It’s Murphy’s Law, isn’t it? Car troubles always seem to strike when you’re miles away from home. For those of us driving older vehicles, like my 2000 Buick and 2003 Dodge, being prepared for roadside hiccups is not just smart—it’s essential. That’s why I’ve equipped both my cars with a Cheap Tool Kit For Car repairs. These kits have been a lifesaver, preventing costly tows and getting me back on the road quickly. If you’re looking to assemble your own affordable emergency car kit, here’s what I recommend based on my experience.
For starters, a good socket set is the backbone of any car tool kit. I opted for the 3/8 in. Drive SAE/Metric High Visibility Socket Set from Harbor Freight.
This set (https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-sae-metric-high-visibility-socket-set-35-pc-64555.html) is a great value and covers both SAE and metric sizes, which is crucial for working on different car models. However, it’s worth noting that it only includes SAE deep sockets. To round things out, I added a separate set of metric deep sockets.
This Quinn 3/8 in. Drive Metric Chrome Deep Socket Set (https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-chrome-deep-socket-10-pc-64216.html?_br_psugg_q=quinn+deep+socket) is another affordable option that expands the versatility of your cheap tool kit for car.
Next up, wrenches. A comprehensive wrench set is indispensable. The 22 pc. Raised Panel SAE/Metric Combination Wrench Set from Harbor Freight offers a wide range of sizes at a budget-friendly price.
This set (https://www.harborfreight.com/22-pc-raised-panel-sae-metric-combination-wrench-set-68729.html) covers most common sizes you’ll encounter for basic car maintenance and is perfect for a cheap tool kit for car.
Pliers are another must-have. A basic pliers set can handle a variety of tasks, from gripping and twisting to cutting wires. The 4 pc. Pliers Set from Harbor Freight is a simple and economical choice.
This set (https://www.harborfreight.com/pliers-set-4-pc-64262.html) provides the essential pliers you’ll need for roadside fixes and is a great addition to your cheap tool kit for car.
Don’t forget screwdrivers. While you might even get a free set at Harbor Freight with certain purchases, the 6 pc. Screwdriver Set is a reliable and inexpensive option to include in your kit.
This set (https://www.harborfreight.com/screwdriver-set-6-pc-62570.html) will handle most basic screw types you’ll find in your car and is perfect for a cheap tool kit for car.
Beyond these basics, consider adding flare nut wrenches, Allen wrenches and sockets, vise grips, an adjustable wrench, a breaker bar, and jumper cables to your cheap tool kit for car. And for those unexpected moments, a roll of duct tape is always a good idea.
One specific tool I highly recommend, especially for newer vehicles, is a serpentine belt tool. Accessing and replacing the serpentine belt can be tricky on many cars. For instance, my 2003 Dodge requires either a specialized serpentine belt tool or a socket cap and wrench for belt removal and installation.
The Serpentine Belt Tool Kit (https://www.harborfreight.com/serpentine-belt-tool-kit-63689.html) from Harbor Freight is another affordable tool that can save you from being stranded. Alternatively, a 3-Piece Square Drive Socket Caps set (https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-square-drive-socket-caps-67011.html) can also work in conjunction with your existing wrenches.
Everything I’ve mentioned fits comfortably into a 15″ or 16″ canvas tool bag, making it easy to store in your trunk. Now, you might be wondering about the quality of these tools, especially since we’re aiming for a cheap tool kit for car. While I’m not exclusively a Harbor Freight enthusiast, for a car emergency kit that lives in the trunk and hopefully doesn’t see daily use, their tools are more than adequate. Considering spare tools I already had and utilizing Harbor Freight’s often-available 20% coupons, I’ve kept the cost of each kit around $100. And thankfully, with these kits on hand, I’ve never needed to call for a tow when a breakdown occurred away from home.
Finally, for flat tires, I also keep a tire plug kit and a Ryobi 18-volt inflator in each trunk. The tire plug kit is incredibly cheap (around $5 at Walmart), and the inflator, if you already own Ryobi batteries, is just about $25 at Home Depot. Alternatively, 12-volt tire inflators that plug into your car’s cigarette lighter are available for around $20-$25. These tire repair items have proven their worth countless times.
Building a cheap tool kit for car doesn’t mean sacrificing preparedness. By carefully selecting affordable and reliable tools, you can create a kit that will get you out of a jam without breaking the bank.
