Hi, Tanya.

Why don't you try posting about what task you want to perform, and we will
give you an idea as to what tools you need to get the job done properly.
Meanwhile, we'll assume you have some basic things you need for most
automotive repairs:

Basic Tools
o  Socket sets: 1/2" and 3/8" drive, both SAE and metric sizes.  Extensions
for same; the more and longer the better.
o  Box-end or combination open-end/box-end wrenches.  SAE and metric sizes.
o  Pliers.  You can frequently get away with a standard pair, but
adjustables come in handy.  Needle-nosed pliers are especially useful as
well.
o  Wire cutter/stripping tool.  You don't need anything fancy.
o  Screwdrivers.  A selection of both Phillips and flat-blades.  Long,
skinny flat-blades are often handy.
o  A utility knife, or other similar instrument.
o  Hammer.  If you have a typical claw hammer, it will do.  A ball-peen
hammer is useful.
o  Rubber or (less desirable) wooden mallet.  Used for "gently" "persuading"
things, where a regular hammer would damage parts.
o  Scraping tool -- a putty knife or razor-blade scraper will suffice.  You
may also require a plastic scraper if you're going to be removing old gasket
material from soft aluminum surfaces.
o  A pry (or crow) bar of some sort.
o  A magnetic tool, usually telescoping, for retrieving dropped fasteners or
sockets
o  An oil drain pan
o  A small floor jack and a pair of jack stands.  Choose carefully if you're
working on a large SUV; some are heavier than the rating on the less
expensive jacks/stands, and are too high off the ground to be lifted.
o  Something to block the wheels when lifting the vehicle with the jack.  A
couple of bricks work fine.
o  A shop light, with a steel or plastic protective cage surrounding the
bulb.  An inexpensive incandescent light works fine, but you'll want to
spend an extra dollar or two for the 'rough service' lightbulbs.

Consumables
o  A wire brush
o  An aerosol can of penetrating lubricant.
o  An aerosol can of carburetor cleaner or brake parts cleaner
o  A small blowtorch and a cylinder of propane, along with matches or a
spark igniter
o  An abundance of old rags, paper towels and a good waterless hand cleaner.
Lava soap works as well.
o  A roll of electrical tape

There are obviously many, many other items you could add to this list.
These are probably the bare minimum you will want to have to tackle light
repair work.  Being that winter is setting in for many parts of the country,
you will likely need to find a sheltered location to do your work.

If you're going to be doing much at all, add a torque wrench to the list
above.  You'll probably actually want two: one with a range in inch-pounds
for small fasteners, and one with a range in foot-pounds for larger
fasteners.  Basic units start around $25, but the quality is questionable.

--Geoff

Tanya, if you read the section in the FSM and don't understand it, your
questions aren't going to be stupid.

Some joker asked if he could feed his car vegetables a couple days ago
in rec.autos.tech, THAT is a stupid question.

You may not think so but it is as easy as pie to tell the difference between
a fool who doesen't have a FSM and asks a stupid question, and someone
who does have a FSM, reads the pertinent section, then asks questions.

In fact questions like this are why we all bother reading this ng.

You aren't going to help yourself by asking something like this and not
telling
us why.

Here's a start, you can let me know if I'm wrong or not:

"My car is running like crap and I want to do a basic tuneup to eliminate
obvious bullshit, so I'm replacing the coil/plugs/wires, I read the FSM and
what tools should I use"

Ted

hi,
i did look there (at amazon and b+n) but wasn't sure what manufacturer to look under
thanks for the suggestions though
sincerely
Tanya