Car Repair Tools: 5 Tools Every Garage Needs

If you plan to do automobile repair you will require automobile repair tools. It can be hard to select which of them you require. There's some that you’ll probably never use. There's others you’ll use so infrequently that you’ll be better off renting. There are some tools, though, without which you can’t do your own vehicle repair & maintenance.

 1.      Engine Scanner -If you've got a modern car you’ll need an engine scanner. Whether you want to run a scan to see what your check engine light is trying to tell you or you need to reset a sensor that has a condition that’s been fixed, this tool will do that for you. You can probably find a good one for well under a hundred dollars and it will save you a lot of frustration. It is one of the “must have” engine tools.

2.      Car Jacks -A good hydraulic jack is a smart choice, but don’t stop there. You’ll want a set of jack stands and don’t forget to use something to secure the wheels that remain on the ground. You might also want to think about a crawler.

3.      Socket Wrenches -There are a lot of different wrench sets out there. Choosing the right one is important. If you have an import you’ll need metric sockets. This is often true for late model American cars, too. It’s not a bad idea to get a set that has both. Buy quality wrenches. They’ll last longer and won’t break or otherwise fail in the middle of a job.

4.      Oil Filter Wrench -If you plan to do your own oil changes you’ll have to have one of these. They aren’t very expensive at all, so there’s no point in trying to get by without one. You’ll just be getting yourself in for some real headaches if you try.

5.      Brake Tools - While some backyard mechanics might tell you otherwise, you will need an actual brake kit if you plan to do your own brake work. Some people have been known to make do with more general tools, but they don’t do as good a job. When it comes to the device that stops the car, do you want to cut corners?

There are lots of tool choices out there for the Do It Yourself mechanic. You don’t need every single gadget, though. Select wisely and make positive you have the necessities.