Fixing your own vehicle rather than taking it to a mechanic can be a fun hobby as well as a great way to save a significant amount of money. To do this, however, you need the right tools.
So, what are the best tools for fixing cars at home?
According to automotive YouTuber ChrisFix, here are some of the tools you’ll definitely want to have available if you are doing your own mechanic work:
- A jack
- A breaker bar
- An impact gun
- A socket set
- A wrench set
These, of course, are just a few of the more important tools that you will want to have available if you plan to start working on your own car at home. Below, we’ll cover why these tools are essential as well as some of the other tools that you may want to consider purchasing.
A Tool for Every Task
The first and most important tool that you will need to purchase if you are planning to start doing your own automotive work is a jack, so you will be able to lift up your car and get under it safely. It’s also a good idea to go ahead and purchase a toolbox as well before you start buying too many individual tools so that you will have a place to store them.
Next, a good socket set and wrench set will go a long way toward helping you remove the various screws and bolts that hold your vehicle together, enabling you to access the components that you need to work on. In many cases, though, these screws and bolts can seize up over time and may become very difficult to break loose. For this reason, it’s a good idea to purchase a breaker bar.
A breaker bar will attach to the handle of your wrench or socket, giving several extra feet of handle to grip and a whole lot more leverage that you can apply to those stubborn bolts. An impact gun is also a great tool to have when it comes to removing bolts and is sure to make the process a lot easier.
Lastly, various tools such as Phillips-head and flat-head screwdrivers, needlenose pliers, and wire cutters may end up proving useful as well. While you are not likely to use tools such as these quite as often as you will your wrench and socket sets, there are certainly instances where they might prove helpful.
Where to Find Maintenance info About Your Vehicle
Having the right maintenance info about your vehicle is just as important as having the right tools if you would like to start performing your own automotive maintenance and repairs. Thankfully, Vehicle History makes it easy for you to access maintenance info as well as a wide range of other information about any make and model.
