DIY Tools Kit for your 2017 Ford Escape

Working on a 2017 Ford Escape does not require a full shop. With a focused kit you can handle oil and filter changes, brakes, battery checks, spark plugs, wipers, and most interior fixes. I built this list from the jobs I actually do on our Escape, which we call Alice. The idea is to spend on the tools you will use often, then add specialty pieces as projects come up.

Safety first

• Solid jack stands: Always support the vehicle on stands before going under. The floor jack lifts. The stands hold.
• Wheel chocks: Chock the opposite wheels on the ground to prevent any roll.
• Eye and hand protection: Clear safety glasses and nitrile gloves live in my top drawer.
• Ventilation and fire safety: Work in fresh air when using cleaners and keep a small ABC extinguisher nearby.

Core set that handles 80 percent of jobs

• Socket set: 1/4 and 3/8 inch drive with metric sizes from 8 to 19 mm. Include deep sockets for spark plugs and battery clamps.
• Ratchets and extensions: A fine tooth 3/8 inch ratchet and a few 3 to 6 inch extensions make life easier around the intake and coil packs.
• Wrenches: Metric combination wrenches from 8 to 19 mm for tight spots where sockets do not fit.
• Screwdrivers and bit set: Phillips, flat, Torx, and security Torx bits. Interior panels and throttle body clamps like Torx.
• Pliers pack: Needle nose, slip joint, diagonal cutters, and long reach pliers for hose clamps and clips.
• Torque wrench: A 3/8 inch wrench covers plugs and many small fasteners. A 1/2 inch wrench handles wheel lugs and larger bolts.

Lifting and under-car work

• Low profile floor jack: A compact aluminum or steel jack that can reach the Escape’s lift points without drama.
• Jack stands: Two or four stands rated above the vehicle weight. I place them at the pinch welds or subframe points from the manual.
• Creeper and fender cover: A creeper saves your back and a soft cover keeps paint clean when you lean in.

Electrical and diagnostics

• OBD-II Bluetooth scanner: Reads codes and live data like fuel trims and coolant temp. That turns guesswork into real information.
• Digital multimeter: Checks battery state, charging voltage, and continuity when you chase a fuse or ground issue.
• Test light and fuse kit: Handy for quick checks on lighting and power points. Keep spare mini blade fuses in the cargo bin.
• Battery tools: A terminal brush and a small memory saver if you want to retain presets during a swap.

Fluid and filter tools

• Oil service: Drain pan with a good spout, long neck funnel, and a cap for hauling used oil to recycling. An end-cap or band style filter wrench prevents dents in tight spaces.
• Coolant service: A no spill funnel kit makes bleeding simple. A hand pressure tester finds slow leaks that do not drip on the floor.
• Transmission and AWD: A hand transfer pump helps fill tight locations on PTU and RDU units. Double check the fill plug before you pull a drain plug.
• Brake work: A piston compressor for the front and a rewind tool that engages the rear piston notches. Fresh hardware, a little synthetic brake grease on slide points, and a clear hose and bottle for bleeding will do most jobs.

Engine and intake tools

• Spark plug socket: 5/8 inch magnetic or rubber insert with a wobble extension. Torque to the spec for your engine.
• Feeler gauge: Good for verifying plug gap if the manufacturer allows adjustment. Some iridium plugs are preset and should be left alone.
• Hose clamp pliers: For spring clamps on coolant and intake lines.
• Small pick set: Useful on stubborn electrical connectors and seals. Be gentle near plastic.

Cleaning and finishing

• Brake cleaner: Removes shipping oil from new rotors and cleans hardware. Use sparingly and away from paint.
• Shop towels and nitrile gloves: Keep the interior and engine bay clean as you go.
• Dielectric grease: A tiny smear at the coil boot lip helps sealing on reassembly. Do not coat contacts.
• Anti-seize: Only if the service info calls for it. Many modern plugs have a coating and should be installed dry and torqued correctly.

How I store the kit

I use a rolling toolbox for sockets and wrenches, a milk crate for fluids and funnels, and a flat bin for the jack, stands, and chocks. The OBD scanner and a small flashlight live in the glovebox so I can scan at store parking lots if a light pops on. A short service log sits in the center console. It records the date, odometer, and a few notes about what I did. That one page has saved time later and helps when selling.

Starter kits by project

Products to buy

These links open in a new tab and already include my Amazon tag. Always confirm sizes and ratings for your setup.

Lift and support

• Low profile floor jack Shop
• 3 ton jack stands Shop
• Wheel chocks Shop

Hand tools

• Metric socket and wrench set Shop sets
• 3/8 inch torque wrench Shop
• 1/2 inch torque wrench for wheels Shop
• Pliers set and picks Pliers · Picks

Diagnostics and electrical

• OBD-II Bluetooth scanner Shop scanners
• Digital multimeter Shop meters
• Mini blade fuse assortment and puller Fuses · Puller

Fluids and brakes

• Oil drain pan and filter wrench Pan · Wrench
• No spill coolant funnel and pressure tester Funnel · Tester
• Brake piston tools and bleeder kit Piston tools · Bleeder

Finishing supplies

• Brake cleaner and shop towels Cleaner · Towels
• Nitrile gloves and fender cover Gloves · Cover
• Dielectric grease and anti-seize (use only if specified) Dielectric · Anti-seize

Final notes

Buy once where it counts. A decent jack and stands, a torque wrench that clicks consistently, and a scanner you understand will pay for themselves. Keep your tools clean and labeled. Put a small checklist in the glovebox with torque values you use often.