9/11
Collection of Pliers
Much DIY vehicle work involves loosening tight things and tightening loose things, so a good set of pliers is essential. At just $44, this set of Irwin Vise-Grip Pliers is my favorite.
It includes a pair of slip-lock pliers that adjust for gripping objects of different sizes; needle-nose pliers for gripping small, thin objects in hard-to-reach places; standard pliers; and wire cutters. I have used each tool on my vehicle many times. I consistently find Irwin pliers outlast and outperform other brands.
10/11
Ramps
DIY mechanics work underneath vehicles just like the pros. But the at-home mechanic probably lacks a vehicle hoist to lift their car off floor. Most DIYers, even serious ones, can’t justify investing in a vehicle hoist.
A more practical solution is a set of ramps. Selling for about $165, this Service Ramp Set from BiSupply can boost the front or back of your vehicle 6.6 inches, enough to make draining oil, changing fuel filters and a host of other under-vehicle jobs considerably easier. I’ve had everything from a Toyota Echo to my half-ton pickup on these, and they’ve never let me down.
11/11
Bonus: Anti-Seize Compound
Ask any seasoned auto mechanic, and they’ll most likely tell you that bolts are always seizing up on vehicles. That’s why every mechanic I know considers anti-seize compound to be liquid gold.
Technically a material more than a tool, you spread this inexpensive product over the threads of bolts likely to corrode or stick to their respective inserts or nuts. It keeps corrosion at bay. Even if you keep an impact wrench handy for stubborn bolts, there’s no point damaging a bolt or your vehicle if you don’t have to. Anti-seize compound keeps threads working as they should.
