With the price of a base model starting at anywhere between $28,000 and nearly $77,000, Audi cars are definitely not cheap.
This price range, combined with the ongoing cost of ownership, insurance, and maintenance, can quickly rack up your expenses.
You know this, which is why you now proclaim yourself as a DIY Audi mechanic. Congratulations. You’re on your way to saving all those repair dollars that you can otherwise spend on upgrades.
Just one thing: you may have the handyman skills and knowledge, but how are you doing with tools and supplies?
Most repair and maintenance projects you’ll take on require these 10 auto repair tools. Make sure you have them at hand before you start tinkering under the hood.
1. Your Audi Manual
No one can be an Audi mechanic without knowing his car from the inside out.
Okay, so you don’t need to have everything memorized, but you need to at least have an in-depth understanding of the outer and inner workings of your prized vehicle.
And what other best way to achieve this goal than study up on the repair manual of your car’s specific make, model, and year? Just be careful as there are literally hundreds of manuals to choose from.
2. Consumables
You can’t call your toolbox a toolbox if you don’t have the basic consumables in it. They’re affordable, accessible, and have so many uses that there’s no sense in not having them in your kit.
Here are four of the most important basic consumables you need:
Rags
You won’t catch any self-respecting mechanic without rags. They’re a necessity in the world of car repairs and maintenance.
From cleaning to waxing tasks, soaking up fluid leaks to wiping greasy hands (and elbows), there’s no such thing as having too many of these pieces of cloth.
Cable Ties
Ask any veteran Audi mechanic about their favorite must-have consumable, and you’ll get the same answer from almost everyone: cable ties.
This multi-purpose product has an impressive strength and durability to keep things securely attached to one another. Use it to link and group together your other tools, parts, and components, and even create high-strength chains.
Duct Tape
We have to give it to Ms. Oprah Winfrey. She’s the one who said “Duct tape is like the force.” And there’s no better description for this product.
After all, it’s extremely strong, highly-adhesive, and best of all, easy to work with. No wonder so many households with self-proclaimed DIY experts have loads of this stuff.
WD40
The name WD40, which means ‘Water Displacement, 40th Formula,’ has become the standard when it comes to spray lubricants. It’s one tool that your DIY Audi repairs and maintenance can’t be done without.
Since its inception back in the 1950s, people have found dozens of uses for it. These include everything from rust and corrosion prevention to keeping moisture at bay and lubricating pieces.
3. Socket Set
A socket set is another must-have in your Audi mechanic tool kit. Whether you’re swapping out the gearbox or doing something simpler; your socket set the core of any mechanic’s toolbox.
Consider buying a set that comes with a lifetime warranty. After all, you’ll have to use for it for as long as you tinker around cars.
A good basic set is one that includes sockets and ratchets in the following sizes: 1/4 -inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2 -inch.
4. Spanners and Ratchet Spanner Sets
If there are tools that can make it easier to deal with hard-to-access areas of your Audi, this is it.
It’s best you get yourself a full kit complete with spanners ranging from 8mm all the way to 19mm. And for good measure, get two for each of the 10mm and 13mm ones.
5. Bit Set
All those different types, shapes, and sizes of bolts (Hex, Posi, and Torx to name a few) can cause so much frustration when all you need to do is change an air filter.
A great-range bit set can address most of these bolt-related problems. That’s why every DIY Audi mechanic out there has one.
6. Breaker Bar
Bolts wound so tight are a real pain, especially when there’s already rust or corrosion involved. In such cases, which you’ll experience a lot of times, you need a good tool.
And this is where a breaker bar comes into play.
You’ll find this in a variety of drive sizes and lengths, so choose wisely based on your usual projects.
7. Torque Wrench
Torque settings are always in numerical value. Depending on where you are in the world, you may find them in the Newton Metres (Nm) measurement system, or the Foot Pounds (ft-lb) version. Whichever the case, both tell you how tight you need those fasteners, nuts, and bolts to be.
All your car’s essential components, from the brake calipers to the wheels, requires specific torque settings. You’ll find this in the previously-mentioned repair manual.
Only a torque wrench can ensure that you tighten up those parts the way they should.
8. Wind Back or Compressing Tool
As a DIY Audi mechanic, you’ll often find yourself facing a brake pad replacement project.
The more wear these pads sustain, the more protrusion happens with the pistons in your car’s brake caliper. And the longer it takes you to address the problem, the harder you need to push them back into place.
If you don’t, you can’t put the new pads in.
Depending on the Audi make, model, and year you have, you may either have to wind back or compress the pistons. You can find out more info on your repair manual, so check this out before buying either one of these tools.
9. Brake Bleeder
Keeping your brake lines free of bubbles is key to a quick-to-respond brake. You don’t want to continue driving your Audi when you have lines full of these air bubbles – that’s extremely dangerous.
A brake bleeding kit will take care of this safety DIY maintenance for you.
10. The Most Important Audi Mechanic Must-Have
And the most important tool you need to have: your own knowledge and skill set.
While it’s important to save money on car repairs, your safety is more important. As such, you want to make sure your confidence in your DIY skills stems from actual knowledge and skills.
Want to learn more money-saving hacks on Audi repairs and maintenance? Check out our blog. You’ll find more pro tips there for DIY car mechanics like yourself.