Best Automotive Tools and Parts
Do you want to save money on your car repairs and maintenance? If you plan to do so, you’ll need some basic automotive hand tools for you to be able to work on your cars. You need the right tools for serious do-it-yourself car care, repairs and maintenance. You can invest in top quality car tools like a professional mechanic does, which is backed up with a lifetime free replacement guarantee, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on your car tool collection. Basic hand tools include a combination of ratchet wrenches, adjustable wrench, set of sockets, screwdrivers, several pairs of pliers, and assorted purpose tools which includes funnel, oil filter wrench, a pair of safety stands, small floor jack, catch bucket or pan for oil and coolant changes, and a good tire pressure gauge. Let us talk about the names and functions of each basic tool for you to have an in-depth understanding on it.
For simple maintenance jobs, you will need a set of open and/box end wrenches ranging 10 mm to 19 mm, and wrenches are used to handle all bolts and nuts you are likely to encounter. Invest both in an open and closed box end wrenches, and both in a metric and SAE wrench set that ranges from 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch. It is also nice to add 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch drive socket set and ratchet wrench to your automotive tool collection, which are faster for removing most fasteners. For loosening large flare nuts or in holding one end of a bolt while you tighten a nut, you need a set of flare nut wrenches or an adjustable wrench.
Screwdrivers are needed for variety of automotive works, and it is good to invest in at least two different sizes of regular or flat tipped and cross tip screwdrivers, with assorted short and long handles to give you flexibility and versatility. For screwdrivers, you need to choose one that offers a good grip whether you prefer a wooden or a plastic handle. Plastic handles with rubber liners are also available but when they tend to become greasy, it slips. You also need to have a good pair of regular pliers, a pair of long needle-nose pliers for your toolbox, and a pair of interlocking pliers. Grip is also important for pliers, and it should be plated for corrosion resistance and of tempered steel. Vice grips are adjustable locking pliers that can hold or grip almost anything, but you need to make sure it is properly used otherwise it can damage fasteners. For changing oil, you need to have an oil filter and make sure you use the correct size in fitting the oil filter to your car.
