Tools of the Trade

There are a wide variety of tools needed in car maintenance. The top 20 car maintenance tools have been reviewed below.

Wrenches

When working on a vehicle, a set of wrenches is essential for removing lugnuts, using rotary fasteners and making adjustments to various parts of the car.

Types of wrench sets include:

Adjustable and crescent wrenches
Angle wrench sets
Battery wrenches
Box end wrenches
Butterfly wrenches
Combination wrench sets
Flarenut wrench sets
Impact wrenches
Oil filter wrenches
Pipe wrenches
Torque wrenchesc

Socket Set

A socket set comes with a socket wrench, which is a wrench with interchangeable heads (sockets) that allow the tool to turn different-sized bolts. With a lot of bolt sizes on most vehicles, a socket set often comes in handy.

Types of socket sets include:

Budd wheel socket sets
Drive impact socket sets
Brake caliper torx and hex bit sets
Extension sets
Flex and universal socket sets
Impact axle nut sets
Impact universal joint socket sets
Socket adaptor sets
Square bit sets
Swivel impact sets
Torx bit socket setsc

Screwdrivers

Similar to wrenches, screwdrivers also come in handy for removing and tightening machine elements on vehicles.

Types of screwdrivers and sets include:

Cordless screwdriver sets
Cordless screwdriver with swivel head
Precision screwdriver sets
Reversible air screwdrivers
Expert combination screwdriver setsc

Ratchets

A ratchet is a mechanical device that allows continuous motion in one direction while preventing movement in the opposite direction. Ratchets are often used with wrenches to assure movement in one direction when removing a lugnut, for instance.

Types of ratchets include:

Palm ratchets
Air ratchets
Heavy duty air ratchets
Super duty air ratchets
Fractional ratchets
Cordless ratchet wrenches
Reversible ratchets
Thumbwheel ratchetsc

Jacks

Jacks are vital in any car in the case of a flat tire. Without a jack, you will have to wait for AAA or a tow truck to help you. With a jack, you'll be able to fix a flat tire yourself and save the time and money that a tow or company like AAA might cost you.

Types of jacks and clamps include:

Transmission jacksc
Hydraulic jacks
Hydraulic foot pump jacksc
Service jacks
Porta-power jack sets
Clutch jacksc
Jack standsc

Tire Iron and Spare Tire

Similar to the car jack, a tire iron for removing flat tires and a spare tire or donut are musts in the case of a busted tire. Tire irons are used to pry the edge of the tire away from the rim of the wheel so a the old tire can be removed and the spare replaced.

Types of tire irons include:

European-style tire irons
Small wheel tire irons
Curved tire spoons
Tire iron with rim grabbing tip
Demounting tool
Drop-center tire spoonc

Tire Pressure Gauge

Tire pressure gauges are used to pressure the pressure of a vehicle's tires. Too low or too high and a tire could flatten or burst respectively, making this tool essential for all car owners as well.

Types of tire pressure gauges include:

Tire pressure gauge for inner duals
TIre pressure monitor torque wrench
Tire pressure monitor master kit
TIre pressure reset tool
Tire pressure monitoring reset tool
Wireless tire pressure reset toolc

Battery Charger

A battery charger is essential for hybrid and electric cars that could potentially run out of charge on lengthy trips. Battery chargers are also helpful if your vehicle stalls and there are not other vehicles nearby that you can charge from.

Types of battery chargers include:

Commercial battery chargers
Heavy duty battery chargers
Professional battery chargers
Wheeled battery chargers
Small-engine battery chargers
Manual, economy battery chargers
Manual, high-rate battery chargersc

Pliers

Pliers are used for holding machine parts firmly, including parts of vehicles. They may come in handy for tightening lugnuts or manipulating objects that are too small or unwieldy for your fingers.

Types of pliers include:

Alligator pliers
Channellock pliers
Cutting pliers
Diagonal pliers
Exhaust pliers
Groove joint pliers
Hose clamp pliers
Locking pliers
Multipurpose pliers
Needle nose pliers
Oil filter pliers
Push pin pliers
Radiator hose pliers
Slip joint pliersc

Fluids

All vehicles require a good amount of different fluids to run properly, from the engine to the windshield wipes. It is always a good idea to keep spare fluids in your car in case you run out while on the road.

Types of fluids include:

Antifreeze
Engine coolant
Windshield wiper fluid
Brake fluid
Motor oil
Transmission fluid
Power steering fluid
Clutch oil
Radiator fluidc

Gas Canister

While most drivers keep track of their gasoline levels and make sure to fill up before

reaching empty, there may be a time when you run out of gas nonetheless. You could be on a long drive and miscalculate the amount of gas you have left and the distance to the next gas station, for instance.

This being the case, it is always a good idea to keep a gas canister in your vehicle in the event that you need to fill it up and bring it back to your car if you run out.

Road Flares

In the case of an auto emergency, especially one at night, it is important to include road flares in your emergency kit, kept in your vehicle at all times. With road flares, you can be sure other cars on the road can see you if you need to pull off to the side of the road.

Types of road flares include:

LED road flaresc
LED beacon
Ground flares
Highway flares
Parachute flares
Fuseesc

Emergency Cone and Reflective Vest

Another precaution for potential auto emergency situations is to have an emergency cone or triangle and a reflective vest in your vehicle at all times. Coupled with the road flares, setting up an orange cone and wearing a reflective vest will assure other drivers see you if you are changing a flat on the side of the road at night.

Flashlight

Also helpful in an auto emergency is a flashlight. You never know when you may need to look under the hood or beneath the car when there is little light to see by, so keeping a flashlight on hand at all times is always a good idea.

Types of flashlights include:

Aluminum torches
Flexible flashlights
Mini holsters
Rechargeable flashlight kits
Cell flashlights
LED flashlights
Headlamps
Penlightsc

Jumper Cables

Should your vehicle stall out or your battery run out of charge, it is imperative to have a good pair of jumper cables in your car to recharge your car off the charge of another vehicle. You may also be able to assist other drivers you stall out and do not have jumper cables, too.

Distilled Water

Having a canister of distilled water in your vehicle is a good idea in case you need to add water to car battery when water is lost due to electrolysis. If the water in the battery reaches two low of a level, the battery plates will become exposed to the air and become damaged.

Since water impurities can reduce the battery's performance and life-span, distilled water is key.

First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit is always an important component for any vehicle as you never know what can happen on the road.

First Aid kits should include:

Bandages
Splints
First Aid tape rolls
Butterfly wound closures
Antiseptic cleansing wipes
Alcohol cleansing pads
Burn cream
Ibuprofen
Motion sickness tablets
Traume pads
Sterile eye pads
Gauze dressing pads
Vinyl gloves
Emergency blanket
Cold compressesc

Swiss Army Knife

You never know when a solid Swiss army knife may come in handy when dealing with vehicular issues on the side of the road.

Types of knives include:

Leatherman
Utility knives
Urethane cut out knives
Survival hatchetsc

Oil Pan

Whether you are adept at changing the oil in your car yourself or not, it is never a bad idea to keep an oil pan handy in case you do find yourself in a bind.

Types of oil pans include:

Low-profile oil drains
Portable oil drains
Plastic drain pains
Drip pans
Wheel pan truck and trailers
No spatter pads
Oil pan rethreadersc

Fire Extinguisher

Should a fire start anywhere in your vehicle, especially under the hood, it is imperative to have a fire extinguisher on hand to put out the flames as soon as they erupt. If you have to wait for the fire department to arrive, too much damage may occur to salvage the vehicle; with an extinguisher, you can put out the flames yourself and wait for help to arrive.

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