Let’s face it. Working on our cars and trucks is a love-hate relationship. The feeling you get after changing the oil, replacing brake pads, or waxing your car is great. The problem is that if you don’t have the right tools, and work on your car or truck can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and even dangerous. There are certain auto tools everyone should have and others that it simply makes more sense to borrow or rent. Here we go over the items which every novice and professional mechanic should have in their repertoire. We will do our best to continuously update based on feedback we’ve received.
Automotive OBD2 scanners and car code readers are the easiest and least expensive ways to find out why your engine light is on and get it to turn off. Even the best car code reader under $50 will give you the same basic information you’d get from the dealer or an auto repair shop, and … Read more
Garage floor containment mats are designed to protect the surface of your garage floor so you’re not always dealing with damage or staining from snow, mud, water, or oil and other car fluid stains. As an added bonus, they contain spills, which when close enough, protects your walls and objects stored on the floor. To … Read more
Spark plugs are a vital part of any combustion motor, and they’re also one that will wear out in time. While you can technically use a normal deep well socket to remove spent plugs, there’s a good chance you’ll damage good plugs. Instead, you should always use a spark plug socket when working with these … Read more
During a one-year study period, 4,822 people were treated in emergency rooms due to floor jack failure. Isn’t that reason enough for every home mechanic to get the best jack stands they can afford? When you shop for jack stands, you need to look at a few things… weight capacity for a set of two, … Read more
Torque wrenches are most often used in automotive applications, but can also be applied in tasks where a certain amount of torque is required on a bolt or nut. Knowing how these tools work and selecting the best ones for your tool chest can be a very rewarding endeavor. The following guide is designed to … Read more
Chances are, you’ve never heard of a torque stick. These handy tools are an important addition to your collection when speed and accuracy are needed. Often referred to as a torque limiting extension, torque sticks may quickly become your best friend. What is a Torque Stick? These tools literally resemble an extension for your impact … Read more
One of the worst mistakes a DIYer can make is to buy cheap tools. Buying cheap tools meant for high torque applications is a recipe for disaster. That’s not to say you can’t buy good impact sockets at a reasonable price, but you should always shop around cautiously to avoid something that will snap into … Read more
Good seating is important for a wide range of automotive tasks such as brake pad replacement, body work, and detailing. A long day’s work in the shop will take far less toll on your body if you can sit at a crouching height and roll around from place to place. The best creeper seat take … Read more
Shop stools come in several varieties. For some, the best shop stool is nothing more than a sturdy, simple stool or even folding chair. Others require something that’s more comfortable with plenty of padding or even a backrest. For garage environments, it’s important the seat has an adjustable height, made out of a material that … Read more
When you do a lot of your own car repair, maintenance, or restoration, there’s nothing more helpful than investing in a good car lift. Unfortunately, most of the automotive lift reviews out there only cover commercial lifts so deciding on the best car lift for your home garage can be a challenge. Below you’ll find … Read more
