Auto lifts save time when you need to do repair jobs, by making the lower part of the car accessible. When draining oil, you can easily take out the drain plug, to be found on the bottom of the vehicle. Without a car lift, you would need to use a jack to raise the front end of the car, then place two jack stands under it. These would have to be placed before you could drain the oil.

Before you use a car lift, you should know the most important safety rules. That way, you’ll avoid accidents. Failure to follow safety rules could possibly lead to injury, or worse, death. Below are some tips for using car lifts.

Do’s:

Have proper training on the way the lift works. Not knowing what you are doing can result in somebody getting hurt.
Make a thorough inspection of the car lift before using it every day. Each component must be in working order and properly lubricated.
Locks must engage tightly. If one is loose, fix it.
Always wear safety glasses when working under a vehicle. This will keep dirt from getting in your eyes.
The vehicle should be balanced on the automotive lift before you raise it up. You don’t want it to fall over.
If you’re using a drive-on automotive lift, make sure that you put the safety wedge behind the wheel. Without it, the vehicle might slip.
Before lifting the car, check to see if you have enough ceiling clearance. This is especially important for tall vehicles like RV’s or trucks.
Pause the lifting at knee height and gently check the stability of the vehicle. That way, you can adjust its position before lifting it any higher.
Before you lower the vehicle, clear the area below of any objects and people.

Don’ts:

The vehicle must be empty before raising it up. Never raise it if it still has people inside.
Each auto lift model has a maximum weight capacity specified. You must not exceed the limit at any time.
Sometimes you will be required to use support stands, such as when you take out the transmission of a vehicle. Don’t lower the vehicle onto the support stand, but rather raise the support up to the vehicle’s level.
Don’t repair a car lift by yourself when you encounter a problem with it. Call the manufacturer.

These are some of the things you need to keep in mind to use car lifts safely.

If you need more information regarding car lift, go to Garage Supply.