Ever since cars began appearing on our roads over a century ago, heat dissipation has been a crucial problem that all automobile manufacturers have tried to tackle. An automobile engine produces enough heat to burn itself out. Unless this heat finds a proper outlet, the engine will be severely damaged.Automotive radiators have been instrumental in keeping the heat produced under control. These relatively simple devices have a complex function to perform under the hood of the car. In simple terms, a radiator is a device that dissipates heat through radiation. All automotive radiators, whether in cars, trucks, buses and tractors, use the same principle while functioning. The liquid coolant that passes through the engine absorbs all the heat produced, keeping the engine temperature under control. However, this coolant needs to be cooled off in order to repetitively perform the same function. That is where the radiator comes into the picture. An automotive radiator is made of an aluminum tube, bent several times to form a rectangle. These multiple folds increase the internal surface area of the radiator and hence enhance the cooling. As the coolant passes through the radiator, the heat is absorbed by the aluminum body and dissipated into the cool air blowing surrounding it. Very often, an electric fan blows cold air into the radiator to expedite the cooling process.Automotive radiators have evolved in design and efficiency over the years. The first radiators were a simple network of round brass or copper tubes with water flowing through them. Later, fans were added to the kit to enhance the cooling effect. Anti-freezing chemicals such as ethylene glycol were added to prevent engine damage during winter months. Further evolution included the usage of broader tubes and finally the use of aluminum, as we see today.The radiator is an indispensable part of an automobile. It can be safely said that automotive radiators have had a lasting impact on technology and will continue to do so as long as combustion engines exist.

Using tools for automotive repair can be quite daunting if you are a beginner and do not know your way around a tool box. Thankfully, it is not that hard to get the hang of using them. There are many different types of tools that exist when it comes to repair and DIY, but there is a specialised set of tools that come into play when you are talking about automotive repair. You need to use automotive tools on cars only, or else you risk causing major damage to the vehicle itself.A list of automotive toolsThere are different tools for different exercises, namely the body and then under the hood. The focus here is on the tools that go under the hood.

Screwdrivers

Hex keys

Open end wrenches

Oil filter wrench

Ratchet driver

Cutting pliers

Torque wrench

Sockets

Extensions

Crescent wrench

PB blaster

Adjustable pliers

Breaker bar
This is a list of all of the basic tools that you will need in order to conduct repairs under the hood, or to service a vehicle.The first thing that you need to buy is a screwdriver. One with a four pointed star at the end is ideal. This will be useful for unscrewing parts of the car that are screwed together. In order to determine the size of the screwdriver, simply measure the screws. Hex keys, also commonly known as Allen keys, are small pieces of metal that have a hexagonal shape. These are also used for tightening parts in the vehicle. The classic open end wrench is the most commonly used tool in automotive repair. It is able to loosen all of the nuts and bolts that are in the car. You will need varying sizes per vehicle. If the oil needs to be changed, the best thing to do is to use your oil filter wrench, as any other wrench will simply cause damage to the filter. Your ratchet wrench is your most useful tool, as it is adjustable and has got the ability to fit into many sockets – so you need this tool in your toolbox for sure. If you want to tackle wiring, you will need to have some pliers on hand that can also be adjusted.So, there you have the basic breakdown of what you need to know when it comes to tools for automotive repairs. Before you go ahead with a vehicle repair, just remember that you need to have all of the tools mentioned above.