If you own a vehicle then you know the perils of having to change a
car tire—trust us, it’s no easy task, especially if you don’t have the right equipment. This is where a jack comes in handy. Jacks are designed for drivers who need to lift a vehicle safely to change a tire or the oil, or perform any necessary maintenance on the vehicle. They work by lifting the car or bike at the corner and supporting the vehicle while the user works.
Jacks are available in a variety of styles, weight ratings, and are suitable for cars, bikes, trucks, and vans. For safety reasons, you should only use a jack that’s suitable for your particular vehicle and weight rating, as this will prevent damage to your vehicle, the jack, and you!
Scissor jacks differ from
floor jacks and
electric jacks in that they use a screw mechanism to raise and lower an object. The screw is turned by the user using the jack handle, with some more advanced products screwing directly into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. Scissor jacks are also small in design and can fit directly into your trunk for easy storage and portability, which makes the product ideal for easy road-side repairs.
When choosing the best scissor jack for you, it’s vital that you’re aware of both the weight of your vehicle and how high you’ll need the jack to elevate your car or bike. Different scissor jacks have different lift ranges, varying from 3 inches to 24 inches, so it’s a good idea to know how much space you need when repairing your vehicle, as well.
Price
When it comes to the cost of your new scissor jack, it depends on a variety of factors including how many features the product contains, its capacity, and its lift range. Prices for a standard car or bike scissor jack will vary from $15 to $80, whereas larger jacks for vans and trucks will come in between $100 and $120. Cheaper scissor jacks are also available on the market ($10 or less) but be aware that these products will only be suitable for very small vehicles and may not offer as much stability and safety.
Features
The features you’ll want included in your new scissor jack will depend entirely on your vehicle and your own personal preferences. To help you choose the best possible scissor jack for you, however, we recommend keeping an eye out for the features below.
Here are some important features to look out for:
- Versatile Handle
- Position Stop
- Wide Base
Construction and Design
When looking for a high-quality scissor jack, we recommend selecting a product with a versatile handle. This means that the handle can be replaced with a tire iron or other similar-sized tool. This is ideal for when an emergency repair is required or when the jack handle is damaged or missing.
Another great feature to include in your scissor jack is a product with a position stop. This will prevent you from over-extending the jack beyond its limits, adding a level of safety and stability to the product and you!
Finally, we recommend looking for a scissor jack with a wide base. This will secure the jack and ensure it doesn’t move or shake whilst in use.
Performance and Ease of Use
When it comes to caring for your new scissor jack, there really isn’t too much to it. Some scissor jack products will require a small amount of construction, but this shouldn’t take long as most brands include a handy how-to-guide to help you along. It shouldn’t take you any longer than 10 minutes to set up the product, but if you’re having difficulty don’t forget to check out the manufacturer website for added help.
To increase the longevity of the jack, you should try and wipe the product down after each use to prevent the buildup of oil and debris which may damage the screws and adjustment capabilities of the product. Ensure the scissor jack is also stored in a dry place to prevent rusting.
Finally, if you’re looking for a particularly high-end product, keep an eye out for a scissor jack that includes an LED light so you can look under your car with ease in poor or low lighting.
When trying to decide which scissor jack is ideal for you, it can get a little confusing because there are so many different styles out there. Fingers crossed, however, after reading through our handy little buying guide you’ve figured out which scissor jack is most suitable to your needs and all the features you would like included in your new product. This will make it a lot easier when it comes to narrowing down your options and selecting the best scissor jack for you and your vehicle! So, let’s get looking at our top 5 picks, shall we?
At this point you should hopefully have a better understanding about what types of scissor jacks are on the market today and what different brands have to offer. If you aren’t a fan of any of our featured products, don’t worry! All of our brands have an extensive selection of products to choose from; simply browse through their other collections to find the best scissor jack for you.
