Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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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...

Boost Isn’t New! A History of Turbocharged Cars

Here are eight cars that paved the way for modern engines.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Understanding how voltage is used in an electrical circuit can help your troubleshooting.

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

You ARE accounting for them, right?

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.

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.

Sergio Pininfarina: Sculpting Speed and Beauty in Metal (Part 2)

Sergio Pininfarina: Sculpting Speed and Beauty in Metal (Part 2)

Tracking Pininfarina’s career from the beginning to 1987.

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.

Brake booster valve – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Brake booster valve – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

A customer states the brake pedal falls slightly when the brakes are applied while starting the engine. Which technician response is correct?

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SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Clean It or Crack It

Clean It or Crack It

Why clearing bolt holes of contaminants matters.

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?

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.

VIDEOS

The very best way to remove grease from auto upholstery

The very best way to remove grease from auto upholstery

This surefire solution really stinks.

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

When placing an airbag on a workbench, which is the safest direction for it to face? We have the answer.

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.