There are certain maintenance tasks you could perform yourself. However, the right tools should be on hand to ensure your safety and to avoid damage to your car.
Many screws around a car must be tightened at a specified torque. A torque wrench is therefore the first tool a car enthusiast should acquire. When tightening screws and bolts, the car manufacturers instructions should be followed.
A hydraulic car jack is another item that should be found in the garage. As safety is a concern, do not skimp and purchase one that is solidly built with load dependent brakes. Among other tasks one can perform using a hydraulic jack, one can now rotate the wheels of a car. German Motors recommends wheels to be rotated regularly to ensure they wear evenly and thus provide more mileage. When rotating the wheels, German Motors recommends to also perform wheel alignment.
A set of quality screwdrivers should not be missing from a hobby garage. It should be a set of individual screwdrivers, and they should be of high quality. Cheaper tools are oftentimes made from inferior metals, which are softer and may therefore wear out faster. A range of sizes of flathead screwdriver and Phillips screwdrivers should be on hand. Using a wrong size can damage screws and therefore it is vital to have several sizes in the toolbox. Torx and Hex screwdrivers should not be missing as many modern cars use these types of screws.
To ensure that the car’s tyres are properly inflated, a hand-held pressure gauge comes in handy. It is recommended to check the tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. Checking the pressure at home allows for doing that as the pressure can be checked in the morning, before the car is moved. Using a small compressor, tyres could be inflated to the right pressures. Suitable compressors could also be used for a wrench.
Funnels of various sizes should not be missing. Fluids might need to be refilled and having a funnel makes that so much easier. Marking them accordingly, different funnels are used for oils, coolant or the washer system. Using funnels ensures that the engine is kept clean while making it easier to get the right amounts filled.
To ensure that the car is always looking its best, sponges, leather cloth and brushes are must-haves too. Car detailing products are also available from German Motors and with the use of the right product for each surface, your car will maintain its shine for a long time. Small, battery powered vacuum cleaners now help with keeping the interior of your vehicle spotless. A pressure cleaner can be a worthwhile consideration as one can also use it to clean walls, driveways and other parts of the house.
Lastly, one should add protective equipment. Googles or safety glasses should be worn when working on your car. To avoid injuries, safety gloves should be worn when working with wrenches, hammers or pliers. Besides offering protection and added grip, gloves also keep hands clean. Nitrile gloves should be used when working with cleaning agents to protect the skin from chemicals. When working with air compressors, angle grinders or drills, hearing protection should be worn.
