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About This Quiz
Whether you took auto shop in high school or you've just changed the occasional tire, you've spent some part of your life around the tools common in auto shops. A lot of them also have uses in the wider world. In this quiz, we're going to show you pictures of some common auto shop tools, give you a hint (if needed) and let you try your hand at identifying them!
Back in the early decades of automobiles, almost everyone who owned a car knew at least a little about how to fix it. Those early cars weren't tremendously reliable, so if you wanted to count on your flivver to get you from point A to point B, you had to know a bit about what made it go. You didn't have to be able to rebuild the engine on the side of the road, but knowing how to change a spark plug or replace a bum tire was a must.
These days, with cars that are as much computer as combustion engine, working on your own vehicle has become increasingly the province of an electrical engineer than a grease monkey. But some tools never change, and some parts of your car are not much different from those on Henry Ford's original motor wagons. So wipe the oil off your hands and see if you can identify these common shop tools. Take the quiz now!
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Which tool is shown here?
Flashlight
Safety glasses
Wrench Set
Good for working on any nuts and bolts of an automobile, the wrench set is a must-have for any mechanic. Wrenches typically come in both metric and standard sizes, to accommodate a multitude of vehicles.
Jumper cable
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Which tool is shown here?
Allen wrench
Wrench set
Extendable magnet
Tire Inflator
Proper tire pressure is a must for road safety. A tire inflator is the best tool to make sure you have solid PSI for the road ahead. If you see a saggy tire, make sure to grab a tire inflator!
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Which tool is shown here?
Impact wrench
Need to remove a lug nut on your wheel? Have a rusty bolt that won't break free? The impact wrench is the tool for you! Using this tool makes breaking loose nuts and bolts a breeze.
Tire pressure gauge
Crowbar
Jacks
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Which tool is shown here?
Ratchet
A ratchet is a tool used by every mechanic out there. Use a socket in conjunction with the ratchet head and take off any nut or bolt. A ratcheting head clicks and locks position to allow the user to keep turning bolts without taking the tool off the car, making the job more efficient.
Jacks
Safety glasses
Pry bar
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Which tool is shown here?
Oil pump can
Oil drip pan
Air compressor
An air compressor can be used for many shop tasks. Whether you are using the compressor to power your pneumatic tools or simply inflating your car tire pressure, the compressor is vital to shop life. A compressor essentially uses electricity to take air and pressurize it in a metal cylinder, harnessing its energy.
Headlamp
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Which tool is shown here?
Tire pressure gauge
Did you know one of the most common reasons for a flat tire is improper tire pressure? A tire pressure gauge is a good remedy for this situation. By taking an accurate measurement, the gauge can help you get your tires to the proper PSI.
Allen wrench
Inspection mirror
Air blow gun
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Which tool is shown here?
Wrench set
Sockets
Use a set of sockets to remove nuts and bolts that hold the car together. Accompanied with the proper ratchet, the sockets are used every day by the mechanic. Sockets come in a variety of sizes.
Flashlight
Jumper cables
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Which tool is shown here?
Jump starter
Never leave home without your jump starter! With a battery pack to power the unit, a jump starter can keep you from getting stranded. Be careful not to strain your back when picking it up - these babies can be a little heavy!
Impact wrench
Vacuum bleeder
Pliers
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Which tool is shown here?
Oil drip pan
Wrench set
Screwdriver
Every car mechanic uses screwdrivers. Whether it is a flathead or a Phillips, the proper screwdriver helps to get the job done right. Made in multiple sizes and lengths, screwdrivers are a must-have in the shop.
Auto ramp
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Which tool is shown here?
Car jack
Jack stand
Pliers
Wire terminal crimper
Need to do some electrical work? A wire terminal crimper is the tool you need to make clean, proper electrical connections. Made in a multitude of gauges, the terminal crimper allows the user to crimp an electrical line and make solid electrical connections.
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Which tool is shown here?
Car jack
Pliers
Used to grab items with a force greater than your hands can apply, pliers are made in many varieties. Whether you are using needle-nose, vise-grip, or channel-lock pliers, these handheld tools make sure you have the right grip.
Flexible funnel
Wrench set
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Which tool is shown here?
Screw pitch gauge
Tire pressure gauge
Wire terminal set
A wire terminal set can help the auto mechanic take a braided, copper wire and make the connection point at the end. The terminal can be shaped in a ring, spade, locking spade, or a tube bullet.
Auto ramp
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Which tool is shown here?
Finger ratchet
Spark plug pliers
Torque wrench
Laser thermometer
Not sure what that new burning smell is when you drive? A laser thermometer can help identify the troubled area by measuring the temperature of a given engine component. Every auto shop has one to help in diagnosing the internal problems a car may have.
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Which tool is shown here?
Hammer
The hammer is a time-tested tool, allowing the user to whack things to break them loose or put them back into place. With many different varieties (ball-peen, dead-blow), the hammer is great when brute force is the best option.
Laser thermometer
Under hood light bar
Jack stand
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Which tool is shown here?
Pliers
Hammer
Torx wrench set
Torx is a newer edition to the head of a bolt or screw. Featuring a star shaped head, the Torx wrench set is handy to have around. Some vehicles, like Saab, have many Torx head bolts that require a Torx wrench to work on them.
Oil drip pan
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Which tool is shown here?
Machinist vise
A machinist vise is a great tool for firmly gripping material or parts when modifying or fixing things. The metal jaws are expandable to fit different sizes of material.
Hacksaw
Sockets
Flashlight
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Which tool is shown here?
Shop gloves
Safety glasses
Multimeter
A multimeter measures AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, resistance, as well as capacitance. This is a must have tool for any auto mechanic trying to diagnose an alternator or battery issue.
Tape measure
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Which tool is shown here?
Multimeter
Machinist vise
Cordless drill
A cordless drill is a great way to make holes in material. Usually powered by a lithium ion battery, the drill can fit into tight places and improves efficiency over the traditional hand drill or screwdriver.
Torx wrench set
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Which tool is shown here?
Rethreading set
Ever strip out an old rusty bolt and wonder what to do next? The rethreading set is the tool for you! Composed of hardened steel, the rethreading set is able to make new threads from the existing, damaged material. A must-have tool for the serious mechanic.
Pliers
Headlamp
Auto ramp
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Which tool is shown here?
Hacksaw
Sockets
Tape measure
Jack
Every auto mechanic has a jack. Generally hydraulic powered, the jack is used for getting a car off of the ground so someone can service it from underneath. Jacks come in many different load capacities, so make sure you have the right one for your application!
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Which tool is shown here?
Safety glasses
Crescent wrench
Magnetic pickup tool
Ever drop a bolt that was just out of reach? Then the magnetic pickup tool is for you. With an extension bar, the tool can help pick up small magnetic objects in tight spaces. The magnetic head is great for grabbing nuts and bolts that your fingers can't reach.
Under hood light bar
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Which tool is shown here?
Flexible funnel
Heat gun
A heat gun is great for fitting metal tubing together or stripping off undesired decals. Powered by electricity, the heat gun can be used by auto mechanics anywhere.
Flexible magnet pickup
Tire pressure gauge
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Which tool is shown here?
Jack stand
To get under a car or truck safely, a jack stand is a great tool. Cinder blocks are not going to provide you with the structural support of a jack stand. Stands are made of steel and can adjust to different heights to accommodate a multitude of vehicles.
Auto ramp
Wrench
Torque wrench
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Which tool is shown here?
Tire pressure gauge
Oil
Flexible funnel
Pry bar
The pry bar comes in many different sizes. Large pry bars are great for trucks or semis, while small pry bars can be useful in smaller cars or hard-to-reach places. Use this tool to pry things apart or for rough body work.
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Which tool is shown here?
Compression gauge
Micrometer
Digital caliper
Ever wonder what is the exact size bolt you need? A digital caliper can take the finest of measurements, so that finding the right parts is a lot easier. A digital caliper has a battery-powered screen that aids the user in determining the right measurement.
Torque wrench
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Which tool is shown here?
Ramp
If you are looking to do a quick oil change, ramps are a great tool to get under the vehicle in a hassle-free manner. Just drive up - carefully - and drain that oil!
Combination wrench
Hex wrench
Tire pump
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Which tool is shown here?
Dead blow hammer
Chisel
Hose clamp pliers
Hose clamp pliers are great for fixing cooling, heating, fuel or screen-washer lines. The pliers have a special tip that allows the user to grip, cut or mend different fluid lines on a car or truck.
Pry bar
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Which tool is shown here?
Oil filter wrench
Ever have trouble removing that old oil filter? An oil filter wrench is a great way to break it loose, to make way for the new one. This tool has a long handle and a metal ring that tightens when pressure is applied.
Needle nose pliers
Pocket knife
Putty knife
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Which tool is shown here?
Pry bar
Needle nose pliers
Leather apron
Tired of getting covered in grease and grime? A leather apron is a great way to protect those clothes from all the mess of an auto shop. Some even come with pockets to store tools while you are on the job.
Wire stripper
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Which tool is shown here?
Breaker bar
Why is it called a breaker bar? It's used to break up tight fasteners, and it has a long bar for a handle.
Pry bar
Digital multi-meter
Flexible funnel
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Which tool is shown here?
Pry bar
Hex wrench
Chisel
Metal cutting circular saw
This saw is hand-held for convenience and adaptability, but be careful when using it! The cost for one of these tools is typically $100-$300.
n/a
Which tool is shown here?
Chisel
Service manual
Funnel
Not all funnels are created equal! They come in different types, including the following: flexible, multi-purpose, plastic and quick fill.
Spark tester
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Which tool is shown here?
Safety glasses
Scissors
Scissors come in handy in many places and situations, so it makes sense they'd be used in an auto shop. For auto work, make sure to have a pair of heavy duty, strong scissors.
Service manual
Inspection mirror
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Which tool is shown here?
Wrecking bar
True to its name, this tool is a long bar that is used to wreck things. Perfect for home improvement projects, fixer-uppers and letting out stress!
Inspection mirror
Hammer
Retaining pliers
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Which tool is shown here?
Hammer
Pocket screwdriver
Inspection mirror
Angle grinder
Disc grinder and side grinder are other names for the angle grinder. What does this tool do? It grinds, polishes and can even cut materials!
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Which tool is shown here?
Socket set
Torque wrench
What's a torque wrench for? Pull this wrench out when you want to prevent over-tightening, which will be often if you stand with the stats. Most handymen and women over-tighten while doing home projects and auto work.
Wire stripper
Flexible pick up tool
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Which tool is shown here?
Hex wrench
Torque wrench
Safety glasses
Safety glasses are highly recommended in the auto repair industry; they protect your eyes from dust, fluids and other debris. Who doesn't want to protect their eyesight?
Tubing wrench
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Which auto part is shown here?
Tire pressure gauge
High torque pneumatic wrench
Safety glasses
Spark plug
Every firing piston needs a spark plug to make it fire. Changing your spark plugs on a routine basis will ensure your car or truck runs top-notch for years to come.
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Which tool is shown here?
Electrical Tape
What's different about electrical tape, compared with other types of tape? It insulates and withstands abrasions with its tough vinyl outer layer.
Tubing wrench
Digital multi-meter
Remote starter switch
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Which tool is shown here?
Oil can
Flexible funnel
Mechanic's gloves
These heavy-duty gloves are a good idea to wear during auto repairs. What's so special about them? They are made of nylon, which keeps the hands dry and cool, and have a protecting layer of latex on the outside.
Tire ramps
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Which tool is shown here?
Flexible pick up
Hex wrench set
Did you know that Allen wrench and hex key are just other names for a hex wrench? Sets include keys, or wrenches, in sizes usually ranging from 1.5 to 10 millimeters.
Feeler gauge
Pry bar
n/a
Which tool is shown here?
Headlamp
A headlamp is a great tool, sometimes a necessity, in more situations than fixing cars. Many come with an adjustable strap and different light settings - even infrared light!
Spark tester
Wire splitter
Hacksaw
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Which tool is shown here?
Tire ramp
Under hood light bar
Ever feel like it is a little dark when looking inside the engine bay? With an under hood light bar, that darkness can't hold you back anymore! Made with high power LED lights, the light bar makes those tough to reach places a little easier by showing you the proper path.
Jumper cables
Flexible funnel
YouTube
Which tool is shown here?
Rolling tool chest
A nifty feature of this tool, the part that really saves your back, is the... set of wheels! The beauty of the rolling tool chest is that it stores what you need and can be by your side quickly and with ease when you need it.
Allen wrench
Putty knife
Air blow gun
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Which auto part is shown here?
Remote starter switch
Tire pressure gauge
Assorted fuses
It's a good idea to keep a few extra of these in your car, since it's not uncommon for them to blow. Don't worry though, a blown fuse in a car will sometimes just cause a minor issue.
Oil dripping pan
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Which tool is shown here?
Air blow gun
Chisel
Tubing cutter
Welder
If you're going to weld, remember to wear a safety mask and gloves. As exciting as this art looks, it takes much skill and can be dangerous.
n/a
Which tool is shown here?
Leather apron
Hearing protectors
Pliers
Oil drip pan
Every mechanic has an oil drip pan. Coming in many different sizes, the oil drip pan catches the used oil to make sure the shop stays clean. With its convenient pour spout, the drip pan allows the user to dispose of the used fluids with ease.
You Got:
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