Positioning a car lift, specifically how you position the vehicle on the lift, is critical for safety and proper operation. The goal is to achieve balance and stability.
Proper vehicle placement on the lift's runways or arms ensures the weight is distributed correctly over the lift's structure, particularly in relation to its columns.
Key Principle for Vehicle Positioning
For symmetrical positioning of a vehicle on a two-post lift, the general principle is based on balancing the vehicle's weight distribution. As one reference states:
If the vehicle is to be symmetrically positioned on the lift, then 50% of the vehicle will be in front of the lift and 50% behind the column.
This means the center point of the vehicle's length should align roughly with the vertical line of the lift's columns, or centered between the columns, ensuring neither the front nor the rear of the vehicle significantly outweighs the other portion supported by the lift arms or runways.
The reference also notes context about lift placement: "If your columns are about 9 feet from the front wall, you will have about 4 feet of space between the hood of the car and the front wall." This illustrates how the lift's physical location in a space can influence the available room for positioning the vehicle.
Factors Influencing Vehicle Positioning
Positioning isn't just about the 50/50 rule; several factors dictate the exact placement:
- Lift Points: Vehicles have designated lift points specified by the manufacturer. These are the reinforced areas where the lift arms or pads must be placed to safely support the vehicle's weight without causing damage.
- Vehicle Weight Distribution: While the 50/50 rule is a good starting point for symmetry, the actual weight might not be evenly distributed along the vehicle's length (e.g., a front-engine vs. a rear-engine car). Lift arms must be adjusted to compensate for this.
- Type of Lift:
- Two-Post Lifts: Require careful placement of adjustable arms under the vehicle's designated lift points. The vehicle needs to be driven or pushed between the posts.
- Four-Post Lifts: The vehicle is driven onto runways. Positioning involves centering the vehicle laterally and ensuring the lift points (often using rolling jacks on the runways) are correctly located if lifting the wheels off the runways.
- Service Being Performed: The specific task might influence the optimal position slightly, though safety is always paramount. For example, some lifts allow sliding bridge jacks for wheel service on a 4-post lift, requiring the vehicle to be positioned correctly on the runways for the jacks to reach the lift points.
Steps for Positioning a Vehicle on a Lift
- Identify Lift Points: Consult the vehicle owner's manual or a reputable service guide to find the approved lifting points.
- Drive/Move Vehicle into Position: Center the vehicle between the lift posts or guide it onto the runways. For a two-post lift, aim to center the vehicle's length relative to the columns, keeping the 50% front / 50% rear principle in mind for overall balance.
- Position Lift Arms/Pads/Runways: Carefully adjust the lift arms (on a 2-post) or rolling jacks (on a 4-post) directly beneath the designated lift points. Ensure pads make solid contact with the vehicle's frame or unibody at these points.
- Check Clearance: Ensure sufficient clearance around the vehicle once it's lifted (e.g., from walls, overhead obstacles). The reference example of 9ft from a wall providing 4ft hood space highlights this.
- Perform a Test Lift: Raise the vehicle a few inches off the ground. Double-check that the lift arms/pads are securely in place and making proper contact. Gently shake the vehicle to ensure stability. Listen for any creaking or shifting sounds that indicate improper positioning.
- Raise to Working Height: If stable during the test lift, raise the vehicle to the desired working height.
Proper vehicle positioning is fundamental to using any car lift safely and effectively, protecting both the vehicle and the technician.
