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What does horsepower really mean? (VIDEO)

Horsepower is a strange measurement, isn’t it? Think about it. When was the last time you used a horse for any kind of work or travel? Like candlepower, the original horsepower attempted to express the output of a newer technology in comparison to its predecessor....

Sketching Skodas

Instead of restoring vintage Czech cars made by Laurin & Klement (L&K), Stefan Ivanov sketches them. His desire to raise awareness of the brand in his home country of Bulgaria and abroad drove him to publish an illustrated history of L&K in 2019. Although...

Turbocharger repair and replacement: What you need to know (VIDEO)

Description Not so long ago, forced induction was mostly limited to high-performance sports cars and diesel trucks. Changes in fuel efficiency standards, forced induction technologies, vehicle design, and consumer preferences led to the widespread adoption of...

Better ops with SOPs

A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a documented tool designed to provide formal, consistent, and efficient results. Put another way, an SOP can bring order to a process that might otherwise be unpredictable at best and chaotic at worst. And given how dynamic the...

Cars that make you think of something specific

Some vehicles have the power to evoke strong memories or associations. Whether it's a classic film, a historical event, or a beloved television show, these vehicles often serve as iconic symbols. You’ll likely only have to read the headers in this piece for you to...

Photo gallery: Auto repair (and a few motorcyclists) in Indianapolis, Indiana

Shop Press Staff Photographer Mike Apice recently visited Franklin, Indiana and the surrounding area. Once the focus of a Life magazine article depicting the idyllic "Smalltown, USA," Franklin is as photogenic now as it was then. Here's a look around from his...

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Locating the cause of an electrical fault can be a challenge even for the most experienced professional. I’m not referring to open circuits or even short circuits. These are relatively easy to find. In either case, the component, or load, won’t work. But the most...

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

When I first began writing service at an indie auto repair shop, one line item on the bill was “shop supplies.” We tacked on some percentage of the bill, capping at $19.88. Shows you how long ago that was! Customers would ask about it, and many were angry about the...

In The Bay

Don’t let your scanner go unprotected

by Lemmy | Feb 1, 2024

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This article is a quick reminder to buy (and use!) a surge protector on your (or your shop’s) scan tool(s).

The modern vehicle scanner has WiFi, a screen, and touch input. It is, for all intents and purposes, a computer, and it doesn’t like “dirty” power. Protect it as you would a legitimate computer. The modern shop has all sorts of power draws and supplies. Customer vehicles are already a questionable source of power—reduce your exposure when charging your tools at night and throw a surge protector between the power source and your tool.

Single-input surge protection devices exist and are compact and cost-effective—grab one! Photo: Lemmy

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