Car Jacks

Very strong jack: If you often hoist up your car, or have several cars you work on regularly, you’ll need a more powerful jack. If you have a heavier car, such as a people carrier or SUV, a slightly more powerful jack with a lifting capacity of over 2.5 tonnes will come in handy. These jacks also tend to have double pistons and a slightly longer lever that makes the job easier.

Normal jack: The most common type of jack has a good lifting capacity (between 1.5 and 2.5 tonnes) and is suitable if you usually just use the jack for tyre changes and simpler repairs. If you have a normal-sized car, there’s no reason to buy a more expensive or powerful jack than that.

Compact jack: If you just want a jack that’s simple and easy to handle, a compact jack is your best option. These jacks are also eminently suitable to keep in your car for roadside tyre changes. Just double-check that it has enough lifting capacity for your vehicle.

• Low profile: There are jacks designed specifically for sports cars and lowered vehicles. These vehicles generally have a lower ground clearance, which is why you need a low-profile jack to fit under the car.

• High lift: There are also jacks specially designed for vehicles that need to be raised a little higher and which, for example, have very high ground clearance. They are suitable if you have a vehicle that’s built for use in tough terrain.