Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

The best auto racing movies to convert non-racing fans

There are two kinds of people in the world: race fans and people who haven’t watched these movies. If you’re not a fan, auto racing may seem like sort of the Earth-borne equivalent of space exploration: an oddly unsatisfying venture hallmarked by astronomical costs...

A few tips for tow truck operators

At one point in my automotive career, I ran a rollback wrecker. Those days are getting smaller in my rearview mirror and the game has changed over the years, but I learned a lot of things that I wish someone had just told me. My recovery work is limited to salvage...

The $2.5 million man: hire the right manager for your shop if you want to run with the big dogs

Starting a shop and managing it to the big leagues require very different skills. Odds are you don’t have both, and that’s okay. Let’s assume you’ve built a profitable independent repair shop and it’s…well, it’s just not enough. I get it. A convergence of your vision,...

Why you should add a spring hook to your toolbox

As a young mechaniclet, I fought springs often. Specifically, helical tension springs gave me metaphorical headaches and literal skinned knuckles. I encountered them most often when performing brake jobs on vehicles with drum brakes. I went through a ton of tools,...

March Automotive Horoscopes

Aries: The rhythm in your current workflow gives stability and predictability. Don’t lose it! Your service writer will have plenty of work for you soon. Lean on your focus to plow through your list of tasks, and use any down time to organize your personal space. You...

TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box

Description So much in the repair world relies upon feel—but it's not so often you don't have sight to aid you in your work. Watch as a few Dormanites attempt to identify auto parts using just the sense of touch and see who comes out on top.

Beverly Hills auto body shop launched a jewelry business using scrap metal from luxury cars

Christi Schimpke still remembers the Bentley GT that inspired it all. Her husband’s auto body shop, Beverly Coachcraft, is 20 minutes from Beverly Hills and specializes in repairing high-end luxury vehicles. This particular $200,000-plus British import that took her...

Your customers are using their HVAC systems wrong

“Hey, you. Yeah, you driving with your windows all fogged up on the inside. I’ll betcha 10 bucks there’s one setting on your ventilation system—you know what, let’s make that two—that you’re using completely wrong for the conditions you’re driving in.” You probably...

A Brighter Future: The History and Evolution of Car Headlights

You may not think it, but automotive lighting has come a long way.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Tariff Talk: A Look Backwards at The Chicken Tax

Tariff Talk: A Look Backwards at The Chicken Tax

Lighten the mood at the next cocktail party you attend.

Watch This Video on the Inventor Who Put Lead in Gasoline

Watch This Video on the Inventor Who Put Lead in Gasoline

He also synthesized chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

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.

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.

Service Writers: Don’t Leave Your Greatest Diag Tool in the Shop

Service Writers: Don’t Leave Your Greatest Diag Tool in the Shop

Techs can’t solve the problem that can’t be found

Fixing cracked plastic parts with a hot staple tool (VIDEO)

Fixing cracked plastic parts with a hot staple tool (VIDEO)

When plastic parts break, sometimes replacements can be prohibitively expensive or hard to find. Learn how to use a hot staple tool to salvage broken plastics for auto repairs and other projects.

How stop drilling can help to save cracked parts (VIDEO)

How stop drilling can help to save cracked parts (VIDEO)

Learn how stop drilling can help to prevent cracks from propagating with a little know-how and a drill.

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Tool Review: FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope

Lemmy tries out the cheapest lab scope available on Amazon.

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Making custom coiled wire is easier than you think (VIDEO)

Coiled wire is a smart idea for adding service loops or mechanical strain relief on automotive electrical jobs or other projects.

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.

Tool Review: Permatex 25240 Thread Locker

Tool Review: Permatex 25240 Thread Locker

Can there be one threadlocker color to rule them all?

Choosing the right brake fluid

Choosing the right brake fluid

Just because it says “DOT 4” on the bottle doesn’t mean it’s the correct DOT 4 for the vehicle.

Five ways repair shops can address the rising costs of car ownership

Five ways repair shops can address the rising costs of car ownership

The struggle is real for many of your customers.

ICYMI: Secondary hood prop positions

ICYMI: Secondary hood prop positions

Props to second place, too.

Automotive terms that differ in other English-speaking countries

Automotive terms that differ in other English-speaking countries

Are they C-clamps or G-clamps?

VIDEOS

Tire techs: Elevate your work with this one humble task

Tire techs: Elevate your work with this one humble task

A set of tires is expensive. Make it special.

Tools beyond the basics for DIYers

Tools beyond the basics for DIYers

Step up your repair game with sensible choices.

Transfer cases: how to talk to your customers

Transfer cases: how to talk to your customers

You can’t sell what you don’t understand.