Hey gearheads and car aficionados! I’m diving into the world of auto repairs and currently wrapping my head around car tools. When it comes to hydraulic car jacks, I’m a bit lost in the power source maze. So, here’s my burning question: Cigar Lighter or Battery —which team are you on?
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Neither. Buy a normal hydraulic floor jack and a decent set of jack stands. Unless you are jacking up 5 cars a day, having a powered jack is just a waste of money and more things that can go wrong.
Thanks a ton for the insight! That’s a whole new perspective I hadn’t considered. Jack stands and a regular hydraulic floor jack it is! Your advice is like a compass in this auto tool wilderness for a newbie like me. Appreciate your guidance!
Have you faced any issues with your powered jack ?
I don’t have one, for the reasons I gave. Adding complexity without getting any benefit from it is never a good idea. This goes for any application really.
A regular hydraulic floor jack will last you for many years without ever giving a problem. Mine gets beat to hell, left out in all weather at times, etc, and never so much as complains, and if it does it likely only needs a little top up of oil. It only takes 30 seconds to jack up the car with one, so what exactly are you saving by getting a powered one? And then when something does go wrong, other need replacing or take 10x as long to fix.
Buy the size(capacity, lift height) to suit your needs, a high lift/high capacity jack can be handy, but they are heavier, and more expensive…
Drive up ramps, are still useful, axle stands essential!!..
Biggest advice learn WHERE to jack each vehicle, how to chock, and where to place stands, and don’t be stupid, a car on the chest is often fatal!!
I bought a big 3 ton hydraulic- picks up the entire front end or rear end of the car / truck - I spent more on the jack stands - - I built ramps for oil changes from scrap plywood and old wood shelving- sometimes I wish I had a lighter jack - the three ton weighs about 85 pounds