A new tool for working on your car can be a significant investment, but without proper care you might have to stump up for a replacement sooner than expected. Which is why caring properly for your car tools can save you money in the long run.
Buy an expensive torque wrench and skip reading the manual, for example, and you could end up damaging it, causing it to give inaccurate readings. And that could lead to you damaging whatever you’re using the wrench on.
It’s not just the more intricate automotive tools that benefit from care and attention, either. Even basic car tools, such as screwdrivers, socket sets and pliers will last longer and work better with some straightforward maintenance. Let’s not forget about power tools, either, which often have their own requirements.
Read on for our top ten tips for keeping your tools in fine fettle and providing good service for years to come. It might, at the very least, save you having to buy a costly replacement tool.
Parkers top ten tips for proper tool maintenance
10. Inspect any new tool when you get it
When you get any new tool, give it a proper going over and make sure it’s damage-free and works as it should, especially if it has moving or electronic parts. If there are any issues you should be able to exchange the tool or get a refund.
If you don’t inspect the tool before using it, you may find yourself unable to do the job and possible unable to return it because it’ll no longer be in ‘as new’ condition.
9. Care for batteries properly
Batteries are expensive, be they standard disposables, rechargeables, or expensive bespoke units for cordless tools. You need to store batteries in a warm, dry place; cold and damp can significantly shorten a battery’s life. Pay particular attention to caring for expensive rechargeables.
Have a look at the manual for your tool and battery combination to see if there are storage/charging recommendations. If not, you should charge the batteries fully then take them off the charger, use them regularly, don’t deplete them entirely, and handle them with care.
8. Store your tools properly
Having a proper place to store your car tool kit can make a big difference to how long it lasts. Storing it in a proper tool box or tool drawer unit will keep them safe, dry and organised. There are many other storage solutions available, as well.
Dedicated places to put your tools also makes it easier to find what you need when you need it. And don’t forget to put everything away when you’ve finished, so your tools don’t go walkabout.
7. Sharpen tools regularly
A blunt blade, cutting tool or drill bit is always frustrating, because a quick job can end up taking significantly longer. Blunt tools also demand more effort – from you and the tool.
A blunt drill bit will force you to work an electric drill harder, for example, which could wear out both bit and drill quicker. A few minutes spent sharpening your tools now and then will help avoid that and reduce effort and annoyance.
6. Keep things clean
Regularly cleaning a tool will help it last longer and make it more pleasant to handle. Cleaning muck off the surface can usually be done with a wet cloth; degreaser should shift any heavy-duty dirt.
Blowing dust and debris out of power tools prevents the mechanisms getting clogged or overheating. Rusty tools can be restored by cleaning off the corrosion with steel wool or a grinder attachment on an electric drill. Alternatively, you can treat it with rust converter. Rust is often a sign your tool storage isn’t dry enough, as well.
5. Keep things lubricated
To keep your tools’ moving parts working properly, give them a dash of lubrication from time to time. Don’t use WD-40 because it’s not a lubricant; use a light machine oil or similar, or apply grease where required.
More complex tools such as compressors and power tools may also require regular servicing. Read the manual and see if there’s a recommended service schedule.
4. Be careful with your tools
It’s easy to be a bit careless with tools, especially when that 10-minute job turns into a two-hour debacle. But you should be careful not to damage your tools. You don’t want to sling an expensive power tool on the floor and break the battery casing, or reverse over an expensive tool you left behind your car.
Also be mindful of who you lend your tools to. If someone has shown a complete lack of mechanical sympathy, they may end up significantly shortening a tool’s life.
3. Read the manual
Tempting as it may be to just open the package get stuck into the job you need a new tool for, you may end up damaging it by not using it properly. Always read the manual or instructions before you start. Not only will they highlight any quirks there are to using the tool, they should also outline how best to look after it and store it.
2. Don’t abuse your tools
It’s easy to overwork your tools, power tools especially. Drilling through a particularly stubborn material, you keep the trigger squeezed then notice a burning smell as the tool’s lubricant burns off and the motor overheats. And before long, the tool is (almost literally) toast. Instead, it’s better to back off periodically for a few minutes to let the tool cool down.
With manual tools, be careful not to apply too much force to them and don’t chuck them around or drop them into their storage box.
1. Use an appropriate tool for the job
If you find you haven’t got quite the right tool for the job, it can be all too tempting to pick up another one thinking ‘that’ll do.’ But using the wrong tool for the job can damage the tool and whatever you’re trying to undo, bend or jimmy, making the whole situation even worse.
It’s always best to assess whether or not you have the right tool before embarking on a job. If not, you can always go out and buy one. Yes, it adds time. But so does undoing the damage caused by using the wrong tool.
