10 Things To Consider When Choosing A Car Lift
Car lifts are a great way to get your car up and out of the garage for various reasons. Whether you’re looking to conduct maintenance on your vehicle or want more space in your garage, car lift manufacturers have you covered.
However, choosing a car lift can be quite difficult when you are not sure what to look for in the process. There’s no perfect solution, but there are some things you should consider before making your decision.
Here are ten things to think about to help make your decision process easier.
- Vehicle Weight And Size
This is probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a car lift. The weight and size of your vehicle will determine the type of lift you need. There are four general post types of car lifts – scissor lifts, parallelogram lifts, two post lifts, and 4 post car lift options:
- Scissor lifts: suitable for small to medium-sized cars, light trucks, and vans
- Parallelogram lifts: suitable for mid-sized to large cars and some light trucks
- Two post lifts: this is fitted for all vehicles, including larger trucks and SUVs
- Four post lifts: are perfect for commercial use or heavy-duty applications
Make sure to research the weight capacity of each lift before making your decision. Some smaller models may not be able to carry larger vehicles.
- Height Restrictions
Another factor to consider is the height restrictions of each lift. Every car lift has a different minimum and maximum working height, so make sure you know your specific requirements before investing in one.
For example, if you have a low garage ceiling, you’ll need to get a lift with a low minimum working height. In contrast, if you plan on using your car lift to work on vehicles that are taller than your garage ceiling, you’ll need one with a high maximum working height.
Keep this in mind when deciding to ensure that you can use the lift in the space you have available.
- Clearance Underneath The Lift
This is another critical factor to consider when choosing a car lift. Some lifts come with an adjustable height feature, which allows you to set the working height of your lift according to specific needs, while others don’t.
For example, suppose low objects in your garage may interfere with your vehicle’s movement on and off the lift. With an adjustable lift, you can change the height so that clearing these items will be easier for both yourself and maintenance technicians.
If you’re not sure how much clearance you’ll need beneath your vehicles before purchasing one of these models, remember that some have more than enough room while others don’t offer any space at all (or very few).
- Door Clearance
Car lifts are a great way to make more room in your garage. However, if you have limited space available or small doors that do not open up enough for the lift to fit through, this can be problematic as it may limit where you’re able to install them. Remember that some car lifts will come with an included door opener feature. In contrast, others won’t even allow for installation directly beside or below a doorway (or they’ll only offer very little clearance).
- Power Requirements
Not all car lifts are created with the same features. Some require a lot of electricity to function, while others don’t need any at all. This is an essential consideration if you’re thinking about purchasing a lift for home use and want to ensure that it doesn’t overload your electrical system or blow any fuses.
Be sure to check each model’s power requirements (and wattage) before making your purchase decision.
- Security Features
As with anything you store in your garage, it’s important to think about the security of your car lift. Thankfully, many models have built-in security features such as keyed locks and alarms. However, if you’re looking for an extra layer of protection, there are also aftermarket products that you can purchase separately.
- Read Reviews
Reading reviews of the different car lifts is a great way to learn more about them before making your purchase. Reviews will allow you to see what others have experienced with each model so that you can make an informed decision as to which one best meets your needs and budget requirements. In short, reviews are a must-read for anyone who wants unbiased information on these products from people just like themselves.
- Installation Process
Depending on how complicated or easy-to-use your lift is, this won’t be an issue with some models, while it could cause problems with others (such as those that are difficult to set up without professional help). That said, read through any manuals carefully before choosing a car lift and if you’re not comfortable performing the work yourself, consider hiring a qualified installer instead. For example, many garages specialize in installing car lifts into homes so that they can do all of the heavy liftings for you.
- The Cost Of Ownership And Warranty
You may also consider the overall cost of ownership for each model. This includes both the initial price tag and any recurring maintenance or repair costs associated with it in the future. Keep this in mind when making your decision to ensure you don’t pay more than what’s necessary and keep your car safe in the long run.
Also, make sure to check out what type of warranty is included with each option since some come with better coverage than others. It’s always best to invest in something durable beforehand rather than having to replace it before its lifespan has ended due to unexpected damage or defect issues down the road.
- Company Reputation
Last but not least, you’ll want to consider the company that makes your chosen car lift. Is it a trusted brand? Do they offer any warranty or guarantee programs with their products? How long have they been in business, and how many complaints (if any) are there against them online?
These questions can help you learn more about what each manufacturer has to offer so that you can make an informed decision before purchasing one of these items.
Conclusion
There are many different things to consider when purchasing a car lift. By following the tips in this article, you’ll be sure to find the perfect one for your needs and budget. Happy lifting!
