Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

Turbochargers saved the world long before they saved automakers fuel

Turbochargers have become so popular on cars and trucks so quickly, it could almost seem like they came out of nowhere. From 2000 to 2020, they went from being installed on less than 1 percent to more than 35 percent of new vehicles sold in the United States. There...

150+ of the truly best songs about cars, trucks and driving

You can read our methodology below, or click here to skip right to the playlist. Wrenching on cars and listening to music go hand in hand. Any work with your hands sure goes a lot faster and easier when you’ve got good tunes in the background. It gives you a little...

That viral repair shop who paid an employee in pennies? Yep, it’s getting sued.

In a shining example of how to probably not treat your employees, a car repair shop in Georgia went viral in March 2021 for paying a disgruntled former manager by dumping more than 90,000 pennies, possibly covered in power steering fluid, in a pile at the end of his...

The easiest way to remove a cotter pin (VIDEO)

Description For the longest time I used to remove cotter pins with either a hooked mechanic’s pick or a pair of needle-nose pliers. And when I say a long time, I mean, probably 15 years. Then my friend Zito showed me a better way. I’ve since seen others use this...

How to fix a Ford cupholder for almost free

The in-dash cup holder on certain late '90s to early 2000s F-150s, Expeditions and Navigators - which also holds an ash tray in some vehicles - has a tendency to break in service, leading to a cupholder that has to be pried into the open position in order to use it....

How the electric starter motor helped start the automotive revolution

In 1908, a young inventor named Byron Carter pulled over to help a stranded driver start their car. This goodwill gesture ultimately ended Carter’s life, but also inspired a new automotive era. This was back when most vehicles on the road had to be hand cranked to...

The other “Phillips” head screwdriver you might not know about

Not every Phillips head fastener is a Phillips head fastener. I believed this was common knowledge until today, when I was speaking with another tech who had no idea what I was talking about, and I relived a lesson from my salad days of wrenching. Many moons ago, when...

In defense of the beam-style torque wrench

Way back when, torque specs didn’t exist. Oh, mechanics were familiar with busted fasteners. Prior to torque wrenches, factory tools often had handles of specific lengths, with the understanding that “cheater pipes” were not to be used and that an average man of...

Don’t Overlook the Elementary

Draw a hard line when it comes to basic diagnostics.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

Exner was responsible for the look of cool cars of the late 1950’s, not just at Chrysler, but at other automakers as well.

Noisy disc brakes – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Noisy disc brakes – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

What causes brake noise?

Fuel pump designs are changing. Do you know what kind of fuel pump you’re troubleshooting?

Fuel pump designs are changing. Do you know what kind of fuel pump you’re troubleshooting?

Many vehicles today have made the switch to DC brushless fuel pumps. They don’t work like the older brush-type pumps do.

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.

Is It Ever Safe to Reuse Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Fasteners? (VIDEO)

Is It Ever Safe to Reuse Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Fasteners? (VIDEO)

Pete Meier explains why these single-use bolts should always be replaced for safety and proper function.

Why auto mechanics should check cabin air filters in every vehicle (VIDEO)

Why auto mechanics should check cabin air filters in every vehicle (VIDEO)

Air filters are an easy service item to overlook, but most manufacturers recommend a new filter every year or 15,000 miles.

Creative repurposing: Shims have all sorts of uses in an automotive shop

Creative repurposing: Shims have all sorts of uses in an automotive shop

There are applications for shims besides fixing camber and panel gaps.

Don’t let your scanner go unprotected

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)

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.

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.

PSA: Be Safe With Brake Cleaner

PSA: Be Safe With Brake Cleaner

Brake cleaner is loved by techs (for good reason), but make sure you’re taking safety precautions.

This tungsten scraper is my new favorite tool.

This tungsten scraper is my new favorite tool.

A fellow YouTuber recommended it. Why not give it a try?

Polishing headlights vs. replacing them! (VIDEO)

Polishing headlights vs. replacing them! (VIDEO)

Two solutions for yellowed, hazy headlights.

Parallel connectors vs. butt connectors

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)

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.

VIDEOS

Engine knock – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Engine knock – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

An engine exhibits a knocking noise. During a cylinder power balance test, the noise abates. Which technician has the correct diagnosis?

“Can I borrow a…”

“Can I borrow a…”

We’ve all heard the question that starts like this. So will you lend tools?

A visit to Elite JDM (VIDEO)

A visit to Elite JDM (VIDEO)

A playlist of videos from a recent trip to a Dorman contributor’s personal shop.