Below is a general list of must-have tools for your garage. Each of these items comes in various brands and models, to meet different needs and budgets.

Air Compressors

A garage can’t function without a good air compressor, even if your garage doesn’t offer paint jobs, since the most common use of a compressor is to pump air into tires. There are three types of air compressors – vertical, horizontal and portable.

Automotive Lifts

There are various types of automotive lifts. For a low ceiling, a low-rise lift is best. There is one type of lift made for parking and another type for alignment work. You can also choose between two-post lifts and four-post lifts.

Heavy Duty Toolbox with Garage Tools

One of the most important pieces of garage equipment is the toolbox, which keeps your tools organized when not in use. You can opt for a tool chest that has built-in drawers, so you will know exactly where to look for any tool when it is needed. And speaking of shop tools, every mechanic should own his own set. There are even some mechanics who won’t let others touch their tools.

Diagnostic Tools

There’s a diagnostic tool for each system installed in a vehicle. There’s one for the cooling system, the timing light, the battery, the fuel injection system, and the electrical system. There is also a leak detector, plus many more. Diagnostic tools can immediately detect problems with the vehicle.

Exhaust Equipment

Garage tools and equipment are made for fixing vehicle exhaust systems as well as for keeping the air in your workplace clean. An exhaust ventilation system provides a safer work environment by cleaning the air inside the garage. Larger garages might need an exhaust tube bender for making replacement exhaust tubes.

Fluid Service

Vehicles require several types of fluid, such as transmission fluid, coolants, oil, brake fluid and power steering fluid. To replace the various fluids easily and efficiently, a garage is not complete without a grease pump, a brake bleeder, a fluid evacuator, and a transmission fluid exchanger.

To determine if your air filter needs to be replaced, just hold it up in front of the sun or to a bright light. Are you able to see light flowing through the filter? If not, try hitting it bottom side down, on a hard surface. Doing so will break some dirt loose. If you are still unable to see through it after hitting it on a hard surface, you can try other cleaning methods. See below for other cleaning methods. If other cleaning methods do not clean your filter then you will need to buy a new one.

To get a pleated air filter clean you can either use an air hose to blow the dirt out or you can use a vacuum to suck it out. To avoid crushing the pleats, handle the filter gently. Keep the end of the air hose or vacuum cleaner a few inches away from the filter. Try to avoid jamming the cleaner up against the filter. If you are using compressed air avoid blowing it up close. Jamming it up to close can cause dirt to blow around under the hood.

If the inside of the box is covered with some dust or sand, before you clean it paste some duct tape over the open end of the air intake so the dirt won’t fly in. Then use compressed air to blow out the dirt from the box or you could use a vacuum to suck it out.

A hand vac is another good option for the job. You don’t need a compressed air gun or have drive to a service station to use theirs. Also with a hand vac you are less likely of blowing the dirty air out of the cold air box and into something else.