Hand Tools
This tool is essential for loosening or tightening nuts and bolts, typically used with sockets of various sizes.
What is a ratchet?
This air-powered tool provides high torque in powerful bursts, commonly used for removing and installing lug nuts.
What is an impact wrench?
This electronic tool plugs into a vehicle's OBD-II port to read and clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
What is a scan tool or OBD-II scanner?
This tool is specifically designed to grip and loosen the housing for an oil filter during an oil change.
What is an oil filter wrench?
These are worn to protect your eyes from debris, fluids, and sparks while working.
What are safety glasses or goggles?
What are combination wrenches, with an open end and a closed box end, used for?
To turn nuts and bolts in areas where a socket set might not fit.
Often cordless, this tool is used for drilling holes and driving screws with various bits.
What is a cordless drill or drill driver?
What electrical properties can a multimeter measure to diagnose circuit problems?
Voltage, current, and resistance.
What are these long, thin tools, often with various tips, used for retrieving small parts from tight spaces or prying electrical connectors?
What is a pick and hook set?
This essential piece of equipment provides stable support for a lifted vehicle, preventing it from falling.
What are jack stands?
This long, ratcheted bar provides extra leverage to break loose stubborn fasteners.
What is a breaker bar?
This power tool, similar to a grinder, is used for cutting and polishing various automotive components.
What is a grinder or cut-off tool?
This tool measures the pressure inside an engine's cylinders to diagnose issues like worn piston rings or valves.
What is a compression tester?
This set of tools is used to safely remove and install coil springs on struts, preventing uncontrolled release.
What is a spring compressor (or strut spring compressor)?
Fire extinguishers
What's used to extinguish fires?
Used for gripping, bending, cutting, and holding, this versatile tool comes in slip-joint, needle-nose, and locking varieties.
What are pliers?
What is the primary function of an air compressor in an automotive shop?
To power air tools like impact wrenches, air ratchets, and for inflating tires.
Used to listen for internal engine or component noises, much like a doctor's instruments.
What is a mechanic's stethoscope?
This tool is used to separate stubborn ball joints or tie rod ends from their tapered seats.
What is a ball joint separator (or tie rod puller)?
These protect your hands from cuts, abrasions, and chemical exposure.
$400: What are work gloves or nitrile gloves?
This measuring tool ensures fasteners are tightened to a specific rotational force, preventing overtightening or under-tightening.
What is a torque wrench?
This heavy-duty hydraulic tool is used to lift vehicles off the ground, often in conjunction with jack stands.
What is a floor jack?
This specialized tool is used to read and reset tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors after tire service.
What is a TPMS tool?
Brake bleeder kit
What's used to remove air bubbles from the brake lines?
This low-profile, wheeled platform allows a mechanic to comfortably slide under a vehicle for inspections and repairs.
What is a creeper?