9 Tools You've Got to Have to Perform Basic Car Repairs and Maintenance at Home

May 27, 2022

Carrying out basic car repairs and maintenance at home is a great way to save some cash and learn more about the vehicle you drive. More and more Americans are grabbing their tools and performing work on their cars.

Before you can get started with DIY tasks, you must make sure you've got the right tools on hand. Check out these nine essential car repair tools that should be in every at-home mechanic's toolbox.

1. Socket Wrenches

A set of socket wrenches can make your life as an at-home mechanic much simpler. Socket wrenches let you turn nuts and bolts more easily than traditional wrenches. Your set of socket wrenches should come in various sizes and be made for various purposes.

2. Torque Wrench

A torque wrench is another must-have for a DIY mechanic. This type of wrench lets you apply a certain torque level for the precise tightening of nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. Torque wrenches are frequently used to change tires.

3. Impact Wrench

An impact wrench is a power tool often used to quickly and conveniently loosen lug nuts on vehicles.

4. Regular Wrenches

Traditional wrenches are some of the best tools to have in your garage. For an at-home mechanic, wrenches particularly come in handy when you're loosening or tightening fasteners like nuts and bolts.

Types of wrenches you might need for working on your car include adjustable, combination, and ratchet wrenches. It's smart to consider buying a set of traditional wrenches that serve an array of purposes rather than having a loosely assembled collection of wrenches.

5. Screwdrivers

You probably have several screwdrivers around the house. But when it comes to basic car repair and maintenance at home, your around-the-house screwdrivers might not be enough. As a DIY mechanic, you should invest in a set of screwdrivers that includes regular, ratchet, and power screwdrivers.

6. Pliers, Wire Cutters, and Wire Strippers

Pliers, wire cutters, and wire strippers can be invaluable tools when you're doing electrical work on your car, such as installing new speakers. In this category, tools you might want to add to your toolbox include needle nose pliers, diagonal cutters, hose-clamp pliers, and vise-grip pliers.

7. Dead Blow Hammer

A dead blow hammer is a type of mallet that, among other things, can be used for dislodging vehicle parts that are stuck or removing small dents from sheet metal. Based on its construction, a dead blow hammer can minimize the chance of causing the kind of damage that a regular hammer would.

8. Multimeter

A multimeter is a handheld device that enables you to measure things like electrical voltage when you're trying to diagnose and fix electrical problems.

9. Work Light

When it comes to tools needed for basic car maintenance, lighting is often overlooked. An LED floodlight can give you a clearer view of the parts you're working on, especially if you're in a poorly light garage. Shedding light on your DIY project can decrease the odds of making mistakes.

Once you have the right beginner mechanic tools on hand, it's time to take charge of basic car repairs and maintenance tasks. Nissan Parts & Accessories has the quality, OEM-made replacement parts you need to get the job done right.