I am a new amateur mechanic, and I went to pick up a torque wrench at a box store. My immediate plan was for torquing my lug nuts to spec after rotating my wheels (80 ft/lbs for my Civic). I was planning on buying a 3/8" drive which goes to up to 100 ft/lbs, but the store employee strongly recommended that I go for a stronger 1/2". He said the 3/8" would not be adequate for torquing my lugs. Was he right? I ended up buying the 1/2", but I think the 3/8" would be more useful for the entry-level maintenance that I’ll actually end up doing, and it would still work for the lugs. Should I return the 1/2" and swap it for the 3/8"? Maybe I’ll just end up needing both eventually anyway …
3/8” can work but 1/2” is better. Its not just the size of the drive, 1/2” normally has a longer handle than a 3/8 so less effort is needed due to the increased leverage.
Also understand that an uncalibrated click type torque wrench is not better than using a breaker bar while drunk. They need calibration every 12months or 5000 uses. Beam type torque wrenches dont need calibration but is only as accurate as the person reading it.