Car Repair: The Tools You Should Have

Not everyone is interested in becoming an amateur car repair enthusiast, but even if you would prefer entrusting maintenance and fixes to your favorite mechanic, it never hurts to be able to do some simple things on your own. Of course, nothing is simple if you don't have the right tools. Lacking those, even the easiest job can become an exercise in frustration. So in this article, we are going to look at some tools that every vehicle owner should have around the house. If you aren't into fixing your own vehicle, they may never be used, but as a wise man once said: it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

If you ever need to get underneath your vehicle for car repair, you'll need a good car jack and some jack stands before you do so. Getting underneath the car is one of the most compromising, dangerous positions for you to be in, so you need to make sure you not only get quality tools, but that you know exactly how to use them. You should take a jack with you at all times anyway, as it will be necessary if you ever have to change your tire by the side of the road. Even when it comes to home projects, having this piece of equipment is invaluable when it comes to changing wheels, doing rotations, changing the oil, or doing anything else that requires the vehicle to be lifted.

Speaking of changing the oil, it doesn't take much to check the oil levels, but you will want to make sure you keep a rag around for those times when it is necessary. White is usually preferable, so you can get a sense of what color the oil is when you wipe it off. If it is nearing black, you'll know you're overdue for an oil change and can make the appropriate accommodations. In addition to the rag, you may also want to keep a funnel handy. This will help you not only when you want to add oil, but other fluids to your car's engine. If you lost your dipstick along the way (it happens) or the cap for the reservoir, make sure you get a new one from the dealer.

Another thing that you may well need at some point in the future is jumper cables. Carry them with you always, because you never know when you'll need to be jumped off. You may have to depend on the kindness of a stranger to get you the requisite electricity for your battery to work, so don't make it more difficult on yourself by demanding that they have the cables as well. If you want, you can also buy a battery pack, which can jump your car without the use of another vehicle.