The Ultimate Guide to Vehicle Jacks: Types, Uses, and Tips

Raising a vehicle safely is a fundamental skill for any driver or mechanic. Whether you’re performing routine maintenance, changing a tire, working on a project car or motorcycle, knowing which jack to use and how to use it properly can save time, money, and prevent accidents. This guide explores the different types of jacks, their applications, and key safety considerations.

It’s important to remember that not all jacks are created equal. Using the wrong jack can lead to instability, damage to your vehicle, or even serious injury. Vehicle weight, clearance, and the task at hand determine the most suitable jack. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each type ensures safe and effective lifting.

In the back row (left to right), you’ll find a jack stand, bottle jack, and hydraulic jack; in the front row, a scissor jack.

Categories of Jacks

Below are the four primary categories of vehicle jacks, grouped by how they generate lifting force. Every jack discussed in this guide falls within these categories.

Mechanical Jacks

Mechanical jacks rely entirely on physical force and simple mechanical components—such as screws, gears, or ratcheting mechanisms—to lift a vehicle. Common examples include scissor jacks and hi-lift jacks. These jacks do not require electricity, hydraulics, or air pressure, making them reliable and portable, especially for emergency roadside situations. However, they typically require more manual effort and offer slower, less precise lifting compared to powered options. Mechanical jacks are best suited for light-duty lifting and temporary use rather than extended maintenance work.

Hydraulic Jacks

Hydraulic jacks use pressurized fluid to generate lifting force, allowing them to raise heavy loads with minimal physical effort. By pumping a handle, hydraulic fluid is forced into a cylinder, pushing a piston upward to lift the vehicle. Floor jacks and bottle jacks are common examples. These jacks are known for their strength, stability, and smooth operation, making them ideal for garage and workshop use. While highly effective, hydraulic jacks should always be paired with jack stands, as they are designed for lifting—not long-term support.

Air Jacks

Air jacks operate using compressed air, typically supplied by an onboard air system or an external compressor. They are commonly found in professional shops, off-road recovery setups, and motorsports environments. Some air jacks use inflatable bags that lift the vehicle from underneath, while others power hydraulic systems using air pressure. Air jacks offer extremely fast lifting speeds and require minimal physical effort, but they depend on access to compressed air and are generally less practical for everyday roadside use.

Electric Jacks

Electric jacks use an electric motor to lift a vehicle, often powered by a vehicle’s 12-volt outlet or battery. They combine convenience with reduced physical effort and are commonly seen as electric scissor jacks or electric hydraulic jacks. These jacks are especially useful for drivers who want a simple, push-button solution for tire changes or light maintenance. While easy to use, electric jacks can be slower than air jacks and still require jack stands for safe support during any under-vehicle work.

With so many types of jacks available, choosing the right one for the job can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into these four main categories makes selecting the right jack much easier. These jack categories can be further broken down into six main jack types, each with their own specific uses. Understanding how each of these types of jacks is used will help you know which jack is best for the project at hand.

Types of Jacks

Scissor or Screw Jack

Scissor jacks are simple mechanical jacks. They are lightweight and portable, which makes them great for emergency tire change kits. Many car manufacturers include a scissor jack in their vehicles from the factory for this reason. Scissor jacks are often a more economical choice than some other options however they are often less stable. Always take your time and use caution when using a scissor jack.

How it works: A scissor jack works by turning a screw that pulls or pushes crossed metal arms together, causing the jack to extend upward and lift the vehicle.

Category: mechanical

Best used for: small cars for lifting one tire at a time.

Pros: lightweight and portable

Cons: less stable than other jacks

Bottle Jack

Bottle jacks are a type of jack known for their vertical lifting power and compact footprint. These jacks are great for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. Compact and portable, bottle jacks are a reliable choice for tasks that require significant lifting power in a smaller footprint.

How it works: A bottle jack works by pumping a handle to pressurize hydraulic fluid, which pushes a piston upward to lift the vehicle.

Category: Hydraulic

Best used for: large vehicles and higher lifting

Pros: compact footprint, stable and higher reach

Cons: require more maintenance than mechanical jacks and generally costs more

Toe Jack

Toe Jacks are a specialized type of mechanical or hydraulic jack designed for lifting heavy machinery, vehicles, or equipment that has very low ground clearance. Unlike conventional jacks, which lift from a central point, a toe jack has a low-profile “toe” lifting arm that can slide under the edge or low point of an object.

How it works: A toe jack works by positioning its low-profile “toe” under a very low point on a vehicle—often a frame rail or machinery base—and then using either a hydraulic or mechanical lifting mechanism to raise the load from that point.

Category: mechanical or hydraulic

Best used for: heavy machinery and low clearance vehicles

Pros: Precise, gradual lifting for careful positioning of heavy loads, low profile for clearance as low as 1-3"

Cons: often heavier duty and less portable, more expensive than other hydraulic jacks and Requires flat, solid surfaces to operate safely.

Floor Jack

Floor jacks are hydraulic jacks mounted on a low-profile frame with wheels, designed for easily lifting vehicles in garages or workshops. They typically feature a long handle for pumping and a wide lifting saddle for stability.

How it works: A floor jack uses hydraulic fluid to push a piston upward when the handle is pumped, lifting the vehicle smoothly and efficiently.

Category: Hydraulic

Best used for: in shops and garages for general use

Pros: high stability and weight capacity and fast

Cons: higher cost than mechanical jacks, more maintenance and larger footprint than bottle jacks

ATV/Motorcycle Jacks

ATV and motorcycle jacks are designed specifically to lift two- or three-wheeled vehicles safely and securely. They often feature a low-profile platform with adjustable clamps or straps to stabilize the vehicle’s frame or wheels during lifting. Many are hydraulic or mechanical, and some include built-in ramps for easier loading.

How it works: These jacks lift the vehicle by raising the platform via a hydraulic piston or screw mechanism, while specialized clamps or straps hold the wheels or frame in place for stability.

Category: mechanical or hydraulic

Best used for: specialty jack used for motorcycles and ATVs

Pros: better stability than other jacks, often low profile to fit underneath bikes

Cons:typically has a lower lifting capacity than jacks for cars, Limited to motorcycles, ATVs, and similar vehicles

Hi Lift Jack

A Hi-Lift jack is a versatile mechanical jack commonly used for off-road vehicles, trucks, and farm equipment. It features a long, vertical steel bar with a movable lifting mechanism that can lift, pull, push, winch, and clamp, making it highly adaptable for recovery and heavy-duty tasks. Hi-Lift jacks are prized for their extreme lifting height, ability to operate on uneven terrain, and multifunctional capabilities.

How it works: The Hi-Lift jack uses a ratcheting mechanism along a steel bar to lift or pull a vehicle by incrementally engaging the lifting pawl.

Category: mechanical

Best used for: Off-road vehicles, trucks, and farm equipment, especially in situations requiring high lift, recovery, or versatile winching and pulling tasks.

Pros: versatile, portable, winching capabilities

Cons: large and heavy, physically demanding, less stable than other jacks

Choosing the right jack for the job is essential for both safety and efficiency. Each type of jack—whether mechanical, hydraulic, air, or electric—offers unique advantages and limitations depending on the vehicle, environment, and task. From the compact and portable scissor jack to the powerful and versatile hi-lift jack, understanding how each jack operates and its best use case ensures that you can lift, support, and work on your vehicle safely. Always prioritize proper setup, stability, and safety equipment to prevent accidents, and pair lifting tools with appropriate support, like jack stands, whenever working under a vehicle. Mastering these tools not only makes vehicle maintenance easier but also keeps you and your vehicle safe.