"There's more riding on your vehicle lifts than just cars, trucks and vans," says Bob Ford, national accounts service manager for Rotary Lift, a manufacturer of vehicle lifts and equipment. "Vehicle lifts support your business."
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimates that the average service bay generates about $800 in revenue per day. If a vehicle lift is down for repair, productivity in that bay can be cut in half, according to Ford.
"Losing $400 a day while waiting for a vehicle lift to be repaired or replaced can have a serious impact on your bottom line," he says.
To keep your vehicle lifts operating properly, good maintenance and inspection practices are crucial. Rotary Lift offers the following lift maintenance and inspection tips:
- Read and follow the guidelines in your lift owner's manual. Maintenance and inspection requirements vary for different styles and brands. An owner's manual will cover the specific maintenance needed for each lift.
- Schedule annual lift inspections for all of your vehicle lifts. A factory-authorized technician should perform this inspection. Your lift manufacturer can recommend authorized service companies in your area.
- Keep your lift well lubricated, according to manufacturer guidelines. There are lubricants formulated specifically for vehicle lifts, including grease, hydraulic lift fluid, oil fortifier and penetrating oil.
- Whether maintenance is performed in-house or by an outside company, be sure to use genuine OE-replacement parts, since the lift manufacturer designed OE parts to original design specifications. On the other hand, aftermarket parts are reverse-engineered and may not use the same materials or incorporate the latest design changes.
The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) recommends using OE parts to ensure proper fit and function. Using aftermarket parts on an ALI-certified lift also may void that lift's certification.
ALI offers general lift maintenance and inspection guidelines in a variety of materials, including a new training manual and DVD. These materials are available directly from ALI or through its members.
Visit the organization's Web site at www.autolift.org for details on proper lift maintenance practices.
