There are a wide variety of tools needed in car maintenance. The top 20 car maintenance tools have been reviewed below.
Wrenches
When working on a vehicle, a set of wrenches is essential for removing lugnuts, using rotary fasteners and making adjustments to various parts of the car.
Types of wrench sets include:- Adjustable and crescent wrenches
- Angle wrench sets
- Battery wrenches
- Box end wrenches
- Butterfly wrenches
- Combination wrench sets
- Flarenut wrench sets
- Impact wrenches
- Oil filter wrenches
- Pipe wrenches
- Torque wrenchesc
Socket Set
A socket set comes with a socket wrench, which is a wrench with interchangeable heads (sockets) that allow the tool to turn different-sized bolts. With a lot of bolt sizes on most vehicles, a socket set often comes in handy.
Types of socket sets include:- Budd wheel socket sets
- Drive impact socket sets
- Brake caliper torx and hex bit sets
- Extension sets
- Flex and universal socket sets
- Impact axle nut sets
- Impact universal joint socket sets
- Socket adaptor sets
- Square bit sets
- Swivel impact sets
- Torx bit socket setsc
Screwdrivers
Similar to wrenches, screwdrivers also come in handy for removing and tightening machine elements on vehicles.
Types of screwdrivers and sets include:- Cordless screwdriver sets
- Cordless screwdriver with swivel head
- Precision screwdriver sets
- Reversible air screwdrivers
- Expert combination screwdriver setsc
Ratchets
A ratchet is a mechanical device that allows continuous motion in one direction while preventing movement in the opposite direction. Ratchets are often used with wrenches to assure movement in one direction when removing a lugnut, for instance.
Types of ratchets include:- Palm ratchets
- Air ratchets
- Heavy duty air ratchets
- Super duty air ratchets
- Fractional ratchets
- Cordless ratchet wrenches
- Reversible ratchets
- Thumbwheel ratchetsc
Jacks
Jacks are vital in any car in the case of a flat tire. Without a jack, you will have to wait for AAA or a tow truck to help you. With a jack, you'll be able to fix a flat tire yourself and save the time and money that a tow or company like AAA might cost you.
Types of jacks and clamps include:Tire Iron and Spare Tire
Similar to the car jack, a tire iron for removing flat tires and a spare tire or donut are musts in the case of a busted tire. Tire irons are used to pry the edge of the tire away from the rim of the wheel so a the old tire can be removed and the spare replaced.
Types of tire irons include:- European-style tire irons
- Small wheel tire irons
- Curved tire spoons
- Tire iron with rim grabbing tip
- Demounting tool
- Drop-center tire spoonc
Tire Pressure Gauge
Tire pressure gauges are used to pressure the pressure of a vehicle's tires. Too low or too high and a tire could flatten or burst respectively, making this tool essential for all car owners as well.
Types of tire pressure gauges include:- Tire pressure gauge for inner duals
- TIre pressure monitor torque wrench
- Tire pressure monitor master kit
- TIre pressure reset tool
- Tire pressure monitoring reset tool
- Wireless tire pressure reset toolc
Battery Charger
A battery charger is essential for hybrid and electric cars that could potentially run out of charge on lengthy trips. Battery chargers are also helpful if your vehicle stalls and there are not other vehicles nearby that you can charge from.
Types of battery chargers include:- Commercial battery chargers
- Heavy duty battery chargers
- Professional battery chargers
- Wheeled battery chargers
- Small-engine battery chargers
- Manual, economy battery chargers
- Manual, high-rate battery chargersc
Pliers
Pliers are used for holding machine parts firmly, including parts of vehicles. They may come in handy for tightening lugnuts or manipulating objects that are too small or unwieldy for your fingers.
Types of pliers include:- Alligator pliers
- Channellock pliers
- Cutting pliers
- Diagonal pliers
- Exhaust pliers
- Groove joint pliers
- Hose clamp pliers
- Locking pliers
- Multipurpose pliers
- Needle nose pliers
- Oil filter pliers
- Push pin pliers
- Radiator hose pliers
- Slip joint pliersc
Fluids
All vehicles require a good amount of different fluids to run properly, from the engine to the windshield wipes. It is always a good idea to keep spare fluids in your car in case you run out while on the road.
Types of fluids include:- Antifreeze
- Engine coolant
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Brake fluid
- Motor oil
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Clutch oil
- Radiator fluidc
Gas Canister
While most drivers keep track of their gasoline levels and make sure to fill up before 
reaching empty, there may be a time when you run out of gas nonetheless. You could be on a long drive and miscalculate the amount of gas you have left and the distance to the next gas station, for instance.
reaching empty, there may be a time when you run out of gas nonetheless. You could be on a long drive and miscalculate the amount of gas you have left and the distance to the next gas station, for instance. This being the case, it is always a good idea to keep a gas canister in your vehicle in the event that you need to fill it up and bring it back to your car if you run out.
Road Flares
In the case of an auto emergency, especially one at night, it is important to include road flares in your emergency kit, kept in your vehicle at all times. With road flares, you can be sure other cars on the road can see you if you need to pull off to the side of the road.
Types of road flares include:Emergency Cone and Reflective Vest
Another precaution for potential auto emergency situations is to have an emergency cone or triangle and a reflective vest in your vehicle at all times. Coupled with the road flares, setting up an orange cone and wearing a reflective vest will assure other drivers see you if you are changing a flat on the side of the road at night.Flashlight
Also helpful in an auto emergency is a flashlight. You never know when you may need to look under the hood or beneath the car when there is little light to see by, so keeping a flashlight on hand at all times is always a good idea.
Types of flashlights include:- Aluminum torches
- Flexible flashlights
- Mini holsters
- Rechargeable flashlight kits
- Cell flashlights
- LED flashlights
- Headlamps
- Penlightsc
Jumper Cables
Should your vehicle stall out or your battery run out of charge, it is imperative to have a good pair of jumper cables in your car to recharge your car off the charge of another vehicle. You may also be able to assist other drivers you stall out and do not have jumper cables, too.Distilled Water
Having a canister of distilled water in your vehicle is a good idea in case you need to add water to car battery when water is lost due to electrolysis. If the water in the battery reaches two low of a level, the battery plates will become exposed to the air and become damaged. Since water impurities can reduce the battery's performance and life-span, distilled water is key.
First-Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is always an important component for any vehicle as you never know what can happen on the road.
First Aid kits should include:- Bandages
- Splints
- First Aid tape rolls
- Butterfly wound closures
- Antiseptic cleansing wipes
- Alcohol cleansing pads
- Burn cream
- Ibuprofen
- Motion sickness tablets
- Traume pads
- Sterile eye pads
- Gauze dressing pads
- Vinyl gloves
- Emergency blanket
- Cold compressesc
Swiss Army Knife
You never know when a solid Swiss army knife may come in handy when dealing with vehicular issues on the side of the road.
Types of knives include:- Leatherman
- Utility knives
- Urethane cut out knives
- Survival hatchetsc
Oil Pan
Whether you are adept at changing the oil in your car yourself or not, it is never a bad idea to keep an oil pan handy in case you do find yourself in a bind.
Types of oil pans include:- Low-profile oil drains
- Portable oil drains
- Plastic drain pains
- Drip pans
- Wheel pan truck and trailers
- No spatter pads
- Oil pan rethreadersc
Fire Extinguisher
Should a fire start anywhere in your vehicle, especially under the hood, it is imperative to have a fire extinguisher on hand to put out the flames as soon as they erupt. If you have to wait for the fire department to arrive, too much damage may occur to salvage the vehicle; with an extinguisher, you can put out the flames yourself and wait for help to arrive.References
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Course Introduction 0:00
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Part 1: Tools of the Trade 0:00
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Part 2: Motor Oil 0:00
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Part 3: Car Batteries 0:00
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Part 4: Windshield 0:00
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Part 5: Fluids 2:25
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Part 6: Washing 0:00
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How to Wash a Car 0:00
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How to Detail a Car 0:00
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How to Wax a Car 0:00
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How To Polish A Car 0:00
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How to Clean Car Tires 0:00
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Part 7: Tires 0:00
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How to Check Tires 0:00
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How to Rotate Tires 0:00
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How to Change a Flat Tire 0:00
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Car Wheels 0:00
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Cheap Tires 0:00
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Part 8: Car Safety 0:00
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Car Safety 0:00
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How to Deal With Auto Emergencies 0:00
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Impaired Driving 0:00
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How to Find a DUI Lawyer 0:00
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Seat Belts 0:00
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