The Drive Editors’ Favorite Mechanic’s Tools and Garage Gear

After decades of broken knuckles, singed eyebrows, and snapped bolts, this is the gear we keep close by.
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We all have our favorite tools. Those special pieces of metal and plastic we go to sleep with, and which’s batteries have been replaced more times than we can count. They’re our go-tos, our third hands, the perfect tools for every job. The Drive’s grease monkey editors have similar cherished totems, too.

Collectively, we’ve been wrenching on cars for six decades, and in that time, we’ve broken enough tools for the cream of those devices to rise to the top. We have identified the tools that will never fail you. (Ed. The Drive’s editors accept no liability if you stick one of these in liquid hot magma and expect it to be ok after. That’s on you.

In an effort to offer our wisdom and knowledge after bouts of trial and error and wasted money, we’ve put together a list of our favorite tools and garage gear you should consider adding to your inventory. This list includes everything from indispensable pocket knives to necessary tire pressure gauges, and even the ever-necessary, and Red Green-approved duct tape. 

We’ve broken down our list into three categories to make your life easier: every day carry (EDC), for your garage, and in your car. Open up those wallets! Just kidding, they’re all reasonably priced!

EDC

This is the stuff you want on you all the time.

Garage

The stuff you need in your garage.

In Your Car

You guessed it, this is what you absolutely should have in your car.

Let’s Talk, Comment Below To Talk With The Drive’s Editors!

We’re here to be expert guides in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles.

Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)

Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)

Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)

Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com

Chris Teague

Contributor

After working in the technology and software industry for several years, Chris Teague began writing as a way to help people outside of that world understand the sometimes very technical work that goes on behind the scenes. With a lifelong love of all things automotive, he turned his attention to writing new vehicle reviews, detailing industry trends, and breaking news. Along the way, he earned an MBA with a focus on data analysis that has helped him gain a strong understanding of why the auto industry’s biggest companies make the decisions they do.

Jonathon is the former Managing Editor for Commerce at The Drive and has been writing about cars and motorcycles for over a decade, but he’s been known to scribble pretty things about adoption, tattoos, life, gear, adventures, food, technology, nature, and more.


Tony Markovich is a former Senior Editor at The Drive, departing in 2022.