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

Two A/C checks you don’t wanna skip

If you’ve already invested in RRR (recovery/recycle/recharge) machine equipment necessary to service vehicles with R1234yf, you may have also already learned that performing a refrigerant identification test prior to recovering what is in the customer’s vehicle is...

Five tips for servicing cartridge-style oil filters

The oil change is supposed to be simple, right? And while the service guide is always your guide, there are a few things that pertain to servicing vehicles equipped with cartridge-style oil filters that aren't always covered as well as they could be. Here's a few tips...

How to install a brake cable slack eliminator (VIDEO)

Description If your parking brake is weak or not working at all, a stretched cable is usually the issue. The Dorman 03006 parking brake slack eliminator is a quick and easy way to restore brake function.Related Videos

The seven words you never want to hear from a customer (and how to avoid them)

Picture this: it’s an unremarkable day at work, and you’re busy crossing lines off your to-do list. Suddenly, a recent customer returns and ruins your day with the following words. “Ever since you worked on my car…” Look, nobody’s perfect. If you make a mistake that...

Flip spare tires to make life easier for owners and techs (VIDEO)

Description A flat spare tire is just dead weight. Many trucks and SUVs come from the factory with the spare’s valve stem pointing up, but you can flip it over and reinstall for easy checks and refills.Related Videos

Three lessons from “Traffic: why we drive the way we do (and what it says about us)”

I recently had occasion to sit down and leaf my way through a book entitled “Traffic: why we drive the way we do (and what it says about us).” It was very well-documented and researched, but perhaps a bit closer to a college textbook than light reading material for a...

The cheapest tool you can buy to turn more hours in a dead bay

I feel silly admitting it, but I didn’t know what a breaker bar adapter was for a long time. When I learned what it was and what it does, I immediately thought that the tool was useless. Then I changed my mind. Lemme tell you why. Just in case you don’t know what a...

The right way to apply PTFE tape (VIDEO)

Description PTFE tape is essential for threaded connections that need a good seal. Learn the right way to apply PTFE tape to avoid leaks and hassle.

Protecting the Right to Race: What North Carolina’s HB 926 Means for Motorsports and the Automotive Industry

NC House Bill 926 introduces long-term protections for racetracks, shaping the future of motorsports and influencing the broader automotive landscape.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

P0420/P0430—The #1 DTC in the Country

P0420/P0430—The #1 DTC in the Country

And the most misdiagnosed.

Troubleshooting Fuel Trim–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Troubleshooting Fuel Trim–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Technician A and Technician B are discussing ways to use fuel trim as a troubleshooting aid. Technician A says that fuel trims that are correcting for a lean condition at high RPM and load conditions indicates a problem in fuel delivery. Technician B says that this condition is caused by a vacuum leak.

Add or Delete These Simple Parts to Help Customers Save Money

Add or Delete These Simple Parts to Help Customers Save Money

Use it or lose it. Looking for an easy way to win over your customers that they’ll enjoy every time they drive? Look at their vehicles from a hypermiler’s perspective.

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.

Should You Replace That Damaged Plastic Intake Manifold?

Should You Replace That Damaged Plastic Intake Manifold?

Find out when plastic intakes go bad, and why you should or shouldn’t replace one.

Five best car and truck tips from mechanics to non-mechanics (VIDEO)

Five best car and truck tips from mechanics to non-mechanics (VIDEO)

Want to make your vehicle last? Not sure how to talk to a shop about car repairs? Nick and Lemmy offer their five top recommendations.

Pulse width modulation and automotive lighting

Pulse width modulation and automotive lighting

Once the most basic of circuits, the humble lamp has also progressed.

Top tips for car and truck fleet maintenance: what repair shops need to know (VIDEO)

Top tips for car and truck fleet maintenance: what repair shops need to know (VIDEO)

Ready to grow your shop’s business with fleet maintenance, service and repairs?

Another specialty punch

Another specialty punch

There are many types of punches. There’s a reason for that.

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.

Diagnosing a Prius Coolant Leak (VIDEO)

Diagnosing a Prius Coolant Leak (VIDEO)

Learn how to pinpoint common Prius coolant leak sources with step-by-step diagnostic tips from the shop floor.

The cars of Stephen King stories: books and film adaptations

The cars of Stephen King stories: books and film adaptations

It’s much more than just Christine.

Shop Profile: Top Auto Center

Just when you thought The Golden Rule was out of style, this independent repair shop and used car sales center proves otherwise.

Are you servicing your car’s oil correctly?

Are you servicing your car’s oil correctly?

It might be time to rethink oil changes.

No bead seating tank? No problem!

No bead seating tank? No problem!

There’s two ways to use tire mounting compound.

VIDEOS

DIYers: Yes, You Can Handle a Window Regulator Replacement

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

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.

The Other Way to Use a File that Many Mechanics Don’t Know (VIDEO)

The Other Way to Use a File that Many Mechanics Don’t Know (VIDEO)

Need a smooth finish on a part you’re cleaning up with a file? Lemmy shows how draw filing can achieve a clean result with a totally different method of holding a traditional file.