Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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FEATURE STORY

Hot Off the Press

Holistic healing works on cars, too

Holistic seems to be a buzzword that’s (over)used in medicine. From a medical diagnosis perspective, that word may cause you to roll your eyes, but not a bad way to think about automotive diagnostics. If you work on a counter, approaching repair holistically helps...

Modern GDI systems have brought back decades-old maintenance issues

Have you performed a mechanical valve cleaning lately? Did you ever stop to think about how strange it is we need to do that again, when “decoking” stopped being a necessity half a century ago? Have we outfoxed ourselves in the eternal automotive quest for higher...

Two reasons you should have a welder in your shop (and know how to use it)

I learned how to weld when I was about 17. I was not a good welder, but I could operate the machine well enough to get by, and like most of us who can weld, I improved with time and practice. As a young mechanic, I distinctly remember tackling a few projects with...

Want to get kids interested in trades? Start with their school science fair.

While their interest in learning a skilled trade continues its precipitous decline, American youth and young adults seemingly cannot break eye contact with their phone screens. Coincidence? I think not, and humbly offer all parents a suggestion to help alter the...

This guide to being a mechanic-saboteur could teach you to be a better tech

Almost 80 years ago, the United States Office of Strategic Services, which eventually became the CIA, created a pamphlet to help people living in Nazi-occupied countries discretely undermine the enemy. This Simple Sabotage Field Manual was published in 1944 and...

7 things in Car Mechanic Simulator that will make a real mechanic’s eyes roll

These days, there’s a simulator video game for everything. There are games that simulate flying a plane, games that simulate working in an office, and yes … even a game that simulates what it’s like to be a goat. Add to that list Car Mechanic Simulator, a game first...

Detroit geology: all about Fordite, an automotive gemstone

Ever heard of Fordite? Fordite, often called Detroit agate or motor agate, isn’t a rock at all. In fact, it has nothing at all to do with geology—but it’s not very different than a sedimentary rock. Unlike sedimentary formations, Fordite is not composed of layers of...

Meet the best auto tech in the United States

When Logan Brown first heard about a national auto technician skills competition, he was slightly skeptical. “Who the hell’s going to pay a technician $40,000 to show off his skills?” he said recently. The answer was the first annual U.S. Auto Tech National...

Engine Management and Fuel Trim – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Technician A says the ECM’s main job is to keep emissions within certified limits. Technician B says fuel trim PIDs show corrections to fuel calculations. Who is correct?

HOT OFF THE PRESS

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.

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.

The History of the “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington” Bumper Sticker

The History of the “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington” Bumper Sticker

These ubiquitous stickers have a longer history than most people may think.

Rust exhaust hole – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Rust exhaust hole – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Which of the following is the most critical result of a rust hole in an exhaust system?

Before selling a vehicle, make sure to remove personal data (VIDEO)

Before selling a vehicle, make sure to remove personal data (VIDEO)

Smartphones, laptops, and computers are normally cleared of all data before selling or discarding to protect personal information.

Dust Cap Tool Explained (VIDEO)

Dust Cap Tool Explained (VIDEO)

How many times have you seen a hub dust cap with ugly dents from a sloppy installation? A dust cap tool is a handy tool for installing caps on customer vehicles without damaging the cap’s appearance.

Why a magnetic drain plug is a worthwhile upgrade (VIDEO)

Why a magnetic drain plug is a worthwhile upgrade (VIDEO)

Do your customers know the benefits of magnetic oil drain plugs? Swap out their standard drain plugs to help protect against unnecessary engine damage.

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.

Tire Damage Assessment – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Tire Damage Assessment – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Assessing tire damage in order to make a repair decision, which technician is correct with the right repair?

The final days (and cars) of AMC

The final days (and cars) of AMC

In November 1988, two employees snuck a camera into AMC’s Kenosha plant for a farewell tour.

What is a core charge?

What is a core charge?

A little glimpse into the world of making old parts new.

How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?

How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?

Inspection of a belt goes beyond the old standbys of checking for cracks and fraying.

Brake rotor thickness variation – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Brake rotor thickness variation – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

On a car with disc brakes, what is the most likely symptom of a vehicle with rotors that measured out-of-spec for thickness variation when measured at several places on the rotor surface?

VIDEOS

A different type of timed event: the Bobby Bosch Relay Race

A different type of timed event: the Bobby Bosch Relay Race

Your daily work is also a cruel automotive penalty.

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!