What are Automotive Tools and Equipment?
What are Automotive Tools and Equipment?
Automotive tools and equipment are products that mechanics (or car owners) use when working on vehicles. They can be tools to keep parts and systems in good condition, popularly called maintenance tools, or tools to fix problems such as those used to remove and install fasteners. They can also diagnostic tools that detect issues.
Automotive tools are also either hand or power tools. Hand tools include wrenches, ratchets, and pliers. Examples of automotive tools that need electricity to run are drills, electric wrenches and some types of tire inflators. Some power tools, such as pneumatic impact wrenches, are air-driven.
Most auto tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers need to be strong enough to withstand rough use. They are, therefore, usually drop forged and made from tough materials such as high-carbon steel or chrome-vanadium. You will also often find them coated to prevent corrosion. If plastic or rubber is used, it’s usually the heavy-duty type.
There’s no limit to the number and types of automotive tools that a DIY enthusiast or mechanic can own. Many motorists keep a collection of the tools, usually the types needed for simple repairs. Other owns a large selection, almost the size of a mechanic's.
Common Types of Automotive Tools and their Uses
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 Automotive Tools List
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
◇ 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
Professional Automotive Tools List
These are popularly used by mechanics or vehicle owners who take their repair projects seriously. The most used include the following.
◇ Air compressor- stores compressed air that can be used to inflate tires or operate pneumatic tools such as impact wrench
◇ Cordless drill- to drill holes or remove fasteners such as rivets
◇ Tire pressure gauge- ensures vehicle tires are inflated to the correct pressure
◇ Torque wrench- lets you tighten fasteners to the correct and manufacturer-specified torque values
◇ Impact wrench- makes removing bolts a breeze by using a powered mechanism
◇ Ramps- provide a means to elevate a vehicle so you can work underneath. Many people find them less safe compared to jacks
◇ Machinist vice- used to hold things firmly when working on them. A useful automotive tool for parts rebuilders
◇ Angle grinder- used to cut metal parts quickly and conveniently or level edges
◇ Digital calipers- for measuring different components to ensure their correct dimensions or to detect flaws
◇ Jump starter- allows you to start a car when the battery is not working
◇ Brake caliper wind back kit- used to force back a brake caliper piston and allow enough space to mount brake pads or brake discs
◇ Laser thermometer- measures heat to diagnose car problems that involve overheating
◇ OBD11 scanner- to read trouble codes, especially when dashboard lights come on. One of the most expensive but essential types of automotive tools
◇ Wi-Fi video scope- allows you to view hidden places such as inside engine cylinders. Consists of a camera and screen linked by a Wi-Fi connection
◇ Brake bleeder and vacuum pump- used when draining or changing brake fluid to make the process easier and more efficient
◇ Rethreading set- also popular among tools for rebuilders. Used to replace the stripped thread
◇ Radiator pressure tester kit- measures radiator pressure to detect leaks. Useful when changing the coolant
◇ Cylinder compression tester kit- mechanics use this tool to check cylinder compression and diagnose gasket problems, among other issues
Besides the automotive tools and equipment described above, there are supplies that every car owner or repair technician needs to stock. Important ones include electric tape, zip ties, a set of fuses, and wire connectors- not forgetting the user manual.
Other important supplies include lubricants, penetrating fluid, and cleaners. In addition to commercial cleaners, it’s crucial to have soap or detergent and several buckets around. Your list is also incomplete without sponges and towels to help you wash and wipe surfaces or fire extinguisher to handle small fires.
