By James John
If you own a car, you’ll know just how frustrating mechanical issues can be. These seem to come at the worst possible time and leave you stranded. According to the AA, they alone rescued a whopping 2.9 million people who had broken down in 2021 and while some of these issues did require the attention of a professional, some could’ve been resolved by the driver.
To repair the vehicle yourself, however, you’ll need some tools but knowing which ones are essential can be difficult if you have little knowledge in the area. Some tools may help to prevent breakdowns happening in the first place too, so you can be more confident that your motor won’t let you down.
So, if you think you need to pick up some tools for your car, now is the perfect time to do so because more vehicle issues arise during winter. Our guide below will take a look at the five tools every car owner should have. Read on to find out more.
Bottle jacks
Sometimes known as piston jacks, bottle jacks are a handy tool used to lift a vehicle off the ground. Most commonly, these will be used when changing a tyre but can be used for other applications too. These typically use hydraulic technology to lift the tyre and they take up very little space, giving you ample room to work on your car.
Screwdrivers and wrenches
Screwdrivers and wrenches are versatile items that help you take apart your car, so you can solve numerous issues. This includes working on your engine, wheels or changing a tyre.
Jump leads
Jump leads are possibly the most heard-of items on this list and may prove to be the most essential. If your battery goes flat, you won’t be able to start your engine and jump leads can be used to pump some juice into your car. You’ll connect these from a running battery to your dead one, which should allow the battery to get enough power to switch on. Once the engine starts after that, your battery should charge back up and function how you expect it to.
Tyre pressure gauge
Having your tyres at the right pressure is a must for all drivers. Not only will the right tyre pressure improve your car’s efficiency but it’ll keep you safer because you’ll have great grip and responsive braking performance.
A pressure gauge lets you take readings of the PSI of each tyre, so you know whether they need to be pumped up or not. If they do, take your car to your local petrol station, which should have the facilities to let you add more pressure.
