Tools Needed for Do-it-Yourself Auto Repair
Maintaining and repairing your own car is a not only a source of financial savings, it can also be a source of pride and satisfaction. Still, some folks are nervous about even the idea of working on a car, but truth be told, most auto maintenance can be fairly easily performed with just a few basic tools and bit of patience. The following tools will enable you to perform most of the jobs required to keep your car running reliably for years:
Wire brush, utility knife, and pressure gauge
Let's start with the basics. These unassuming tools will enable you to clean your battery terminals, cut hoses, and check tire pressure - all too often overlooked tasks.
Screwdrivers
You'll be surprised how often screwdrivers come in handy to remove all kinds of odd parts on your car. Be sure you pick up a full set of both flathead and Philip's head screwdrivers.
Sockets
Sockets will be the single most frequently used tools in your toolbox so don't skip this step. Be sure to get a standard set of sockets if your car is an American model and a metric set if it's a foreign model.
Box wrenches
Box wrenches are the ones with one closed end and one open end. They're incredibly handy for bolts that can't be reached easily with a socket.
Jack and jackstands
Safety is very important when working on a car. Changing the oil will likely require you to lie under 2 tons of steel, so having a hydraulic jack to lift it and four solid jack stands holding it securely in place could very well save your life.
Mini crowbar and mini sledge
You're going to need the crowbar for all kinds of odd jobs like leverage a pulley while you change a belt and that sledge will help you loosen a rusted bolt and tap heavy parts into place.
Torque wrench
A torque wrench, which when set properly, literally breaks away at the right torque load. You'll need if for tightening bolts on pressure sensitive parts - especially on the engine.
Oil filter wrench
This is easy to overlook, but changing your own oil without an oil filter wrench is ridiculously difficult, whereas doing it with an oil filter wrench is surprisingly easy. But then, that's generally true of any task. Having the right tool makes all the difference.
To learn more about San Diego, CA auto shops and other car services please visit http://www.robertsautoservice.com.
Wire brush, utility knife, and pressure gauge
Let's start with the basics. These unassuming tools will enable you to clean your battery terminals, cut hoses, and check tire pressure - all too often overlooked tasks.
Screwdrivers
You'll be surprised how often screwdrivers come in handy to remove all kinds of odd parts on your car. Be sure you pick up a full set of both flathead and Philip's head screwdrivers.
Sockets
Sockets will be the single most frequently used tools in your toolbox so don't skip this step. Be sure to get a standard set of sockets if your car is an American model and a metric set if it's a foreign model.
Box wrenches
Box wrenches are the ones with one closed end and one open end. They're incredibly handy for bolts that can't be reached easily with a socket.
Jack and jackstands
Safety is very important when working on a car. Changing the oil will likely require you to lie under 2 tons of steel, so having a hydraulic jack to lift it and four solid jack stands holding it securely in place could very well save your life.
Mini crowbar and mini sledge
You're going to need the crowbar for all kinds of odd jobs like leverage a pulley while you change a belt and that sledge will help you loosen a rusted bolt and tap heavy parts into place.
Torque wrench
A torque wrench, which when set properly, literally breaks away at the right torque load. You'll need if for tightening bolts on pressure sensitive parts - especially on the engine.
Oil filter wrench
This is easy to overlook, but changing your own oil without an oil filter wrench is ridiculously difficult, whereas doing it with an oil filter wrench is surprisingly easy. But then, that's generally true of any task. Having the right tool makes all the difference.
To learn more about San Diego, CA auto shops and other car services please visit http://www.robertsautoservice.com.
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