Floor Jack Oil ?

[VinceF]

I bought a floor jack, and it didn't raise the car very far. Unloaded it goes a lot higher, about twice as high to the spec. Figure the oil is low. Can I add something like straight mineral oil sold as a laxative, so I don't have to buy a bunch of jack oil? That should be pure mineral oil. It probably doesn't need much. I can see oil through the fill hole if I tilt the jack, so any additives would be in that. I was thinking of adding some 3 in 1 type oil. Good thing there wasn't much in the can.

I read that you should just cover the piston when filling, to not overfill.

 

[MolaKule]

Is this a bottle jack or floor jack?

Try some ATF if you have it on hand.

Also, visually check the cylinder and the twist valve seals after you fill it and see if there are leaks.

You don't want it to crashing down on you. And for further safety reasons, once you have the vehicle elevated, use jack stands.

I can't tel you how many times I have had hydraulic jacks leak down on me.

 

[Texan4Life]

I ran out of "hydraulic jack oil", so I use some ATF I had on hand. worked the same, so I just use that now.

 

[wander2039]

Good thread I was about to ask the same. I put some Maxlife Mercon in mine seems to be working again. Seems like this the second time in 12 years.