Using your shop’s Cost of Doing Business (CODB) as a baseline for labor rates.
Mastering the Numbers – Part 2
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Why “topping off” a gas tank can be an expensive mistake (VIDEO)
When the pump automatically shuts off after filling a vehicle’s tank, many people are tempted to add a little more gas. Unfortunately, this can do more harm than good, and the repair bills could add up quickly.
Why don’t you keep gloves in your car’s glove box? (VIDEO)
It isn’t the “registration and insurance card box,” after all.
Brake drum – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
What do you check during drum brake service?
How to choose a memory saver tool for cars and trucks
These simple tools can be worth their weight in gold if you know how to use ‘em.
Welding tips for automotive repair: What you need to know (VIDEO)
Any auto repair shop worth its salt has at least one welding rig to handle all kinds of jobs.
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)
What causes brake noise?
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.
Mechanic trivia: Which vehicle has a longer passenger side wiper blade? (VIDEO)
Almost every vehicle on the road has a longer wiper blade on the driver side. On older vehicles, you’ll also see two of the same size wipers working together. But can you think of any models that have the longer wiper blade on the passenger side?
The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap
Let’s review some of the icons and oddballs we’ve featured here so far.
Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
What does “MIN THK.” really mean?
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.
The most important fluid in the car and how to test it.
Brake fluid can wear out just like any other fluid.
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?