It’s been asked of every new mechanic for more than a century. Does it matter in 2025?
“Can you drive a stick?”
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Testing Battery State of Charge – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)
Technicians discuss battery testing, one says open circuit voltage of less than 10.5 volts indicates a bad battery, while the other says that a reading of 12.5 volts indicates an 80% state of charge. Who is correct?
PSA: Be Safe With Carburetor Cleaner, Too
Is carb cleaner actually more dangerous than brake cleaner?
The Real Meanings Behind OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Codes (VIDEO)
By breaking down the structures used to create DTCs, you can learn how to “decode” beyond the simple descriptions presented by a scanner.
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SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
Air Conditioning Service Fundamentals – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)
A/C systems are evolving with new designs and refrigerants, making accurate diagnosis and repair more important than ever.
Which Parts of a Tire Are Safe to Patch? The Answer Has Changed (VIDEO)
Patching a punctured tire is a common job, but are you up to date on the latest guidance for safe plug locations?
CDK Global Outage: The Aftermath.
How one dealership stayed open through the uncertainty of a cyberattack.
DIYers: Yes, You Can Handle a Window Regulator Replacement
Here are some tips to help get you started.
Betcha Haven’t Serviced the Tool You Use on Every Job
The most dangerous piece of equipment in a shop is often the most neglected.
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SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
The JDM Class of 2001 Comes of Age
The Japanese Domestic Market performance car you’ve waited 25 years to drive is finally ready for legal export.
Commercials That Make Technicians and Dealers the Stars of the Show
Here are some outlandish—and not so outlandish—examples of mechanic and dealership TV commercials.
Store stuff in your glove box? Thank automobile pioneer Dorothy Levitt (VIDEO)
Ever wonder why virtually all cars and trucks have glove boxes? A visionary woman and her little book about driving changed in-vehicle storage over a hundred years ago.
Inside Global (Generic) OBD-II
You don’t need an expensive scan tool to diagnose the cause of an illuminated check engine light.
Time-Saving Tip for Bleeding Stubborn Brakes (VIDEO)
Some brake jobs can turn into headaches when small air bubbles get trapped within the caliper itself. To resolve the problem, you could pump the brakes over and over, or you could try this handy suggestion to free the air bubble and move on with the brake bleed process.
VIDEOS
Do I Need a Tune-up?
When a customer rolls into your shop and asks for a “tune-up,” what’s your first reaction?
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
Brake cleaner is loved by techs (for good reason), but make sure you’re taking safety precautions.