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?
Harmonic balancers – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
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Beyond the basics: best tools for auto repair DIYers and technicians (VIDEO)
The right tools will expand your capabilities and help you to tackle more advanced jobs, but it’s not always easy to know where to start.
“Can you drive a stick?”
It’s been asked of every new mechanic for more than a century. Does it matter in 2025?
Five best car and truck tips from mechanics to non-mechanics (VIDEO)
Want to make your vehicle last? Not sure how to talk to a shop about car repairs? Nick and Lemmy offer their five top recommendations.
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SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
Writers, Print Vehicle Service Histories for Every Vehicle
Don’t try to (needlessly) upsell me.
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.
Piston rings – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
Study for your ASE exams with this quick practice question.
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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.
What’s the Deal with DIP Switches? Aren’t They Just … Switches?
They may look simple, but these little toggles can enable powerful electronic versatility.
Rust belt vs salt belt: Do you know the difference? (VIDEO)
The Rust Belt and the Salt Belt may sound similar, and you might even hear them used interchangeably, but they are distinct names that any automotive professional or enthusiast should know. Take a few seconds to get the real story on these terms.
Buy once, cry once: Don’t cheap out on these auto repair tools (VIDEO)
Auto repair pros probably know the expression “buy once, cry once,” and for some tools, techs should buy the best they can afford.
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…”
We’ve all heard the question that starts like this. So will you lend tools?
VIDEOS
Shop Profile: DeLorean Midwest
A Midwest mecca that offers services, sales, parts, and restorations—but only for DeLoreans.
Watch this video on the four stages of grief for mechanics
A Facebook reel that applies a psychological model to wrenching.
The first step I now take in vehicle diagnostics
I’m a slow learner. Don’t be like me.