• Garage
• Essentials
• Must-have
• Car
• Vehicle
• Auto
• Repair
• Maintenance
• Tools
• Device

Let’s face it! 

Garage is more of a household storage area for many families. Other people modify the space for working out; while some use it for fixing furniture or equipment and DIY (Do It Yourself) projects. 

If you wish to use your garage for working on your car – just the way it should be – you wouldn’t need to have all the tools of a full-service auto shop to maintain the vehicle.

All you need are these car tool essentials to make your repair and maintenance tasks easier. 

1. Wrench sets

Several vehicle parts, such as engine, doors and interiors are known to be joined together by a number of bolts. 

This is why it is essential to have a set of high-quality wrenches in your garage. 

Wrenches help remove or fix fasteners, bolts or screws; and their size and length vary depending on the dimensions of the bolt and the space available to reach and operate it. 

That being said, having wrenches both in small and large sets will be useful in the long run.

2. Ratchet and socket set

A ratchet and socket set are useful tools for  automotive repairs and maintenance because they can effectively grip nuts and bolts for easy removal and replacement. 

Whether you need to remove the wheels to replace the tires, or remove your vehicle’s oil pan to change the oil in the engine, an adjustable ratchet will help you operate on almost every vehicle. 

It is wiser to have the complete set with different sizes to fit into different nuts and bolts.

3. Screwdrivers

Screws are one of the most common fastening devices for vehicles.

A complete set of screwdrivers will help you service many types of vehicles, and you’ll find it helpful in the long run. 

Consider getting a phillips head, flat head, long handle, short handle, stubby and thin form of screwdrivers, keeping in mind that you must use the right type of screwdriver for each type of screw, in order to avoid damage or shearing of the thread.

4. Pliers

Pliers are another set of essential tools that you should have in your garage. 

These tools can be used from loosening bolts and strip wires, to efficiently removing materials without cutting through them.

Pliers will allow you to reach tight spaces, which are usually inaccessible using other tools.   

This is especially true with needle-nose pliers and angled pliers when working on the inner parts of the engine. 

5. Fluid Drain Pan

This is a simple yet important tool that you shouldn’t miss when setting up an arsenal of auto maintenance tools. 

This pan is made to catch engine oil, transmission fluid, and other liquids that you may need to dislodge from your vehicle during routine maintenance.

While you can use any disposable container, it’s highly recommended to invest in an inexpensive and reusable fluid drain pan.

6. Car Creeper

When you need to inspect the undercarriage of your car, forget about laying down on cardboard, newspaper, or plastic.

Crawling underneath the vehicle is inevitable if you intend to check or  fix something on your car. 

So, it makes sense to get a decent car creeper with a headrest that lifts up and your neck muscles with thank you for it.

7. Hydraulic Jack and Jack Stands

Whether you’re changing your tires or putting new brake pads, a hydraulic jack is definitely a must-have for your repair and maintenance kit.

Without this tool, it would be incredibly difficult to access several components underneath your vehicle.

Have at least two jacks and two jack stands to lift and hold your car securely. 

Know how much weight your jack should be able to support through your car’s manual. Re

8. Compressor

A good air compressor can be used to pump up your tires, blow debris out and dry parts of your cat you wouldn’t normally be able to get to. 

An air compressor can also be used with a paint sprayer or a blow gun to help with your DIY projects.

9. Tire Pressure Gauge

A tire pressure gauge, as the name implies, measures the pressure of your tires. 

Incorrectly filled tires can cause difficulties in driving the car, as well as an increased wear and tear on the vehicle.

So while it doesn’t hold the same importance as the above-mentioned tools, having this tool in your garage will help you keep a close eye on the tire pressure of your vehicle.

10. Jump-Start Kit

This device stores electrical charge that can be used to jumpstart your vehicle. 

Emergencies never seem to happen until you have to deal with them, so being prepared ahead of time is probably all that you need to save your day. 

Learn more on how to jumpstart your vehicle through this guide.

11. Digital multimeter with battery analyser

Another garage essential is a digital multimeter with battery analyser. 

This device can provide information about the battery’s voltage and other important analytics including charge, rating, etc. 

You can also use it when diagnosing certain car issues such as inaccurate fuel gauge reading, and the like.

12. Work Light

There are times when you’ll find that you have to work in the garage at night and you’ll need a light source to better visualize the area you’re working on.

Working on your car is already hard enough, so working with inadequate lighting is just impractical. 

Make sure your garage is well lit, with diffused light coming from several sources to prevent shadows. 

Work light is especially important if you’re lying underneath your car. 

A super-bright, cordless LED version that can stand on its own will help you operate in dark conditions or hard-to-access areas of the vehicle. 

Since automotive parts can be costly, taking extreme care in operating on the vehicle is advisable, so a good work light is definitely a must-have.

13. Car Care Products

For car owners, nothing is more satisfying than a great looking car, so having a set of car care products is definitely a must-have.

Your kit must include car shampoo, microfiber sponge and towels, wheel brush, spray detailer, polish, and wax to give your vehicle clean and shiny.

14. Safety Gears

While working in the garage, personal safety must be your primary consideration. 

It is important to wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt, closed-toe shoes and gloves. 

Always wear  safety glasses, hearing protection and face shield when working on the engine or underneath your car. 

You never know what could go wrong and it’s important to always be prepared for the worst. 

If something lights up or worse, explodes, having a fire extinguisher can not only allow you to save the situation but can also save your life. 

Moreover, having a first aid kit nearby is also a good idea. 

It is important to always have the right tools around not only to make your work easier, but also to keep you out of harm’s way.