Owning—and working on—a car is a worthwhile, all-American endeavor. It’s practical. It’s
useful. It’s a great way to keep things running smoothly as the miles go by. But to get the most
out of your maintenance time, you’ll need to put together an automotive toolbox. Whether it’s a
dedicated truck toolbox that fits in the back of your pickup or a smaller individual toolbox that fits
snugly in your trunk, having the right tools on hand will make your auto repair experience much
more efficient and enjoyable. Here are five essential tools you need to put in your automotive
toolbox as you build it today.
Pliers
Everyone needs a good pair of pliers at some point in their lives. Pliers are an essential part of
any toolbox, useful for any task. Pliers are one of those unassuming pieces of simple
technology that many of us probably don’t think about much beyond their utility. After all, why
should anyone want to understand the history of a device we take for granted today? Pliers
have been around for millennia (as a fancy version of another tool, tongs), but pliers, as we
know them today really, came about in 1857. Lineman’s pliers—the first type of combination
pliers used by electricians and linemen—became a versatile multi-tool for a diverse range of
projects/fields. Later innovations led to vice grips, wire cutters/strippers, Leathermans, needle
nose pliers, and many of the other styles people use frequently today. Keeping a few different
types of pliers in your automotive toolbox is necessary because they are one of the most
versatile tools you can have. Pliers are handy for automotive work, but also for any DIY project
around your home or garage. Use them to bend wires, pull nails, assist with tightening/loosening
objects, and just about any other application you can imagine.
Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are an iconic tool that no toolbox should be without. Need to quickly unscrew
some screws on a door hinge or door handle? A Phillips head screwdriver can get it done
quickly. Want to secure something for your truck or adjust a part? Flathead screwdrivers can
help. Flathead screwdrivers can also double as a pry bar in a pinch. Vehicles have a wide array
of different bits, too, so there are other screwdrivers — with their own unique bits — that can be
helpful to keep on hand. Hex screwdrivers are also a helpful tool to have around. Used to
tighten or loosen bolts and screws with hexagonal heads, these tools are surprisingly useful.
There are also spanner screwdrivers (for those crazy tamper-proof screws), Robertson
screwdrivers (more of a square/rectangular bit), and Torx screwdrivers to tackle any possible
task. You also don’t have to settle for mere manual screwdrivers (although there’s nothing
wrong with using them). You can have a ratchet screwdriver to make torquing easier, a battery-
powered one, or even a magnetic screwdriver that holds bits/screws securely via a magnet at
the tip of the screwdriver’s bit.
Wrench Sets
This one should be obvious, but every automotive toolbox should have a few sets of wrenches.
Wrenches are used for tightening, turning, adjusting, and loosening all those bolts that keep
your vehicle’s machinery together. Some wrenches, like adjustable ones, allow you to alter the
size of the wrench to accommodate certain tasks. Others feature a crescent end and a ratchet
end for different ways to turn hardware. The word wrench comes from an old word meaning “to
twist.” Early wrenches, like the spanner, were tools similar to those we use today. But the
modern wrench didn’t come about until the 1800s. Several innovators came up with various
ideas for pipe wrenches that eventually evolved into some of the diverse wrenches we have
today. Monkey wrenches, open-ended wrenches, crescent wrenches, pipe wrenches, and
ratchet wrenches all serve a vital function in maintenance and repairs—but you probably don’t
need all of them in your toolbox. Simply select the best ones for the tasks you and invest in a
set of high-quality steel wrenches for your toolbox today.
Scrapers and Putty Knives
Putty knives and scrapers are an underrated, yet vital component of any toolbox. There are so many practical applications for a scraper that you should just make sure to keep one in your toolbox at all times. You never know when a scraper might come in handy (especially if the weather turns foul while you’re on the road). You can use them for removing paint or debris if you’re washing/repainting your vehicle. You can also use them to scrape gunk from components as you perform maintenance on your vehicle. Along with a set of other dedicated hand tools, a few scrapers and a putty knife or two can be invaluable resources at unexpected times.
Socket Wrenches
Ratchet sets are a godsend when it comes to working on a vehicle. So many parts of a car or truck are easier to work on when you have the power and torque control afforded by a ratchet set. Ratchets are also pretty versatile. They contain multiple socket sizes and are used for many different things. You won’t need an excessive amount of multiple tools if you have a good ratchet set around. You can also save time by switching quickly between sockets as you go. Ratchets are also a little bit better for accuracy and pretty cost-effective when you get down to it. Keeping a good quality set of these tools in your vehicle or your vehicles automotive tool kit can help you keep your vehicle in good repair and well maintained for a long time to come.