Christmas gifts for people who fix their own cars

Torqued to Spec. Checked It Twice.

A click-type torque wrench over the line every careful mechanic lives by. Santa checks the list twice; you check the lug nuts twice.

The torque wrench is drawn the way it actually looks on the bench: ratchet head and square drive, a red scale in the body window, a knurled grip. The type is tall and condensed, with CHECKED IT TWICE. in red.

It is the most year-round piece in the drop. Take away the MERRY CHRISTMAS line and it is simply true.

Best for: the person who re-torques the wheels after the tire shop did, and anyone who owns more than one torque wrench.

Dashing Through the Snow. Traction Control Off.

The traction-control-off lamp, lit in amber, over the carol line every winter driver has thought about in an empty parking lot.

The icon is the real dash symbol: a car from behind with two squiggly skid trails under it, beside OFF. It is the lamp that comes on when you hold the button down on purpose.

A joke that lands with anyone who has driven in snow, and a wink to the ones who went looking for it.

Best for: winter drivers, rally fans, and the friend who knows exactly which button turns the nanny off.

Jingle Bolts

A stocking stuffed with the bolts, nut and socket left over after the last job. Every mechanic has a coffee can of these.

The stocking has a green cuff and the leftovers spilling out of the top: two bolts, a socket and a red nut. Underneath: JINGLE BOLTS, and LEFT OVER FROM THE LAST JOB.

It is also an actual stocking, printed on a dark field so it hangs as well as it reads.

Best for: anyone who has finished a job with parts to spare and decided not to think about it.

The AXLY Christmas Sweater

Knitted, not printed: wrenches and spark plugs in the yarn, with a small AXLY robot on the left chest. Three patterns, each in green, red or black, for adults, kids and the shop dog.

Crossed Wrenches is a field of wrench crests edge to edge. Wrench & Plug is a lattice of wrenches and spark plugs. Fair Isle Garage is the classic banded sweater, rebuilt from plugs, wrenches and snowflakes.

Green and red versions use three yarns; the black versions are black and white with a red or green collar and cuffs.

Best for: the holiday party, matching family photos, and dogs who supervise oil changes.

Beanies

A knitted beanie in the Crossed Wrenches pattern to match the sweaters, and a cuffed beanie with the AXLY robot embroidered on the front.

Best for: cold garages and early starts.

Under the Tree

Wrapping paper, a stocking and a tree skirt in the Wrench & Plug pattern, so the presents look like they came from the garage.

Best for: the garage tree, and wrapping a torque wrench so it is not obvious.