Automotive News

Posts Tagged ‘tools’

In today’s highly mobile world, many spend countless hours and miles traveling in their automobiles for work and vacation. Modern cars are also far more reliable than the cars of 30 years ago. We have begun to take them for granted. We expect them to just work day in day. However, the time to learn the lessons of basic car repair is not on a deserted highway at 2 am on the way up to the ski slopes! Automobiles still breakdown, have flat tires and batteries run out of juice. Most people think that you have to be a space shuttle engineer to even open the hood of a 21st century car. While it is true that computer technology has drastically changed the way engines and cars operate, there are still some basic car repairs that you can perform in a pinch. You must carry some basic automotive tools with you at all times in order to carry them out.

A basic kit with automotive tools doesn’t have to break the bank or require you tow a trailer full of tools. You can go as basic as you want and add more tools as your needs change. The first thing to do is put together a list of automotive tools that you will probably need. (I have included one in this article.) You will be surprised to find that you own many of them already. The real chore is to get them together in one place and carry them with you. You will also need something to carry them in. First see if you have an old duffle bag stuffed in a closet. If not you can probably get one cheap at an Army surplus store. Now it is time to look at our automotive tool list and start collecting them.

Automotive tools for your kit should include the following: set of various screwdrivers (both flat head and Phillips), crescent wrench, pliers, torque wrench, pocket knife, jumper cables, battery terminal brush, spare fuses, 1 quart of oil, duct tape, flashlight, gloves, medical kit, road flares, reflective vest, blanket and funnel. Make sure your car jack and tire iron are in their proper place in your car’s trunk. After you have gathered these items and put them in your old duffle bag, store it in your truck so its there when you need it. These items can prove to be invaluable to help you fix a minor problem and be on your way.

No matter your area of automotive expertise or personal skill level; if you love to work on cars in your garage in your spare time, or call the business your trade; whether you’re into the classic muscle cars of the sixties and seventies, or the latest auto to roll off of the assembly lines in Detroit, there’s a wide array of automotive specialty tools that are the perfect fit for your tool chest.

If you’re into the generalized wheel area of cars (tires and wheels), standard wheel cover tools, torque socket sets, torque extensions, wheel stud installers, tire repair kits, needles and the necessary plugs to fill the holes are just a few necessary items that you should keep handy. There are different tools specifically designed for trucks and SUV’s, so if you either drive one, or plan to do work on such vehicles, careful attention to the exact uses for tools is a key element to your success.

When it comes to fuel systems and the necessary tools for service, maintenance and repair, diagnostic testers lead the pack in importance, if you don’t know what the problem is, just how are you supposed to fix it. Fuel injector pulse testers and fuel injection probes are the two most popular tools in this category.

Brake bleeders and brake bleeder vacuums are just a few of the automotive tools you’ll need if you’re involved with the wonderful world of brakes. Be sure that the brake bleeder attachment is the proper size for the vehicle that you are working on. If it’s not, there are different attachments available, so be sure to check your inventory before you agree to any job.

Suction cups to hold a door window in place while work is performed in and around the door area are just another tool designed to make the life of an automotive specialist a bit easier. Specialty knives and locking strip tools are also complete tasks that could be done with other tools, but why would you want to do all of that extra work when you don’t need to?

Of course, just as any time you’re using any type of tool, taking the proper safety precautions and wearing adequate safety gear is the most valuable part to any successful effort. A tool or automotive part car be replaced with a quick phone call or click of a mouse, but your body parts are a bit more difficult to be restore and/or replace. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use and safety for all of automotive tools.