Must-Have Mechanic Work Light Solutions

Let There Be Light

It’s a simple truth that humans have known since the dawn of time: everything is easier to do when you can shine a little light on it! This is especially true in a garage, workshop or work site. Even in the brightest automotive garage, the dimly lit conditions of a Lexus RX350 or a Honda Accord engine bay, coupled with the complex arrangement of the engine components, can present a big problem for a mechanic looking to identify a problem and undertake repairs. 

In the past, finding a dependable work light that performs in an auto shop setting was challenging. Most mechanic work lights used wall sockets, so your range of use was limited by the length of the cord. The brightest work lights usually use incandescent bulbs that could get very hot—a recipe for disaster when working with hazardous fumes and flammable liquids. Not only that, but incandescent lights usually require safety cages, which make them too bulky to fit into the dark recesses of an engine. The best auto mechanics are never without a trusty pen light tucked in their coveralls; however, they tend to have a limited number of lumens plus use small watch batteries, making them very inconvenient.

Thanks to the advancement of LED (Light Emitting Diode) light technology, automotive work lights are now far safer, more efficient, smaller and brighter. The best work lights for mechanics should be:

• Rechargeable – you should get at least two hours of bright light; 170 lumens or higher is ideal
• Rugged – the housing should feature strong, weathertight thermoplastic polymer construction such as ABS to withstand use in a garage or work environment
• Reliable – you should not have to worry that your work light will shatter or overheat

A bonus in modern mechanic work lights is their easy mounting capability. There’s no need to drill any holes or glue anything—as most work lights feature magnetized bottoms and durable hooks—so that you can mount them to the hood of your vehicle or the side of the engine bay, as well as hang them from the latch mechanism. These magnets are safe to use around metal tools and sensitive electronics. 

Illuminate the Job with NAPA and Carlyle Tools

Whether you’re wrenching on the exhaust system of a lifted Ford F150, keeping your home renovation site lit or setting up a tent after sunset, a work light solution from Carlyle Tools is the best way to illuminate the job at hand. Named after one of NAPA’s founding members Carlyle Fraser, the brand is synonymous with hard-working reliability and quality craftsmanship. The NAPA Network is proud to offer this professional-grade line of lighting solutions so you can get a safe, reliable illumination to get your work done right.

A rechargeable, slim work light from Carlyle is a must-have for close-quarter repairs in an engine bay. You get a full two hours of illumination if used on the high setting and up to five full hours on the low setting. The slim work light is small enough to maneuver into tight spaces and offers a brilliant 500 lumens, while the convenient magnetic base and hook offer cord-free mounting and hanging. 

Lose those smoky, unsafe incandescent cage lights on the job site and replace them with this super-brilliant rechargeable 1000-lumen work light, which offers up to two hours of illumination on the high setting and five hours of luminescence on the low setting. The plastic/aluminum construction provides durability without added weight. For a smaller option that features both flood and spotlight functionality, the smaller work light features 260 powerful lumens with up to nine hours of continual brightness on a single charge. The safe and comfortable rechargeable headlamp offers the perfect hands-free light that shines right where you need it. The old-school auto mechanics will appreciate that Carlyle also offers a rechargeable pen light—small and reliable with no need for a watch battery. 

Best of all, Carlyle also offers a cutting-edge charging pad system that wirelessly charges a wide range of their lighting solutions—such as the mechanic flashlight—for fast and easy wireless charging. You’ll never get left in the dark again when you have the brilliant and reliable illumination of NAPA and Carlyle Tools lighting solutions at your side! Sign up for NAPA Rewards today and get 1-point for every $1 you spend. Once you earn 100 points, you get $5 off your next NAPA purchase.