A car lift, also called a car elevator or vehicle lift, carries a car between floors of a building. They are used where there is no space for a driveway ramp: apartment buildings on small blocks, inner-city homes, showrooms and some commercial buildings.
A car lift is different from a passenger lift in a car park. A car park lift carries people between parking levels. A car lift carries the vehicle itself, usually with the driver driving on and off at each level.
How a car lift works
Most car lifts use a large platform or car inside a shaft or enclosure. The driver drives on at one level, the platform moves to another level and the driver drives off. Many are driven hydraulically, using a pump and cylinders, while others use electric drives with ropes, chains or screws.
The controls are usually designed for drivers: call buttons or remote controls at the entry, traffic lights showing when to enter and safety sensors that check the vehicle is positioned correctly before the platform moves.
Whether the driver stays in the vehicle while it moves depends on the design. Always follow the instructions displayed at the lift.
Why car lifts need regular servicing
A car lift moves a heavy load many times a day, often in an exposed area near the street. That brings particular wear:
- Weight: vehicles are much heavier than a lift full of passengers, which puts load on the platform, guides and drive.
- Weather and dirt: entries at street level let in rain, dust, leaves and road grime.
- Water: a pit at the bottom of the shaft can collect water after storms. See water in the lift pit.
- Sensors and doors: entry gates, light curtains and positioning sensors are easily knocked or obstructed.
- Heavy use at peak times: many residents leaving or arriving at once.
When a car lift is out of service, residents may have no other way to reach their parking, so breakdowns cause more disruption than most lifts.
Common problems to report
Report these to the lift company rather than trying to fix them:
- the platform stopping short of the floor or not levelling with the driveway
- gates or doors not closing, or the lift refusing to move with a car on board
- unusual noises, jerking or slow movement
- traffic lights or controls not responding
- water or debris in the pit
Note which level, the time and what the lift did. Do not reset equipment, bypass sensors or move the platform manually.
What owners and building managers should check
- Who maintains the car lift, and how often it is serviced.
- What the maintenance agreement includes, and how breakdowns and call outs are handled.
- That residents know who to call and what to do if the lift stops with a car on board.
- That instructions for drivers are clearly displayed at each entry.
- Whether any registration or inspection requirements apply to the lift, and who keeps those records.
Car lifts vary widely in design. To discuss the equipment in your building, call Hiteck on 03 9293 8100 and we can confirm whether it is something we can help with.