Before going through our article on 7 must-have automotive tools, you need to think. Think, you are driving your car on a sunny day, sounds great! However, not all days are glamorous, and your vehicle has to spend a significant amount of time in the garage when it needs repairing and servicing. This is the time when the mechanics and technicians play as heroes with their expertise.
But without proper tools, the battle becomes tough, even for a good technician. If you are interested in the automobile repairing sector, you must have a good knowledge of automotive tools. This piece offers a shortlist of 7-must have automotive tools which can be extended according to requirement.
A Pick Out Of 7 Must-Have Automotive Tools
According to Tools haven, if you love your vehicle, investing in certain types of tools that best suit your vehicle is a wise choice. Please keep it in mind while checking this shortlist of 7 essential automotive tools. Let’s start at…
Meanwhile, Check out our product review on the Best replacement shocks for Ford Ranger.
Trolley Jack and jack stand
How many times have you seen the mechanics in the garage partially disappearing under a lifted vehicle? The need to raise the vehicle off the ground is a common phenomenon that all mechanics frequently encounter. It is a must to get sufficient space while working underneath the vehicle.
To lift your vehicle off the ground, a trolley jack is your buddy. Various sizes and capacities of trolley jacks are available in the market. Obviously, you need to choose the right one that suits your vehicle best. It is also vital to keep an eye on the load rating while the jack is in operation. To jack up, most vehicles have jack points under them. The trolley jack works on a hydraulic system to lift and lower the car.
Never go under a vehicle that is supported only with a jack. Always use a jack stand or axle stand when the vehicle is raised off the ground. This extra support provides safety. Most of the vehicles have slots for stand underneath them recommended by the manufacturer. Check the manual to find out where and how to put the stand.
Wrench/spanner sets
This is a crucial automotive tool. A wise mechanic will have a set of spanners in his tool kit that includes various types. From imperial spanners to adjustable shifters, you never know which one you need! Cars have nuts and bolts all over their structure. To remove these easily, both small & large wrenches are equally important.
Ratchet & socket set
If you want to remove the lug nuts, bolts, wheels, or dislodge the engine’s oil pan for an oil change, an adjustable ratchet with matching metric and imperial sockets is your perfect weapon. Different circumstances require different types of ratchet handles. So it would be helpful if your set includes various ratchet handles.
Screwdriver set
A screwdriver set is another must-have toolset to add to your automotive tools list. Screws are common fasteners frequently used in automobiles. The flat and cross ones are mostly used but having a complete set is important too. It is essential to match the screwdriver bits with the screw; otherwise, the head and threads of the screw can get damaged.
Pliers
To pull out materials from here and there securely, you have to use pliers. Choosing any specific set of pliers is a challenge. Place the normal pliers, cutter pliers, and long-nosed pliers in your primary list. Depending on your necessity, you may have to add later.
Oil pan or drip tray and funnel
The oil change is a common chore and can be done even in your home. While changing your car’s oil, you can easily avoid oil-spill with a drip tray and a small funnel. Spilled oils may cause unnecessary mess and can be difficult to clean up.
Talking about funnels, actually, you need to have two funnels – a long one to fill the transmission fluids and a small one for the oil change. You can buy them or even make them from unused bottles by yourself.
Fire extinguisher
Working in the garage with a car means you will have explosive liquids like fuel & gas and other flammable substances. Also, the battery is an energy source. The garage could most likely be an enclosed space. That’s why the working environment of the garage deserves a fire extinguisher.
Keep in mind that this a shortlist of 7-must have automotive tools. However, don’t get confined only with these. In addition to these, you will frequently need some other tools that are widely used in the automotive industry. For example:
- Torque wrench
- Impact driver
- Battery analyzer
- Multimeter& test light
- Oil filter wrench
- Hammer
- Torch or work light
You can undoubtedly add these basic tools to your must-have automotive tools list.
As a parting thought
Shortlisting 7-must have automotive tools is a pretty tough job. Some tools come as a “set of tools” but you may not need all the items. However, sometimes buying a whole set is unavoidable.
If you want to buy automotive tools, my suggestion is to modify the list according to your requirement and budget but choose wisely. You can always add new tools and enrich your tool-collection when you need them. My final word is, maintain the quality while buying and take good care of your tools because you may use some of them for a long time.
