So, you’ve selected the perfect car lift for your home garage. What’s next?

After choosing the right lift and possibly having Automotive Lift Repair Florida assist with delivery and installation, it’s time to start enjoying the advantages of owning a car lift. 

But before you begin using it, there are a few important things you need to know.

In this blog, we’ll cover essential car lift safety tips to ensure both you and your vehicle are protected while using the lift.

If you need a professional Automotive Lift Repair Florida automotive lift inspection, contact Automotive Lift Repair Florida today to find out how we can assist you.

Here are some crucial car lift safety tips every lift owner should follow:

Lift Inspection  

Once your lift is delivered, assembled, and installed, inspect it thoroughly to ensure it’s functioning correctly. You don’t want to risk your car falling off the lift, which could damage the car, the garage floor, or even cause injury.

An Automotive Lift Repair Florida automotive lift inspection should include:

– A full functionality test, including moving the lift up and down, checking hold mechanisms, shut-offs, and proper orientation.

– Examination of structural components for signs of fatigue, misuse, or overloading.

– Testing the safety latches and springs.

– Testing and adjusting cables, arm locks, sliding blocks, screws/bolts/nuts, floor anchors, and fastening devices.

– Checking electrical components.

Once an Automotive Lift Institute-certified inspector from Automotive Lift Repair Florida has reviewed your home auto lift, you can use it with confidence.

Lift Safety Checklist  

When operating your lift, follow all manufacturer’s guidelines and safety tips from Automotive Lift Repair Florida and the ALI to ensure safe usage. Additional safety precautions include:

– Daily inspection of the lift for wear or fatigue.

– Using only OEM replacement parts for repairs.

– Avoiding overloading the lift.

– Never lifting a vehicle with someone inside.

– Ensuring locking devices are engaged before working under the vehicle or lift.

– Raising the lift to the recommended lifting points.

– Removing materials from under the vehicle before lowering.

– Using supplementary stands to prevent instability when necessary.

Q: I’m considering a lift kit for my truck, but I’m not very familiar with them. What should I know before investing in a truck lift kit installation? 

A: There’s no denying that a lift kit can give your truck a powerful look. Originally, lift kits were designed to increase ground clearance, improve approach angles, and handle rough terrain. Today, while many opt for lift kits for their aesthetic appeal, there are several key factors to consider before installing one on your truck or Jeep. Here’s what you need to know, answered by D&S Automotive:

What Type of Lift Kit Installation Do I Need?  

Lift kits vary based on your vehicle’s drivetrain and manufacturer specifications. Common kits include strut spacers, coil springs, and lift blocks, with some also featuring replacement trailing arms and control arms. 

Body Lift vs. Suspension Lift?  

Your choice depends on your goals. A body lift kit uses spacers to raise the cabin without altering ground clearance, allowing for larger tires. If you want a more dramatic lift or plan to tackle rough off-road conditions, a suspension lift kit might be a better option. This type of kit can accommodate larger wheels and tires and may include performance coilovers, which can lift the truck by 2-3” while maintaining balance.

Can I Install My Own Lift Kit?  

It’s not advisable to attempt a DIY installation. Improper installation can lead to issues such as premature wear on driveline and suspension components, unsafe handling, and overall poor vehicle performance. Installing a lift kit is more complex than a cosmetic change like window tinting—it involves re-engineering your vehicle’s undercarriage. Unless you have extensive mechanical experience, it’s best to leave the installation to professionals.

What Should I Consider Long-Term?  

Here are some important long-term considerations:

– Larger Tires: They can cause additional wear on brakes and affect stopping distances, speedometer accuracy, acceleration, and towing capacity.

– Necessary Modifications: A suspension lift may require adjustments to brake lines, driveshafts, and U-Joints. Significant changes in driveline angles can stress components like the transfer case.

– Proper Automotive Lift Repair Florida Alignment: Aligning a lifted vehicle can be challenging and may require adjustments. Improper alignment can stress ball joints and lead to premature wear.

– Additional Accessories: Extreme lifts may necessitate upgraded sway bars and steering dampers for stability. Without these, your vehicle might wander, handle poorly over bumps, and become unpredictable.

– City Driving Challenges: Increased height can complicate parking, drive-thrus, and car washes, and might impact the practicality of your truck bed. If the lift is for show or off-road use, this might not be an issue, but for daily driving, it’s worth considering.

What About Service and Warranty Coverage?  

Dealerships often defer service on lifted vehicles. Regular maintenance like alignments and oil changes will still be necessary, and we can assist with these needs. Keep in mind that modifying the suspension system might void some manufacturer warranties. Most lift kits come with a parts warranty, and our accessory department can answer any lift kit warranty questions.

The auto lift cable on your car lift is crucial for ensuring that the vehicle is raised evenly. If one cable is stretched more than the other, the lift arms will become uneven. You can check for this by listening to the locking mechanisms; if the locks on each side don’t engage simultaneously, the vehicle is not properly aligned on the lift and may slide off. A stretched cable is also weaker and may not support heavier vehicles safely.

If an auto lift cable is frayed or has broken strands, it will lack the strength needed to support heavy loads. A frayed cable is at a higher risk of breaking, especially if significant strands are damaged, as it will prevent the lift arms from maintaining an even height, leading to potential accidents.

How Do Lift Cables Get Damaged?

The most common cause of lift cable damage is stretching due to the weight of vehicles. Cables will stretch more if you frequently lift heavy vehicles, so a shop that primarily works on trucks will need to replace cables more often than one that services mostly smaller passenger vehicles.