If you’re a car aficionado who likes to while away the weekend tinkering in the garage, or if you’re someone who likes working on your own car to save some money, you need the right tools. Before you take your engine apart, make sure to stock your garage with the top 10 automotive tools.
Ratchet Set
When you’re working on cars, you’re going to see a lot of fasteners. Even the simplest jobs require you to remove a few nuts or bolts. Invest in a ratchet set with multiple-sized drives to get into those tight spaces.
The Capri Tools 90-Tooth Soft Grip Ratchet Set has everything you need to loosen and tighten fasteners in most engines. Its soft grip ergonomic handle is comfortable, yet it has enough grip that you don’t have to worry about dropping it in the middle of a job.
Find ratchets that fit tightly over fasteners with long enough handles to extend your reach and leverage. They come in handy when you’re working in a smaller garage or when you need to reach the tightest spots in your engine.
Impact Wrench
Speaking of fasteners, manufacturers tend to make sure they’re extra tight so your car won’t come apart on the road. For those fasteners that are too secure to remove with your bare hands, you need an impact wrench. This tool also comes in handy when you’re working on an older car that may have accumulated some rust.
Capri Tools offers different palm impact wrenches of various sizes depending on your needs. Our impacts give you the benefits of a power tool with the ease of a hand tool, since they fit in the palm of your hand. Use them to install fasteners securely or to loosen factory-installed nuts and bolts.
Under-Hood Work Light
Unless you’re working outside directly under the afternoon sun at the perfect angle, you’ll likely need some extra light. An under-hood work light stays in place fastened to the hood. Some models use magnets to stay in place, while others use brackets.
Most of these lights are adjustable, which is great when you need to shine them in different parts of the engine. With an under-hood work light, you don’t need someone to stand in the garage and hold a flashlight for the duration of your project. Instead, you can go at your own pace with the light shining just where you need it.
Socket Set
Like the ratchet, the socket is essential when working with fasteners. A socket attaches to the ratchet to allow you to remove fasteners that are deep set or located at odd angles. Opt for a set with various lengths and sizes of sockets so you can tackle any job.
Capri Tools offers Master Chrome Socket sets in sizes ranging from 1/4” to 3/8”. Our sockets are durable and made to last, with a tight grip that will help you loosen even damaged or worn fasteners. Look for a set with adjustable speeds so you can get each job done faster.
Torque Wrench
Depending on the job, you’re going to need additional leverage from time to time, which is why you need a torque wrench. With this wrench, you can set maximum torque, reducing your chances of stripping bolts or damaging parts of the engine.
Look for one with a range of 20 to 150 foot pounds like this one from Capri Tools. Choose a model with solid grip so you don’t drop it while you’re fastening or loosening a bolt, and make sure you can read the scale clearly to avoid using too much torque.
Oil Drain Pan
As a car person, you understand how important it is to keep your oil changed. So you’ll need a quality oil pan in your garage. Look for one that fits twice the oil capacity of your car. This will allow you to prevent drips and messy overflow and safely transport used oil to a local recycling center.
Air Gun
Compressed air serves multiple functions in your garage. Use it for high-pressure washing and cleaning to keep your engine running in tip-top shape. Look for one with an ergonomic handle and a long nozzle for those hard-to-reach areas, such as this one from Capri Tools.
This air blow gun has five nozzles for different functions along with features that let you control the air flow.
Brake Bleeder
When stocking your garage, it’s important to look for multi-use tools, especially when you’re building your kit on a budget. However, you should invest in a few single-use tools, such as a vacuum brake bleeder.
Using a tool that has been designed for this purpose will help you flush and bleed hydraulic brakes and clutches the right way so the car remains safely functional.
Mechanic Gloves
You may be tempted to do everything with your bare hands, but when you’re working with cars, you’ll come into contact with harsh chemicals. Protect yourself with chemical-resistant gloves made specifically for automotive repair.
Look for nitrile gloves that protect you from oil, brake fluid, brake cleaner, and more. Opt for a thin pair that still gives you the grip you need to fix your car.
Ball Peen Hammer
If you’re working on an old engine or you live in a humid area where engines are more likely to rust, a ball peen hammer may be your best friend. Use it to remove stuck bearings, seals, and gears. The ball peen hammer features a peening face you can use to round off the edges of rivets and other fasteners.
You can also use them to hammer out dents. This Capri Tools hammer is designed to reduce bounce, so you’re less likely to hurt yourself. Its non-slip handle offers extra control, allowing you to do the job right the first time.
To Sum it Up
Having the right tools on hand speeds up the auto repair process. Adding the tools on this list to your kit will help you perform repair jobs with precision. Look for high-quality, durable tools with features that save you time and effort. Capri Tools offers a wide range of essential automotive tools that are designed for comfort and precision.