Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to require a separate gasket for installation?
Separate gasket – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
read more
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Battery date codes are painfully unstandardized and you’re better off without them
Don’t waste your time with codebreaking. Just grab a paint pen.
Using a spaghetti trick to keep zip ties organized (VIDEO)
Chefs know a helpful hack to keep spaghetti from falling out of an opened bag, and the same idea happens to work perfectly for zip ties. Give it a try next time you have a pack of zip ties that doesn’t have a resealable closure.
Book review: “Pump and Circumstance”
A walk (or drive) through the history of gas and service stations.
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.
Misfire Cause–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)
Technician A is diagnosing a misfire. He states that a misfire is caused by a fault in the ignition system and that new plugs and coils will repair the problem. Technician B says that a misfire is detected when the ECM detects a variation in crankshaft speed.
Don’t let your scanner go unprotected
Faults in the car pay you. Faults in the scanner cost you.
One lesson is harder for more experienced techs to learn than their rookie counterparts (VIDEO)
If you’re an experienced technician, you may feel as though you’ve seen everything, but don’t let your knowledge prevent you from learning more.
Give your customers extra grease
Especially for your mechanically-inclined clientele, sometimes a fingerful of clean grease is a lifesaver.
This tungsten scraper is my new favorite tool.
A fellow YouTuber recommended it. Why not give it a try?
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.
Check Engine Light On?
Grab a generic OBD-II scan tool and take these first steps to turn it off and keep it off.
Parallel connectors vs. butt connectors
They look the same, but serve different roles. Here are the very specific scenarios where the lesser-known parallel connector shines.
What’s the deal with permanent and lifetime antifreezes? (VIDEO)
Shop Press’ Andy Greaser breaks down permanent antifreeze and today’s coolant for your vehicles.
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
One basic vehicle checkover has several lessons to teach.
VIDEOS
Low-mileage JDM automatics: Worthwhile or worthless? (VIDEO)
Nick and Lemmy check out a flex plate from an imported Japanese automatic transmission with very few miles under its belt.
Fuse box-compatible circuit breakers are the ultimate spares when space is limited
Throw a set of these resettable “fuses” in your toolbox.
Harmonic balancers – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
A defective harmonic balancer can affect the accuracy of ignition timing readings or a defective harmonic balancer can damage the crank. Which technician is correct?