Automotive Tools – There are particular inventions that just make life easier, more convenient and more manageable on a near-daily basis. For instance, can you imagine life without your smartphone?
It’s a phone, messaging tool, calendar, calculator, banking tool, navigator, and so much more, all bundled into one. The same applies to computers – modern society would grind to a sudden halt if all the world’s computers went down simultaneously.
And one invention that has revolutionised modern life is the automobile. While automotive technology has come ahead in leaps and bounds since Henry Ford’s first model rolled off the production line, cars still get us from Point A to Point B with ease and efficiency. And if you’re a car enthusiast, then you should have a well-stocked garage to keep your own personal vehicles in good condition
But what tools are worth investing in? We’ll be answering that question today by sharing the top 10 automotive tools that all car-crazy folks are likely to have. Read on to learn more.
1. A Set of Wrenches
It goes without saying that you should invest in deflecting beam torque wrenches and other wrenches for your car toolkit. A standard wrench comes in many different sizes and lengths and is used for a straightforward action: tightening or loosening nuts and bolts in your car.
Depending on the size of your bolt or nut, you will most likely need to own several wrench sets to ensure you have the correct size wrench for each particular job. Generally speaking, the longer the wrench arm, the more torque you’ll have.
2. An Automatic or Pneumatic Wrench
And speaking of wrenches, it’s important to note that sometimes a nut or bolt is so tight that you can’t manually loosen it. If you’ve ever been in this predicament before, then you’ve likely found yourself praying to find an automatic wrench somewhere in your toolbox.
These wrenches are undoubtedly the best solution to help you get out of these sticky situations, so it’s well worth keeping a few on hand wherever you go. It’s also wise to invest in automatic or pneumatic wrenches in different sizes. This will help you make quick work of rusted, stuck or otherwise unmovable nuts and bolts of all sizes and configurations.
3. An Under Hood Work Light
Most garages are poorly lit, which can make ticking off items on your car maintenance checklist surprisingly difficult. This issue can even be experienced in well-lit garages, as overhead lighting can easily be blocked by the lifting of a car hood. And if your car’s hood is blocking your lighting, then you certainly don’t want to go fiddling around your engine without correcting this problem first – especially if you’re in the middle of a car restoration project.
The perfect solution to this problem is an under-hood work light, which you can mount to your hood for effortless, hands-free illumination while you work on your car. Another option is to invest in an LED head torch, which you can affix to your head in order to light the area you’re looking at so you can efficiently work. Be sure to weigh up your options and select the lighting solution that works best for you and your garage.
4. A Screwdriver Set
No amateur mechanic’s toolbox is complete without a decent screwdriver set. You can use screwdrivers to loosen and tighten screws of various sizes. But how is this helpful for car owners? Well, you’d be surprised by just how many screws can be found all over your car. For example, a screwdriver is necessary for handling all kinds of car improvement projects, ranging from swapping out your car stereo for a more high-tech system to removing your hubcaps with ease.
We recommend that you invest in a screwdriver set that boasts a range of different sizes. You should also grab yourself a good mix of Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, as both of these will come in handy for many car maintenance and improvement projects.
5. A Set of Kiwi Pliers
Why not needle-nosed pliers, you ask? Have you ever noticed how your hand is constantly in your line of sight when you’re trying to grab small bits and pieces with them? Well, so did the company that invented Kiwi pliers. The angled handle of this nifty breed of needle-nosed pliers lets you work on clamps, clips, retainers and other fiddly pieces while still allowing you to see what you’re doing.
That’s what makes a good pair of Kiwi pliers an absolute must for car fanatics and automotive tinkerers. And once again, try to grab a few pliers in different sizes and lengths so that you’re ready for any kind of car improvement job.
6. A Precision Pick and Hook Set
Many electrical connectors and components in modern vehicles are locked together with plastic pins and slides. These are a real pain in the you-know-what to undo. And sadly, undoing them with needle-nose pliers can wreck those delicate connections. So what can you do?
Thankfully, a precision pick and hook set can allow you to easily remove these intricate connectors and other components. And as an added bonus, using these high-precision tools can also help train up your Operation skills in time for your next family board game night!
7. A Vacuum Pump
You can use a vacuum pump to test all the vacuum-controlled motors and sensors on your vehicle, including your car brakes. Vacuum pumps can also be useful for finding a leaking vacuum line. This can be done by plugging each line up and applying a vacuum with the pump. If your pump holds during these tests, then you know your car’s good to go.
You can also use the gauge to find a vacuum leak in your vehicle. This can be done by just spraying carburettor cleaner on and around the possible leak sites. Once this has been done, the gauge of your vacuum pump will flutter from side to side if you detect a leaking vacuum.
8. A Battery Remover and Carrier
Car batteries weigh heaps, and they’re always wedged tight into their cavity. So what if you want to change your car battery on your own, without having to go to your mechanic?
Thankfully, this can be done safely with a battery remover and carrier. You can use the battery remover and carrier to safely lift your car battery out of your car and then use it to place it down in your garage, away from your clothes. From here, you can use your carrier to seamlessly load into your new car battery, keeping your shirt nice and clean and your hands, fingers, and toes safe in the process too.
9. Car Jack
On the topic of lifting heavy objects, it’s imperative that all car enthusiasts invest in a mechanical or hydraulic automotive jack to help lift and anchor their car in the event that they’re looking to perform work on or under your vehicle chassis.
What’s the difference between mechanical and hydraulic car jacks? Simply put, mechanical jacks work by using screw thread that can be wound or unwound in order to lift or lower your car. Contrastingly, hydraulic car jacks use hydraulic power to keep your vehicle elevated. You’re likely to see hydraulic jacks in the form of wheeled trolleys for easy transportation. Be sure to select a car jack that works best for your needs, and to use that jack whenever you’re looking to do any jobs that require you to be underneath your vehicle.
10. A Flexible Funnel
Finally, if you change your own oil, then you will definitely need a sturdy and flexible automotive funnel and accompanying drain pan. Having your own automotive funnel at home can help you keep your car’s engine in good operating condition, alongside potentially helping you save a fair amount in mechanic’s fees throughout the year.
We recommend investing in a funnel that will bend, flex and mould so you can direct the old motor oil into a drain pan with minimal fuss. And once your old motor oil has been drained and disposed of, you can easily use your funnel to pour in new oil.
And there you have it – 10 of the top automotive tools that all passionate car owners should invest in. Is your garage ready for the wave of new tools that will make your car repair and maintenance so much easier? If not, then make space as soon as you can so that you’ll be able to add all these new tools to your own armada of automotive accessories, appliances, and apparati today.