Car lift jacks are essential accessories in the automotive industry designed to elevate vehicles off the ground for various maintenance and repair tasks. These devices provide essential access to the underside of a car, enabling mechanics, automotive enthusiasts, or even individuals handling roadside emergencies to perform tasks such as changing tires, inspecting brakes, or conducting general repairs. Most vehicles come with a car lift jack along with a spare tire. However, some vehicles require more than the standard jack. For instance, a heavy-duty car jack can come in handy when performing intricate servicing under the hood of trucks, SUVs, and commercial vans.
Car lift jacks are available in different varieties. The appropriate car jack depends on the vehicle type, size, and weight. Most vehicles come with a scissor jack as standard. This mechanical low-profile car jack is suitable for lifting smaller vehicles off the ground. It operates by turning a bolt with a hand crank. To save time, most people prefer electric car jacks since they are automatic and faster. A hydraulic jack is another popular car lift jack. This car jack employs hydraulic pressure to lift the vehicle off the ground. Common types of hydraulic jacks include an automotive floor jack, typically used by mechanics, and a bottle jack, often used for lifting heavy trucks.
Car jacks also have different lift capacities. For instance, a 3-ton low-profile jack is ideal for lifting vehicles weighing up to 3 tons. Heavier vehicles like trucks might need heavy-duty pneumatic jacks like airbag jacks to support their weight. These car lift jacks have a lift capacity of over 4 tons.
Operating a car lift jack can be a straightforward process as long as drivers or vehicle owners follow the guidelines that come with the car jack. The first step entails putting the vehicle in park mode to prevent unnecessary movement. The next step is finding a stable, flat surface to place the car floor jack. For enhanced safety, drivers can place a brick under the opposite tire of the one they are working on. This precautionary measure will jam the tire and prevent the vehicle from rolling back. The car lift jack should align with the jacking point beneath the vehicle next to the tire that requires replacement to ensure it does not lean. The last step involves turning the auto jack handle until the vehicle lifts off the ground to the desired level.