Lidl sells car jack stands for €18.99: bargain or risk?
Lidl's jack stands cost €18.99, half the price of other stores. But the savings spark a safety debate: should you use two or four stands?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Lidl sells jack stands for €18.99: master bargain or unnecessary risk?
A bold claim: Lidl's jack stands at €18.99 have sparked huge interest and debate. The price is less than half what competitors charge (Alcampo, Feuvert, Norauto, where they run around €40). But the bargain opens a safety gap that should not be overlooked.
What is it worth to lift your car at home?
Doing your own maintenance saves workshop hours and money. Decent jack stands cost between €35 and €40 in physical stores. Lidl offers foldable ones for €18.99, 52% less. Locker delivery and the promise that they fold flat (saving space) make them a tempting option. But price isn't everything.
The safety dilemma: 2 or 4 stands?
Here's where the controversy kicks in. Jack stand instructions usually limit their use to two units for safety reasons. Yet the temptation to use four to lift the entire car is strong. Those defending the bargain argue that each stand holds 2 tonnes, and Gemini endorses that four are safe if placed pogre on firm ground. On the other side, veteran users point out that the manual says "two tonnes per pair" and that four can destabilise the vehicle.
The starkest warning comes from the memory of a fatal accident a few months ago: a young man died crushed by his car when the stands failed. This recent case puts things in perspective: savings should never come before safety.
What is the real master bargain?
The most balanced approach that emerges combines two ramps (for the front axle) with two jack stands at the rear. This avoids resting the entire weight on the stands alone, gains stability and reduces risk. It's also worth insisting on always chocking the wheels with blocks or something solid in case the ground gives way or a stand fails.
A cautious prediction: Lidl's jack stands will keep growing in popularity if the manufacturer maintains the quality-price ratio, but safety will remain the deciding factor. Anyone going for the bargain should read the fine print and take every precaution. The rest can pay the extra for peace of mind.
A bold claim: Lidl's jack stands at €18.99 have sparked huge interest and debate. The price is less than half what competitors charge (Alcampo, Feuvert, Norauto, where they run around €40). But the bargain opens a safety gap that should not be overlooked.
What is it worth to lift your car at home?
Doing your own maintenance saves workshop hours and money. Decent jack stands cost between €35 and €40 in physical stores. Lidl offers foldable ones for €18.99, 52% less. Locker delivery and the promise that they fold flat (saving space) make them a tempting option. But price isn't everything.
The safety dilemma: 2 or 4 stands?
Here's where the controversy kicks in. Jack stand instructions usually limit their use to two units for safety reasons. Yet the temptation to use four to lift the entire car is strong. Those defending the bargain argue that each stand holds 2 tonnes, and Gemini endorses that four are safe if placed pogre on firm ground. On the other side, veteran users point out that the manual says "two tonnes per pair" and that four can destabilise the vehicle.
The starkest warning comes from the memory of a fatal accident a few months ago: a young man died crushed by his car when the stands failed. This recent case puts things in perspective: savings should never come before safety.
What is the real master bargain?
The most balanced approach that emerges combines two ramps (for the front axle) with two jack stands at the rear. This avoids resting the entire weight on the stands alone, gains stability and reduces risk. It's also worth insisting on always chocking the wheels with blocks or something solid in case the ground gives way or a stand fails.
A cautious prediction: Lidl's jack stands will keep growing in popularity if the manufacturer maintains the quality-price ratio, but safety will remain the deciding factor. Anyone going for the bargain should read the fine print and take every precaution. The rest can pay the extra for peace of mind.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (44 replies).
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