What is an automotive lift? Why buy one? Which type is better, 2-post or 4-post?
Automotive lifts are a means of raising your vehicle in the air safely in order to perform mechanical repairs. These lifts are much better than using a jack and jack stands as they get the vehicle much further up in the air so you do not have to stoop down or lay on your back. In the long run this will save your body from tremendous aches and pains and potentially more serious injuries. If you do frequent mechanical repairs a lift is a must have item for your shop or garage. Although the initial cost may be high, the amount of time you save in addition to the health benefits, make it well worth the investment.

When it comes to lifts there are different types to choose from. The most common forms of mechanical lifts are 2-post and 4-post lifts. They use electrical power to move gears and chains in order to gain the mechanical advantage necessary to lift a vehicle into the air. The 2-post or 4-post denomination simply refers to the amount of anchor points that attach the lift to the ground. A 2-post lift has only two anchor points mounted centrally with lift mechanisms that Y off the post in order to evenly spread the weight of the vehicle on the lift. A 4-post lift has four anchor points arranged in a rectangle fashion and most commonly support a pair of ramps so that you can drive your car up onto the ramps and lift it into the air. With this type of lift the car stays weighted on its tires making it better for certain types of repairs but not well suited to wheel, tire or suspension work. Both 2-post and 4-post lifts are also great for storage purposes. Simply put one car on the lift and park one car underneath and suddenly your one car garage has room for two.