Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

If you read Shop Press regularly you've noticed we’ve been running a series for the past couple of years. It’s called “Automotive Paragons,” and it’s a series where we look at automotive entrepreneurs, designers, and engineers who were exceptional, ahead of their...

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says the minimum rotor thickness specification etched into a disc is the minimum thickness beyond which a brake rotor should not be used. Technician B says the number indicates the minimum thickness to which the rotor can be machined. Who is...

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

While diagnosing an electrical issue last week, I suspected that the battery was tired. The terminals were banged up, the case was covered in grime, and the manufacturer’s decal was peeling and faded. It barely passed a quick health check, so I started looking for a...

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

Description 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.Related Videos

Book review: “Pump and Circumstance”

Recently I was organizing my books on a new bookshelf and came across one that I had almost forgotten about. I picked it up after seeing an exhibition called “See the USA: Automobile Travel and the American Landscape” at the Building Museum when I lived in D.C. The...

Piston rings – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Which of the following statements about piston rings is incorrect? A) End gaps must be evenly spaced around the piston B) Rings are installed on the piston using a ring compressor C) Rings must be installed facing the correct vertical direction D) End gap...

The most important fluid in the car and how to test it.

Of all the fluids a vehicle needs, the brake fluid is arguably the most important. Inspecting your customers’ brake fluid is vital to the continued safe operation of the braking system. It’s a service you should perform not only when you’re servicing the brakes but as...

Rust belt vs salt belt: Do you know the difference? (VIDEO)

Description The Rust Belt and the Salt Belt may sound similar, and you might even hear them used interchangeably, but they are distinct names that any automotive professional or enthusiast should know. Take a few seconds to get the real story on these terms.Related...

How Does Regenerative Braking Affect Brake Wear?

Regenerative systems slow the vehicle electrically, but the reduced use of friction brakes creates new maintenance challenges.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Should You Lubricate Spark Plugs Before Installing Them? (VIDEO)

Should You Lubricate Spark Plugs Before Installing Them? (VIDEO)

Do you lubricate the threads on spark plugs before installing them? Should you? Pete Meier explains the finer points of spark plug lube application for best results and OE service procedure compliance.

PSA: Be Safe With Brake Cleaner

PSA: Be Safe With Brake Cleaner

Brake cleaner is loved by techs (for good reason), but make sure you’re taking safety precautions.

Compression Testing | ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Compression Testing | ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

All four cylinders are below specification by about the same amount. After performing a wet compression test, values remained unchanged. What could cause this condition?

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.

Sergio Pininfarina: Sculpting Speed and Beauty in Metal (Part 2)

Sergio Pininfarina: Sculpting Speed and Beauty in Metal (Part 2)

Tracking Pininfarina’s career from the beginning to 1987.

Shop Profile: Hansville Repair

71 years of success started at the end of the road.

Do You Know the Right Way to Use Rasps and Files? (VIDEO)

Do You Know the Right Way to Use Rasps and Files? (VIDEO)

Any technician will have a few files in the toolbox for material removal jobs. But are you using these tools with the correct technique?

Mastering the Numbers

Mastering the Numbers

A practical approach to auto repair shop management.

Don’t Overlook This Step When Servicing Brakes (VIDEO)

Don’t Overlook This Step When Servicing Brakes (VIDEO)

A brake service job isn’t complete unless the reservoir cap’s diaphragm has been pushed back into place. This simple step is easy to forget, but it helps to reduce brake fluid contamination and ensure proper system function.

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.

Clean It or Crack It

Clean It or Crack It

Why clearing bolt holes of contaminants matters.

Tariff Talk: A Look Backwards at The Chicken Tax

Tariff Talk: A Look Backwards at The Chicken Tax

Lighten the mood at the next cocktail party you attend.

Watch This Video on the Inventor Who Put Lead in Gasoline

Watch This Video on the Inventor Who Put Lead in Gasoline

He also synthesized chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Why Some Vehicles Have More Than One Spin-on Filter (VIDEO)

Why Some Vehicles Have More Than One Spin-on Filter (VIDEO)

Ever spot what appears to be a second oil filter under a vehicle? Lemmy and Nick discuss the advantages of spin-on transmission filters for fluid protection and service.

Basic Brake Fluid Testers Are Far More Sophisticated Than You’d Expect

Basic Brake Fluid Testers Are Far More Sophisticated Than You’d Expect

Peering inside the inner workings of a deceptively complex tool

VIDEOS

A History of the U.S. Presidential State Car (Part 1)

A History of the U.S. Presidential State Car (Part 1)

The commander-in-chief’s road transportation, from Pierce-Arrow cars to the Kennedy Lincoln Continental.

Dead Battery? (Video)

Dead Battery? (Video)

Diagnosing the cause of a battery drain can be a challenge today.

Check Engine Light On?

Check Engine Light On?

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