There are a number of things that come to mind when we think about working on cars or any automotive vehicle.
We often ask ourselves where or how we even start or which tools we should have. Well, tools can make or break your experience when working on cars. So, having the right tools to carry out those tasks with confidence and peace of mind is very essential.
In this article, we have listed some of the most essential DIY tools that anyone who is looking to start working on their car need.
The tools listed below range from Auto Diagnostics & Auto Electrical to Equipment
& Tools.
Click to jump to your favourite tool
Pliers set
Pliers are made in various shapes and sizes and for many uses. Some are used for gripping something round like a pipe or rod, some are used for twisting wires, and others are designed to be used for a combination of tasks including cutting wire. They are very essential for automotive uses.
Screwdriver set
There are numerous types of screwdrivers, each designed to fulfill different kinds of tasks. They trace their roots back to the middle ages when they were used to tighten screws on suits of armor. In the automotive world, they are just important when it comes to tightening screws on panels, parts, and whatsoever. The most common screwdrivers you might need for automotive application consist of the flathead also known as (straight, slotted), and Phillips which is also known as (crosshead).
Socket wrenches
Unlike the traditional spanner, socket wrenches have become commonly used in the last years, because they have proved to be more efficient and easy to use thanks to their quick release and reversible mechanism for easy operation. They come with a set of cylinder-shaped sockets of varying sizes.
Be sure to check out our recommended Socket wrench set
Brake Tools
Brake Piston wind back tool
Brake fluid bleeder kit
Brake jobs are one of the common minimal service jobs done to automotive vehicles, and in order to perform this task efficiently, one needs a brake calliper wind back tool. This tool is used for pushing the brake piston so that the brake pads can easily be replaced.
After performing a brake job, whether that is replacing the brake disc or brake pads. It is always important to replace the brake fluid or make sure to flush the old brake fluid out of the system to avoid having any air bubbles in the system.
Jack and Jack Stands
Car jacks are very essential tools when working under your vehicle. They allow for better access, lifting the vehicle off the ground. The jack stands to help for safe support while you are working underneath, as it is not recommended to solely depend/rely on the jack alone. Therefore, it’s vital to have a good quality jack and jack stands, in order to safely perform any tasks under your vehicle.
We, recommend the following jack and jack stands.
Oil Filter Wrench
When servicing your car you will most likely reach the point where you will have to change your engine oil, which if it needs to be done correctly, requires you to also replace the oil filter at the same time. In order to change your oil filter, you will need a specialized tool, an oil filter wrench which will facilitate loosening the old filter and tightening the new one without any hustle. It may look quite intimidating, but with the right tool and correct size oil filter wrench, the job can be completed in under 15 min.
Hose Clamp
Hose and pipes in cars are often exposed to rough conditions and end up tearing or breaking easily when handled incorrectly, thus having the right tool will not only save you money but also saves you time from struggling while using the wrong tool.
check out affordable Hose clamp on our website.
Diagnostic Scanner
Since 1996 and onwards, vehicles have mandatorily been equipped with what we call OBDII, which stands for On-Board Computer. Which serves the purpose of helping as a gateway into the vehicle electronic computer system/modules in order to perform rapid diagnostics and identify vehicle information such as faults/errors that range from electrical to mechanical.
For this, we recommend the Autel MAXIAP AP200
AUTEL MAXIAP AP200
The Autel MaxiAP AP200 is a compact car diagnostic tool, capable of performing car diagnostics tasks. It makes use of a small interface adaptor used to connect to the vehicle OBD port and can be operated wirelessly when connected to any smartphone with either IOS or Android operating system.
Be sure to check out our full range of Autel products
Multimeter
A digital multimeter is a test tool used to measure two or more electrical values. It is a standard diagnostic tool for technicians in the electrical/electronic industries. And can be very handy when working on cars as it can help from finding faulty switches, fuses, and battery voltage to identifying hot wires.
Jump Starter And Air Compressor
You never know when you might need one of these, flat tires and dead batteries often happen when we expect it the least. So, having the right tool/gadget can save you from having to call a tow truck or being left stranded in the middle of nowhere.
We recommend you check out the Jstar 6 (4-in-1) Portable Battery Jump Starter, Air Compressor, Power Bank, LED Flashlight (24000mAh). as it’s very compact and easy to use thanks to its smart 4-in-1 design.
Hammer
Whether it is to break something or put it back in place, hammers always come in handy. They are used in many fields and are probably some of the most used tools when working on cars.
Adjustable Wrench
Whether it is to break something or put it back in place, hammers always come in handy. They are used in many fields and are probably some of the most used tools when working on cars.
Draining Pan
fancy, you can use anything from a recyclable plastic kitchen bucket to an automotive purpose-made fluid catch pan. They will help you catch any spills before transferring them back to a safe and sealed container before being taken for proper disposal.
Spanner set
Automotive vehicles are made of hundreds if not thousands of bolts that serve different purposes. In order to loosen or tighten them for whichever goal, you will definitely need a set of good-quality sockets or spanners.
We would recommend you try getting ratcheting spanners. They feature two style ends, where one end is open and the other is a ratchet. It helps in tight access situations, where you don’t necessarily need to take off the spanner each time when tightening or loosening a bolt. It also helps prevent bolts and nuts from rounding.
Work Light
Repairs don’t always go as smooth or as fast as we always predict them to be, and sometimes we lose track of time and find ourselves working in the dark. With most home garages and driveways being poorly lit. It is always critical to have a backup plan such as a work light that can help you continue working in the dark to complete your repairs correctly.
They vary from halogen to LED, and yes LED work lights may be pricey, but they have proved to be more reliable and safer to use compared to halogen lights which tend to get very hot and break easily. It is a great addition to round out any tool kit.
We hope that this article has given you enough insights into what you need as essential tools to start working on your own car.
Be sure to visit www.autosupply.co.za to explore more; we offer a wide variety of high-quality tools and types of equipment from different segments of the tools listed above.
Be sure to check out our full range of automotive tools and equipment.
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