Shopping for someone who works on their own car is harder than it looks. They already own the tools they want, and the “car guy” aisle is mostly novelty air fresheners. The gifts that land are the ones that show you know what actually happens in their garage.
This guide covers those, plus a five-minute winter check to do before anyone drives home for the holidays.
Christmas gifts for car guys, by budget
Under $25
- An ornament ($14). Torqued to Spec, Traction Control Off or Jingle Bolts, printed on both sides of a metal ornament. The easiest yes on the list.
- A mug ($20). For the coffee that goes cold on the workbench.
- Wrapping paper ($24). Wrenches and spark plugs, so the present looks like it came from the garage before it is even opened.
Jingle Bolts Ornament $14 · Shop → 
Torqued to Spec Ornament $14 · Shop → 
Torqued to Spec Mug $20 · Shop → 
Wrapping Paper (Red) $24 · Shop → $25 to $50
- A tee ($32). Torqued to Spec. Checked It Twice. is for anyone who re-torques the lug nuts after the tire shop. Dashing Through the Snow, Traction Control Off is for anyone who has found an empty parking lot after the first snowfall.
- The Jingle Bolts stocking ($28). Every mechanic has a coffee can of bolts left over from the last job. This is that, as a stocking.
- A beanie. The robot beanie ($30) for every day, or the knitted Crossed Wrenches beanie ($48) to match the sweater.
Torqued to Spec Tee $32 · Shop → 
Traction Control Off Tee $32 · Shop → 
Jingle Bolts Stocking $28 · Shop → 
AXLY Robot Beanie $30 · Shop → $50 and up
- A hoodie ($55) in any of the three designs, for cold garages.
- A knitted ugly sweater ($75). Wrenches and spark plugs knitted into the yarn, not printed on top, with a small AXLY robot on the chest. Three patterns, each in green, red or black.
- Matching family sweaters. Every adult sweater also comes in kids’ sizes, and three come as dog sweaters, for the family photo.
Crossed Wrenches Sweater (Green) $75 · Shop → 
Fair Isle Garage Sweater (Black) $75 · Shop → 
Wrench & Plug Sweater (Red) $75 · Shop → 
Torqued to Spec Hoodie $55 · Shop → 
Before you drive home: a five-minute winter car check
Holiday travel lands in the coldest weeks of the year, and cold is what finally kills a weak battery. Five things to look at before a long drive:
- Battery. If it cranks slowly on cold mornings or is four or five years old, get it tested. Here is how to charge a dead battery and how to jump-start a car if it gives up anyway.
- Tire pressure, set cold. Use the number on the driver’s door sticker. Pressure drops roughly 1 psi for every 10°F, so a tire set in October is low by December. Here is how to fill a car tire.
- Winter washer fluid and wipers. Road salt spray is constant. Fluid rated below freezing, and wipers that do not streak.
- Coolant. Engine cold, level between the marks in the overflow tank.
- Warning lights. If the check engine light is on, read the code before you leave. A loose gas cap can wait; a misfire on the interstate cannot.
Reading the code takes a minute: plug a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter into the port under the dash and scan with an app. AXLY shows the code, explains it in plain English and answers follow-up questions. Step by step: how to read check engine codes on an iPhone.
Order dates
Shirts, mugs, ornaments, stockings and wrapping paper are printed when you order. Order by December 12 for US delivery before Christmas. Knitted sweaters and beanies take longer to make, so order those by December 1. Shipping is free in the US.
