What Car Tools Do I Need?
You never know when you may need to fix something on your car, like a tyre or a broken light. It is therefore good to have the right tools close at hand in the event of an accident.
Useful tools for your workshop
Is your dream garage filled with vehicle tools? Do you spend most of your free time tinkering on your car? Or not at all? Perhaps you are a car owner who only wants the tools in your garage that are absolutely necessary?
No matter your level of interest in car tools, there are some tools that are always good to have in your garage and that often come in handy.
- Adjustable spanners
- Screwdrivers
- Socket and spanner set
- Steel brush
- Brake tools
- Oil tools
- Engine tools
- Work mat
Replacing brake pads and brake discs
Brake pads are parts of the car that are subjected to the most wear. If you are going to replace your brake pads, it is important that you have the right tools. To replace the brake pads and brake discs, you need to lift up your car. Use a jack to lift the car and use a trestle jack to stabilise.
When replacing the brake pads, you will need:
- Wheel nut spanner and wheel nut sockets to loosen the nuts on the wheels
- Jack to lift the car up
- Brake piston tool
- Brake bleeder
- Trestle jack
It is important to have a steel brush to clean with before fitting new brake discs.
Changing the oil
Changing the oil in your car is not as difficult as you may think, and it’s something that you can do yourself if you have the right tools,. So, what tools do you need to change the oil?
Oil tools
When changing oil or cleaning engine parts, you should have practical oil tools close at hand.
When changing oil, you will need:
- Oil filters
- Oil filter tool
- Oil plug
- Oil funnel
- Drainage receptacle
- Protective gloves
Tyre changing
Many car owners change their car tyres themselves, which is not as difficult as you may think if you have the right tools and accessories. Only you know which tyre accessories you need and want, but with the following tyre accessories, changing tyres will be a breeze. It is important to always tighten the wheel nuts with the correct torque spanner. The type of torque spanner you need is stated in the vehicle’s owner manual. If you use a nut driver, you can use torque rods to tighten the nuts and bolts. Don’t forget that your tyres need to be tightened after about 50 kilometres of driving.
Tools for tyre changing:
- Work gloves – to protect your hands and get a better grip.
- Jack – to lift the car up.
- Trestle jack – placed under the car to ensure your safety while working, in case the jack topples over or collapses.
- Nut driver, wheel brace or wheel nut spanner – to loosen wheel bolts and nuts. Tyre changing can be done quickly with a nut driver, but before you finish, always use a wheel brace to make sure the wheel nuts are neither too tight nor too loose.
- Torque spanner
Replacing the lights
Do you have a broken headlamp? You don’t need to take your car to a workshop to change the light, it can be easily done at home. But remember to first check the vehicle’s owner manual before replacing the light, and make sure the engine is off before opening the bonnet. You don’t need special tools to change your lights, and the instructions on how to do so can be found in the owner manual, along with the type of bulb you need.
Protect yourself – and your car
Many and long hours spent in the workshop can be tiring and take their toll on your body. It is therefore important that you use good protective equipment that makes the work easier. When working on the floor, use a work mat, knee pads or a knee mat. Do you need to work underneath the car? Then invest in a smart fitter’s trolley that you can lie on, as well as a jack and trestle jack so that you secure the car properly before going under the car.
The car may also need to be protected if the work involves oils, for example. If you need to perform work inside the car’s engine compartment, it can be a good idea to protect the front fender paintwork by applying a fender cover, which you can easily attach with magnetic strips.
To work efficiently and safely, it is also important that you have good lighting. For this, a head torch or other type of work light can be very useful.
Practical tools to keep in your car
Unforeseen things can sometimes happen when you are out on the road, and it is not always possible to get to a workshop or drive your car home. For instance, you may get a puncture, a light may come off, or the car door may freeze stuck on the coldest days of the year.
The following are good to keep in your car:
- Multispray – helps to loosen parts more easily if they are stuck.
- Duct tape – can be used to temporarily attach parts that come loose.
- Torch – if you need to do something outside in the dark.
- Wheel brace, jack, or wheel nut tool – if you know how to change a flat tyre yourself.
- Bit driver with bit set – to handle most screw types in the car.
- Socket and spanner set – to loosen screws and nuts.
- Reflective vest – for your own safety. It should be kept where it can be reached from the driver’s seat.
