You want to start fixing your car yourself. That’s great! But do you know what tools you’ll need to get started? Find the tools you need to tune up and fix your car. When you learn car maintenance, you can stop issues before they happen.
But you’re a beginner, so where do you begin? You love cars and want to care for yours and keep it at its best. But what are some car tools that you need to get started? Is there a set car tool list? It’s okay.
Getting started is complex, and we want to help with some tools to point you in the right direction. You can start your new hobby or career with the best hand tools to always #DoYourBestWork.
Oil Filter Pliers & Plastic Funnels
The first entry on this list is a combination of tools, but if you are new to car maintenance, you’ll need all of them at once. The number one thing a car, motorcyclist, or any motorist should know is how to change your oil. Changing your oil is a simple thing to do for your vehicle, but it is crucial to the health of your engine.
An oil filter pliers and a funnel are two of the most essential tools, but the most important at the same time. These two tools are to replace your oil filter and replace the oil in your engine. You would do well to have more than one of each lying around in your garage, but a single set will be enough if you only work on one car.
IRWIN 9 In. Oil
Filter/PVC Pipe Pliers
Plews 2 Quart
Plastic Funnel
Wrench Set
You’ll need a wrench set to loosen and tighten various bolts. You’ll also need to have wrenches in multiple sizes to fit over the different bolts. These tools come in either metric or SAE, but metric is standard in most vehicles. For beginners, ensure you get a set that covers the full scale and DOES NOT SKIP any sizes. You will need those missing sizes, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Pliers
You’ll need various pliers with different heads to fit specific jobs when working on an engine. Use this tool to reach, pull, and pluck out bolts, nuts, and gaskets from the engine. Try to get a set with multiple types when buying, and you’ll appreciate it later. That way, you don’t have to go back to the store to buy a certain one or have to MacGyver a tool to fit.
Screwdrivers
Like wrenches, you will need multiple screwdrivers for car maintenance. You will need little stubby screwdrivers to get into hard-to-reach places and longer ones you can’t reach. Not to mention every size in between with both Philips and flat heads to fit into the various screws you’ll encounter in
Hammer
A hammer may sound weird, but you’ll be happy to have this tool in your garage or toolbox when the situation comes. Like other tools, you’ll need different kinds for different jobs. If you need to remove a lower ball joint from the steering knuckle, you’ll need a hammer made out of steel. A rubber mallet and a plastic tip hammer are used for more delicate jobs like repairs or when you need a little force to crack a bolt. A hammer’s versatility is mostly through blunt force for tapping or giving the extra torque you need.
Tire Pressure Gauge & Inflator
Checking your tires is just as important as your engine. Checking your tire pressure regularly helps bring awareness to any damage to your tires that might have happened while you were driving. Spot when dipping below the usual PSI, then return to snuff with an inflator.
Though the pressure gauge is necessary, the inflator can be opted out. But if you are going to be doing car repairs regularly, investing in one wouldn’t be a wrong decision.
Black Jack Tire Repair
Digital Tire Gauge
Milwaukee M12
Compact Inflator Kit
LED Work Light
When working under the hood or interior, you need light to see your work area. LEDs are preferred over incandescent lights as they shine brighter but produce less heat and less chance of breaking if dropped. Getting an LED work light with a magnetic strip and a rotating head would be preferred. This will allow for easy placement and adjustability where light is needed.
Ratchet & Sockets
Sockets and Ratchets will be your primary tool while doing any car maintenance. A set of sockets and different size ratchets will make working easier, from tight spaces to areas too far to reach.
The same rule applies from the wrenches to the sockets; you’ll want to have them in every size and not skip any numbers. A plus is that you can get a kit with an extension bar for jobs that are too low for the tool to reach.
Breaker Bar
Now, a breaker bar works with a socket and is meant for those tough nuts and bolts that won’t move. This tool gives you additional torque needed to easily break any stuck bolt and with much less effort.
Telescopic Magnet
Working on small parts, it’s common for things to fall into the engine and land somewhere your hands and arms can’t reach during car maintenance. With a telescopic magnet, you can extend your reach without putting your arms and hands at risk. Get into tight corners and spaces
Hook & Pick Set
Though small, these hook-and-pick sets will save you time picking up gaskets from cylinders, bolts, and other areas needing sealed fits. With the pick, you can replace old or tattered gaskets with newer ones to maintain the seal for optimal use.
Use the hook to grab loose wires or unhook hoses you can’t reach with your fingers. These small tools will get you into any small area without worry of damaging anything with your hands.
Now, Get To That Car Maintenance
This isn’t the be-all-end-all list, but it is an excellent place to start. Remember that starting a new hobby doesn’t mean getting everything all at once. Start with what you need and slowly build your collection up from there. An excellent place to start for your new automotive hobby is changing the oil in any vehicle that needs a change during car maintenance. This will expose you to the engine and is a task that can be navigated through a manual or even a YouTube video.
Don’t forget to take your time learning everything you can about your vehicle and what it needs to run its best. If you ever feel overwhelmed and unsure of a project, STOP. Put everything back as best you can and take it to your local mechanic. Let them check your machine, return it to snuff, and ask them what went wrong. If you want to continue learning more about automotives, join a group or class that will give you all the necessary information.
Advanced Tools for Car Maintenance
Looking for a more advanced and heavy-duty set of tools and accessories? Check out our 12 Tools You Need to Make Your Own NASCAR Style Pit Stop. Here, you can find power and other mechanic tools for the automotive expert with more experience who needs particular devices.
Did we miss anything? In the comment section below, let us know what we missed and what you needed or had when you started.
If you enjoyed this post, check out the Acme Tools blog, one of the best tool blogs, for more hobby-buying guides, the latest tools news, and DIY ideas for the seasons. If you are looking for a particular tool, head to Acme Tools online store for the best deals from the top brands. Get the best tools while saving money to always #DoYourBestWork.
