| Owning your own car is an American tradition that has | | | | longer bolts. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but |
| become a rite of passage for many, and maintaining | | | | be sure to get a decent set in either standard or |
| your car is a part of that same tradition. Many find | | | | metric variation depending on where your car is an |
| satisfaction – as well as savings – by doing their | | | | American or foreign model. |
| own maintenance and repairs. The truth is most | | | | Box wrench set |
| maintenance can be performed with the relatively | | | | Box wrenches have a closed end and an open end |
| basic set of tools found on this list: | | | | and are handy for adjusting bolts in narrow and tight |
| Wire brush, utility knife, and pressure gauge | | | | places. |
| For small maintenance tasks such as cleaning your | | | | Screwdriver set |
| battery terminals, cutting hoses, and checking tire | | | | You’ll need screwdrivers to remove all kinds of |
| pressure regularly, these basic and inexpensive tools | | | | parts like a fan cowling, mud flap, or door panel. |
| are invaluable. | | | | Basically everything on your car is help in place with a |
| Mini crowbar and mini sledge | | | | screw or bolt, so be sure to get both slotted and |
| You’ll be surprised how often you need a crowbar | | | | Philip’s head drivers. |
| to leverage a part or pulley, or how often that sledge | | | | Jack and jackstands |
| will help you loosen a rusted bolt. | | | | This may seem indulgent, but having a hydraulic jack to |
| Oil filter wrench | | | | lift your 2 ton vehicle and four solid jack stands to hold |
| This tool is easy to overlook, but changing your own oil | | | | it securely while you lie under it is worth the investment. |
| is one of the best ways to save money and you really | | | | Torque wrench |
| can’t do it without an oil filter wrench (at least, you | | | | Believe it or not, there are bolts on your car that need |
| don’t want to). | | | | to be tightened to a certain level of torque. A torque |
| Socket set | | | | wrench, which when set properly, literally breaks away |
| A socket set will save you hours of tedious work on | | | | at the right torque. |