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What Tools Do You Need to Work on Your Own Car?

Writer: Joel Thompson
Joel Thompson
Oct 14
6 min read

Updated: Oct 18

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Walk into any tool aisle and it's easy to leave with a cart full of shiny stuff you'll use once. I've been there. The better way to build a tool collection is backwards: start with the jobs you actually want to do, look honestly at the space you're working in, and buy for that. Everything else can wait until a project gives you a reason.

This guide walks through how to figure out what you need, what you can skip for now, and how your workspace changes the list.

Quick note on prices: every price in this post is a rough, approximate range to help you budget. Prices vary a lot by brand, store, sales, and where you live, so treat them as ballpark only.

Starter car toolkit laid out on a table in front of a red Toyota pickup: tool rolls, wrenches, ratchet, sockets, pliers, gloves and a jump box

Start With the Jobs, Not the Tools

Before buying anything, write down the next three to five things you want to do to your car. Be specific. "Work on my car" isn't a job. "Change my oil," "swap my brake pads," and "replace my cabin air filter" are jobs.

Then sort them into tiers.

Tier 1: Basic Maintenance

These are the jobs most people start with, and they pay for your tools fastest:

  • Oil and filter changes

  • Engine and cabin air filters

  • Wiper blades and bulbs

  • Battery swaps

  • Checking and topping off fluids

  • Tire rotations

Tier 2: Intermediate Repairs

Once you're comfortable, these are the next step up:

  • Brake pads and rotors

  • Spark plugs and ignition coils

  • Belts and some sensors

  • Basic suspension parts like sway bar links

  • Fluid flushes (coolant, brake fluid)

Tier 3: Bigger Projects and Mods

These need more tools, more space, and more patience:

  • Suspension swaps (coilovers, lowering springs, lift kits)

  • Exhaust work

  • Wheel bearings and axles

  • Interior and audio upgrades

  • Restoration work like rust repair or paint prep

Buy for the tier you're in right now, plus maybe one job ahead.

The Starter Kit Almost Everyone Needs

No matter the car or the space, these tools show up on nearly every job.

Core Hand Tools

Metric and SAE combination wrenches laid side by side

Lifting and Safety

This is the one category where I won't tell you to go cheap and cut corners.

Never get under a car that's only held up by a jack. Ever. Stands go under solid lift points, and give the car a firm shake before you crawl under.

Floor jack and jack stand supporting a red 1989 Toyota pickup in a garage

Fluids and Mess Control

Oil drain container, funnel, filter wrench and nitrile gloves for a DIY oil change
Working under a truck with shop towels and a drain container ready to catch drips

Light and Information

Cordless work light clipped under the hood lighting an engine bay

Add Tools by Project

Once you have the starter kit, add tools only when a job calls for them.

  • Brakes: Brake caliper tool or C-clamp, brake cleaner, wire brush, possibly a bleeder kit

  • Spark plugs: Spark plug socket, extensions, swivel, dielectric grease

  • Suspension: Larger sockets, penetrating oil, pry bar, possibly a spring compressor (or rent one)

  • Electrical: Test light, wire strippers, crimpers

  • Rust and body: Angle grinder, wire wheels, respirator, sanding blocks

Pro tip: Many auto parts stores have loaner or rental tool programs for specialty tools. Check what's available near you before buying something you'll use once.

How Your Workspace Changes the List

Your space matters as much as your project list. Here's how I'd think about it.

Driveway workspace set up for a project: truck with the engine pulled on a hoist, and a rolling tool cart

Driveway or Street Parking

You're working in the open, so everything has to be portable and packable.

  • Prioritize a compact, portable tool roll (on Amazon) or rolling case.

  • A low-profile floor jack or lighter aluminum jack is easier to move in and out.

  • Bring a creeper (on Amazon) or a sturdy mat for hot, rough pavement.

  • Cordless tools are your friend since there may be no outlet nearby. A cordless impact driver (on Amazon) is a good first one.

  • Keep a big drip mat or cardboard under the car.

Apartment or Shared Parking

This is the toughest setup. Before you buy anything, check your lease, HOA, or property rules about working on cars. Many places limit or ban repairs on the property.

  • Stick to quick, clean Tier 1 jobs.

  • A compact tool kit that fits in a closet or trunk.

  • Cordless everything, and nothing loud late at night.

  • A sealed container for used fluids so you can transport them to a recycling drop-off.

  • Consider renting time at a DIY garage for bigger jobs if one exists in your area.

One-Car Garage

Space is tight, but you've got a roof, power, and some privacy.

  • Wall storage beats a giant toolbox. Pegboard or rail systems keep the floor clear.

  • A small rolling cart puts tools right next to you.

  • Plug-in tools become an option, but watch your outlet capacity.

  • Folding workbenches save room.

Two-Car Garage

You can start thinking about bigger projects, longer downtime, and more tool investment.

  • A full rolling tool chest becomes worth it.

  • A sturdy workbench with a bench vise (on Amazon).

  • An air compressor (on Amazon) for tires, cleanup, and air tools, if you'll actually use it.

  • Room for a project car to sit while your daily stays drivable.

Buy Smart: Where to Spend and Where to Save

  • Spend on: jack stands, floor jack, torque wrench, and anything that holds weight or affects safety.

  • Save on: basic hand tools to start. Mid-range sets are fine for weekend use, and you can upgrade the ones you wear out.

  • Wait on: specialty tools until a specific job needs them.

  • Consider used: hand tools from garage sales or marketplaces can be a great deal. Inspect for cracks and rounded edges.

Your Tool-Buying Checklist

  • I've listed my next 3-5 specific jobs

  • I've sorted them into Tier 1, 2, or 3

  • I have safe lifting gear (jack, stands, chocks)

  • I have the core hand tools in the sizes my car uses

  • I have a torque wrench and know my car's torque specs

  • I've checked my workspace rules (lease, HOA, local rules)

  • My tools match my space (portable vs. stored)

  • I've checked for loaner or rental tools for one-off jobs

  • I have a plan for used fluid disposal

Build the Kit as You Build the Car

You don't need a pro shop to do real work. You need the right tools for the next job and a safe way to use them. Every project adds a few pieces, and before long you'll have a kit that fits your car, your space, and your budget.

Want to see these tools in action? Subscribe to ProjectDaily on YouTube so you catch the first builds as they drop. And if you want to rep the garage life while you wrench, check out the ProjectDaily apparel shop.

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