What’s not to look forward to? Not only do you now have some time-off to do those little jobs on your car, the ones that took a back seat to a football match, a movie or a night out with the lads but it’s Christmas so time to treat yourself and the toolbox too. What could be more thoughtful than some high quality service tools as the ultimate gift this Christmas. Sure, decent tools aren’t as warm as festive socks and they don’t smell quite as nice as Cologne but unlike these two old favourites, they are the gifts that keep giving!

We have covered this here before but there is simply nothing as helpful when you take on any service task than the correct tools for the job. We’re equally passionate about cars and quality in OTTO and it comes though in the range of tools we stock. Some are marque specific like our BMW and Mini spark plug wrenches or Mercedes-Benz specific 7mm hex keys that actually fit between the shock damper and the brake caliper! Either of these tools is the difference between doing the job or spending a whole afternoon discovering you have the wrong gear and have to postpone! So, what sort of things do you really need?

Hazet 197-2 Oil Drainer – It works!

If it is an oil service you are considering, have you got an oil drainer that will save your driveway? Why not make the investment in one that will stand by you for years like Hazet’s 197-2 drainer? Made of stout thick walled plastic with an integrated pouring spout and carry handle, life is made easy with this. Safely drain any fluid into this and there will be no nasty spills as you tidy up! How about the peace of mind knowing that the oil filter will spin off before you actually start draining the oil from your sump? Then it is all about having the right oil filter tool. How about this multi-tasker, the Hazet 2169 which will fit all Hengst, Mann or Knecht filters found on pretty much all European marques from Volkswagen and Audi, Seat and Skoda to Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, Opel, Ford and even Japanese models from Nissan, Toyota and Mazda!

How about the Hazet 2169 oil filter wrench – the most universal of the multi-tools!

Brake pads a little bit thin? How about a brake pad service then, a nice afternoon job for those crisp dry December days between Christmas and New Year? Drop into your local OTTO trade counter in Tallaght, Swords, Cork or Galway, ask for Ate brand and set yourself up with the best pads you can buy. Make sure you have the tools for the job before you start! Can you even remove the caliper? It may be held on with pins that only take a 7mm allen key. There is no other hex key that will fit and 7mm is not in your standard set so you will need something like the Hazet 2901G-7 which not only fits 7mm hex sockets as found on the front of most German cars but also reaches those pins on the rear brakes of your Mercedes or BMW… RESULT!

The Hazet 2901 7mm hex key with universal joint – about half a day saved and no bad language!

While you are doing your brake pads, our top-tip is not to retract the piston back into your caliper forcing that old heat-stressed hygroscopic brake fluid back through the plumbing. Pick up a brake bleed kit like our Hazet 4969 and let the worn old fluid out the bleed screws and replace with new.  Flush your brake fluid with some of our Ate SL-6 fluid, especially formulated to reduce load and improve efficiency in brake systems using ABS and ESP. This kit will allow you to safely flush the fluid in your brakes making you one of the rare breed who follow this safety-critical service instruction.

Ate fluids have evolved with the braking system – the best you can get

Speaking of retracting the caliper pistons, how about using a tool that is not a woodworking G clamp?  We suggest something like the Hazet 4971-1 for a standard single or twin piston caliper or the Hazet 4970-6 kit for those hand brake calipers that require piston rotation to retract.  Life made simple!

Piston retracting tools are for retracting pistons, not holding wood glue joints closed in the workshop!

If it’s something small that you need for a treat then why not upgrade your sockets to include a 12 point spark plug socket like the Hazet 4766-2. You won’t be taking the plugs out of your BMW or Mini without one of these unless of course you can bodge some other sort of socket in which case only half the plug may be coming out! And our favourite must-have Christmas treat? Well it has to be the almost indestructible magnetic parts bowl from Hazet also. Stick this to the inner valance of the engine bay, even to the underside of the bonnet. Toss all your nuts, bolts and fasteners in here and you will save yourself and your knees the hassle of a long search of the workshop floor looking for that tiny fastener!

You won’t find an other plug wrench that “will do!”  – this is the man for the job, simples!

And our favourite most useful and handy must have tool – the magnetic parts bowl with soft rubber base

Whatever job you have lined up for the Christmas holiday have a peek at the Hazet on line catalogue by clicking the image below, drop by your local OTTO trade counter or give us a call to ask for our advice. Remember, tools are for life, not just for Christmas! Get yourself the gift that keeps giving!

From all the staff in OTTO we wish you a happy and productive Christmas, we hope that you get all of your service jobs done and of course, quickly and easily with the right tools!