Caught in a jam with only a standard wrench to try and turn a metric bolt or nut? Spare change from your pocket, like a penny or dime, can be used to slide between the wrench and bolt, taking up the slack and allowing you to turn the fastener. | 
Use tape or paint on the ends of a four-way wrench to mark the sizes for easy determination of which end you need. | 
Charging system acting up? With the key off, the system should read 12 volts on a voltmeter. Fire up the motor and it should read at least 13 or 14 volts. If it doesn't, then you have a problem. |
Back to our quandary from the opening paragraph, with the oil filter wrench too big for the smallish oil filter at hand: The solution is tape. Electrical tape works best, but wrapping multiple layers of tape around the inside of the filter wrench effectively makes it smaller. | 
If for some reason you have to take your tools to work with you, be sure to spend a little time with a cheap engraver placing your name on all your tools to avoid any "confusion" from sticky hands. | 
Used serpentine and V-belts make great strap wrenches. Combined with pliers or vice grips, you can get a hold on just about anything round. |
A used quart oil container or gear fluid container makes a cheap and easy funnel if you cut the bottom of the container off. | 
Did you know that the major brand-name wrenches have tighter clearances than swap meet, overseas equipment? Remember that next time you buy 30 wrenches for $19.99 and one of them slips off the fastener and you bust a knuckle. | 
Storing a removed driveshaft is best handled with a sock. Place the sock over the U-joint and it will hold the caps in place and prevent the grease from getting smeared anywhere. |
With a lifted truck the aggressive tires will generally grab muck and toss it onto the truck's surface as you drive to a show. Mudflaps are definitely not show-worthy, so using some industrial spring clips to hold the mudflap in place just for the drive will save you from cleaning the lower half of the truck again. | 
Disconnecting your battery during extended storage will slow the self-discharging process. Charging the battery every 6-8 weeks will keep the battery healthy, insuring it will be useful when you need it. | 
Plastic milk crates are perfect for storing medium-sized garage objects and mechanical items like starters, alternators, and A/C pumps, and they stack easily out of the way. They aren't exactly easy to obtain anymore and we don't condone stealing, so don't tell us how you "found" yours. |
Spark plugs do not come pre-gapped and as such, they need to be gapped properly before installation. Follow the manufacturer's numbers to the "T" whether your truck has a factory or aftermarket ignition. | 
Dropping your wrench while working under the hood will frustrate even the calmest of mechanics. Tie a string to the box end of your wrench and the other to the core support or your wrist. If you should drop it, reel it back in on the string. |  |