What is the most usable torque wrench range for vehicle use on a 1/2 drive wrench?

[USMC88-93]

There is 50-250, 30-150, 20-100ft. lbs and so on...... I am looking to buy a decent torque wrench that for my purposes would be dedicated to vehicle use and do not want to buy one that would limit its usefulness (outside of range required of any requirements on vehicle).... Is there a standard range bought by most for a tool not dedicated to a specific task on the vehicle?
1/2 inch or 3/8 inch drive?

[roberth]

I think it depends on the vehicles you'll be working on. In the early 90s I bought a 10-100 3/8 drive to work on motorcycles. Recently I added a 50-250 1/2 drive for trucks (4runner / F250).

[ben4372]

I got rid of my Snap-On wrenches when I changed careers. I found I still needed to torque stuff. I bought the 1/2 and 3/8 Craftsman Digitorque dial adjust. Made in USA. Super happy. I've had them ten years or more. For small fasteners the Klein lb/in. Was about the best value, and the Klein can be used for loosening. Something that is not usually allowed. Torque wrenches have a sweet spot for accuracy. By that I mean the upper and lower end of the range is less precise usually. One for under 100 lb/ft and one for 50-250 lb/ft would cover most everything. Just buy USA or European of a known company and you should be good.

[newracer]

I have several from Harbor Freight, perfectly fine for most work.

[USMC88-93]

I have several from Harbor Freight, perfectly fine for most work.

What is an appropriate range though.

[Great-Kazoo]

K-D 3640 3/8' 10 - 100 ft lbs and K-D 3461 1/2" drive 25 - 250' ft lbs. Unless you're going to spring for a snap-on. The newer craftsmen took a dump 4 months in to use. The K-D's still ticking, and i can get a recalibration for $25 per.

[TFOGGER]

I do mostly motorcycle stuff, so I have a 1/4 drive 10-150 inch/pound, a 0-75 ft/lb 3/8, and a 15-150 ft/lb, all Snap-on.

[newracer]

What is an appropriate range though.

They are cheap enough that I just buy the ones I need as it comes up. I have a 3/8" that is 5-80 and a 1/2" that is 20-150.

[ray1970]

I have torque wrenches that go from very low inch pound increments up to ones that hit just over 600 ft lbs. For general automotive use I would say something in the 50 to 250 range should do just about everything you need.

Truthfully, about the only thing I torque are cylinder heads, main and rod bearings, and (depending on the particular engine) maybe the intake manifold.

[00tec]

You wont see too much over 200 ft/lb in your typical passenger vehicle. Rarely have I needed to go higher. If I do, I just rent the big torque wrench from Autozone.
You may also want to get an in/lb wrench for the smaller stuff.

[Irving]

Always torque your lug nuts.

[USMC88-93]

Always torque your lug nuts.

My previoius torque spec was 250lbs of body fat spread over a long breaker bar, I am hoping to improve my specs on that portion of work.

[Sharpienads]

My previoius torque spec was 250lbs of body fat spread over a long breaker bar, I am hoping to improve my specs on that portion of work.

[ROFL1] Mine wasn't 250lbs, but I have a torque wrench that operates on the same principle.

[jerrymrc]

The 20/30 to 150 for almost all car work. Do not forget a small In/lb for the small stuff.

[Wulf202]

Until you get up to vehicles measured in tons the 30-150 is fine.

[JMBD2112]

Get the snap on 1/2" tech wrench, 25-250 ft lbs, 16.9-338.9 NM, 150-3000in lbs(? Don't know why) and does torque angles. They are $500 off the snap on truck, but I bought mine maybe 5 yrs ago and it's paid for itself many times over. I do use mine on a daily basis so depending on how much you would actually use it may not make it worth it but in my opinion it's the best torque wrench out right now. You can also check CL I've seen them listed there before too

[spongejosh]

30-150 works for everything I've worked on. (Toyota/Subaru)