Generally, mechanics, DIYers, and petrolheads are very thoughtful folks. And, as cerebral folks, they generally appreciate it when some thought goes into the gifts that come their way. So, what’s the best holiday gifts for mechanics? What will likely excite them and keep you, the giver, lingering in their memories for long (especially when they pick up the gift you sent or come across it)?
It turns out, not much. Whatever you decide on simply needs to be thoughtful, useful, and practical.
Today, I have a few suggestions for that special mechanic in your life: your spouse, friend, or lover. These gift ideas are also perfectly suited for Christmas, Father’s Day or any other event or time you feel the need to share a gift with a mechanic that has made a difference in your life.
So, what are your options?
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Article Outline
The Best Holiday Gifts for Mechanics, DIYers & Petrol Heads
It turns out, your options are simple, practical, and straight to the point. The reason for this simple and practical selection is in itself simple and logical: mechanics may love complicated engines and designs when they’re in the driver seat (of a complicated vehicle).
However, when it comes to working on that vehicle, whether theirs or a customer’s, the time for sweating, swearing, and cursing begins. This value for time generally makes mechanics avoid owning or driving complicated vehicles, if it’s possible (there are better things to do with their time, BTW).
This preference generally permeates other facets of their lives, making EVERY mechanic I’ve come across generally preferring the simple and practical (as against the complex and hard).
So, here we are:
1. The Noco Boost 50 Jumper
Since I bought the Noco Boost 50 about five years ago, it has always remained in my trunk, charged every six months (to keep it in a state of readiness).
Not once has the unit disappointed me.
On the contrary, it has helped me raise batteries that I didn’t even believe would ever start again. I mean, completely flat starter batteries.
Now, more than ever, I dread driving anywhere without the portable jumper…who knows what my starter battery may decide to do?
The curious thing?
I doubt if I’ll ever trust another portable jumper, given the confidence I’ve bestowed on the Noco Boost 50.
Why The Noco Boost Is a Great Fit
- Everyone who owns a vehicle or works around one certainly needs to jump a battery sooner or later. That said, the unit is also a power bank for those moments when you’re out of juice.
- The unit holds a charge for six solid months. This helps when life happens…even if you forget to recharge the unit, its lithium-ion battery will effortlessly run for a year, assuming it isn’t used.
- The Noco Boost is designed with flashlights that make working in the dark cool and getting stranded in the middle of nowhere less stressful. Factor in the standard SOS and strobe, it makes getting lost hard. It’s something to beat!
- The unit is foolproof. Connect the terminals wrongly and nothing happens – it’s powered by reverse polarity protection. Allow the terminals to touch themselves and this protection still kicks in. Badass, if you ask me.
- Finally, the Noco Boost can be charged via a wall socket or the 12V cigarette lighter port of your vehicle. This is the sort of gift a mechanic pulls out every time and simply smiles.
Click here to check out the Noco Boost 50 on Amazon.
2. The Ancel AD410 Code Reader
The Ancel AD410 is one badass code reader that I don’t ever get enough of. I also can’t stop talking about the code reader as it’s with me all the time as my ‘official’ glove box code reader.
It doesn’t matter what I’m driving but if you see me behind the wheels and I own the vehicle, the AD410 is close by, in the glove compartment.
I’ve owned the Ancel AD410 code reader for more than 6 years running now but it still looks and feels new – like the day I took delivery of it from the courier dispatch. And, I don’t ‘baby’ my ‘toys’…they are used in the manner they ought to be and in some instances, even much more than what they’re rated for.
In all, the AD410 still holds its own, and years after the initial purchase, it’s hard to find a worthy successor. Each time I take it out to read a code, I smile…
…this smile can also come to the lips of that special mechanic or DIY folk in your life if you decide to gift it to them.
Why The AD410 Is a Great Fit
- The Ancel AD410 is a small and ergonomic unit; it fits in glove boxes and palms very easily. Besides this, it also comes with a cute color display. It’s hard to beat these combinations.
- The unit is rugged and can withstand both stress and abuse. From regular car owners to DIY enthusiasts to professional mechanics, the 410 has something for everyone, irrespective of skill level.
- The Ancel AD410 is a perfect example of those rare gifts that though don’t cost an arm and a leg but in the short and long run, are super meaningful and keep themselves in the memory of those who receive the gifts, FOREVER. It is essentially, creating lasting memories on a budget.
- The Ancel AD410 will save the regular vehicle owner from unscrupulous mechanics as it will always give the driver an idea of what’s wrong with the vehicle even before a mechanic is called upon.
- Finally, the 410 has soft bounce keys that easily bounce in when depressed and bounce out immediately when released – in a very smart fashion. This feature alone will keep whoever it is gifted coming back to it for more, even when it’s obvious there’s nothing to scan in the vehicle, making it one the best holiday gifts for mechanics, petrol heads, and other DIY folks.
Click here to check out the Ancel AD410 on Amazon.
3. The Foxwell ST201 Smoke Machine
Granted, I’ve not owned the ST201 smoke machine (or any other smoke machine for that matter) for long – my ownership of the machine being less than a year.
The above said, it’s one of the things I wished I got first, at the beginning of my auto DIY career.
Without a smoke machine, I knocked my head to the wall several times when faced with issues as simple as exhaust leaks; EVAP leaks were on another level of pain. Any other leak? I simply gave it up and moved on with my life.
Immediately I got the Foxwell ST201, I fired it up and EVERYTHING was history. I got the exhaust leaks in the first two minutes and the EVAP leak was sorted some minutes later…I couldn’t stop smiling.
My thoughts after that?
Life can (and should) be easy. But, before this becomes your reality, you need to know and understand that it’s possible first.
Now, as a gift, the ST201 can literally help the life of the petrolhead you decide to gift it to – even if they already have another smoke machine.
Personally, I own the ST201 and the ST203 but strangely, will rather use the ST201 than the 203. This should tell you how good the basic unit is for me to prefer it over the more complex and advanced ST203.
So, why is the ST201 (further) a great fit?
Why The ST201 Is a Great Fit
- The Foxwell ST201 is simple to use, affordable, and uses minimal oil for maximum smoke. In operation, it’s something to love.
- Storing the ST201 is easy – as is using it. The design is a simple, straight-to-the-point reality without any hassles.
- The Foxwell comes with its own pump, built-in. Unlike some models where a pump is required to power out the smoke, this remains a self-contained unit.
- The 201 comes with smart accessories for every conceivable use case. In my own case, I’m still trying to figure out what to do with many of the included accessories.
- The ST 201 can work, comfortably, for up to 10 minutes, before needing to power off. This is a decent time to figure out where any leak related challenge is coming from.
Click here to check out the Foxwell ST201 on Amazon.
4. The Ancel BA101 Battery Tester
Before it came to my consciousness that starter batteries (or any other battery type for that matter) could be accurately tested for ‘viability’ before buying or their useful life left accurately determined when in use, I saw hell.
Most starter batteries I bought (batteries touted to be the best) ended up packing up within the first year. The options that ‘lasted’ didn’t run more than two years.
I was in severe pains!
It was in this state that I first came across the Ancel BA101 Battery Tester, a unique and affordable battery tester that immediately told me that the Delkor I had only recently fitted in my vehicle was due for replacement!
I dug in – and researched all that makes a starter battery last (or not). It was then it came to my stark realization that I was buying and using starter batteries that were already on their way out.
Since that time, I’ve ‘saved’ many friends from buying and using starter batteries that aren’t likely to serve their best interests in the long run. I’ve even published an article about how to detect original Korean batteries in a sea of fakes.
With the BA101, buying starter batteries has been demystified, much like buying used vehicles (all thanks to OBD II scanners).
This is something every mechanic, vehicle owner or petrolhead needs (and will be grateful if you offer it as a gift).
Why The BA101 Battery Tester Is a Great Fit
- Starter batteries fail – all the time. The Ancel BA101 will accurately point out when yours is likely to fail, which is something many mechanics and vehicle owners have no idea about, without help. One can also buy bad batteries, from the shelves…this tester also helps with the buying process.
- The Ancel BA101 is basic and ultra-affordable. However, it’s also durable and does the job, wonderfully.
- The battery tester is ergonomic and can easily be held with one hand while being operated. It does not also need a battery to work as it gets power from the battery to be tested.
- The BA101 is super simple to use: anyone can use the battery tester and come to the conclusion needed, without any prior knowledge/training.
- The BA101 has a long cord that can easily extend to the cabin of the vehicle for those times when your loved one simply wants to do their thing while casually resting in their cars.
Click here to check out the Ancel BA101 on Amazon.
5. The AnstroAI Multimeter
As a DIY mechanic, my diagnostics were hugely limited when I needed to test things for resistance, voltage, or any other electrical value.
For instance, I once needed to test my alternative and confirm if it was charging the battery…I causally put it off till the issue simply went away by itself.
Then, I needed to test the voltage of the coin cell in the key fob and I was stuck, looking left and right. That was when I knew things needed to change – and change fast too.
The basic multimeters in the market with a ‘shell’ and probes did not appeal to me (they still do not, today). Instead, I wanted something that was a little versatile; something I could easily use on the car and also, use same for other issues around the house.
That was when I decided on the clamp AstroAI – and I haven’t regretted the decision ever since.
For a mechanically inclined loved one, nothing will beat the thoughtfully designed and ease of work this little multimeter provides.
But, what makes it exceptional; especially worthy of being one of the best holiday gifts for mechanics, vehicle owners, and other DIY folks?
Simple…
Why the Multimeter Is a Great Fit
- The AstroAI has a non-contact function that easily detects voltage (and its intensity) without the need for probes. This remains one badass feature that no one hates.
- This multimeter has a built-in flashlight for those moments when you need to test something in the dark. This is thoughtful.
- There are a lot of things that can be achieved with this multimeter, including tests for continuity, resistance, and NCV. Many multimeters today don’t have such ‘luxury’.
- The clamp design makes the multimeter even smarter. Now, more than ever, your loved ones can do their DIY at home after rounding up with the car.
- Finally, the unit is built solidly. Mine has fallen many times (no thanks to the kids) but it still soldiers on, determined to truly serve. Few products are designed to such specs.
Click here to check out the Multimeter on Amazon.
Wrap Up
The holidays present the perfect opportunity to show love to that special mechanic in your life.
This said, the holidays aren’t the only time to show love: you can (and should) offer gifts anytime you can afford to.
Life is transient – you may NEVER get the opportunity to express your love if you put off that which you can afford to do today.
May that special mechanic in your life smile. Genuinely.