Top Must-Have Automotive Tools and Equipment of 2023
If you are amongst those car owners that are fund of doing projects and car repairs on your own, you should check out these must-have car tools. Some people might think that tools are generally expensive at most. But having a variety of mechanic/automotive tools can save you lots of money in the long run. Plus, it will save you the time of going to the mechanic for simple repairs you can do. Listed below are collected automotive tools and equipment that car mechanics can't live without.
Lists of Must-Have Tools
Impact Wrench
The impact wrench is also called by many names such as the impactor, impact gun, air wrench, air gun, rattle gun, and more. It is a socket wrench power tool designed to operate high torque output with minimal effort exertion by the user. This is due to storing energy in a rotating mass, then delivering it suddenly to the output shaft.
Some automotive parts are prone to rust and seem hard to remove by just using convention manual tools. Having an impact wrench is essential and also convenient when needing to remove tight bolts and nuts from rusty areas of your car. Sometime before advanced batteries were developed, an air impact wrench can be seen from anywhere. Today, a Li-on battery-powered impact wrench is being utilized due to its cordless capability.
◇ versatile – can be used not only for automotive purposes but many other applications
◇ easy to use
◇ low maintenance tool meaning it is durable enough to last long
◇ cordless operation
Bearing Puller
A bearing puller is a specialized tool used to remove bearings, gears, pulleys, and other press-fit components from shafts or housings. It works by gripping the inner or outer race of the bearing and applying force to pull it out without damaging the component or the shaft. Bearing pullers are essential tools in various industries, including automotive repair, industrial maintenance, and machinery repair.
◇ versatile – can be used not only for automotive purposes but many other applications
◇ easy to remove various of bearings
Vise Grips
Almost every household has its fair share of experience of using vise grips clamps. The vise grips are among the tools that are very flexible and can be used to almost anything you can think of not only as an automotive tool. The vise grip is useful to many chores due to its clamping and twisting power. There are different heavy-duty vise grip sizes and types including vise grip locking pliers, mole grips, and so on. Having varieties of sizes especially small ones can be of great help for smaller jobs.
◇ secured and efficient gripping multiple shaped surfaces
◇ maximum torque provision
◇ easy to tighter and loosen the grip
◇ suitable for wet and greasy surfaces
◇ the ideal size of tool for tight spaces
Flashlight
Simply put, you can’t fix what you can’t see. Although many of you may have a hood light installed in your vehicle, it’s positioning and utilizing under the car is not enough. Morning, noon, night time, a flashlight can illuminate anything you put it into especially when working under your car. It is also essential to have a flashlight for night time emergency repairs. A small pocket fit, powerful led flashlight with different lighting level is convenient for its size and light-weight feature.
◇ easy to carry
◇ suitable for tight spaces repair and maintenance
◇ mostly features rechargeable Li-ion batteries
◇ suitable for many applications
◇ safe than wired lightings
The Creeper
Throw those cardboard boxes and dirty rugs, the creeper for the car is here to save your day. Conventional creepers are designed to have adjustable headrest providing users with the optimum position that can gradually be adjusted to exercise angles the best way possible. The creeper seat is also padded ensuring comfort for your back. It is also designed to have 4-6 wheels maximizing users’ mobility and positioning around the floor surface.
◇ fast and easy to maneuver under the car when doing repair and maintenance
◇ comfortable for the whole body due to its padding
◇ features rollers for ease of movement
Floor Jacks
The floor jack is a mechanical lifting device capable of carrying the standard weight of over a 3-ton vehicle. It is essential to have and can be useful when needing to replace and install new brake pads, changing damaged tires, and other parts that need attention that is placed from under the vehicle. Commonly, the best floor jacks are made from steel and aluminum which both represent durability. Though having the ability to lift cars, floor jack varies to different capabilities. Be sure to check your car’s weight before purchasing one to properly cater to your vehicle.
◇ weight lifting capacity
◇ safe and stable tool for automotive repairs
◇ sold construction – most floor jacks are built to last
◇ easy to maneuver
Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench is also known of names including adjustable spanner or adjustable crescent. It is a tool used to loosen or tighten a nut or a bolt. It has its opening or the jaw where you can clamp the head of a nut or a bolt. It uses a screw that needs to be turned for its opening to be clamp properly. Unlike ordinary wrenches that can only be used on a specific sized nut, having an adjustable wrench gives you the freedom of fitting to a wide variety of nut sizes present in your vehicle. Aside from automotive benefits, an adjustable wrench can also be used in bicycle parts and when doing some plumbing tasks as a pipe wrench.
◇ space saver
◇ good for automotive and plumbing works
◇ fits different sizes of bolts and nuts
◇ easy to use
◇ suitable for tight spaces repairs and maintenance
Torque Wrench
A torque wrench is an automotive tool that is used to tighten nuts and bolts to a predetermined torque value. The torque wrench allows the user to fastened or tightened nuts and bolts of different sizes to their proper or required tension. This is necessary to avoid compromised equipment performance due to having an over-tightening or under-tightening. Today, Torque wrenches digital is one of the best types of TW and are not only for automotive applications, but they can also be utilized in different industries such as home repairs and construction.
◇ decrease bolting time
◇ save time and money eliminating failed pressure test and repeat bolting
◇ increased joint integrity
Colored Coded Sockets
Unlike traditional socket sets, colored socket sets feature different colored sockets that represent different sizes of the traditional and deep well socket. From this colored socket set, you will not need to look at every part for the specific socket size you require. This is useful and gives the user the benefit of saving more time when it comes to vehicle repairs, maintenance, and parts adjustments.
◇ easy to locate sockets
◇ artistic looks
◇ save lots of time
As we went through some of the most used mechanical tools, remember to acquire the best tools you need for your application. Some equipment listed above can be used for other projects outside automotive, so make sure to maximize their potentials. They’re still tons of tools that have not made it in our guide but offers equal functionality. Each tool delivers great assistance to the specific task they played on.
