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

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...

Whaddya call two hybrid Toyotas?

No, it’s not a dad joke. Mike Principato and I recently were wondering what the plural of “Prius” is, because we needed to reference multiple vehicles in some copy. Now, even though we get paid to sling words around this joint, we don’t work in Latin too much, and I...

Don’t Overlook the Elementary

Draw a hard line when it comes to basic diagnostics.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

How to use a lockout kit (VIDEO)

How to use a lockout kit (VIDEO)

Powerful tools—if you know how to use ‘em.

Drag racing semi-trucks (VIDEO)

Drag racing semi-trucks (VIDEO)

Smokin’ tires and smokin’ stacks!

Bump steer – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Bump steer – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

You know what bump steer is. Where does it originate?

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.

Diesel Engines and Racing

Diesel Engines and Racing

You may be surprised at how diesels have made a name for themselves in motorsports.

The importance of testing engine coolant (VIDEO)

The importance of testing engine coolant (VIDEO)

Peter Meier discusses the importance of testing coolant and how mechanics can use simple strip testers to keep cooling systems safe.

$How to use a refractometer$

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!

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.

Interpreting Compression Tests–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Interpreting Compression Tests–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Technician A completed a compression test, noting high readings suggest an exhaust restriction, while Technician B says the test checks volumetric efficiency.

Customer states truck was vandalized… Do you know what happened here? (VIDEO)

Customer states truck was vandalized… Do you know what happened here? (VIDEO)

Each line item confirms it—cheating doesn’t pay.

Watch this video on the invention of the Ford V-8 engine

Watch this video on the invention of the Ford V-8 engine

Ford made a V-8 engine affordable to the mass market consumer for the first time.

How to crimp heavy gauge wire (VIDEO)

How to crimp heavy gauge wire (VIDEO)

Working on some battery cables or custom ground straps? A proper tool like Dorman’s 90707 heavy lug crimper has you covered.

Should you use anti-seize when installing spark plugs? (VIDEO)

Should you use anti-seize when installing spark plugs? (VIDEO)

Using a lubricant when installing spark plugs was once common practice, but today, you might want to think twice before adding anything to your spark plug threads.

VIDEOS

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

Let’s review some of the icons and oddballs we’ve featured here so far.

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

What does “MIN THK.” really mean?

Battery date codes are painfully unstandardized and you’re better off without them

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.