• In today's repair world, you are just as likely to see a technician holding a computer as a wrench.tools image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  From the early-1900s until the early-1980s, vehicle repair was relatively unchanged. All a mechanic needed were his tools, hands and maybe a small multimeter. In the late-1980s, computers became commonplace in cars, and they have continued to get more complex every year, and tool manufacturers continue developing high-tech tools to keep up. Any good Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technician enrolls in classes yearly to learn all of the new additions to vehicles and what high-tech tools are needed to repair them.
  
  

Diagnostic Computer

• In 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began requiring all vehicles to utilize a common computer and diagnostic system. This was the beginning of the OBD-II system. Formerly, there were dozens of different computers for all of the different manufacturers. The automotive industry now only needs one scanner/diagnostic machine to perform a wide range of tasks. These machines vary greatly in cost and function. Some machines cost as little as $20 while others exceed the $9,000 mark. The higher end machines not only read the codes stored in the computer, but they have function tests to manually control all of the vehicle's sensors to help with diagnostics. They also provide the technician with all of the readings needed to properly diagnose the vehicle, whereas the cheaper models simply provide a code number.
  
  

Infrared Temperature Gauge

• Sometimes a technician needs to get a temperature reading off an item that is too hot to get close to, or it simply cannot be reached. The infrared temperature gauge solves this problem. This tool uses infrared technology to read the temperature and a laser pointer for accuracy. You simply aim the laser side of the gauge at the item you want to read the temperature from then pull the trigger. The temperature will appear on the screen instantly.
  
  

Video Scope

• Video scopes use a small camera attached to a long, semi-rigid neck that can be turned in any direction and stay there until it is pushed in another direction. The camera transmits a video onto an LCD screen that the technician holds in his hand; it also has a high-intensity light so the technician can see clearly into almost any nook of the engine. This is particularly useful for locating internal engine damage or intake leaks.
  
  

Remote Starter

• This type of remote starter hooks to the starter solenoid so that the technician can start the vehicle from any position outside the car. This is very helpful when a customer complains of a symptom on initial start-up. The technician can be under the hood and quickly start the engine while looking for the problem.
  
  

Alignment Machine

• Vehicle alignment used to be a simple process where only a tape measure was used to determine the space difference between the front wheels. Now there are electronic machines that measure wheel angles by way of a series of cables. Due to today's intricate suspension systems, alignment machines now use a series of high-intensity lasers and reflective pads to read the angles of the wheels.