Earlier this year, we joked about a “hatchet wrench” for the ultimate auto mechanic/outdoorsman. While that was just a bit of fun, it highlighted a real point: there are many unusual or uncommon tools in the automotive industry that are incredibly useful but often overlooked.
It’s easy to get caught up thinking you need every tool under the sun, but the truth is, there’s a balance. Every seasoned auto technician knows the feeling of tool envy, seeing gadgets they’d love to own but can’t justify. Then there are the tools you buy with high hopes, only for them to gather dust for decades. Knowing where to draw the line is a mix of budget awareness, recognizing frequently borrowed tools, and trusting your gut.
Today, we’re not pushing you to buy every niche tool out there. Instead, we’re showcasing a curated list of Unique Car Tools that have the potential to save you significant time and frustration in the shop. Often, the most valuable tools are those we simply don’t know exist. So, here’s to the unconventional, with the hope that some of these will prevent you from uttering, “I wish I had bought this years ago.”
Grease Fitting Saver
Ever struggled to grease a joint, only to find the grease refusing to go in? It’s a common problem, usually caused by hardened grease within the fitting or, more frequently, just beyond it in the joint itself. Simply replacing the fitting often won’t solve the issue. This is where a grease fitting saver comes into play. These unique car tools, available from various brands, are designed to tackle this exact problem. You fill the tool with light oil, press it firmly onto the grease fitting, and then give it a sharp tap with a hammer. This action delivers a high-pressure injection of oil directly into the fitting, effectively blasting through the hardened grease blockage and getting you back to greasing smoothly.
Radiator Cleaning Nozzle
Dirty radiator or A/C condenser fins are easily missed culprits of reduced cooling efficiency. They’re often hard to see and even harder to reach for proper cleaning. Even fins that appear relatively clean can harbor significant dirt buildup in hidden areas. A radiator cleaning nozzle is a simple yet ingenious tool to combat this. It’s essentially a long, slender tube equipped with a series of small holes strategically drilled to direct air outwards at a 90-degree angle. By slipping this nozzle between the radiator and condenser, you can quickly and efficiently blast away accumulated dirt and debris from the fins. Restoring the heat transfer capability of these components can be the key difference between adequate and outstanding system performance. These nozzles are also excellent for cleaning air filters and screens.
Screw Starters
Screw starters are not exactly new, but they remain surprisingly underappreciated in many workshops. These unique car tools are designed to grip either Phillips or slotted screws securely by engaging with the screw head slots themselves, rather than just clamping around the head. Featuring a knurled shaft for easy handling, screw starters provide a simple solution for starting screws in awkward recesses, tight or hard-to-reach areas, or for holding screws that are simply too small to manipulate comfortably with your fingers. Inexpensive and compact, they might spend some time in your toolbox between uses, but when you encounter those fiddly screws, you’ll be incredibly grateful to have one on hand.
Tail Pipe Cutters
Often referred to as chain pipe cutters, tail pipe cutters resemble a bicycle or motorcycle chain, with each link incorporating a cutting wheel similar to those found on standard tubing cutters. Some models come with plier-style handles, while others utilize vise-grip type handles for added leverage. These unique car tools are remarkably quick, easy to use, and highly efficient, consistently delivering straight, square cuts on exhaust pipes. They require minimal clearance – just enough space to wrap the chain around the pipe and a small amount of room to maneuver the tool back and forth. Once you’ve used a tail pipe cutter, you’ll likely never want to go back to other methods for exhaust pipe cutting.
Air-Assisted Heater Core Flushing Tool
A stepped water nozzle is effective for routine coolant flushes, but when dealing with a restricted heater core, water pressure alone often falls short. An air-assisted heater core flushing tool significantly enhances the cleaning process. If you haven’t used one before, the results can be quite striking. You’ll observe clear water flowing from the heater core, but the moment you introduce a quick burst of air, the water exiting the core becomes noticeably dirty. While water alone may simply flow around obstructions, the introduction of compressed air disrupts and agitates the water flow, effectively dislodging sludge, scale, and debris trapped within the heater core. In numerous instances, we’ve witnessed vehicles transition from having no heat to full heat almost instantaneously after utilizing one of these unique car tools. It’s a tool that not only boosts your efficiency but also impresses customers with noticeable results.
Induction Heaters
Induction heaters have moved beyond being considered unusual and are now making a significant impact in auto repair since the early 2000s. The key takeaway is their effectiveness. They offer a safer, flameless heating solution and are available with a wide array of coils and accessories, making them exceptionally versatile for numerous applications. Beyond their performance advantages, owning an induction heater as a technician minimizes trips to the shop torches, leading to faster, safer, and more efficient work overall. These unique car tools are becoming increasingly indispensable in modern auto repair shops.
Hose Clamp Pliers
Hose clamp pliers are specifically designed for gripping, removing, and reinstalling hose clamps without causing damage or resorting to cutting them. While regular pliers struggle to access hose clamps in confined spaces, hose clamp pliers are engineered with recessed areas and rotating tips that firmly grasp the clamp and maneuver effectively at various angles without slipping. This allows technicians to reuse the vehicle’s original hose clamps instead of automatically replacing them with screw clamps. Utilizing these specialized pliers for hose clamp work can save considerable time and frustration often associated with replacing these components. These are truly unique car tools for hose work.
Chain/Strap Wrenches
While using the precisely correct tool for each job is ideal for efficiency and preventing damage, it’s not always practical to own every specialized tool. Throughout your career, you’ll inevitably encounter situations involving round objects that need to be held stationary to loosen bolts or perform other tasks. Perhaps the factory tool is unavailable, doesn’t exist, or access is restricted. This is where strap wrenches or chain wrenches become invaluable.
Strap wrenches offer a strong grip and are generally less likely to damage surfaces, although they can crush delicate items or leave marks at the tool head. Chain wrenches are the next level up when a strap wrench lacks sufficient grip. They provide substantial torque capability but require caution due to the increased risk of marring surfaces. Ultimately, the goal is to get the job done, and these unique car tools can be lifesavers in challenging situations.
Through-Hole Ratchets
Through-hole ratchets might be considered more of a “nice-to-have” for mechanics who appreciate having a comprehensive tool selection, but they are undeniably useful. While harder to find in hand ratchet versions, air ratchets with this design are more common. The through-hole design eliminates the need for deep sockets in many applications. Whenever you encounter a nut positioned on a long stud or threaded rod, these unique car tools excel. Typically sold as sets with one ratchet and multiple sockets, they function as both a ratchet and a ratcheting wrench in a single tool. This design saves toolbox space and reduces tool investment. For situations requiring extended reach, such as spark plug replacement, extended sockets and through-hole extensions are also available. Their portability makes them particularly useful for roadside service calls.
Pipe Plug/Square Socket Set
Square-drive pipe plugs aren’t exceptionally common, and some female versions are 3/8 inch, often allowing the use of an extension. However, they do appear occasionally in both male and female configurations and various sizes. Nothing is more frustrating than being stalled by a simple task due to lacking the right tool. Purchasing a set of both male and female square sockets, although they may see infrequent use, ensures you’re prepared when these specific plugs are encountered. These are unique car tools that provide peace of mind and prevent unnecessary delays.
Thermostat Gasket Cleaner
A thermostat gasket cleaner is more than just a holder for twist-lock cleaning discs. It’s an extended version equipped with a sleeve around the driveshaft, providing enhanced control during use. This design improves both access and control, making it useful for a wider range of cleaning tasks beyond just thermostats. If you don’t already own one of these, it’s a worthwhile addition to your toolkit.
Window Holder Suction Cups
Window regulator repairs are a common task. Forget about improvising with inappropriate tools or wedging devices between the glass and window felt. Window holder suction cups, consisting of two suction cups connected by a cable, utilize the door frame to securely hold the window in place. This eliminates the risk of damage or the glass slipping unexpectedly, making window regulator work safer and more efficient. These unique car tools simplify window handling.
Click Clamp Pliers
When faced with click clamps without the correct tool, the instinct might be to cut them off, destroying them in the process. Beyond ruining the clamp itself, attempting removal without proper tools can also damage hoses and surrounding components. Click clamp pliers are specifically designed to open and close these clamps without causing harm. Features like push-button adjustment and rotating tips, engineered to grip click clamps securely even in tight spots, are common. Look for models with slim head designs for confined areas and serrated jaws for loosening stubborn hoses. Using these pliers eliminates the need to replace click clamps, saving both time and effort. These are essential unique car tools for modern vehicles.
Portable Cleaning Brush
Dirt, grease, and grime are constants in auto repair. Cleaning is an ongoing necessity, and sometimes, a full car cleaning tank seems like the ideal solution. Experienced technicians understand that cleaning can be one of the most labor-intensive parts of any job. A portable cleaning brush with interchangeable heads, valve-controlled venturi, and a pickup tube offers a versatile and mobile cleaning solution. By placing a solvent tub and inserting the pickup tube, you create a cleaning brush ready for use wherever you need it. This is one of those unique car tools that significantly improves shop cleanliness and efficiency.
So there you have it – a selection of genuinely useful tools. If you already possess all of these, congratulations, you’re a true tool aficionado! And if you were intrigued by the hatchet wrench, we’re guessing you might have the complete “The Red Green Show” collection on VHS. Mind if we borrow them sometime?
Images courtesy of KNIPEX, Lisle Corp., Innovative Products of America, Matco Tools, Mayhew Tools and Induction Innovations.
