Guide · 4 min read
2-post, 4-post or scissor: which lift do you need?
All three lifts get the car off the ground. They differ in how high, how they hold the car, and what you can reach. Pick by the job, not by the name.
The short version
- Wheels off, or suspension and driveline: the 2-post.
- Under the middle of the car with wheels on: the 4-post drive-on.
- Brakes, tires and wheels, quick and low: the scissor lift.
- No lift needed: the floor bay.
2-post lift
Four arms swing under the frame, and every wheel hangs free. You get the most room: the whole underside, standing height, nothing in the way.
The trade-off is setup. The arms have to sit on the car's lift points, and a first-timer should be shown how. We do that for free on your first visit.
4-post drive-on lift
You drive onto two runways and the car goes up level. It is the easiest to use and great for oil changes, exhaust and fluid work.
The wheels stay on the runways, so you cannot pull a wheel or work on brakes the way you can on a 2-post.
Low scissor lift
It raises the car part of the way. You sit on a stool or creeper and the wheels are free, which is what brakes and tire work need.
It is a low-rise lift, so it is not for jobs where you want to stand under the car.
Common jobs, matched
- Oil change: 4-post or 2-post.
- Brake pads and rotors: scissor lift or 2-post.
- Tire rotation or swap: scissor lift or floor bay with stands.
- Exhaust: 4-post or 2-post.
- Struts, control arms, tie rods: 2-post.
- Battery, belts, plugs, detailing: floor bay.
If you are not sure
Call before you book and tell us the car and the job. We will point you to the right bay. The scissor and the 4-post share one price, and the floor bay costs the least.