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You know that you should take care of your car, but you’re just too cheap to take it to a mechanic.

The only other choice, do it yourself.

If you want to be a car guy you are going to need some tools. We did some checking and have compiled a list that should provide for all of your basic car maintenance needs. If you have all of this in your garage, you haven’t got any excuse for ignoring the basic maintenance of your vehicle.

• Oil filter wrench (there are different types, including cap wrenches and strap wrenches). You will have to decide which provides best grip of the filter, based on accessibility.
  
• Catch pan (for capturing used oil and coolant)
  
• 3/8” basic socket wrench set, including sockets (SAE and metric sizes) ratchets, extensions, adapters, and 5/8” and 13/16” spark-plug sockets
  Torx® sockets or bits
  
• Combination wrench set (SAE and metric sizes)
  
• Hex-key wrench set (commonly referred to as Allen® wrenches)
  
• Flare-nut fitting wrenches (most commonly used to help prevent the rounding-off of brake line fittings and bleeder fittings)
  
• Fender cover (to protect the finish of your car while working under the hood)
  
• Basic screwdriver set
  
• Test light (for checking the availability of voltage and ground in circuits)
  
• Multimeter (a more advanced electrical checking tool that provides readings of voltage, ohms, amps and sometimes more)
  
• Slip-joint, groove-joint, needle-nose, and locking pliers
  
• Torque wrench (a wrench that indicates the “tightness” of nuts and bolts)
  
• Air pressure gauge
  
• Radiator hydrometer
  
• Penetrating oil (used to help free and lubricate seized or frozen fasteners)
  
• Soldering gun & solder
  
• Electrical pliers
  
• Jack stands
  
• Ramps
  
• Hydraulic Jack
  
• Battery charger