The car owner must have a jack. With a creative professional approach, it can be used not only to change tires but also to perform many repair works on all parts of the car. Several criteria determine which jack is best for a specific car.
Varieties
The principle of the device is to convert a small mechanical effort into enough to lift a large weight. In mechanics, this effect is achieved through connected vessels or a lever. The main components are the base, the lifting platform that contacts the bottom, and the operating mechanism. Jacks are classified by their action principle:
- Hydraulic - due to changes in the pressure of the working fluid, the main piston is pushed out of the large cylinder, lifting the load
- Screw - the lifting platform is adjusted in height by rotating the working elements on the thread
- Pneumatic - the lift occurs by inflating the platform from a compressor
Classification by design highlights the following varieties:
- Bottle
- Rolling
- Rack
- Rhombic
A good car jack not only lifts the car but also holds it in that position for a certain period of time. The need for repairs may arise on the road, and it may not always be possible to find a support.
How to choose a jack for a passenger car
The main parameters for the product are:
- Load capacity
- Reliability
- Compactness
- Ease of use
The category of passenger cars includes vehicles with different body configurations, but they are united by a weight of up to 2500 kg in full equipment, the number of passenger seats, and chassis. The group includes sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers, sports cars, muscle cars, wagons, and other formations. Therefore, the choice of a jack is based on the device's ability to lift a part of the car off the ground to a certain height.
Reliability is an important criterion. The mechanism, regardless of the configuration, should be available for use at any time and for any period. Twenty minutes spent on changing a tire or several hours for a complex repair - the jack must withstand the load without consequences. In addition, the product should not be affected by high air humidity, temperature changes, and other negative factors.
If space in the garage allows and short trips are predominant, then you don't have to worry about the dimensions. If long trips are a lifestyle, then it doesn't matter whether a hydraulic or screw jack is better, the main thing is that it does not take up much space in the trunk.
In emergency situations, the use of the device must be straightforward. There should be no difficulties in putting it into working condition and using it for its intended purpose. There should also be no need for additional elements and manipulations. The entire lifting procedure should be as simple as possible.
If the mechanism is intended for use only in the garage, then the best option would be a massive unit on wheels. The owner decides which rolling jack to choose for these purposes. Clearance and room size affect the choice. Equipment should be selected that will not take up much space under the frame and will not get in the way.
Which jack to buy
If the listed parameters (load capacity and others) match the car model, then the next step is to pay attention to the cost in terms of quality. Buying a too expensive device for home use is not practical. And buying a cheap but low-quality one will be a risky venture. The best jack for a passenger car is one that combines simplicity, a reasonable price, and above-average quality.
In reality, only two categories of devices are extremely popular - bottle and rhombic jacks. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but they both cope equally well with the task. Otherwise, they would not be chosen. For SUVs with high ground clearance, only a rack jack is suitable, while a rolling jack is used more often in service stations than at home.
There is no definite answer to whether a hydraulic or screw jack is better. The first one is perfect for most cars with low ground clearance, while the second one can lift even a compact SUV. It's not about the load capacity, but about the potential extension. In a bottle jack, the main piston, although it increases in length due to internal sections, rarely can extend upwards by more than 50 cm. We are talking about compact, not massive units for trucks. A screw jack for a passenger car can easily extend to heights half a meter above the ground and more.
In terms of stability, the hydraulic jack holds the lead. It has a wide base and a narrow lifting platform. The rhombic car jack has the same thickness from the base to the heel. Therefore, for safe operation, either a perfectly flat surface or anti-skid supports are necessary. Otherwise, the car will start to sway, and the jack will fall on its side.
In terms of compactness and weight, a screw jack for a passenger car looks preferable. When folded, it looks like a lightweight elongated object with a main screw. The small weight is achieved by ribs of rigidity on metal rails. The hydraulic one will be heavier due to oil and thicker metal. The higher the car needs to be lifted, the heavier and bulkier the jack will be.
Safety criterion
The most secure type is the rolling jack. Its base area far exceeds the lifting heel, so the car will stand securely in place. Financial capabilities determine which rolling jack to choose. This equipment is professional and will cost more than others.
In the rhombic jack, the main mechanism is a screw. Its reliability and safety depend on its characteristics. It is always necessary to check the thread for blockages because if the jack jams in the unfolded state under the bottom, it will be necessary to saw its frame to lower the vehicle onto the wheels. With a bottle jack, such problems will not arise - it will not jam even in severe frost, and the car will be lowered by simply releasing the pressure of the working fluid.
How to choose a jack for a passenger car
There are many types of jacks from different manufacturers available at car markets and dismantling yards. For leisure and out of curiosity, you can also study the ratings of different products. Borrowing from a neighbor in the garage is always considered, but it is better to have your own. It will always come in handy.
The main criteria determining which jack to choose for a passenger car are:
- Quality
- Price
- Dimensions
- Ease of use
When choosing a unit, its functionality should be taken into account. A hydraulic jack comes with a special lever. Similarly, a screw jack is sold with a rotating handle. If additional components are required for normal operation at an additional cost, it is better to refrain from such a purchase.
