Infrared temperature guns have become so accurate and affordable, that it doesn’t make sense not to have one. While an HVAC technician might need a top-of-the-line professional unit, 99% of people don’t need the extra options that you’re paying extra for.

I purchased this heat gun to diagnose what appeared to be a coolant system overheating issue on my diesel Kubota zero turn mower. Within seconds, I was able to accurately check the temperature of the upper and lower radiator hoses, the radiator core itself, the thermostat housing, the cylinder head, engine block, and the oil pan.

An infrared heat gun is useful for diagnosing exhaust, brake, wheel bearing, heating, differential, and air conditioning systems on a vehicle. I recently started to hear a slight dragging noise coming from the rear brakes on my daily driver, but I wasn’t able to tell which side it was coming from. I aimed the laser at each rotor and discovered that the driver side brake rotor registered 40 degrees hotter than the passenger side. I quickly and correctly diagnosed the problem as a failing brake caliper – problem solved.

Most people wouldn’t think of an infrared heat gun as a housewarming gift, but what could be more useful than a tool that can do so much to enable first-time homeowners to stay on top of their maintenance?

Here are just a few things I have used this for around the house:

1. Scanning the attic for temperature differences that could reveal inadequate insulation in certain spots.

2. Checking the temperature of the walls around our wood stove to verify that the adhesive that I was planning on using for my Airstone project would be suitable for the application.

3. Recording the temperature of the surface of the soil in various garden beds at different times of the day to determine the best location for different vegetables based on when each bed started to receive late afternoon shade.

4. Checking my fryer’s oil temperature to ensure perfectly golden homemade onion rings.

5. Teaching my kids about how light, heat, and energy are related.

Between our vehicles, my Gator side-by-side UTV, dirtbikes, ATVs, zero turn lawnmowers, and other outdoor power equipment, I have half a dozen different-sized oil drain plugs. I can use this single tool to change oil on all of them.

I have used this wrench for dozens of oil changes on our vehicles over the past 12 years. The chrome vanadium finish wipes clean and still looks almost brand new. The body of the tool is constructed of high impact carbon steel; this isn’t some tool you will find in the $5 bin at your local auto parts store. The sockets are well-machined and fit tightly on the oil drain plug, preventing you from stripping the head.

Having eight different sizes on the same wrench prevents you from having to slide back out from underneath the car to find the right socket for the oil drain plug.

The ergonomic handle lets you get a tight yet comfortable grip. Even under vehicles with very little ground clearance, I have never had to go back to a longer ratchet since I started using this tool. I purchased the prior version of this tool; the manufacturer has since improved it by adding a red textured rubber grip to the handle.

This is a tool that belongs in every man’s tool chest even though you already have each of the individual sockets because of the time it saves you. Think of it as one less socket to lose when you’re in a hurry.

I have given these out as gifts to graduating seniors who I know at least do their own maintenance on their vehicles. It would also be a great stocking stuffer for a son or grandson will soon be (or who should already be) doing his own oil changes.

While every shade tree mechanic and DIY’er should own one of these, it’s actually a tool you shouldn’t need to use very often if you are using best practices when you change oil.

It’s always wise to apply a light coat of clean engine oil to the rubber gasket on the new filter before you install it. This forms a better seal and also makes it easier to remove the filter in the future. You should usually be able to remove the old filter by hand if it was properly installed.

While you should always consult the owner’s manual for your specific vehicle, most manufacturers state that you should tighten your filter finger tight and then give it one additional quarter turn. Most stubborn filters were tightened excessively during installation. Ironically, your filter is more likely to leak if you overtighten it because you may damage the seal.

I use these pliers every time I change the oil in my TDI Jetta, as it uses a paper filter cartridge instead of a traditional metal canister. This tool is perfect for gripping the polymer cap on the oil filter well. I wrap a shop towel around the teeth on the grips to avoid gouging the cap.

These pliers are great for non-automotive applications as well. I have removed PVC caps from plumbing, stubborn dryer ductwork, and even removed seized jar lids with this tool. The long reach, thin profile, and strong grip could very well get you out of a situation where you thought you were going to have to find and then order some specialty tool sight unseen online.

I worked for a large auto parts retailer as a sales manager, store manager, and eventually district manager for a number of years prior to becoming an educator. I have literally installed thousands of wiper blades in my lifetime. Four of our own five vehicles have more than 200,000 miles on them a piece – I buy Bosch Icons for all of them.

Beam-style wiper blades have been around since the mid-2000s. Traditional wiper blades have a frame and several hinges. These exposed hinges are prone to freezing in low temperatures, resulting in poor performance. Beam-style blades hold continuous and equal pressure along the length of the blade instead of just at a few points. There are no joints to freeze up because the wiper blade is one solid piece.

I prefer the clips on these over those found on a traditional blade. They lock in solidly with a reassuring ‘click’ and eliminate play between the wiper arm and the blade. The Icons also have a flip down cover the hides the attachment point, resulting in a cleaner appearance.

Yes, you will spend almost twice as much per blade for these compared to a traditional unit, but they tend to last at least three times as long and give you far superior cleaning over their life. I have gotten three to four years of service from my Bosch Icons — depending on how much snow and ice we get — before noticing any degradation in the blade’s wiping edge.

While wiper blades are an afterthought to most drivers, beam-style blades look sleeker and sportier than traditional hinged blades. They are also more aerodynamic, which minimizes blade lift at higher speeds. For this reason, all performance and luxury cars come equipped with them from the factory.

Amazon is usually significantly cheaper than your local parts store for these blades. Be careful to pay attention to the part numbers on Icon blades, as a 22A is the blade for the driver side and a 22B is for the passenger side. Both are 22″ blades, but they aren’t interchangeable.