair shop, according to actual repair professionals (VIDEO)

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There’s lot of advice out there about how to choose a reliable mechanic. We asked mechanics what they would advise.

The worst cars are the best classrooms

The worst cars are the best classrooms

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They don’t build ‘em like they used to, and that’s a shame.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

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

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

2 Comments

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.

Miata Spotter’s Guide (VIDEO)

Miata Spotter’s Guide (VIDEO)

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Learn to ID Miatas generation by generation like a pro (and from a pro!)

Texas nonprofit helps low-income vehicle owners afford auto repairs

Texas nonprofit helps low-income vehicle owners afford auto repairs

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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 day in the life of a service writer (VIDEO)

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A Shop Press ode to the unsung heroes taking calls, keys, and credit cards.

Serviceability Hall of Shame: Ford Taurus Spring Shields

Serviceability Hall of Shame: Ford Taurus Spring Shields

12 Comments

Ford’s so-called fix for servicing corroded front springs was something neither drivers nor dealer techs were happy about.

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.

Surprise: having snacks and phone chargers in your repair shop’s waiting room makes customers happier

Surprise: having snacks and phone chargers in your repair shop’s waiting room makes customers happier

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A recent J.D. Power study found that a few simple amenities in your service center’s lobby go a long way toward making your customers want to come back, but few businesses have them.

January Automotive Horoscopes

January Automotive Horoscopes

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We read the astrological signs and predicted your automotive future.

It’s totally fine to run your fuel tank down to empty

It’s totally fine to run your fuel tank down to empty

5 Comments

Stop telling your customers otherwise—modern fuel systems don’t care.

LOF PSA: Don’t forget the lube job

LOF PSA: Don’t forget the lube job

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Engine oil is a lubricant, but that’s not what the task’s title is referencing.

Best of Shop Press 2022

Best of Shop Press 2022

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Our favorite and most popular articles and videos from the first year of ShopPress.com.

VIDEOS

March Automotive Horoscopes

March Automotive Horoscopes

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We read the astrological signs and predicted your automotive future.

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box

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The Proving Grounds crew is back again for a new grudge match in the garage called The Mystery Box.

Beverly Hills auto body shop launched a jewelry business using scrap metal from luxury cars

Beverly Hills auto body shop launched a jewelry business using scrap metal from luxury cars

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CRASH Jewelry uses real fenders, doors and hoods from high-end vehicles to make cuffs, earrings, necklaces and more.