Jacks are often considered trivial, even though they play a crucial role for car owners. This tool is a lifesaver when you have a flat tire in the middle of the road, as well as an essential tool when you need to check the condition of your car's underbody. Without a jack, changing tires or performing minor inspections can be complicated and risky.

In general, jacks are divided into two types based on how they work, namely mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical jacks rely on a gear or screw system to increase lifting power. Meanwhile, hydraulic jacks utilize fluid or oil pressure, making them easier to operate even when lifting heavy loads.

One of the most well-known types is the bottle jack. It resembles a tube and falls into the hydraulic jack category. It has a large lifting capacity, so it is often used on heavy vehicles such as SUVs, minibuses, and light trucks. It is quite practical to use; just turn the knob and pump the jack until the car is lifted.

Next is the scissor jack, which is usually standard equipment in new cars. This jack is commonly used on sedans or city cars with a lifting capacity of around 1–1.5 tons. It works using a screw thread system. Although it requires extra effort to use, it is easy to maintain, simply lubricate the screw thread to keep it running smoothly.

For use in workshops or home garages, the crocodile jack is the go-to choice. This hydraulic jack is equipped with wheels at the bottom, making it easy to move. In addition to being stable, this model is also practical for use on flat surfaces, and many people now carry it in their trunk for emergencies.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Hi-Lift or Farm Jack has a special function. This jack is designed for tall vehicles with large tires. It is shaped like a long iron rod with a manual lever mechanism, suitable for use in extreme terrain that is difficult to reach with a regular jack.

Lastly, there is the jack stand, which is equally important. Jacks are not recommended for supporting vehicles for extended periods. When performing repairs on the vehicle's undercarriage or components, a jack stand must be used as an additional support for safety.

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Mengenal Dongkrak Mobil: Mekanis hingga Hidrolis

Dongkrak sering dianggap sepele, padahal perannya krusial buat pemilik mobil. Perkakas satu ini jadi penyelamat saat ban bocor di tengah jalan, sekaligus alat wajib ketika perlu mengecek kondisi kolong mobil. Tanpa dongkrak, urusan ganti ban atau inspeksi ringan bisa jadi ribet dan berisiko.

Secara umum, dongkrak dibagi menjadi dua jenis berdasarkan cara kerjanya, yaitu mekanis dan hidrolis. Dongkrak mekanis mengandalkan sistem roda gigi atau ulir untuk memperbesar tenaga angkat. Sementara dongkrak hidrolis memanfaatkan tekanan cairan atau oli, sehingga lebih ringan dioperasikan meski mengangkat beban berat.

Salah satu yang paling dikenal adalah dongkrak botol. Bentuknya menyerupai tabung dan masuk kategori dongkrak hidrolis. Daya angkatnya besar, sehingga kerap digunakan pada kendaraan berbobot berat seperti SUV, minibus, hingga truk ringan. Cara pakainya cukup praktis, tinggal memutar kenop lalu memompa dongkrak hingga mobil terangkat.

Berikutnya ada dongkrak gunting, yang biasanya sudah jadi perlengkapan standar mobil baru. Dongkrak ini umum dipakai pada sedan atau city car dengan kapasitas angkat sekitar 1–1,5 ton. Sistem kerjanya menggunakan ulir seperti drat baut. Meski butuh tenaga ekstra saat digunakan, perawatannya mudah, cukup melumasi bagian ulir agar tetap lancar.

Untuk penggunaan di bengkel atau garasi rumah, dongkrak buaya jadi andalan. Dongkrak hidrolis ini dilengkapi roda di bagian bawah sehingga mudah dipindahkan. Selain stabil, model ini juga praktis digunakan di permukaan datar, bahkan kini banyak dibawa di bagasi untuk kebutuhan darurat.

Bagi pecinta off-road, Hi-Lift atau Farm Jack punya fungsi khusus. Dongkrak ini dirancang untuk kendaraan bertubuh tinggi dengan ban besar. Bentuknya berupa batang besi panjang dengan mekanisme pengungkit manual, cocok digunakan di medan ekstrem yang sulit dijangkau dongkrak biasa.

Terakhir, ada jack stand yang tak kalah penting. Dongkrak tidak disarankan menopang mobil dalam waktu lama. Saat melakukan perbaikan kaki-kaki atau komponen bawah mobil, jack stand wajib digunakan sebagai penyangga tambahan demi keselamatan.