9 Different Types of Car Jacks and Their Functions

Published: 27 Nov 2025

Every car owner should be prepared for both emergency and routine maintenance. Whether you need to change a flat tire on the road or perform repairs in your garage, a car jack is an essential tool. Using the right car jack ensures safety, efficiency, and ease when lifting a vehicle. With so many types available, it’s important to understand their functions and choose the one that best suits your needs. In this article, we’ll explain what a car jack is, the different types, their uses, and how to use one correctly.

What is Car Jack?

A car jack is a device designed to lift a vehicle off the ground temporarily. It allows you to perform repairs, maintenance, or tire changes safely. It works on mechanical or hydraulic power. Mechanical jacks rely on hand-cranked mechanisms, while hydraulic jacks use fluid pressure to lift heavy vehicles with minimal effort. Using the right car jack prevents accidents and ensures the job is done efficiently.

Types of Car Jacks and Their Functions

Car jacks can be categorized as mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic. Each type has specific designs and functions to cater to different vehicles and lifting requirements. Selecting the right jack depends on vehicle weight, clearance, and intended use. Here’s a detailed look at the most commonly used types of car jacks

1. Floor Jacks

Floor jacks are hydraulic jacks mounted on wheels, designed for easy movement in garages or workshops. They feature a long handle that allows the user to lift a car smoothly and with minimal effort. Floor jacks are strong enough to lift heavy vehicles and provide excellent stability during maintenance. They are commonly used for lifting the vehicle’s chassis or wheels during repairs. Though slightly bulky, their efficiency and safety make them a staple in both home garages and professional workshops.

Uses: Ideal for lifting car chassis, tires, and other parts for repairs or maintenance.

2. Bottle Jacks

Bottle jacks are compact hydraulic jacks with a vertical cylinder that resembles a bottle. They can lift heavier vehicles like SUVs and trucks more easily than scissor jacks. Bottle jacks operate using hydraulic pressure, allowing users to raise vehicles with less effort. They are portable, affordable, and suitable for both professional and home garage use. However, they require a flat surface to operate safely and are less effective on low-clearance vehicles.

Uses: Suitable for heavy vehicles and as a backup jack for home garages.

3. Farm Jacks

Farm jacks, also known as high-lift jacks, have a mechanical design resembling that of a railroad jack. They are extremely versatile and can lift high-clearance vehicles or assist with off-road recovery. Farm jacks can also serve as a winch or clamp in certain situations, making them a multipurpose tool. They are particularly popular among off-road enthusiasts and farmers for lifting trucks or freeing vehicles stuck in mud. Proper use and safety precautions are essential due to the high lift and mechanical leverage involved.

Uses: Lifting off-road vehicles, freeing stuck cars from mud, or as a makeshift winch or clamp.

4. Scissor Jacks

Scissor jacks use a screw mechanism in a folding design that looks like scissors. These jacks are lightweight and usually come with the vehicle for emergency use. They are easy to carry and operate, making them ideal for quick tire changes on small vehicles. Scissor jacks have a limited lifting capacity, generally suitable for passenger cars and light vehicles. They are safe and cost-effective, but not ideal for prolonged maintenance work or lifting heavy vehicles.

Uses: Quick tire changes and light vehicle lifting, especially for passenger cars.

5. Air Jacks (Exhaust Air Jacks)

Air jacks, also known as exhaust air jacks, lift vehicles using compressed air or exhaust pressure to inflate a bag beneath the car. They are highly portable and can lift cars on soft or uneven terrain without damaging the surface. Air jacks are popular among off-road drivers and for vehicles that cannot be lifted easily with traditional jacks. They provide fast lifting and can support varying vehicle sizes depending on the model. Proper positioning is crucial to ensure safety when using an air jack.

Uses: Off-road vehicles on dirt, sand, or snow; portable and easy to use.

6. Pneumatic Jacks

Pneumatic jacks, or telescopic jacks, rely on compressed air to lift heavy vehicles quickly and efficiently. These jacks are commonly used in workshops and industries dealing with buses, trucks, and construction machinery. Pneumatic jacks require an air compressor to function, but significantly reduce manual effort. They are less suitable for small personal cars due to their size and lifting capacity. Pneumatic jacks provide fast, safe, and stable lifting for heavy-duty maintenance tasks.

Uses: Heavy-duty vehicles like buses, trucks, and construction machinery.

7. Hi-Lift Jack

Hi-lift jacks are mechanical jacks capable of lifting vehicles to impressive heights. They are particularly popular in off-road and emergency recovery situations. Hi-lift jacks can lift vehicles stuck in mud or uneven terrain and are strong enough to support farm equipment and trucks. They are versatile but require careful handling due to their high lift and potential instability. Many off-road enthusiasts keep a high-lift jack in their vehicle for outdoor adventures.

Uses: Off-road vehicles, farm equipment, and emergency vehicle recovery.

8. Strand Jack

Strand jacks are industrial hydraulic jacks used for heavy-duty lifting projects. They operate using steel cables running through a hydraulic cylinder, capable of lifting massive weights like bridges or power plant components. Strand jacks are often used in construction and engineering, where precision and strength are critical. Multiple-stranded jacks can work together to lift extremely heavy objects safely. Due to their complexity, they are typically operated by trained professionals.

Uses: Lifting bridges, power plants, and other large-scale construction equipment.

9. Hydraulic Jack

Hydraulic jacks use fluid pressure to lift vehicles with minimal effort. They come in various designs, including floor jacks and bottle jacks. Hydraulic jacks are reliable, efficient, and capable of lifting heavier vehicles compared to manual jacks. They are widely used in workshops, garages, and even for home maintenance by car enthusiasts. Proper maintenance of hydraulic fluid and seals ensures safe and long-lasting performance.

Uses: Garage repairs, workshops, and heavy vehicle maintenance.

How to Use a Car Jack

Park on Level Ground: Ensure the car is on a flat surface and apply the handbrake.

Position the Jack Correctly: Place the jack at the vehicle’s recommended lifting point.

Lift the Vehicle: Operate the jack according to its type (hydraulic, manual, pneumatic).

Use Jack Stands: After lifting, place jack stands under the car for safety.

Lower Safely: Remove the jack carefully once the car is secure on jack stands.

Following these steps ensures safe and effective vehicle lifting, whether for emergency roadside repairs or in-garage maintenance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, in this article, we covered what a car jack is. And the Types of Car Jacks and Their Functions in detail. We hope you have found this information helpful for both everyday car care and professional garage work.