This document provides guidance on safely operating vehicle lifts. It emphasizes the importance of proper training, understanding lift capacities, identifying manufacturer-recommended lift points, and ensuring safety mechanisms like latches are engaged before working under a lifted vehicle. Key points covered include inspecting the vehicle and lift pads before raising, centering weight over the lift frame, avoiding overloading the lift, and never going under a vehicle unless it is fully supported.

1. Vehicle Lift SafetyVehicle Lift Safety
Proper training is the key to safe vehicle lifting.
Technicians need to be trained to safely lift vehicles.
Hoists and jacks are hydraulic devices made to lift vehicles off the
ground, so repairs and adjusted can be made easier.
Their hydraulic systems are NOT meant to support the weight of a
vehicle in the air, while repairs are being performed.
No body should go under a vehicle lifted in the air that the
vehicle’s weight is not supported by a solid safety stand or safety
latch mechanism that is incorporated in a hoist.

2. There are two general types of hoists used in the Automotive
Industry:
1. In Ground –cylinder(s)
come out of the ground
to lift vehicle. More
cylinders incorporated in
the hoist increases lift
2. Floor Mounted –
hoist is anchored to
the floor. This is the
most commonly used
hoist.

3. Frame Engaging Lifts: Vehicle is
driven, either over or through the
frame of the hoist. Swing arms
attached to the hoist are swung
under the vehicle, lift pads at the
end of each swing arm is
positioned to contact the lift points
of the vehicle. Vehicle is raised to
the desired height. Swing arms
can be symmetrical, both the
same length, or asymmetrical, the
rear arm being longer, this allows
for more clearance between the
door and hoist frame.
Swing arms
Lift pads
In ground & floor mounted
lifts can be grouped by
the lifting mechanism
used to contact and lift the
vehicle.

4. Drive On Hoists – Vehicle is driven up ramps and on to
runways. Vehicle is lifted up while sitting on it’s tires. Some
hoists will have hydraulic jacks between the runways to lift up
vehicle axles to remove wheels.
runways

5. Floor anchored hoists are the most popular in the industry now
a days as they are easier to install and service in most cases.
Floor anchored hoist come in different configurations:
1. Twin post (most popular)
2. Low Rise
3. 4 post (drive on)
4. Mobile Wheel Engaging
5. Parallelogram
6. Scissor

6. Before operating a vehicle hoist you should be familiar with the
controls of the hoist.
Raise Position Lower Position
In Ground Hoist Controls
Most in ground hoists use air/hydraulic controls. The hoist will use a valve
similar to the one in the pictures. The shop air pressurizes the cylinder to raise
the hoist. The cylinder when pressurized actually raises out of the floor to raise
the vehicle. To lower the hoist, release the safety latch, the air must be
expelled from the cylinder. This is done by the technician pushing the lever the
other way to expel the air. As the cylinder ‘s pressure is decreased the hoist will
lower.

7. Floor Anchored Hoist Controls
Hoist is anchored to the floor. An electric motor
operates the hydraulic pump to raise and
lower the hoist. The technician pushes the
green button to raise the hoist. This starts the
motor and pressurizes the hydraulic system
and raises the hoist. To lower the hoist, the
technician must raise hoist off safety latch, by
pushing green button. Once hoist is raised off
the safety, the red lever must be pulled down
along with the black lever and the hoist lowers.
Green Button –raise switch
Black Lever –lowering valve handle
Red Lever –safety latch release lever

8. General Hoist Safety Precautions
• Clear hoist area while driving vehicle on hoist .
• Position vehicle with the centre of gravity centered over lift frame of hoist.
• Avoid excessive rocking or jostling of vehicle on the hoist.
• Do not override self closing or safety features on the lift controls.
• Keep feet, tools and air hoses clear from lift while lowering.
• Hoist should be only be operated by trained personnel.
• Only authorized personnel should be in the hoist area.
• Use vehicle manufacturer’s lift points.
• Always use safety stands when removing or installing heavy components.
• Never lift on the swing arms, use lift pad extenders to ensure good contact.
• Never operate a damaged hoist.
• Never overload lift capacity of hoist.
• Do not allow people to ride in vehicle or on hoist, while raising vehicle.
• Never work under vehicle unless weight supported by safety latch or stands.

9. Raising a Vehicle on the Hoist
Before driving vehicle in the
hoist area, check area is clean.
No tools, equipment or air
hoses should be on the floor.
The Swing Arms for the hoist
should be moved all the way
out of the way of the vehicle.
Never hit or drive vehicle over
the Swing Arms as vehicle or
hoist damage may occur .
Never allow any persons to
stand in front of the vehicle
while it is being driven into the
hoist area. If somebody needs
to guide a person on the hoist
they should stand to one side.

10. Drive vehicle in the hoist area.
Frame contact hoists usually
have a pad on the floor. This
pad is for the left front wheel. If
the wheel base of the vehicle
you are raising on the hoist is
105” – 127” the left front wheel
should be on the yellow pad to
centre vehicle on the hoist. The
wheelbase of 105” – 127” is a
general mid size vehicle.
Left Front Wheel Pad

11. Smaller vehicles with a wheelbase less than
105”, the left front wheel should be positioned
on the approach side of the pad.
Vehicles with a wheelbase of 105”-127” the left
front wheel should be positioned on the pad.
Vehicles with a wheelbase longer than 127”
position the left front wheel just past the pad.

12. Check the load capacity of the hoist .
The hoist will have a manufacturer’s tag
attached showing model and capacity.
Some manufacturers place a separate
decal on the hoist in clear view showing
the lift capacity of the hoist. You should
know the limits of the hoist you are
working with.
Never Overload a Hoist !!!!!!!!

13. What does the vehicle way?
If you look at the driver’s door or post
the Date of Manufacture tag will tell
you the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). That is the weight of vehicle
and how much cargo it can carry. You
need to know the curb weight of the
vehicle.
General rule for vehicle weight is:
Small compacts = 3,000 – 4,500 lbs.
Mid size cars and sedans = 4,500 – 5,500 lbs. Light
trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles = 5,500 – 7,000lbs
Large pick up trucks = 7,500 – 12,000lbs.
Check the trunk, box of pick up truck and back of a van and sports utility
vehicle for any heavy items. Any heavy items will change the centre of
gravity of the vehicle.

14. Vehicle Lift Points
What type of vehicle is being raised on the hoist?
What type of frame does it have? Unibody-PerimeterFrame
Front Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive
Unibody Perimeter Frame
F F

15. Check where the Manufacturers Lift Points are for the vehicle to be raised
on the hoist. The manufacturers lift points are usually found in the
vehicle’s manual or check on line. The vehicle can be lifted using the
same lift points as when a flat tire is changed. Check the illustration with
the spare tire for lift point location.
The lift pads on the swing arms
can be left flat for lifting most
vehicles.
On some vehicle there
may obstructions in the
way and more distance
required between
swing arm and vehicle,
the lift pads may be
flipped up to give more
clearance.

16. When the lift pad is raised to make contact with the frame, never have the
lift pad resting on the swing as shown in the picture. This could result in
breaking the lift pad and causing vehicle damaged or moving on hoist.
Never lift on vehicle suspension, this may result in the suspension
unloading while work is performed on vehicle and cause it to shift or fall off
hoist.. The swing arms must also be checked to make sure that they clear
the vehicle and do not make contact with the vehicle in any way. There
must be clearance from running boards and body flares of vehicles.

17. When lift points are located, they must be inspected, checking for damage and
deterioration. Lift points must be solid for lifting the vehicle. If vehicle has
damaged or deteriorated lift points, the vehicle should not be raised on the
hoist using these lift points. If other safe lift points can not be located, do not
raise vehicle on the hoist. Vehicle suspension components are not good lift
points and should not be used.

18. Generally the following lift points can used to raise a vehicle on the hoist.
Unibody
On front wheel drive Unibody
vehicles the lift pads are usually
placed about 200mm in front of
the rear wheels and about 200mm
behind the front wheels. The pads
are placed on the lip under the
rocker panel of the vehicle. There
is usually an indent or mark for the manufacturers jack. The pad should lift on
the lip in the marked area under the rocker panel.
Rocker Panel
Lift Pad
Swing Arm
Lip

19. On a vehicle with a frame, the lift
points are in front of the rear wheels
on the frame and behind the front
wheels on the frame, as shown in the
picture.
The lift pads may be stood up
as shown to contact the frame
to avoid any obstructions.
When raised to clear an
obstruction, check that the top
of the raised pad makes full
contact with the frame.

20. Check and make sure the lift pads are in opposite directions on
the front and back of lift arms.
Once swing arms and lift pads
are positioned on the hoist for
the vehicle, raise vehicle on the
hoist, about 6 inches off the
floor. Check that vehicle is
level. Look under the vehicle to
check that lift pads are in good
contact with all lift points. Check
that no damage is occurring to
vehicle. Brake hoses, cables
and fuel are out of the way of lift
pads.

21. After checking vehicle and lift pads raise the vehicle up to the desired
working height.
On floor anchored hoists you will hear a clicking noise when the vehicle is
raised every 6 inches or so, that is the safety latch clicking in place. You
usually can not easily see the safety latch. Never leave the vehicle raised
between safety latches. Always raise the vehicle higher than you need and
lower the vehicle on to the safety latch. If the hoist hydraulics malfunctions
while vehicle raised on hoist, with out safety latch engaged, it will fall and
the safety latch will NOT engage. Never work under a vehicle on a
hoist, that the safety latch is not engaged.

22. On older style in ground hoists there is usually only one safety latch. The
safety latch is a lever weighted eccentric that rotates when hoist is raised
all the way up. The safety latch on these hoists only work when the hoist is
all the way up. There are NO safety latches in between, the ground and all
the way up. NEVER GET UNDER A VEHICLE ON A HOIST , THAT IS
NOT ON THE SAFETY LATCH, IF HYDRAULIC FAILS, HOIST WILL
LOWER VEHICLE SUDDENLY.
To lower this type of hoist
a technician needs to raise
the hoist all the way up,
reach down and manually
lifted up the safety latch, to
lower hoist.
Safety
Latch

23. Once the vehicle has been repaired, release the safety mechanism and
slowly lower the vehicle to the ground. Once the vehicle is on the ground
move the swing arms out from under the vehicle. Never drive vehicle off
the hoist with the swing arms in the vehicle’s path. This can result in
vehicle damage (usually tire damage) or hoist damage. It is not
recommended to have the vehicle owner drive vehicle off the hoist, as this
is an unfamiliar operation for them. They may over react and cause
damage to vehicle or surroundings.

24. Some vehicle repairs can not be performed on a hoist for different reasons,
such as vehicle is too large (limousine) (camper) or there are no free hoists.
The technician may still need to raise the vehicle. This is when a hydraulic
floor jack is used to raise the vehicle.
Before using a hydraulic floor jack make sure you are familiar with it’s
operation. Most hydraulic floor jacks are
similar to the one pictured here.
Most floor jacks are to heavy to carry
so they have wheels to move them
around the shop floor easily. They
have a T-handle with a round knob
in the middle of the T that is used to
close the valve. The handle is
pumped up and down to raise the
jack. To lower the jack the centre
knob must be turned counter
clockwise slowly.
T-handle
Control valve
knob
saddle

25. When using a floor jack there are several things that need to be adhered to
before lifting vehicle with floor jack:
1. Floor jack lifting capacity
should be at least ½ the
weight of the vehicle. With the
floor jack you have the
capability of lifting the whole
front or back axle off the
ground at one time. The jack
must be able to lift ½ of the
vehicle’s weight.
Floor jack lifting
capacity

26. 2. Vehicle should be on level solid ground. If not on level ground the
vehicle may start to move and roll down the incline as you jack it up.
3. Place transmission in Park (automatic)
and 1st
or Reverse (manual) and set the
Parking Brake.

27. 4. Chock the front and back of the wheels
of the vehicle that are not going to be lifted
off the ground. If you are lifting the whole
back axle off the ground put chocks in front
and back of both front wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving. The wheels do not
have to be chocked or blocked with tapered
wheel chocks as shown in picture, 4” X 4”
lumber stock will work as well. Some
mechanics and garages make their own
from scrap lumber and keep them in a
specific area of the shop.
Wheel chocks

28. 5. Check for manufacturer’s lift
points where to jack up vehicle.
Some have specific locations for
jacks. Check where the spare tire is
located as it will show the location
to jack up the vehicle in case of a
flat tire. Inspect the lift points, if they
are rusted and damage use another
solid location. When placing the
jack, DO NOT for fuel, brake lines
or parking brake cables. Some rear
wheel drive vehicles can be lifted
using the differential housing if
lifting the rear axle off the ground.
DO NOT USE LIFT POINT IN THIS
CONDITION

29. 6. Check there are no obstructions for
the jack wheels to hit. The jack wheels
move as the vehicle is lifted. If the jack
wheels hit a stone or divot in the ground
and do not move, the vehicle can then
slip on the saddle of the jack. This can
cause serious damage to vehicle
components, depending on where the
saddle was placed.
No obstructions in front
of wheels.

30. Now you have checked all the steps and
have necessary equipment and are
ready to jack up the vehicle.
jack
Safety
stands
Wheel
chocks
Once the vehicle is lifted to the desired height, place safety stands under
vehicle. Slowly lower vehicle on to the safety stands, NEVER GET UNDER A
VEHICLE THAT IT’S WEIGHT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY SAFETY STANDS.

31. Once the vehicle is lifted to the desired height, place safety stands under
vehicle. Slowly lower vehicle on to the safety stands, NEVER GET
UNDER A VEHICLE THAT IT’S WEIGHT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY
SAFETY STANDS. The jack can be left under vehicle or removed to
allow more access to under vehicle components.
wheel
chocks
safety stand
safety stand
This vehicle is ready for a
technician to go under the
vehicle and make
necessary repairs.

32. Once repairs have been performed on the vehicle, the technician
will lift the vehicle using the jack and remove the safety stands.
Safety stands should moved away from the vehicle. The
technician will slowly turn the release valve lowering the vehicle to
the ground. Floor jack, safety stands and wheel chocks are
returned to their proper place of storage. Once area is clear
vehicle ready to return to customer.

33. Is There An Average Weight For Cars?
If you’re wondering if there is an average car weight, the
answer is yes. Compact cars range in weight from 3,000 to
4,500 pounds. Mid-size cars and sedans have a weight
range of 4,500 pounds to 5,500 pounds depending on
model. Light trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles or
SUVs can weigh between 5,000 pounds to 7,000 pounds.
The larger pick-up trucks range from 7,500 to 12,000
pounds. Keep in mind that these are not gross vehicle
weight ratings but gross vehicle weights.
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