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.
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 is more comfortable and you might even want a stool that has an adjustable height. Having a built-in tool shelf will save you time and energy, and …
You pull your car out of the driveway, then notice something unusual in the spot your car just left. There’s a small dark spot there, a small puddle of some vehicle fluid, and you don’t know what. Is it normal? Is it bad? There are a few different types of vehicle fluids, and while some are …
Read moreWhat’s That Leak? Types of Car Fluids and Their Colors
When looking for the best car battery charger, there are a couple of things that every model should have. The ability to charge 6 and 12 volt batteries is important, since lawn tractors and yard equipment often use a 6 volt system. Also, having a float charging system that will not overcharge the battery can …
Read moreKeep the Power Flowing with the Top Car Battery Charger in 2018
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 moreTop Rated OBD2 Scanners for DIY Troubleshooting in 2018
It’s not exactly a product on the top of a person’s wish list but a decent oil drain pan makes the oil change process of capturing and recycling or disposing of old oil much easier. The best oil drain pan is large enough to tackle the biggest vehicle you own, and is built with a way to …
Anytime you lift one end of a vehicle, you should use a good set of wheel chocks for all tires remaining on the ground. If you own a set of vehicle ramps, high quality chocks are a great companion tool to give you more stability and enhanced safety. The best wheel chocks will be light enough …
You need to adjust timing on a car for many older models (those which have a distributor) to maintain the best possible performance. When timing is neglected, you can suffer poor gas mileage, less power when you hit the gas and eventually degrading problems that might keep the engine from running. While you can get …
The best car ramps for small and medium sized cars have a moderate incline specifically to address the low ground to frame clearance of sports cars and sedans. Those with trucks or SUVs may get by with using ramps with a sharper incline but what’s the point when the more gradual incline ramps accommodate pretty much …
Probably the most important routine maintenance any vehicle needs is an engine oil change. Many consider changing oil an easy “do it yourself” auto maintenance task that anyone can take on, but you might wonder why you should bother. Is there a benefit to doing an oil change at your home instead of taking it …
Ask anyone who works on cars and uses a mechanics creeper, and they’ll tell you it’s well worth the money. Working on your car is so much more enjoyable when you’re actually comfortable and not straining your neck. There are 3 styles of mechanics creepers on the market. Lightweight creepers are perfect if you plan …
Read moreSlide Into Tight Spaces: Top Rated Mechanics Creepers in 2018