Planger Jack Pads review my #1 car accessory I won’t leave home without
For my new Tesla Model 3 Performance and want to make sure I can jack it up safely wherever I go. With any car it is essential that you jack up the car at the official jack lifting points to prevent damaging the undercarriage or battery pack. That’s why I got myself this set of high quality rubber jack pads from the German company Planger.
Understanding Jack Pads and Safety Risks
Jack pads (also called pucks or adapters) are rubber or composite accessories that attach to floor jacks or jack stands to protect a vehicle’s pinch welds (the folded metal seams on the frame rails) from bending, scratching, or slipping during lifting. They’re essential for safe DIY maintenance on unibody vehicles like sedans and SUVs, where direct metal-to-metal contact can cause costly damage or instability. Improper pads increase risks like vehicle slippage, which has led to injuries or fatalities in garage accidents.The comparison here focuses on Planger jack pads (a German-engineered brand emphasizing premium rubber construction) versus standard low-cost jack pads from China sold on Amazon (often generic, no-name products under $10–15 per pair, prioritized for volume over quality). Based on product specs, user reviews, and automotive forums, Planger pads are demonstrably safer due to superior materials, design, and durability, reducing failure rates under load.
Why Planger Jack Pads Are Safer
Planger pads are made from high-grade NR/SBR rubber blends (80 Shore A hardness), tested to support up to 3.9 tons (or more) without deformation. Key safety advantages include:
- Anti-Slip Design and Stability:
- Feature a precise indentation on the underside that locks securely onto the jack’s saddle plate, preventing lateral shifting during lifts. This ensures the vehicle stays centered, even on uneven surfaces.
- Top surface has cross-slotted patterns tailored for pinch welds, distributing weight evenly to avoid weld deformation or slippage—critical for loads over 2 tons.
- Premium Material Durability:
- Resistant to cracking, splitting, or compressing under repeated heavy use. Users report no failures after years of tire rotations and suspension work.
- UV-stabilized and weather-resistant, maintaining grip in cold or wet conditions where cheaper rubbers harden and brittle.
- Load-Tested and Warranty-Backed:
- Independently verified for overload scenarios (e.g., 3.5+ ton vehicles), with no reported collapses in reviews.
- 10-year warranty reflects manufacturer confidence; includes customer support for fitment advice, reducing user error.
- Vehicle Protection:
- Cushions impacts to prevent paint chips or frame damage, preserving resale value while maintaining a secure lift point.
Dangers of Standard Cheap Chinese Jack Pads from Amazon
These pads, often made from low-grade recycled rubber or soft plastics, prioritize cost (e.g., $5–10 for generics) over safety. Common issues from reviews and forums include:
- Slippage and Instability:
- Lack secure indentations, leading to pads sliding off the jack saddle mid-lift. This has caused vehicles to drop unexpectedly, as noted in Reddit threads where users report “near-misses” on uneven driveways.
- Material Failure Under Load:
- Prone to splitting or cracking when supporting 2+ ton vehicles—e.g., one Amazon reviewer described a generic pad “splitting in two” on a Volvo V70 during a simple wheel swap. Softer compounds compress excessively, concentrating pressure on welds and risking bends.
- Poor Fit and Compatibility:
- Universal claims often don’t match common jack saddles (e.g., 28mm vs. 36mm widths), forcing users to modify them (e.g., hammering or heating), which weakens the structure. Forums like Grassroots Motorsports highlight how this leads to unstable setups.
- No Quality Assurance:
- Minimal testing; many violate basic load standards. Without warranties, failures leave users liable. Broader Amazon complaints include inconsistent sizing and rapid wear, increasing accident risks in high-stakes scenarios like working under the car.
Feedback
I can highly recommend the set because of the quality of the materials and it is a nice accessory for my favorite MASKO hydraulic Floor Jack. I hope this non-sponsored review video is useful and let me know if you have any questions. Do you also carry a set of jackpads with you in your car when you go on long road trips? Thanks for watching and for helping my growing community! Use my Tesla promo code for a big discount on your new car or free supercharger Miles. Please support my YouTube channel so I can test, review and compare new products and become a premium channel member.