It’s no surprise that shopping for a gearhead -- especially those steeped in the automotive realm -- can be a challenging task. This holds doubly true if you yourself aren’t much a car person.
Sure, traditional hand tools can be a great option, but if your loved one has already rebuilt an engine or two, you can bet they probably have a nice set of Snap-Ons or Matcos and won’t really want that holiday gift set from Harbor Freight you’ve been eyeing up. Perhaps you’ve never seen them hang up that Muscle Car calendar you’ve previously purchased, or that coffee table book on Italian Exotics never quite made its way to their actual coffee table.
Well, not to fear as we’ve got a few out-of-the-crate functional suggestions for this holiday season, guaranteed to make it to the workbench of any enthusiast.
Creeper
No, we’re not talking about the plant, Minecraft villain, or Rob Zombie song subject, we’re talking about that ever-so-helpful board on wheels that allows you to work more efficiently under your vehicle. Whether your gearhead has a taller SUV with enough clearance to slide under unassisted, or they get by with the aid of a lift or jack, a creeper is an integral part of any garage -- and a great gift for the car enthusiast on your list.
Look, we’re not afraid to get our Carhartt or Dickies overalls a little grubby, but a creeper allows us to get off that cold, dirty, concrete floor and move considerably more efficiently But not all creepers are built alike, so here are a few things that can differ between models.
Metal / Plastic / Wood Construction. While plastic is lightweight and affordable, metal may be the best choice for heavy use as it’s much sturdier and more durable. Wooden creepers aren’t as popular as they once were, but add a nice vintage look and many can be had for cheap on the secondhand market.
Fixed / Caster Wheels. Fixed wheels move in one direction, so mobility is limited. If a garage floor is level, however, they’re completely serviceable. Caster wheels spin around and can move the creeper in any direction, making them great for limited spaces.
Size / Weight Capacity. It’s important to consider who will be using the creeper. If they’re a bigger person, they’ll need a creeper with additional length and/or width. Additionally, if getting into a more cramped space, a lower profile creeper may be the difference between being able to fit under the vehicle or not. And lastly, while most creepers can accommodate just about any weight, it’s a good idea to double check it’s capacity. Adjustable creepers are also available, so you can have a bit of versatility for different people and jobs. However, they generally are a bit more expensive.
We’re partial to the many creepers that Performance Tool, a leader in hand and specialty tools, has to offer consumers.
OBD II Scan Tool
If you’re not a car person, the term “OBD II” may sound like a race of Star Wars droids. Even if you are a car person, the term may sound familiar, but not have much meaning beyond that.
So, what does it do? Located to the lower left of a steering wheel, the OBD II port, or on-board diagnostics for short, allows you to plug a third-party scanner into it and diagnose all kinds of vehicle issues. Whether you’ve got a dashboard light on, or suspect an issue with the ABS system, lighting, airbags, fuel delivery, or something else, an OBD II scanner can assist in identifying the problem.
So, how do you know which one to buy your gearhead? There are two main types of scanners: Display and Diagnostic. Display scanners are simple, cheaper units that spit out an error code which must then be looked up to determine what vehicle system needs attention. Diagnostic Scanners are more expensive, but give the user a lot more information than just a code. They’ll provide things like temperature, fuel mixture ratios, graphs and charts, service bulletins, and more actionable items. If you’ve got someone in your life who has torn and rebuilt a car or two, they’ll want a Diagnostic Scanner.
Also, keep in mind that OBD II ports only became mandatory in vehicles starting in 1996. So, if you or a loved one has a vehicle made before 1996, it may not have an OBD II port in it.
Battery Charger/Trickle Charger
So, let’s get one thing straight -- battery chargers are not the same as jump starters/jump packs. In addition, battery chargers are similar, but not the same as trickle chargers. Confused yet?
Jump packs often make our gift lists and for good reason. These handy units immediately jump a dead battery and are portable and wireless. By comparison, a battery charger is made to recharge a battery back to a healthy level and then have it maintain that level. While charging and maintaining a battery are different, most battery chargers can double as battery maintainers. A trickle charger generally is a very slow charger that often has no voltage detection, so the risk of overcharging a battery is very real. Depending on who you talk to and what unit you’re using, trickle chargers can generally be left on a battery for a day or so, but shouldn’t be left on for weeks and months at a time, as that will shorten the life of the battery. So, for our list we recommend battery chargers.
Battery chargers come in a few different flavors, with the main difference being amperage output. If speed of charging is important, opt for one with at least a steady 3.0A or one that has a rapid charge function. As you may expect, as the unit’s amperage level increases, so will its cost.
Chargers also require an external power source, so keep that in mind. If you don’t have a wall outlet nearby, you’ll need an extension cord or some other power provider. Noco is a great brand to start with, as they have models for just about every need and price range.
As a caution, while most car batteries are still lead-acid, other types like gel and absorbed glass mat (AGM) are gaining more traction. Make sure that anything you connect to your battery -- whether it’s cables, packs, or chargers -- supports the type of battery you intend to use it on.
Replacement Shift Knob
If you or a loved one has a manual (or even automatic) transmission that’s mated to a classic or modern car, sometimes it’s the simplest of things that can breathe life back into the driving experience. A replacement shift knob from the likes of the ever-popular Hurst or B&M might be the ticket to do so.
For a manual vehicle, aside from the seat and steering wheel, the shifter is the car part touched the most. Arguably, it can also be the most personal and creative item in the interior. Grabbing something fun, ergonomic, and tactile is the best way to row through those gears on the highway with a huge smile on your face.
Now, if you already have a vehicle with a timeless or beautiful knob -- like a Carrera GT or 2000GT -- then we’re in favor of leaving it alone. But if you’ve got a muscle car, hot hatch, or SUV that’s fitted with a knob covered in oil, dirt, or Flaming Hot Cheeto dust, it might be time to swap it out.
Common shapes of aftermarket shifters are the H-Pattern, Ball (or Spherical) knob, and the Pistol Grip. While it does vary from driver to driver, aggressive shifters who slam into gears may benefit from a larger, more ergonomic, durable knob. On the other hand, those who hold theirs like a rare glass of Cabernet may want something lighter and smaller.
Personality can shine through with a shifter, so shop around. You’d be surprised with what forms and objects have been made into shifters, from Samurai Swords to Stormtroopers. In fact, this may be one of those gifts you let your gearhead know about ahead of time, so they can pick out the exact one they want. Additionally, checking the fit of any aftermarket shifter is paramount, which is hard to do when you’re gifting one. At the very least, make sure the vendor you’re buying from has a good return policy.
Radar Detector
While radar detectors gained prominence in the 90’s, early units like the legendary Fuzzbuster have been around since the late 60’s. While we love the burled walnut look of those early models, modern units from brands like Cobra are sleek, slim, and a heck of a lot more powerful.
Sure, apps like Waze have aided in sniffing out speed traps, but nothing can replace a dedicated radar detector. There are corded models that need to be connected to power and cordless units that can easily be taken car to car. Models that sync and provide readings to a phone are also available. But aside from these differences, what do all those terms mean on the packaging?
Here’s a quick glossary:
How well a detector can pick up signals. (The more sensitive the better.)
How well a detector can pick up radar from police while ignoring any signal picked up from other electronic devices.
Instant-On Protection. If a police radar uses Instant-On toward you, there’s not enough time for your detector to muster an alert. But if other vehicles around you have been the target of Instant-On readings, a detector with a high K-Band sensitivity is the best option.
VG-2. Cops use devices to sniff out consumer radars. The old tech they used was called VG-2. Most radar detectors have protection against this older standard.
This is the newer type of radar detector detection (RDD) that squads use. While some detectors claim to offer complete protection from this, it’s complicated and not 100% effective.
Laser Detection. The past several decades, more police have adopted using lasers to determine speed over radar. A detector that has one (or ideally, multiple) laser sensors will offer better protection against this technology.
As always, with radar detectors please check your local laws before purchasing and installing. Laws differ from state to state and country to country, so make sure you’re cognizant while traveling over any borders.