Floor Jack: Buy One
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A floor jack holds your car up while you work under it. That is a safety-critical job. You need to know your jack works, is rated for your vehicle, and has not been abused. Buy one, inspect it yourself, and pair it with jack stands.
The Numbers
Why Borrow
- If you take your car to a shop for everything and never work under it, you do not need one
- If this is truly a one-time job and you will never do automotive work again
Why Buy
- This is a tool where failure means a car falls on you. Know the condition of your equipment.
- You cannot inspect a borrowed jack for internal seal damage, hydraulic leaks, or wear that could cause a drop
- A 2-ton floor jack costs $60-80. That is cheap for equipment that literally keeps you alive.
- You need it for oil changes, tire rotations, brake jobs, and anything requiring wheel-off access
- Buy jack stands too. A jack lifts the car. Jack stands hold it. Never work under a car on a jack alone.
Check Before You Buy
Someone in your neighborhood probably owns a floor jack and uses it a few times a year. Borrowing saves money, saves garage space, and keeps tools in use instead of collecting dust.
See How FriendsWithTools WorksCommon Questions
2-ton or 3-ton floor jack?
A 2-ton jack lifts most sedans and small SUVs (the rating is per axle, not total vehicle weight). A 3-ton jack adds margin for larger SUVs and light trucks. The 3-ton is about $30-50 more and weighs 10-15 lbs more. If you have a truck or full-size SUV, go 3-ton. For sedans and crossovers, 2-ton is enough.
Can I use the jack that came with my car?
The scissor jack in your trunk is for emergency tire changes only. It is not stable enough to work under. A hydraulic floor jack is wider, lower, and far more stable. For any work that requires you to be under the car, use a floor jack and jack stands. The factory jack stays in the trunk for flat tires on the side of the road.