What are Automotive Tools and Equipment?

Automotive tools are many types, so many that it’s almost impossible to own them all. Your tool choices depend on several factors, chief among them necessity. If you’re a DIYer, your collection is most likely composed of basic automotive tools and if a professional, both basic and advanced types. Below is a list of basic tools and another for professional tool types.

Basic auto tools refer to common hand tools that find use in almost every car repair and maintenance task. Examples include those listed below.

 ◇ Wrench set- to remove and install bolts. One of the most used automotive tools

 ◇ Ratchet and socket set- for fastening and unfastening bolts in tight spaces. Also among the most used

 ◇ Oil filter wrench- used when removing and installing the oil filter

 ◇ Punches and chisel set- for a wide range of uses including removing and positioning components

 ◇ Screwdrivers- to remove and fasten screws. Come in different shapes and sizes. Also a prying tool

 ◇ Pliers- useful when cutting wires, bending parts, and other tasks

 ◇ Multimeter- one of the diagnostic automotive tools and measures current, voltage, and capacitance

 ◇ Jack and jack stands- used to lift a vehicle and allow working underneath. Jack stands to ensure safe support

 ◇ Wheel chocks- wedges or any other structure that prevents the vehicle from accidentally moving when you’re working on it

 ◇ Pry bar- a large bar for jobs that involve prying or separating parts such as ball joints and shock heads

 ◇ Breaker bar- a socket wrench with a longer handle (around 24 inches) used to break loose stubborn bolts and nuts by increasing leverage

 ◇ Scissors- a type of heavy duty scissors used to cut things such as wires

 ◇ Hammer- usually a dead blow hammer and useful when you have to bust components

 ◇ Funnels- used to pour liquids and avoid messy spills

 ◇ Oil drip pans- to catch liquids that may spill when changing the oil filter, bleeding brakes, and more

 ◇ Wire terminal crimper- a useful automotive tool when working with cables and used to prepare wire ends for installation

 ◇ Flex magnet pickup- to find and pick bolts and other metal parts that fall in hidden spaces

 ◇ Socket adapters- useful when a ratchet cannot be used with the socket due to space constraints

 ◇ Test light- used to test for the presence of current or voltage in electric circuits

 ◇ Ignition spark tester- tests if a spark plug is producing a spark or not

 ◇ Spark plug socket- for tightening or removing spark plugs instead of regular sockets

 ◇ Spark plug gauge- used to gap spark plugs

 ◇ Flashlight- to light up areas that are not well illuminated

 ◇ LED headlamp- you need this to illuminate dark areas when working on a vehicle. Straps to the head for convenience

 ◇ Underhood LED light bar- a tool to light up a vehicle’s underhood when fixing things underneath a vehicle

 ◇ Creepers- allow you to slide under your car safely and comfortably during the repair

 ◇ Tire inflator- used to inflate tires. Often comes with a gauge and uses electricity

 ◇ Protective gear- allows you to use automotive tools and equipment safely. Includes eye protection goggles and hand gloves