Car jack-which one to choose?

Car jack-the device is simple and straightforward. It performs only one task: it raises the car so that the driver or technician can change or repair a flat tire. And since a breakdown can happen anywhere, it's definitely worth carrying the device with you in the trunk. Compact models for cars take up minimal space and are easy to use.

But only a properly selected unit will be really useful. Which jack is better to buy for a passenger car? Which one is suitable for crossover and SUV? And what parameters should you pay attention to when choosing?

Types of jacks

Devices are distinguished by design and principle of operation. The latter is the most important: the type of mechanism determines how convenient the device will be to use and whether the car owner will have to make efforts to lift the car.

Manual jack (mechanical)

The cheapest and simplest mechanism that is powered by user effort. To raise the vehicle, the car owner will have to work hard: pushing the handle or rotating it under the weight of the car is not easy. And if the device is used from time to time, as an "ambulance" for a passenger car on the track, it is eligible for purchase.

If the driver plans to regularly change tires in the garage from summer to winter, or he himself repairs punctured tires, then the mechanical option is not the best choice. Alternatively, consider other, automated models.

Hydraulic jack

When using it, much less effort is needed. The mechanism rises due to the internal pressure of the working fluid. Such models have a smooth ride and set records for carrying capacity, which is why they are recommended for owners of massive SUVs. But they also have disadvantages.

Firstly, the device must be stored and used strictly vertically: if oil flows out during storage, the device will quickly fail. Secondly, we must not forget about its maintenance: monitoring the oil level, checking the tightness of the oil seals are extremely important. And thirdly, it will not be possible to accurately adjust the lifting and lowering heights. The mechanism has minimum and maximum values, and it will respect them. Fine adjustment is only possible with a hand jack.

Pneumatic jack

Such a car does not require any effort from the car owner: it quickly and easily lifts the car to the desired height. Powered by compressed air, connects to a vehicle exhaust system or car compressor.

Pneumatic models are considered convenient and reliable, but with absolute serviceability of all valves. If one of them starts to bleed air, the raised car will fall down-trouble cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is important to maintain regular maintenance when using such a jack.

Jack for a passenger car

Mechanical models are the least comfortable, but the most reliable. Maintenance is minimal, but capable of performing tasks that even the most modern automation is not capable of.

Rack jack

This can lift a car to a maximum height-more than a meter. This indicator depends solely on the length of the rail. For this reason, rack and pinion jacks are recommended to owners of SUVs who use their vehicles for their intended purpose: they will definitely succeed in pushing a car out of a rut or changing a wheel far from the city.

In other cases, it makes no sense to apply the rack model. It is not too compact: a meter-long one can hardly fit into the trunk of a car. And it is not very convenient-you still have to work with your hands when lifting the car.

Jack "rhombus"

The most budgetary and simple manual option. To activate it, you need to rotate the handle. The lead screw compresses the rhombic structure and raises the platform, and with it, the side of the car.

Advantages of a mechanical screw jack: compactness, low weight and low price. But he cannot be called a champion in terms of carrying capacity and ease of use. The "thin spot" of all models is the lead screw, which often threatens to crumble into crumbs already at the first use. Often the upper platform also does not stand up-it folds in the process of lifting. Therefore, when choosing such a model, the carrying capacity should be larger: it is better to take a device that can withstand 500-800 kg more than the weight of the car.

Bottle jack

A device with a hydraulic mechanism will lift both the crossover and the SUV. It is compact, with a retractable rod, which becomes a support when lifting a car. With a small vehicle clearance, you can choose a single-stem mechanism. If you need a maximum lifting height, you should give preference to a double-rod jack.

Another plus of the model is its compactness, the device takes up a minimum of space in the garage and in the trunk. But when using it, you should be careful: on a soft base, bottle models are unstable and easily "burrow" into the ground. You only need to put them on the asphalt. Over time, the power reserve of the telescopic jack is lost, it becomes less, and if the device is stuck, it will hardly be possible to restore it, you will have to buy a new one.

Rolling jack

An ideal choice for use in a garage, but hardly suitable as an “emergency aid”: roll-up devices are bulky and take up too much space in the trunk. On a long trip, you can take only the most compact, but this is used only for passenger cars, it can no longer cope with a crossover.

Movable models are hydraulic, which makes them convenient for stationary use. And resistant, so they can be used both on a solid base and on the ground.

What to look for when choosing a jack

When choosing a model, it is important to consider its technical features.

Mechanism type

Mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics determine more than ease of use. Reliability also depends on the type of mechanism, therefore hydraulic models are preferable for massive cars (crossovers and SUVs). But you can also replace a wheel on a passenger car using a screw rhombic mechanism.

Jack capacity

The weight that the device can withstand is indicated in the manufacturer's specification. And if the manufacturer declares a carrying capacity of 1.3 tons, this means that by adding even a little extra weight, you can lose the jack and seriously damage the car. Therefore, when buying, you need to give preference to models with a reserve of carrying capacity: if the weight of the car is 1.5 tons, choose a model that can withstand 1.8-2 tons. For SUVs, models with a carrying capacity of 3.5-4 tons are optimal.

Pickup height

This is the minimum height at which the device must "pick up" the vehicle and raise it. The parameter is determined by the vehicle clearance, but not equal to it. When calculating, it is important to take into account that the clearance is determined taking into account the height of the inflated tires, and if the wheel is flat, then it becomes lower by the height of the tire.

If the vehicle's ground clearance is 160 mm, then the pickup height should be 100–110 mm, no more. The minimum parameter is possessed by rhombic and rolling devices. For bottle bottles, the pickup height is, as a rule, greater-from 170 mm. Therefore, such jacks are not suitable for cars with low ground clearance.

Jack lifting height

This is the maximum "power reserve" by which the device can lift the car. At the same time, it is important to understand that if you jack up the car by 50 mm, this does not always mean that the wheel will come off the ground: the suspension will not allow it. Therefore, the minimum height declared by the manufacturer should be 300 mm.

It will be correct to be guided by the principle "the more the better", especially for cars with high ground clearance. For crossovers and SUVs, it makes no sense to choose a jack that is not capable of lifting a car up to 400 mm. Such indicators are demonstrated by rolling and bottle models.

Type of lifting platform

Manufacturers usually mark the place for installing the stop at the bottom of the car with arrows. This is a solid section of the body that will withstand the pressure of the jack, so you need to install the lifting mechanism here. A compact platform of rhombic or bottle mechanisms, as a rule, is placed in the space specified by the manufacturer, but a rolling jack captures a large area or rests against the edge of the mount.

In order to evenly distribute the load, when using the rolling mechanism, you need to use a special rubber pad. It is also useful for lifting a car "aged" with a bottle unit: the telescopic rod of such a device can push through or pierce a corroded body. The rubber pad will eliminate this risk.

The jack is used only to raise, but not to hold the car. To perform long-term work under the power elements of the bottom, it is necessary to install special stands-tripods. If the jack is operated for a long time under load, it will quickly fail. There is a great risk that this will happen during the repair process, and then the damage to the car can be significant.

Выбрать и you can buy a jack for a car with delivery in Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa and Ukraine at 130.com.ua.

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