Oil change · Starter kit
Torque wrench
Drain plugs, filter housings and lug nuts all have a spec. This is how you hit it.
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Where to buy
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Why you need it
- Stripped drain-plug threads are the most common DIY oil-change disaster, and they come from guessing at “snug.”
- Aluminum oil pans and plastic filter housings are unforgiving; the spec is often under 25 ft-lb.
- Lug nuts need 80 to 140 ft-lb depending on the vehicle. Over-torqued lugs warp rotors and seize studs.
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What to look for
- 3/8-inch drive, roughly 10 to 80 ft-lb, covers drain plugs and filter housings. 1/2-inch drive, 25 to 250 ft-lb, covers lug nuts. Many people end up with both.
- Click-type is simple and reliable; digital gives a readout and beeps but needs batteries.
- Look for a calibration certificate in the box and a storage case. Always wind it back to the lowest setting after use.
- Accuracy of ±4 percent is plenty for drain plugs and wheels.
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Goes with
Oil change
Socket set
Drain plug, splash shield, battery terminals, air box: one set covers nearly every fastener on the car.
Starter kit
Oil change
Oil filter wrench
The filter you can spin on by hand is never the one you can spin off. Get the right wrench.
Starter kit
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