If you enjoy automotive repairs, a torque wrench is an indispensable tool for achieving precision. If you consult your car's workshop manual, you'll see that each bolt has a specific torque setting that must be respected.
For this reason, we've compiled a list of torque wrenches, organized by their intended use . This way, you can have peace of mind when replacing parts or performing maintenance on your vehicle.
Comparison and guide to the best torque wrenches
Jomafa torque wrench
Let's start with a wrench that allows you to adjust very low torque settings . This Jomafa model is a good option for mechanical work for several reasons: firstly, with its range of 2 Nm to 24 Nm , it's suitable for many parts on motorcycles , cars, and other vehicles , including bicycles . Secondly, its calibration is certified.
Its coupling bolt is 1/4" , which is well-suited for low-torque applications and is very common in toolboxes. However, if you need a larger one to make it compatible with your tools, you can get adapters for very little money. For example, the ones for [unclear] or [unclear] are fine. You might lose a little precision, but it's negligible.
TackLife Torque Wrench
With this model, we move into a higher Nm range , which will cover virtually all the torque specifications for your vehicle. The exception might be the wheel bolts on some cars or motorcycles, as their torque values may be higher depending on the model.
Despite this, if you add its torque range ( 13,6 Nm – 108,5 Nm ) to that of the previous model, you most likely won't need anything else for your mechanical work. It's cheaper to proceed this way than trying to get a wrench that covers everything on its own.
As you can see, in this case the Nm reading does have decimal places because they've chosen to calibrate it while leaving the inch-pounds in round numbers. However, it's worth it because its price-to-performance ratio is almost unbeatable. If decimal places bother you, move on to the next model. Although you should keep in mind that it matters less when the applied torque is already high.
Its coupling bolt is 3/8" , but if you already have the adapters we mentioned earlier, you can use it with 1/4" and 1/2" sizes. Other examples include those from [unclear - possibly "or" in Spanish] or [unclear - possibly "or" in Spanish].
Famex 10869 torque wrench
This wrench is an alternative to the previous one, with very similar qualities. Its torque range is from 20 Nm to 110 Nm . This means it also complements the SOS Tools S1001 low-torque wrench well. As we mentioned earlier, this model displays whole numbers for Nm measurements , which is a plus for convenience and accuracy when working with that unit.
Furthermore, the main difference from the previous model is that it's slightly more accurate , with an error range of ±3% instead of ±4%. However, it is somewhat more expensive. Only you can decide if the extra investment is worthwhile based on your preferences.
Silverline Torque Wrench 633567
Now we're going to change tack because this model is designed for other tasks that require more force . That's why its torque range starts at 28 Nm and goes up to 210 Nm . With a minimum of 28 Nm, you can only do some basic tightening of bolts where a certain amount of force is needed. But this wrench is actually designed for high torque applications, such as tightening a wheel.
A compact car typically needs around 100 Nm of torque for its wheel bolts. This value usually increases for sedans, and for SUVs or large cars, the required torque will be even higher. The most influential factors are wheel diameter, vehicle weight, and performance. The wheel material also plays a role. With 210 Nm of torque, few cars will be too demanding.
Naturally, it uses a 1/2" coupling bolt , but includes a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter , just in case your tools need it.
Luluspace torque adapter
Finally, we'll talk about a digital torque adapter , which is also a good option to consider. The main difference is that you need a ratchet wrench, in addition to any socket wrenches or similar tools you might need for the bolts. The adapter simply comes between the two.
The link shows that the adapter is designed to measure torques between 10 Nm and 200 Nm , but you can choose other versions depending on your needs: 1.5 Nm to 30 Nm, 6.8 Nm to 135 Nm, 17 Nm to 340 Nm, and 60 Nm to 600 Nm. The latter might be too high for typical mechanical work on a conventional car.
Car torque wrench: what to consider?
If you are going to buy a torque wrench to do work on your car, you should mainly take into account three factors:
torque range
This is the maximum and minimum torque that the torque wrench can measure. It's pointless to buy a wrench that measures between 40 Nm and 200 Nm if you're going to use it for tasks that require less torque. For example, tightening the oil pan bolt just enough to avoid damaging the threads. That operation is usually below that range, around 25 Nm or 30 Nm depending on the model.
The same happens if you want to tighten a wheel but you have a torque wrench that does not reach the necessary torque. For example, one whose range is between 5 Nm and 25 Nm, when what we are looking for is a torque of 120 Nm, for example.
Coupling Bolt Size
This measurement often corresponds to the torque range, but it's not a universal rule. You'll see that most torque wrenches on the market are just the ratchet wrench . This allows you to attach the appropriate wrench for the specific bolt or nut.
Common sizes are 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 inch . That is, half an inch, three-eighths of an inch, and a quarter of an inch. Check what sizes your toolbox uses to choose the correct wrench. 1/2 and 1/4 inch wrenches are the most common for automotive tools.
Using adapters? You can also buy a torque wrench of a different size than your tools and an adapter . In fact, some models already come with their own adapters. However, keep in mind that the wrench's accuracy may be affected. The shorter the adapter, the less the value indicated on the wrench will change.
Precision
Of course, the more precise the better. However, keep in mind that for most automotive mechanical work, extreme precision isn't necessary . The torque wrenches we've reviewed in this article have an error range of ±4% or even less . That's more than enough accuracy for any typical operation on a car, motorcycle, etc. If the wrench you buy has the international DIN-ISO-6789 certification, even better.
What is a torque wrench?
This is a wrench that indicates the torque being applied . This feature is not only useful but essential for precise mechanical work. Most car bolts must be tightened to the torque specified by the manufacturer. Overtightening can damage parts that will no longer function properly.
Some examples include the aforementioned oil pan drain plug , the oil filter , and the glow plugs . The tightening torque is specified in the manufacturer's workshop manual, although information for each model is also available on various specialized forums.
How do torque wrenches work?
Depending on the type of wrench, it will work in different ways. If it's a mechanical click wrench, it will simply "click" when we reach the selected torque. That is, it will stop resisting our hand. If, on the other hand, it's a digital torque wrench , it will emit a sound or vibration when we reach that point.
There are also dial-type torque wrenches , which indicate the torque being applied using a needle . Although they are less common in today's market, especially in automotive mechanical work.
How to use a torque wrench?
Select the pair
Choose the necessary torque for the screw in question. On mechanical jump keys, it's done by turning a thread until the pointer is where you need it to be. You will see that, in the thread there is also a kind of ruler, which will allow you to refine more. For example, if you need 21 Nm, set the knob to 20 and then turn the thread a little more until it reads 1.
Slow movements
Torque wrenches should be turned slowly and steadily . This is how they work with maximum accuracy. Furthermore, the lower the selected torque setting, the slower the wrench should be turned.
Stop as soon as the indicator jumps
With mechanical jump wrenches, you'll hear a click when you reach the correct torque; with digital wrenches, you'll hear a beep or feel a vibration. When you reach that point, stop tightening immediately . Pay close attention to mechanical jump wrenches when using them with low torque, as the click will be less audible.
Don't use it the other way around
If you use this type of wrench to loosen instead of tighten, it will most likely become miscalibrated . This means it will no longer provide an accurate torque measurement and will become useless.
no blows
Do not use the torque wrench for the typical tapping motions used in mechanical tasks. This will also cause it to lose the precision necessary for its intended function. For the same reason, it should not be subjected to impacts from drops or being thrown roughly onto a table.
Do not use it with stuck screws
Since it's a precision tool, it's not suitable for brute force . Instead, use a regular wrench and a penetrating oil like WD-40 or 3-in-1. Also, don't stand on it to tighten it further.
Do not clean it with products
Torque wrenches should only be cleaned with a cloth and no liquid. They should also not be submerged in any cleaning products, water, or oil. So keep them away from any of these substances, which are commonly found in workshops.
Do not retighten
Once you've used a torque wrench to tighten a bolt to the correct torque, don't retighten it by hand or with any other tool . It seems obvious, but you wouldn't be the first person to think it's a few tenths of a Nm short and try to achieve the correct torque by eye. This is not a good idea because, most likely, you'll end up further from the perfect torque.
Do not add lever
Trying to boost the lever of the torque wrench using other tools is not recommended. At least if it is not a compatible accessory, which will normally be included.
save them correctly
When you've finished using the torque wrench, store it in its case without bumping it. But above all, don't forget to select the lowest torque setting available on the wrench.
Not using them for a long time...
The internal parts of these wrenches are lubricated, and this lubrication is lost when they are stored for extended periods. To redistribute the lubricant , you should use them with low torque several times before using them at full power.
It's also a good idea to perform this operation when you buy one . It's possible it was calibrated a long time ago and has been in its box for months or years.
Opinions and final conclusions: which one to stay with?
As we have told you, there are professional torque wrenches with great precision and a very wide range of torque measurements. However, its price can be 10 to 15 times higher than the most mundane keys.
If you're only going to do occasional car repairs, it's best to get two different wrenches to cover a sufficiently wide torque range. We recommend the SOS Tools S1001 wrench plus the TackLife wrench . Even so, your investment will be much less than if you bought a professional wrench. Furthermore, unless you're doing work that requires high precision, the error rate of the wrenches we've mentioned is perfectly adequate.