What is your favorite tool(s)?
Keep in mind that this list is only the absolute basics; as you learn more about car repair, you'll add to it.
- Jack And Lug Wrench. For lifting up your car and a lug wrench to remove lugs. If your vehicle comes with a jack already, but it's best to ditch it and buy a better one. Hydraulic jacks are generally considered to be the best.
- Socket Set And Box Wrench Set. Buy a basic socket set from any hardware store, don't need anything fancy to get started doing your own car repair. The box wrench is useful for getting to hard-to-reach areas.
- Combination Wrench Set. Same as above, you'll need to do some serious twisting to get at the trouble spots of your car. A combo set will have various sizes and types, and this should cover all the stuff you'll need to do with your vehicle.
- Auto Repair Manual. Get the instruction manual for your car's model and make if you anticipate doing some serious repairs from time to time. If you're not going to spend so much time fixing stuff, you can always check it out of your local library.
- Work Lights. How are you gonna fix it, when sun set comes. Good lighting enables you to do your work in the evening, and even in daytime. The best work lights to get are fluorescent shop lights. They're bright and tough, and they'll stay cool.
The above list is very basic, but it will at least get you started. When you're first buying stuff for your car repair kit, remember that you don't need anything fancy. Salespeople will turn your head around with the latest gadgets and tools, but what you really need are some simple things that you can use when you've got something to do a car repair. Start simple and cheap, and expand into bigger and better things as your collection grows.
