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Locking pliers were an incredible invention. The term "Vise Grips" is actually a brand name for the original locking pliers, but it's been worked into auto repair lingo so well that nobody ever actually says "locking pliers." Vise Grips can be used to hold onto anything really tightly. While we wouldn't suggest using them for holding onto spouses or children, just about anything else is fair game. They come in really handy if you have a very stubborn bolt, or a bolt that has been stripped or is otherwise damaged. Just adjust them, lock 'em in place, and nine times out of 10, you'll have it loosened in no time.
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If you're doing a thorough tune-up, you'll want to check the engine timing. A timing light does this by shooting a strobe light aimed at your car's specific timing marks. The strobe flashes at the same time your #1 cylinder fires, which should mean that the timing mark (usually a line or notch on the flywheel) is lined up perfectly. If everything is timed correctly, you'll see a flashing notch down there. If not, you can adjust the timing until you do.
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If you're doing electrical work, you shouldn't be without a good crimper. Sure, you can try to get it done with pliers or wire cutters, but that's kind of like fishing with a baseball bat in a swimming pool wearing a hoop skirt. That's right, it's ignorant.
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No electrical job should be attempted without some way to see if the juice is actually flowing. A test light is the easiest way to do this since there is no dial to watch or readout to keep in your vision. If it lights up, you're good. No light, no juice.
While a test light can't tell you what's wrong with a circuit, it can tell you it's not working. If you're doing electrical diagnostic work, that can be half the battle. Using your tongue as a testing tool went out with baggy Guess jeans.
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Definition: The open wrench is the wrench of all wrenches. Rosie the Riveter was holding an open end wrench in her hand way back in WWII. An open end wrench, also called a spanner, is of a fixed size, and is therefore perfectly fitted to that size bolt. The size of the wrench is usually right next to the part that turns the bolt. Most open end wrenches have a head on both sides, making it two wrenches. A good selection of open end wrenches will make any job easier. Be sure to find out whether your car uses primarily metric or standard sized bolts before you buy a set. Metric wrenches are measure in millimeters whereas standard (or SAE) wrenches are measured in inches. Don't think that because your car isn't American it is going to have metric bolts. Many Japanese cars use standard size bolts throughout their construction.
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Definition: When a bolt needs to be really tight, sometimes a car will use an allen bolt. An allen bolt has a hexagon-shaped hole in the top. The allen wrench matches that hole with its six-sided steel construction. Allen wrenches usually come in sets, and can be loose or held together on a sort of keychain, as they are often found. You can also buy allen wrench sockets for your ratchet wrench, which can really make things easy when you are taking out a long bolt or you're working in close quarters.
Also Known As: hex key, hex wrench
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Definition: The Crescent wrench is actually a brand name for an adjustable wrench which features a sliding jaw that changes the width of the wrench depending upon how wide your bolt is. It's called a "crescent" because of the shape of the head of the wrench, which is shaped like a crescent moon. The Crescent company's version was so widely used that it became the common name of the tool for many situations.
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You're sitting in traffic. You're sitting in traffic. You're still sitting in traffic. All of a sudden you hear the sound of a hiss in front of you, and there are no handsome Italian men to be found. The steam seeping from under your hood tells the rest of the story - you have a radiator leak. You need a radiator repair.
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It's no fun standing on the side of the road watching smoke pour out of your car's radiator area. Before you call an expensive tow company or change into your walking shoes, there might be a way to get back on the road long enough to get home or to the shop for a real radiator repair.
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Manufacturer's Site Is that aerosol can a true emergency flat tire repair tool or would it be better used to flag down a trucker via his windshield? Remember, if an auto repair product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Now forget you ever heard that for a minute. Fix-a-Flat is the real deal, and it's the original roadside flat tire helper. It really does temporarily repair tires, like a discount tire fix in a bright yellow can.
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