Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by John Robinson
Running your own car repair shop is a great way to earn a living. You get to work on cars, help people, and have the satisfaction of seeing the results of your work at the end of each day. But in order to really be able to excel at your services, you need to have the proper tools of the trade. While those might slightly differ depending on your clientele, there are 8 equipment pieces that every auto repair shop should have out there.
8 Top Equipment Every Auto Repair Shop Should Have
1. Car Hauler
Sometimes, you’re going to need to move a car somewhere. Of course, when leaving their cars with you, your clients will leave the car keys as well, but what if the car just won’t start, and you don’t have the time to start working on it immediately? You can’t just have it sitting around at your shop where it may be in the way. That’s where car trailers come in. This is basically a hauler that you can hook up to your truck and tow the car around with. It’s also perfect for moving cars from one part of the shop to another. As an added benefit, you can provide your clients with an additional service – instead of them having to call a tow service to bring their cars to you – you can cut out the middleman and tow it yourself for a small fee.
2. Vehicle Lift
It’s not always possible to work on a car when it’s on the ground. Maybe the repair is underneath the car, and you can’t really get to it properly that way. Or maybe there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and you don’t want to have to take the time to jack up the car each and every time. Whether you’re working on restoring a classical car for your client, or you’re just trying to change the oil, a car lift is an essential piece of equipment. A hydraulic lift that you can use to raise the car up so that you can work on it more easily will save you time and energy, and it’ll make the job a lot easier overall so it’s definitely something that you don’t want to be without.
3. Engine Analyzer
If you’re going to be a successful car mechanic, you need to know your way around an engine. And the only way to do that is by being able to properly diagnose and troubleshoot any problems that may arise. An engine analyzer is a device that allows you to take a look at all of the different engine parameters and get a better understanding of what’s going on. You can use it to check the fuel mixture, the ignition timing, and a whole bunch of other things. With this tool, you’ll be able to quickly and easily diagnose any engine problems and come up with a plan to fix them. This is an especially important piece of equipment if you’re working on high-end cars that have delicate engines.
4. Tire Changer
If you’re going to be a car mechanic, you need to know how to change a tire. It’s something that everyone should know how to do, and changing a tire is not exactly a difficult task. But if you want to make things even easier on yourself, you should invest in a good quality tire changer. This is a device that allows you to quickly and easily change a tire, without having to worry about getting the car up in the air. It’s perfect for those who do a lot of work on their own cars, and it can save you a lot of time and hassle. If you’ve just opened up your shop and you don’t have too many regulars yet, you may feel like you don’t really need one. However, once you get more business, you’ll want to have the right equipment which can streamline the process and make it more efficient.
5. Balancer/Alignment Rack
When it comes to car repair, one of the most important things is making sure that the car is properly balanced and aligned. If it’s not, then you’re going to run into all sorts of problems – from poor fuel economy to premature tire wear. That’s why it’s important to have a good quality balancer/alignment rack. This is a device that will help you to properly align and balance the car so that you can avoid any of these problems. It’s an essential piece of equipment for any shop, and it’s something that you definitely don’t want to be without. It works by holding the car in place while you make the necessary adjustments, so it’s a really handy tool to have.
6. Brake Lathe
If you’re going to be a car mechanic, you need to know how to work on brakes. And the best way to do that is by having a good quality brake lathe. This is a device that allows you to resurface the brake drums and discs so that they’re as good as new. It’s an essential piece of equipment for any shop, and it’s something that you don’t want to be without. It’s perfect for those who do a lot of work on their own cars as well, and it can save you a lot of time and hassle. As a professional mechanic, you should definitely have one of these in your shop.
7. Scan Tool
This is a device that allows you to read and clear the trouble codes from the car’s computer. It’s a really handy tool to have, and it can save you a lot of time and hassle. If you’re having problems with the car, the scan tool will allow you to quickly and easily find the source of the problem. This is an essential piece of equipment for any shop, and it’s something that you definitely don’t want to be without. Since it’s made to troubleshoot a car’s computer, it’s obviously geared towards more modern vehicles. This is a reason why certain shops opt-out of having it, however, as time moves on, it’s only reasonable to conclude that ever older cars will have some sort of computerized component.
8. Parts Washing System
Last but not least, every automotive repair facility should have a parts washing system. This is a device that allows you to quickly and easily clean the parts – both inside and out. It’s a really handy tool to have, and it can save you a lot of time and hassle. As a mechanic, you know that it’s important to keep the parts clean, and this is the best way to do it. Not only will it keep the parts clean, but it will also help to prevent corrosion. This is a piece of equipment that is essential for any automotive repair shop, and it’s something that you definitely don’t want to be without.
These are just some of the essential pieces of equipment that every automotive repair facility should have. If you’re just starting out, or if you’re looking to update your shop, then these are the pieces of equipment that you should be focusing on. They’ll help you to streamline the process and make it more efficient, which is what every mechanic wants.
