The Five Volvo Tools All DIYers Need In Their Toolbox

Tools you should have as a Volvo owner

For the Volvo owners who know their way around an engine bay, five Volvo tools will always be at hand. Of course, a trained technician's toolbox is filled with hundreds more. But for those who enjoy taking matters into their own hands, certain tools will be the center of their collection.

Learn more about these Volvo tools and how to approach DIY auto repairs as a first-timer below.1 For the many repairs beyond typical DIYer capabilities, visit Volvo Cars Richmond and let our expert technicians treat the issue with precision.

DIY Volvo Tools: Expertise Is Required

Before mentioning the Volvo tools you should own, we need to give you a brief warning: Performing even minor DIY work to a vehicle opens up the possibility of personal injury and damage to the vehicle. Always do extensive research on the vehicle system you're attempting to work on,1 and learn the intricacies of how your Volvo tools operate.

Having the correct expertise is as important as having the correct Volvo tools. Don't be scared off from learning this valuable skill, but don't jump in headfirst without first taking the time to understand your car's inner workings, the motions of working on them yourself, and the Volvo tools you have.

With that in mind, read on and see which Volvo tools will help get you started on your DIY journey.

Socket Wrench Set

You've probably heard the term "wrenching on your car," but you may picture the wrench as a typical open-end wrench. While these wrenches are good Volvo tools to have and can work on many areas of your vehicle, a high-quality socket wrench set will make a larger scope of repairs possible.

A socket wrench has a mount that can fit sockets of varying sizes and specifications. These sockets are mounted perpendicular to the socket wrench, making many repairs much easier — or achievable to begin with — than using basic wrenches as your Volvo tools. Moreso, socket wrenches have a ratchet mechanism that allows just one direction of motion to affect the nut or bolt.

This mechanism makes it much easier to loosen or tighten bolts, as you can turn the wrench in the opposite direction without undoing any previous loosening or tightening. A set with around 50 standard sockets, several unique sockets (like a spark plug socket), and a few socket extensions will cover many nuts and bolts encountered during DIY repairs.1

As you get comfortable with basic repairs, you can use your sockets with an impact wrench to speed things up and remove harder-to-loosen bolts.1

Torque Wrench

A torque wrench is another one of the essential Volvo tools. In essence, it's a wrench that can measure and limit how much force is applied to a bolt. A torque wrench has a similar socket mount and directional ratchet to a socket wrench. However, its measuring capabilities open the door to more DIY possibilities, as Following manufacturer-provided torque specifications is essential during car services like a tire or spark plug change.1

Oil Filter Wrench

The third wrench among the essential Volvo tools, an oil filter wrench is much simpler than, but as important as a socket wrench. Since oil changes are the most common DIY car service, you'll likely want to try it yourself. If you do so without one of these wrenches, you'll quickly encounter a problem: the oil filter. This wrench grips the filter precisely so you can easily remove it and install a new one without damaging the filters.1

Floor Jack & Jack Stands

The safest way to raise your Volvo vehicle when performing work, such as an oil change, is via a large and expensive four-post car lift. For DIY work, raising your car with a floor jack and correctly supporting it with four jack stands will be the best option.A three-ton floor jack is ideal for most cars, as you want to leave plenty of room between your vehicle's weight and the jack's weight capacity. Jack stands, though, are the Volvo tools that help you use a jack safely.1

A jack is a dynamic device that can move up and down. Since a movable tool is not the best way to keep a car raised, jack stands are ideal for support. Using one on each corner of the vehicle will help minimize the dangers associated with raising a car.1

With safety in mind, these Volvo tools will make it possible to change a tire, access components behind the wheels, and work on the underside of the vehicle. Once you successfully learn to change a tire, you can also keep a portable scissor jack somewhere in your vehicle to allow for roadside spare tire changes.1

Volvo Diagnostic Tools

Every Volvo vehicle will have an OBDII port, and every Volvo owner should keep an OBDII scanner/diagnostic tool handy. In Volvo vehicles, the OBDII port is typically located below and to the left of the steering wheel. So what does it do? An OBDII port allows you to plug in your Volvo scan tools and see error codes associated with a "Check Engine" or other warning light.

You may find that the error code points to a loose gas cap, which will instantly make this investment worth your money. Or, you may find that it points to faulty spark plugs, making your purchase of that socket wrench set even more worthwhile.

However, off-the-shelf diagnostic and scanning tools can only go so far. Full diagnosis of a modern Volvo vehicle may rely on proprietary tools and software found only at authorized Volvo service centers.

Top Volvo Tools for DIYers: Honorary Mentions

While the full list of Volvo tools you can use is immense (including expert-use-only Volvo engine tools like a harmonic balancer kit), you'll likely get a sense of what to get next as you learn the ropes. To get started as a DIY mechanic, though, here's a quick list of other things to acquire:

  • A good pair of work gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Serpentine belt tool
  • Breaker bar
  • Camping-style headlamp
  • Wheel chocks
  • Vehicle fluids (e.g., engine oil)
  • Plastic funnel
  • Oil drain pan
  • Anti-seize
  • Brake bleeding kit
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Portable air compressor

Frequently Asked Questions

What repairs can I perform myself on a Volvo vehicle?

Even basic DIY repairs that can be performed by yourself on a Volvo vehicle will require research and expertise. With the right research and practice, though, you can learn to successfully perform an oil change, spark plug change, spark plug wire change, brake pad replacement, brake bleed, tire change, tire rotation, serpentine belt replacement, check engine light diagnosis, and other essential services.1

What are some tools you should have if you own a Volvo vehicle?

If you own a Volvo vehicle, your collection of Volvo tools should at least have a jack, two or more jack stands, a socket wrench set, a torque wrench, an oil filter wrench, OBDII diagnostic scanner, eye protection, and strong work gloves. You should also have gear like a headlamp, vehicle fluids, a funnel, an oil drain pan, and a serpentine belt tool.

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1This web page is not intended to replace this service that is to be performed at an official dealership. It is your sole responsibility for any injuries and damages incurred as a result of performing such actions contained in this web page. Contact our dealership for complete details.