Best 3 Ton Floor Jack - See June 2023’s Top Rated Pick

The type of car jack that you choose should be determined by how you intend to use it. You'll need a floor-jack if you plan to lift your car to get underneath the body and do some tinkering. They are the most stable, and have the greatest lifting power.

If you need a car jack for spare tires, a scissor jack or bottle jack will serve you better (keep in mind vehicle clearance if you buy a bottle - it may not fit under your car unless it is based on cab clearance). A bottle jack or scissor car jack is better suited for a spare tire jack.

Before you begin any maintenance, you need to make sure that your vehicle is properly supported.

If you're doing roadside maintenance on unpaved surfaces, choose floor jacks and scissorlifts that have extra-wide bases. The jacks that you will use in your garage do not have to be portable. They can work best with jack stands and ramps.

The jack stands' ability to adjust and lock is one of the most important features. There are two different types of mechanisms.

Ratchet

The locking mechanism uses an angled bar in order to lock the height of the stand. These mechanisms allow for small height adjustments and are easy to use. In some cases, rolling pins and locking mechanisms (or locking mechanisms) may rust. You will need to replace the whole stand if this happens.

Locking pin

The second type of jack stands uses a locking pin made from high-tensile steel to secure the jack. This mechanism does not allow adjustments to be made as finely as the ratchet type, for example to compensate for uneven floors. It is simple to replace the pin if it corrodes or rusts. This is unlike the ratchet type, where you have to replace the entire jackstand if the mechanism breaks. Locking pin jack stands tend to be stronger and are used for heavy work.

Dual-locking

Some ratchet jack stands come with a backup locking mechanism. The locking pin is used to provide additional security in case the ratchet mechanism fails.

Each car jack has a specific weight capacity. The packaging will make this clear (we also note the load capacity in product descriptions). You should ensure that the bottle-jack you buy has enough oomf for your car. The jack does not need to be rated at the full weight of the car. You only need to lift the vehicle's weight half when changing a tire.

When choosing a car stand, the first thing you should consider is its material and construction. The majority of jack stands are constructed from cast iron or steel. Aluminum stands are popular for light-weight work because they're lighter and do not rust. However, cast iron or steel is better for heavy-duty work.

Take into account the distance between the ground and the undercarriage of your vehicle.

You'll need to use a portable car lift that can raise your vehicle high enough so you can start working, whether you ride low or high.

Most jacks will lift your car a little more than a foot from the ground. This is enough space to change a flat tire but not to allow you to slide under the vehicle.

You need to choose a jack that fits underneath your vehicle. For example, some sports cars and luxury automobiles have low clearances. They require a low profile jack in order to lift them. Consider the clearance of your vehicle and that of the jack when purchasing one.

Consider the maximum lift height of a car jack. Smaller jacks might not be able to lift your vehicle off the ground if you have a high SUV.

Scissor jacks and floor jacks as well as bottle jacks are the most common car jacks.

1. The scissor jacks look like accordion-like contraptions that are included with most spare tire kits. These jacks raise your car using a screw mechanism. These jacks are slow and difficult to use.
2. The floor jacks can be large and heavy but are stable and easy to operate (even if they're a little more difficult to move). This is the most common type for a workshop or garage.

Bottle jacks come in a small, bottle-shaped design. They are usually operated by a lever, and they're easy to use. However, they can't raise as high as floor jacks. Bottle jacks are a great option for a portable car jack, but they're not the best choice for cars with low clearance.

A car jack can lift a certain amount of weight. When buying a car-jack to repair your vehicle, choose one with the weight rating that matches the vehicle. Remember that you only need to lift the half of the vehicle's weight to change a wheel. The weight of your vehicle should be listed on the door panel, or in your owner's guide. The average sedan weighs about 3,000.0 lbs, while trucks weigh up to 8,000.0 lbs.