Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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Hot Off the Press

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

Description When it is necessary to make your own gaskets, small bolt holes are often the trickiest features to cut. That’s why you should pick up a set of hollow punches to make clean, round holes in common gasket materials. You might not use these tools all the...

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

The first time I saw this video, I was hooked because I’m natively a bike guy and it starts off with motorcycle stunt riding. But the guys horsing around on those ol’ Harley VLs actually are the producer’s interesting and educational way to visually demonstrate why a...

Rust exhaust hole – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Which of the following is the most critical result of a rust hole in an exhaust system? A) Escaping exhaust gas B) Failed inspection C) Excessive noise D) High cost of repairMore ASE Practice Questions

Before selling a vehicle, make sure to remove personal data (VIDEO)

Description Smartphones, laptops and computers are normally cleared of all data before selling or discarding to protect personal information. Modern vehicles store all kind of information in their infotainment systems and that means they should be treated with the...

Dust Cap Tool Explained (VIDEO)

Description How many times have you seen a hub dust cap with ugly dents from a sloppy installation? A dust cap tool is handy for installations on customer vehicles. It helps to prevent damage while securely driving the cap into place.

Why a magnetic drain plug is a worthwhile upgrade (VIDEO)

Description Do your customers know the benefits of magnetic oil drain plugs? Swap out their standard drain plugs to help protect against unnecessary engine damage. Magnetic drain plugs are especially helpful for vehicles with long oil change intervals, as well as many...

Brake booster valve – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description A customer states the brake pedal falls slightly when the brakes are applied while starting the engine. Technician A says that a faulty brake booster check valve may be to blame. Technician B says this can be caused by a leaking brake booster diaphragm....

The final days (and cars) of AMC

In the last days of AMC, two employees brought a video camera into the Kenosha, Wisconsin plant to document the end of an era. Billy and Danny take a thorough tour of the old AMC buildings and production line, which was producing its last L-body Plymouth Horizons and...

Six Ways to Best Protect Yourself from Keyless Car Theft (For Now)

Car thieves are getting smart. You need to be smarter.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

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?

When a Voltmeter Isn’t Enough (Video)

When a Voltmeter Isn’t Enough (Video)

Many high-end scan tools come with a capable digital storage oscilloscope. Time to put that tool to work.

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.

Tool Review: Permatex 25240 Thread Locker

Tool Review: Permatex 25240 Thread Locker

Can there be one threadlocker color to rule them all?

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

Why We Take the Negative Battery Cable off First and Put It on Last (VIDEO)

Why We Take the Negative Battery Cable off First and Put It on Last (VIDEO)

Lemmy explains why this basic task always comes before removing the positive cable to help you understand the theory behind the practice.

Stress Test Vehicle Grounds

Stress Test Vehicle Grounds

Resistance is futile.

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.

Dealing with “System Lean” DTCs

Dealing with “System Lean” DTCs

“System lean” diagnostic trouble codes are among the top 10 codes faced by techs.

Shop Profile: Locked N Loaded 4×4

Learn about a shop that’s making Jeeps all they can be.

Why you should empty the master cylinder before bleeding brakes (VIDEO)

Why you should empty the master cylinder before bleeding brakes (VIDEO)

Removing old fluid from a vehicle’s braking system can be a time-consuming chore, but it doesn’t need to be.

Check Out This Hacky Diag Tool

Check Out This Hacky Diag Tool

Why build what you can buy inexpensively?

Are You Adding Engine Oil the Wrong Way? (VIDEO)

Are You Adding Engine Oil the Wrong Way? (VIDEO)

Think you know how to pour oil out of a jug? Are you sure about that? Lemmy and Nick talk about the best oil pour techniques to avoid making a mess.

VIDEOS

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.

Which Parts of a Tire Are Safe to Patch? The Answer Has Changed (VIDEO)

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?