Best Floor Jack for Your Car Maintenance Needs

A flat tire is something we've all experienced, so you don't need us to tell you just how inconvenient those can be. And seeing as there is usually no way of predicting when you'll get a flat, it is important that you make adequate plans for dealing with one to ensure as little disruption to your day as possible. So, it follows that jacks are essential pieces of equipment for any car owner.

What are Floor Jacks?

A floor jack is an implement that is used to lift vehicles off the ground, making it possible to perform tasks on the underside of your car. Although changing flats is the most common use for floor jacks, they are versatile to other purposes. Tasks such as suspension and transmission work, replacing brake pads, rotating wheels, changing oil, mounting the engine and many others can be easily completed with the use of a floor jack.

Why Should You Get a Floor Jack?

Although using a floor jack is not the only way to lift your car, it is an affordable, convenient, and easily accessible option. Floor jacks are easy to operate, fit for a variety of uses, and can be small and light enough to fit into your car trunk.

You should note that although floor jacks are advertised as being very stable, they are mechanical appliances and can fail. So, you should never get underneath a car supported on only floor jacks, always use a jack stand.

What Factors Should You Consider Before Buying a Floor Jack?

When shopping for floor jacks, as with anything of any importance, it is essential that you choose the one that caters to your particular needs. Factors such as the weight capacity of the jack, maximum lift height, height clearance, saddle size, construction strength, and reliability should be considered. Earlier, we provided you with an outline of the best floor jacks available on the market, and now, we'll help you choose which one is best for you.

Weight Capacity

The weight capacity of a floor jack determines what vehicles it can safely support for any length of time. So when deciding what floor jack to get, you should take into consideration the weight of your vehicle. Floor jack weight capacity ratings are usually given in tons, and it may be helpful to convert these into pounds for ease of interpretation (1 ton equals 2000 lbs). Most small passenger cars weigh between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds, while trucks and SUVs typically fall within the 4,000 to 5,000-pound range. To find out the exact weight of your car, you can do a quick google search.

Maximum Lift Height

Asides from knowing how much weight your jack can support, it is helpful to know how high your vehicle can be lifted. Before buying a floor jack, you should check what the maximum lift height is. Typically, a higher lift height is better as it gives you more space to work under your vehicle. For most cars, a height of 20 inches is enough to get almost anything done, but if you’re into off-road vehicles or SUVs, a taller jack would be more appropriate.

Height Clearance

Another thing to consider is the jack's height clearance, that is, the shortest the jack can be. If your jack cannot fit underneath your vehicle, then it is useless to you, and so, it is important for you to purchase one with a height clearance small enough to fit under your car.

Saddle Size

The saddle size or platform size of a jack refers to how large the area of the jack in contact with the vehicle. A larger saddle size generally means more stable support, and better stability means better safety, especially at greater heights.

Construction Strength

Another important factor to consider is how frequently, and for how long to plan on using the jack. If you're like most of the population and only use your jack occasionally, a lightweight jack probably works for you. But if you require a jack to do the heavy lifting for prolonged periods, you should go for something sturdier. To determine the construction strength of a particular jack, you should check its construction material which can be steel, aluminum, or composites.

Material

Steel

Steel is the heaviest of the construction materials used for building floor jacks. Steel is also cheaper than aluminum, so steel jacks are the more budget-friendly option. Although jacks made of steel are durable, their weight makes it hard to move them from place to place. And as such, they are mostly found at professional garages and car dealerships.

Aluminum

Aluminum is lighter, less durable, and more expensive than steel. Their lighter weight makes them a good choice for the average car owner whose jack functions mostly to help with tire changes. They are the more portable option.

Hybrids or Alloys

Hybrid jacks, as the name suggests, are made of a mix of steel and aluminum. They aim to strike a balance between the qualities of the steel and aluminum jacks where weight, durability, and price are concerned.

How Much Do Floor Jacks Cost?

Floor jacks can buy a floor jack for as little as $50, but there are predictably unable to lift heavy-weight vehicles, and have smaller saddles. Some also cost as much as $700 dollars. For the average user, a budget of $150 to $300 dollars is appropriate for a floor jack that meets your needs.

FAQs

Q: How do I use a floor jack?

Park your car on flat and level ground, to ensure maximum stability. Use chocks or bricks to brace the wheels of the car, and apply your car’s parking brake. Then you place the jack underneath one of your car's jack points and pump the handle until the car is high enough for you to work. Finally, place your jack stands under the car, preferably somewhere close to the jack point, and lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

Q: How do I choose the best floor jack?

Find one that has a large enough weight capacity for your car, can fit under your car, and raises your car to a height that is comfortable for you.

Q: When should I use a floor jack?

You can use a floor jack whenever you want to work on the underside of your vehicle. This includes changing flats, suspension and transmission work, replacing brake pads, rotating wheels, and changing oil.