Do American cars still use SAE?

SAE sockets are sized in inches and fractions of inches. Typically, SAE sockets and wrenches are used on American-made cars, as mentioned previously, however, when it comes to working on imported cars (assuming you’re in the USA) you’ll most likely be looking for metric units of measurement.

Do you need both metric and SAE wrenches?

With wrenches, you also have to deal with both SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers — AKA inches) and metric sizes. Trying to use a combination wrench that’s even 1/32 of an inch off won’t end well. There’s more to consider than your might thing when shopping for wrenches.

Do cars use SAE or metric?

As with all wrenches, you have the choice between U.S., also known as standard, or metric sizes. American cars are assembled with nuts and bolts that use standard measurements while foreign cars almost exclusively use metric measurements.

Are SAE bolts still used?

But you still need SAE sizes – you’ll find them in most US made products other than cars… virtually the entire US hardware store stock of common fasteners is SAE in hex head bolts and lag screws for example. Metric stuff is relegated to the specialty fasteners drawers.

Does Ford use SAE or metric?

With a few exceptions of really old carryover parts (like the 8.8 rear axle in a Crown Vic), Fords and all manufacturers are metric and have been for quite some time.

What’s the difference between metric and SAE wrenches?

The SAE wrench set contains eight pieces with sizes between 5/16 inches and 3/4 inches. The metric wrench set has 12 pieces, ranging in size from 8 mm to 19 mm.

What metric wrenches are the same as SAE?

While there is no precise correlation between SAE fractional and metric measurements, there are many sockets that are close enough in size to be used interchangeably, in some circumstances. For example, 5/16 and 8 mm, 7/16 and 11 mm, 5/8 and 16 mm, 3/4 and 19 mm, 7/8 and 22 mm, and 15/16 and 24 mm.

What are SAE sockets used for?

SAE sockets: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sockets are designed to help you work on American-made vehicles. Socket sizes are based on imperial system inches and fractions. Metric sockets: Ideal for working on imported vehicles, metric sockets’ sizes are measured in millimeters.

When did Ford change to metric?

6, subch. II § 205a et seq. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 is an Act of Congress that U.S. President Gerald Ford signed into law on December 23, 1975.