Car Lift Basics You Should Know

If you’re a car enthusiast or your household owns several cars, chances are you’re thinking about taking your garage to a whole new level by adding a car lift.

Now that space has become a valuable commodity and with more and more homeowners searching for more efficient parking solutions, it is only normal to wonder if it is even worth it to invest in car lifts.

Are you curious to know if it’s time for you to get a lift or not? This quick guide will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of car lifts, how long they last, and how to store them together with some tips for their safe use. Hopefully, after you’ve finished reading the article, you will be able to determine if this vehicle storage solution is the most ideal choice for your home garage or not.

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Perks of Car Lifts

Car lifts are known to offer several benefits or advantages, and some of these are the following:

Extra Parking Space

A vehicle lift can significantly double your garage’s parking capacity. The lift can accommodate a new vehicle purchase or the car for a family member who recently acquired their driver’s license.

Easy Access for Maintenance

Automotive lifts can also make it easier and more convenient to carry out repairs, inspections, and routine maintenance on your cars to help you save effort and time.

a stable car lift — There are three main types of car lifts: the trolley jack, bottle jack and scissor jack. They all do the same thing, but in a slightly different way, and some types are more stable than others.

Better Garage Storage

A car lift creates not just additional space for your cars it also offers extra storage for bicycles, tools, as well as other items in your garage. This will help you ensure that your garage is always organized and free from mess and clutter.

Vehicle Protection

Keeping your vehicles parked in your garage is the best way to ensure that they are always safe and protected from the elements as well as from potential vandalism or theft to help you maintain their appearance and overall value.

Downsides of Car Lifts

While car lifts offer several notable advantages, they also have a few downsides that you should be aware of, and these include the following:

Requirements for Bigger Garage Size

The size of your garage should be roomy enough to make way for the dimensions of a vehicle lift. This is why it is important to consider the available space in your garage before you even think about investing in an automotive lift.

A car lift is a piece of equipment used to partially lift a car off the ground, usually so that one of its tires can be removed and replaced. Most vehicles come with a car lift included alongside the spare tire since it’s an integral part of the tire changing process.

Significant Initial Investment

It is not a secret that you will need a significant initial investment to buy and install a vehicle lift. However, you should weigh this cost with the long-term convenience and benefits that these lifts have to offer.

Periodic Maintenance

Vehicle lifts need periodic maintenance to guarantee their smooth operation and increase their lifespan just like other mechanical systems.

Lifespan of Car Lifts

The lifespan of vehicle lifts may vary depending on their quality, maintenance, and usage. Top-of-the-line lifts from reliable manufacturers can easily last for several years with proper maintenance and care, giving you dependable service for years and much-needed peace of mind.

Safety Tips When Using Car Lifts

Storing your vehicle on a lift is one of the best ways to keep it safe and protected from environmental factors, debris, and potential damage that can compromise its condition. Aside from this, keeping your vehicle elevated will lower the risks of accidental scratches or bumps. Most importantly, a lift will also help preserve the appearance and overall value of your car.

2 ton car lift — For most simple jobs, a 2-ton car lift will work; however, investing in one with more capability is never a bad idea. The selected car lift’s ideal capacity should reach about three quarters of the vehicle’s overall weight. If you need a more capable one, you can get it at a store with car parts online.

Having said all of these, no one can blame you if you finally decide to install the best lift in your garage. But here comes the tricky part. After choosing the right lift that suits your needs and after the experts come to your property to assist you in the delivery and installation of your new system, it’s now the perfect time for you to start enjoying the perks that a car lift can offer.

But wait, before you get lifted, you have to be aware of several key things first. Below are some safety tips that you should know to make the most out of your vehicle lift.

Lift Inspection

After your lift is delivered, the parts are put together, and the team installs it in place, it is time for you to check every part of this heavy-duty piece of machinery to ensure that everything is in great working order.

Your biggest nightmare is for your car to fall off the lift, putting not just your vehicle but even your garage floor and yourself at risk of serious damage.

A comprehensive lift inspection must go through every necessary part of your lift. A full functionality test must be carried out. This should include moving your lift up and down and checking for proper orientation, shut-offs, and hold.

YouTube video — SMALL GARAGE? Problem Solved with Portable Car Lift!

You also need to examine the structural parts for signs of misuse, overloading, and fatigue. The springs and safety latches should be properly tested as well. You also need to test and adjust the arm lock adjustments, cables, fastening devices, floor anchors, sliding blocks, and screws, nuts, or bolts. The electrical parts must be checked as well.

After a certified lift inspector has inspected your car lift, you can rest easy knowing that your car is now ready to be lifted. But there are still other safety guidelines you need to remember.

Lift Safety Checklist

During the use and operation of your vehicle lift, it is highly recommended to follow the manufacturer’s information to guarantee proper and safe use of your lift all the time.

Here are other additional recommended precautions for the safe use of vehicle lifts:

Always double-check that the locking devices are properly engaged before you work under the lift or vehicle.
Always raise the vehicle lift to the suggested lifting points.
Don’t forget to remove the materials from under the car before lowering it.
Check your lift for fatigue or wear it every day.
Never lift your car if there is someone inside.
Don’t overload the lift capacity of your unit.
Ensure that the lift area is always free from clutter, litter, and debris.
Use supplementary stands if needed to prevent instability.
Use OEM replacement parts exclusively if your car lift needs repairs.