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.

From the creative minds at:

FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

The bumpy story of vinyl record players in cars

As a lover of vinyl records, I’ve often thought over the years of how to install a record player in my car, so I could enjoy the superior sound quality of vinyl while I’m driving. Of course, there are naturally a few ways that this idea is not practical. First, a form...

U.S. parents becoming slightly more likely to recommend their kids pursue trades, although prefer electrician and plumber over mechanic

Parents in the United States have become slightly more likely over the past two years to support their children in pursuing a career in the trades, although they would prefer their kids become electricians, plumbers and HVAC repair professionals over automotive...

Chasing down Volkswagen’s best-selling sausage

I recently settled into my easy chair and found this little tidbit in a recent copy of Car and Driver that made me want to shoot right on over to the dealer to see if this part was in-stock: I immediately asked a friend who is knowledgeable about all things German if...

Geography by way of fittings and couplers

As a little mechaniclet, I didn’t really give much thought to my air tool fittings or their air lines. Yes, the type of tool, the amount of air moving through the lines, and the distance from the compressor are all variables that determine how well a tool might work,...

How accurately can you torque a fastener? (VIDEO)

Description What do you get when you combine a bunch of cutthroat techs, a few fasteners and tools, and a device capable of measuring torque accurately? You get a competition. See who's got the best-calibrated arm in the Dorman Proving Grounds, and when you're done,...

Hidden external speakers are changing the soundscape of our streets

For more than a century now, people have been getting used to what it sounds like living around machines powered by explosions. The soundscapes of our roads, parking lots, communities and cities are filled with the familiar noises from engines and exhaust pipes. Of...

Automotive technical schools just saw the largest graduation drop in a decade

The number of students who earned postsecondary degrees as auto technicians dropped by nearly 12 percent last year, the largest single-year decline since auto tech graduations began declining in 2012, according to a new report from the TechForce Foundation. This is...

November Automotive Horoscopes

Aries: You’ve been stubborn lately, but that’s not always profitable, especially with diag work. You’ve been footloose and fancy-free, doing whatever you want. That has to stop due to financial constraints. Deal with your unresolved monetary issues; the shop’s success...

Bitten by a misfire

Formal education teaches you theory and the real world teaches you the rest.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Buy once, cry once: Auto parts that are worth the extra cost (VIDEO)

Buy once, cry once: Auto parts that are worth the extra cost (VIDEO)

We’ve all heard the expression “buy once, cry once,” and for some auto parts, those are words of wisdom. For others, it might be an unnecessary expense.

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

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

When it is necessary to make your own gaskets, small bolt holes are often the trickiest features to cut.

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

Featuring state-of-the-art editing, this video is still relevant nearly a century later.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Lemmy tries out the cheapest lab scope available on Amazon.

Vehicle weights are increasing. Can your lifts handle it?

Vehicle weights are increasing. Can your lifts handle it?

As new cars and trucks, especially EVs, get heavier than ever, it’s important to check your lift’s rating and condition.

Diagnostics case study: don’t overcomplicate things

Diagnostics case study: don’t overcomplicate things

One basic vehicle checkover has several lessons to teach.

Do you mind working on customer vehicles equipped with dash cams?

Do you mind working on customer vehicles equipped with dash cams?

As dashboard cameras become more common, repair professionals should know how to deal with them.

The story of the very first reverse gear in an American car

The story of the very first reverse gear in an American car

Reverse is an innovation that’s easy to take for granted—but it was a revolutionary addition to the automobile.

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.

ICYMI: Secondary hood prop positions

ICYMI: Secondary hood prop positions

Props to second place, too.

Are automakers starting to rethink OTA microtransactions?

Are automakers starting to rethink OTA microtransactions?

Microtransactions spark unexpected microaggressions.

Top 5 mechanical oddities on RHD vehicles, and how to deal with them if one rolls into your shop

Top 5 mechanical oddities on RHD vehicles, and how to deal with them if one rolls into your shop

Working on a right-hand drive vehicle requires deviating slightly from a mechanic’s routine.

The only two mistakes you can make on your first timing belt job (and why you shouldn’t worry about them)

The only two mistakes you can make on your first timing belt job (and why you shouldn’t worry about them)

T-belts aren’t scary at all.

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

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

Skillful interrogation is a wonderful way to make your professional life easier. Here are a few suggestions on where to start.

VIDEOS

$How to use a refractometer$

How to use a refractometer

Dorman trainer Pete Meier turned me on to a handy new tool.

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

Transfer cases: Married vs. divorced FAQ (VIDEO)

When two transfer cases love each other very much…

New to the team but not new to the business (VIDEO)

New to the team but not new to the business (VIDEO)

A Master Technician and nationally known trainer joins the Shop Press family. Say hello to Pete Meier!