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.

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Hot Off the Press

Can the flat rate system work better for a team?

If you’ve been working in an automotive shop for longer than about fifteen minutes, you know what the flat-rate system is and how it works. The system promotes some behaviors and disincentivizes some others—for better or for worse. Over the years, I have become pretty...

Boomerang business cards: a quick sales tip

My first job writing service was at a now-defunct Goodyear/Kelly-Springfield tire dealer. The way my commission was structured, I didn’t make very much money unless I sold a lot of tires. But when I sold a lot of tires, money came pouring in—my per-tire cut went up,...

What kind of car is that? A primer on esoteric body styles.

We all deal with various body styles daily. I remember asking, “Lumina car or Lumina van?” in my salad days on the parts counter because I badly needed to know the body style for things like, say, a set of wiper blades. We all know the easy ones—sedan, convertible,...

Take it from a moron like me: giving customers advance notice of preventive maintenance works!

My colleague Lemmy recently talked about breaking down ROs into three easy boxes. Now I’d like to focus on “Box Two” from his list from a customer perspective. I'm the type of person who doesn't read my vehicle owner's manual from cover to cover. I can make excuses,...

Should a repair shop be liable for fixing a vehicle involved in a hit and run?

In 2016, 8-year-old Jayanna Powell was killed by a car while walking home from school. The driver fled, and had an accomplice take his damaged Nissan Altima to a body shop in the next county. The shop owner called the police after seeing on TV that they were looking...

Serviceability Hall Of Shame: CDJR batteries

Serviceability Hall of Shame is an occasional rant on vehicles that were simply not made mechanic-friendly. Have your own repair nightmare? Let us know at ShopPress@DormanProducts.com. Sometimes I marvel at the complexity of a task on a vehicle, and I’m sure you do,...

Is it OK to plug a tire? (VIDEO)

My career started with tire repairs, and I bet yours did, too. Depending on how many years ago that was, you may have been patching tires, plugging tires, or patch-plugging. I recall being told solemnly by my manager that I was never to plug a tire because it was...

The real history behind the fake turboencabulator (VIDEO)

I forget when I first saw the turbo encabulator video, but it was a long time ago, early in my life as a wrench. I came to understand most mechanics had seen it and was a bit of an in-joke, but had no idea it neither originated in the automotive industry nor was the...

Efficiency is the Name of the Game

Four proven ways to run a tighter ship at your shop.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

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.

Rust exhaust hole – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Rust exhaust hole – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Which of the following is the most critical result of a rust hole in an exhaust system?

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

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.

What is the best type of air filter? (VIDEO)

What is the best type of air filter? (VIDEO)

Air filter elements come in a variety of shapes and designs, but which one is right for you?

Maine voters approve ballot measure requiring automakers to share diagnostic system access

Maine voters approve ballot measure requiring automakers to share diagnostic system access

With 84% approval, it’s the latest electoral show of support for providing owners and independent garages with more ability to repair motor vehicles.

Thread repair for mechanics: an incomplete guide to essential products and procedures

Thread repair for mechanics: an incomplete guide to essential products and procedures

Proper tooling and techniques are critical to repairing threads—and if you’re a mechanic, neither are marketed well to you.

The one part of the car you’ll never install for a customer

The one part of the car you’ll never install for a customer

DIFM customers just won’t purchase this common underhood part.

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.

“Hot Rod Magazine: 75 Years” book review

“Hot Rod Magazine: 75 Years” book review

The celebration of a magazine that was, for some, where their love of working on cars began.

Torches for courses: which heating tools should a mechanic own?

Torches for courses: which heating tools should a mechanic own?

Supplement your shop’s oxyacetylene torch with alternatives.

More ways to use oil pan alignment pins around the shop! (VIDEO)

More ways to use oil pan alignment pins around the shop! (VIDEO)

These handy tools can are useful for all kinds of alignment tasks involving covers, pans, and gaskets.

A few tips for ball joint removal

A few tips for ball joint removal

If you’re a budding technician, a few of these pointers might help ya during front end work.

Automotive professionals vs. popular auto myths! (VIDEO)

Automotive professionals vs. popular auto myths! (VIDEO)

We assembled a list of common and confusing advice, then asked the gang to weigh in on some very questionable practices.

VIDEOS

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!

Square drive: make or buy before you need ‘em

Square drive: make or buy before you need ‘em

Female metric square drive plugs were new to me. They might be to you, too.