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Alright, let’s talk about this car lift stuff, you know, the thingamajigs that lift them cars up high. They need that special juice, like a car needs gas, only this juice is called hydraulic fluid. Don’t go puttin’ just anythin’ in there, ya hear?

Now, folks keep askin’, what’s the best stuff to put in? Well, it ain’t that simple. It’s like askin’ what kind of flour is best for bakin’ a cake. Depends on the cake, see? But for these here car lifts, the fellas who make ’em, they mostly say you gotta use somethin’ called AW32 or AW46. Sounds fancy, but it ain’t. Just means it’s the right kind of slippery stuff.

Some folks, they use somethin’ called Dexron III ATF. Says it works alright, ‘specially if you can’t find the other stuff easy. But it’s like usin’ margarine instead of butter, ya know? It’ll do, but ain’t the real deal. And don’t you go puttin’ it in your car’s transmission, though. That’s a whole ‘nother story, and you’ll mess things up good.

• AW32: This one’s kinda thin, like water, but not water, mind you. Good for all kinds of weather, hot or cold. The fellas say it’s the most popular.
• AW46: This one’s a bit thicker, like syrup, but not sticky syrup. Good if it’s hot where you are.
• Dexron III ATF: This one’s like I said, kinda like margarine. Works in a pinch, but ain’t the first choice.

Now, this hydraulic fluid, it ain’t just about liftin’ the car. It’s gotta keep things from rustin’ up too, and it can’t be makin’ bubbles, no sir. Bubbles are bad, makes the lift all jerky and whatnot. And this here fluid, it’s gotta be tough, you know? Can’t break down easy. That’s why they call it anti-wear, or somethin’ like that.

Some folks talk about different numbers, like #32, #46, and #68. The bigger the number, the thicker the juice. So, if it’s cold, you want the thin stuff, the small number. If it’s hot, you might want the thicker stuff, the bigger number. Makes sense, right? Like wearin’ a light jacket in summer and a heavy coat in winter.

Then there’s this talk about synthetic oil. Sounds fancy again, but it’s just man-made stuff, not from the ground. Some folks swear by it, some don’t. Me? I stick to what the fellas who make the lifts tell me, unless they give me a good reason to change. And they ain’t yet.

And water, oh honey, don’t you even think about puttin’ water in there! There’s some water stuff out there, but it ain’t just plain water, it’s got other stuff in it, like oil and goop. You ain’t gonna be mixin’ that up in your kitchen, so don’t even try. Just stick to the hydraulic fluid, the AW32 or AW46, and you’ll be fine.

So, there you have it. Nothin’ too fancy, just plain talk about what kinda juice to put in your car lift. Keep it clean, keep it topped off, and that lift will keep on liftin’ for ya, long as you treat it right. And remember, if you ain’t sure, ask someone who knows. Don’t go guessin’ and messin’ things up. That’s the most important thing I can tell ya.

Where to get this fluid? Well, you can find it at them auto parts stores, or online too. Just make sure you’re gettin’ the right stuff, the AW32 or AW46. Don’t be fooled by fancy talk or cheap prices. You get what you pay for, you know? And if somethin’ sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That’s what my old pappy used to say.

And one more thing, keep that old fluid away from the kids and the pets. It ain’t good for ’em, and you don’t want them gettin’ into it. Put it away safe, just like you would with anythin’ else that could be dangerous. Common sense, really, but it never hurts to say it again.

Tags: [car lift, hydraulic fluid, AW32, AW46, Dexron III ATF, maintenance, automotive, car repair, hydraulic oil]