10 Essential Gadgets For Car Maintenance

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Car owners shouldn't rely on their favorite mechanics for every aspect of maintenance. While some issues will require professional help, there are some diagnostics and easy fixes that you can do yourself. To help you reduce costs and save time in keeping your car running and looking as fresh as possible, we've rounded up some devices that you should consider adding to your automobile toolbox.

Specifically, we've identified 10 essential gadgets for car maintenance, including a tire pressure monitoring system, a device that maintains your battery charge, and a vehicle diagnostic scanner. All of these products can be used by every car owner, so you won't necessarily have to go to the shop for every minor concern.

These gadgets may be purchased on Amazon, where they have at least 1,000 buyer ratings and a solid average score. They've also received positive feedback from a reliable website or channel. We'll combine the insights from those reviews, comments from shoppers, and a discussion of each product's features to explain why we think these gadgets can benefit just about any car owner.

To tighten any loose screws in the engine bay or in your car's interior, an electric screwdriver like the Hoto QWLSD001 will help you get the job done quickly. We included this device in our list of rechargeable gadgets that just work, and Amazon shoppers appreciate its simple design, with just two buttons for selecting between screwing and unscrewing, and three torque levels that you can select by rotating its top part. It's also rechargeable via a USB-C port, and it has an LED light at the tool end so that you can see the screw even in dark areas. These are among the reasons why the device has an average score of 4.6 stars on the Amazon website after almost 2,500 ratings.

For $49.99, this Hoto electric screwdriver kit comes with a total of 25 steel bits, which cover most of the different screw heads and hex keys that you may need, according to Amazon's customers. Some shoppers also said that the gadget has helped them reduce the pain from tendinitis, which can be triggered by the twisting motion when using a regular screwdriver. The Gadgeteer recommends this device, which can either be delicate or powerful depending on the torque level that you choose, over a drill with a screwdriver bit because that may deliver too much torque and break the screw. 

While you may leave the maintenance of several critical components of your vehicle to the professionals, car owners can take charge of monitoring the tires. There are different kinds of gadgets that will help you with this, one of which is the Jaco TreadPro. It's a tire tread depth gauge that checks the overall health of your tires, and it's available for $17.95 on Amazon, where it has earned an average score of 4.7 stars after more than 1,500 ratings. It's very easy to use, as shown by Buyer's Edge in its review of the device. Just press the TreadPro into your tire's treads, and a rod will move down to measure their depth with readings in increments of one thirty-second of an inch. 

Amazon's customers love that this Jaco tire tread depth gauge provides an instant reading, and that the color zones provide a visual indicator of whether your tires might need a replacement. They're still safe if the gauge falls in the green zone, nearing replacement in the yellow zone, and need replacement as soon as possible in the red zone. Shoppers added that the build quality of this gadget is solid and that its readings are easily repeatable, so you can trust that they're accurate.

Some modern cars have built-in tire pressure monitoring systems, but if yours doesn't, you may want to buy the Tymate TM7 from Amazon for $44.99. It's part of our list of gadgets that work seamlessly in your car because it only takes a few minutes to get up and running, as shown by Raymond Lamb's review. Just plug the device into your car's power outlet and replace your tires' valve stem caps with its sensors, and you'll instantly see pressure and temperature readings on the screen. 

Maintaining proper tire pressure is important to ensure your safety and to reduce costs. You'll be able to do so with this Tymate tire pressure monitoring system installed in your vehicle. Both Raymond Lamb and Amazon's shoppers attested to its accuracy, with some customers even claiming that it works better than the built-in systems of their cars. In addition to the real-time monitoring, the device can also sound an alarm when your tire pressure is too low or too high, there's a significant leak, they're too hot, the sensors need to be recharged, or the sensors are no longer detected. Shoppers said this is a very helpful feature, contributing to the device's average score of 4.2 stars after more than 2,600 ratings on Amazon.

Your car's tire pressure will change for various reasons, including temperature shifts and natural permeation, or loss of air through the walls. If there are no punctures or valve issues that will require you to take your vehicle to the shop, the DeWalt 20V Max tire inflator will be enough to bring your tire pressure back up to your preferred pounds per square inch (PSI). This device can be powered by either AC or DC current, but Automoblog recommends buying DeWalt's 20V Max battery pack. That would bump up the overall cost of the unit ($179 on Amazon without the battery pack), but it would also make the device portable so you could use it not just for maintenance, but also for emergency situations.

Amazon's shoppers have given this DeWalt tire inflator an average score of 4.6 stars after almost 18,600 ratings, with plenty of positive feedback on its ease of use. After attaching the hose to your tire valve stem, you choose the pressure that you want and hit start. Once the gadget has inflated your tire to your preferred pressure level, it will automatically turn off. Customers said that the device's pressure readings are accurate, while Automoblog also mentioned that the tire inflator's rubber feet will keep it in place despite the vibrations that it generates while it's working.

All vehicle owners should know how to change a flat tire, but even if you do, it could still be difficult if all you've got are a scissor jack and a cross wrench. For tools that will make emergency maintenance easier, you can take a look at the E-Heelp 5T electric hydraulic jack set, which you can buy on Amazon for $93.80. The package comes with an electric hydraulic jack that can lift a car weighing up to five tons, an electric impact wrench with two sizes of sockets included, and other various accessories in a carrying case. This case allows the kit to be neatly stored in your trunk, according to Amazon's shoppers, and this organization and accessibility are partly why the kit has an average score of 4.3 stars after almost 4,100 ratings.

This E-Heelp electric hydraulic jack is capable of lifting cars and vans in less than a minute, according to Amazon customers and as demonstrated by Reviews Unscripted. The switch to have the jack go up or down is located at the top of the device, beside switches for its other functions as a flashlight and an air pump. Meanwhile, the impact wrench is powerful enough to loosen lug nuts quickly, which impressed Reviews Unscripted. Both gadgets may be powered by either connecting them to your car battery or plugging them into your vehicle's power outlet, with the necessary cables included in the kit.

For proper maintenance of your vehicle's battery, you can check its health with gadgets like the Ancel BA101. Available on Amazon for $45.99, this car battery tester is reasonably priced when you consider its capabilities, according to Barbour's Auto Help. The review revealed that the gadget not only provides simple instructions while you use it, but it also delivers concise readings and a clear assessment of the status of your car battery and its charging system. Amazon's shoppers have given the device an average score of 4.5 stars after almost 4,800 ratings because it removes the guesswork during regular check-ups. With accurate readings, you may save yourself from spending on a new battery when the issue lies elsewhere.

Amazon's customers pointed out that this Ancel car battery tester can help you catch a problem while it's still minor instead of having to figure out how to get your car to the mechanic when it's already acting up. Barbour's Auto Help added that the device has good build quality, with cables and crocodile clips that are sturdy, and it's compact enough to easily store somewhere in your garage or even inside your car if you're fond of going on long drives.

The Noco Genius 5 is another great gadget for battery maintenance. This car battery charger doesn't just monitor your battery's health, but it will also keep it at the optimum charge level for the best possible performance. It's available for $69.96 on Amazon, and the retailer's shoppers recommended the device if you've got vehicles that you don't use regularly. You can keep this charger plugged into your wall outlet and attached to the car's battery to maintain the appropriate charge level, and you won't have to worry about harming your battery since the Genius 5 employs protective technology to prevent overcharging.

Dial2fast's review of this Noco car battery charger highlighted that it works with most types of car battery brands on the market, and it can even be used to repair a battery that has been drained or hasn't been used in a long time. Dial2fast also appreciated the symbols on the gadget that light up if it detects any issues, such as if the battery can no longer be fixed and needs to be replaced. Many Amazon customers said that they have used this device to revive batteries that they thought were ready to be discarded, which allowed them to delay the cost of buying a new one.

The dreaded check engine light may activate for a whole web of reasons, but OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, Second Generation) scanners, if compatible with your car, can decode what your vehicle is trying to tell you. They're usually wielded by mechanics, but according to Tom's Guide, the Innova 5610 is easy enough for regular car owners to use and understand. The review described the $349.99 device as "one of the most versatile handheld scanners" because not only does it identify major problems in your car, but it also checks other aspects, such as the status of the brake pads and oil life, then provides potential fixes to issues that it finds. The gadget works with car models as old as 1996, and it will receive updates for newer releases at no extra charge.

Amazon customers, who have given this Innova OBD-II scanner an average score of 4.4 stars after almost 4,200 ratings, said that after plugging it into your car's diagnostic link connector, the gadget comes to life immediately. Afterwards, it only takes a few seconds before it shows whatever's wrong with your vehicle. Then it lets you know if the fix is something that you can do yourself or if you'll have to pay a visit to your mechanic.

When you're inspecting something in your car, you're going to need proper lighting so that you can see clearly, especially in areas like the corners of the engine bay and the parts under the dashboard. The Maxxeon Cyclops, which sells on Amazon for $39.53, may help with that. It's in The Spruce's selections of the best work lights as the top portable option because, despite the small size that lets you slip it into your pocket or glove compartment, its output is impressive. The gadget has three light levels, namely 180 lumens, 360 lumens, and 720 lumens, which is enough for most situations, according to the retailer's customers. They've given the gadget an average score of 4.8 stars after more than 5,800 ratings.

This Maxxeon work light uses a USB-C port for recharging its battery, which lasts about five to six hours per charge, according to The Spruce. The gadget also has an IP64 rating, so it won't be damaged by moisture and dust while you're tinkering with something in your car. Many Amazon shoppers said that the device's magnetic base is one of their favorite features, as you'll be able to stick it onto any metallic surface to shine the light exactly where you need it.

Black+Decker is among the most reliable vacuum cleaner brands, which means you can trust the Black+Decker Dustbuster CHV1410L to help you maintain clean car interiors. The handheld vacuum has an average score of 4.4 stars on Amazon after almost 111,800 ratings, with the high scores following positive feedback from shoppers on its strong suction, lightweight construction, and easy maneuverability. As Just A Dad Approved showed, this Dustbuster also has built-in brush and crevice tools to help you pick up crumbs and pet hair on and under your seats.

This Black+Decker handheld vacuum comes with a translucent dirt bowl,l so you can see when it's time to empty it. With the press of a button, you can unload its contents, as demonstrated by Just A Dad Approved, which also revealed how to unload its filter to wash it once you've finished several cleaning sessions. The vacuum activates with a simple on-and-off switch, so anyone will be able to use it to help keep their car clean.

In choosing these essential gadgets for car maintenance, we only considered products available for sale on Amazon to help ensure wide availability for most shoppers, while also opening up opportunities to take advantage of Amazon Prime membership perks. We also wanted to make sure buyers have been happy with these gadgets, so we only chose devices with an average score of at least 4.2 stars (out of five) after a minimum of 1,000 customer ratings on the retailer's website.

To further support our selections for the items on this list, we've highlighted the important features of each gadget, as well as the experiences of customers and professional reviewers. This helps ensure that you won't regret buying any of these products.