Points to Remember:
- Learning about car maintenance tools can be helpful for students as this knowledge saves money and time.
- The basic tools needed for car maintenance include a socket set, spark plugs, combination wrench set, pliers/side cutters, tyre pressure gauge, torque wrench, trolley jack, and puncture repair kit.
- These tools not only provide effective maintenance tasks but also enhance the life span of your vehicle.
If you are a student fed up with investing in car repair and wish that you could do some of the tasks yourself, then you must know about car maintenance tools that save you time and money in the long run and help you avoid costly repairs to your car in the future.
According to Click4 Warranty, the car owner has to spend an average cost of £100 per month for car maintenance.
The basic tools for car maintenance will help you quickly repair your car issue. You are here, which means you want to learn about these tools. In this article, we are going to share some essential tools for car repair that make this job seamless. So, let’s start:
List of 8 Car Maintenance Tools for College Students
Car maintenance by yourself is not hard at all if you have the right car maintenance tools at your disposal. However, sometimes, students get stuck in a remote area with a damaged car and can’t make it to get out of this situation. Thus, they fail to complete their homework on time. In such a scenario, they can contact skilled writers from a reliable assignment writing company in the UK who can help them in completing their academic work on time.
Moreover, if you know how to repair your car, you can do it by yourself instead of waiting for an auto mechanic.
Below are the top 8 tools that can help you repair your vehicle in a difficult situation:
1. Socket Set
This is the most common car maintenance tool that every student must know. This socket set is available in different designs and sizes. Moreover, two common types of this set are the following:
- Bi-hex – It has 12 teeth to grip the nuts/bolts. These teeth allow the socket to be placed in 12 different positions on the nut/bolt.
- Full-hex – It has only six teeth that offer a large contact area for the nuts/bolts. The larger the area, the more torque is applied to the nut/bolt.
Moreover, for the socket set, you need a ratchet, a breaker, and some extensions. The role of these three components is as follow:
- A ratchet is used for slacking and tightening.
- The socket bar is for applying torque.
- Extensions are used to apply torque from different angles.
2. Spark Plugs
For the best working of your car’s ignition system, you must have the right instrument kit for its maintenance, which is a spark plug kit. This kit has the following components:
- Spark plug socket
- Gap gauges
- A tester
These are all essential maintenance tools that ensure the optimum conditions of your car’s ignition system. You just need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions while using these tool kits. However, the functions of these instruments are the following:
- The spark plug socket protects the plug.
- The spark gap gauge measures the gap between electrodes.
- The tester detects any issue in the functioning of the spark plug.
3. Combination Wrench Set
Although a socket set is the best toolkit for all small maintenance tasks, sometimes you need some extra wrenches as sockets cannot reach some bolts/nuts that are in some small space. Various wrenches are available in a wrench set, including:
- Open-end wrenches
- Adjustable wrenches
- Box-end wrenches
Having the perfect gadget in your hand will not only simplify your job but also ensure accurate unscrewing, which will avoid potential damage.
4. Pliers/Side Cutters
Pliers and side cutters are the most essential car maintenance tools when working on a car. Pliers are available in different sizes, shapes, and designs; however, a three-component kit, which includes long-nose, short-nose, and joint pliers, is the best for regular use. These tools are greatly helpful in handling tasks such as unscrewing and tightening bolts/nuts.
Likewise, a side cutter is used to cut small-diameter items such as electrical wires, cable sets, speaker wires, automotive wires, etc. Knowledge about these tools not only simplifies your maintenance job but also enables you to write if you ever get an assignment on electrical components. You can write it yourself or buy an assignment online from technical writers.
5. Tyre Pressure Gauge
Having the right amount of air is essential for the effective working of your car as it reduces fuel consumption, increases the lifespan of tyres, and provides safety on roads. The tyre pressure gauge helps you keep an eye on the inflation level of your vehicle’s tyre and is one of the most vital components of the car maintenance tool kit.
Checking the air pressure in your car’s tyres regularly ensures that you are following the manufacturer’s instructions. Furthermore, it also provides you with a smooth driving experience while keeping your car in optimum working condition.
6. Torque Wrench
Numerous nuts and bolts are holding your vehicle’s components together, and they just need to be tightened to ensure they are in perfect condition. Too loose nuts can unscrew, and too tight can break them. Therefore, car maintenance experts advise setting precise torque for particular fasteners. You can use torque wrenches for the perfect screwing.
These wrenches are attached to the sockets, and you can set the torque limit that you require for the specific fastener. When the required torque setting is reached, you hear an audible click and can detach the wrench from the socket.
7.Trolley Jack
A vehicle lifting tool is very important for performing the maintenance task. A trolley jack with a support project helps in lifting the car when you need to change the oil or replace brakes. A car jack and a trolly jack are two different things; don’t mix them up.
A car jack moves your vehicle upward with the help of hydraulic pressure, while a trolley jack provides greater mobility with the help of its cylinders. Additionally, this jack has both features, as it has rolling components and lifting components that can secure you when you perform repairs.
8. Puncture Repair Kit
A puncture repair kit is significantly helpful when there is a minor venture in your car’s tyres and avoids expensive tyre replacement. This kit includes the following components:
- Rasp Instrument
- Rubber cement
- Inflator
This kit avoids unnecessary waste of time calling a professional to repair the puncture and saves money long-term. So, there is no harm in learning all about these tools that can offer you great help in the long run.
Conclusion
Car maintenance is expensive and requires a lot of time and energy. For a student, wasting their money on small car maintenance tasks is not good as tons of other expenditures are waiting for them. To avoid these unnecessary expenses, you must learn about the basic car maintenance tools that can help you save money in the long term.
Numerous tools are available in the market, from which we enlisted the top 8 in this guide. These include a socket set, spark plugs, combination wrench set, pliers/side cutters, tyre pressure gauge, torque wrench, trolley jack, and puncture repair kit. In addition, these instruments not only smoothen the maintenance job but also keep your vehicle in good condition. If you want a tool other than these enlisted ones, then you can visit your nearest market and get the required one.