Pneumatic Jack

A pneumatic jack is a compressed air-powered lifting device built into race cars that uses pressurized air to quickly raise the vehicle during pit stops.

Unlike the manual car jack you might use to change a tire on your regular car, a pneumatic jack system is permanently installed in the race car's chassis. When pit crews need to lift the car, they simply connect an air hose to a special fitting on the vehicle, and compressed air does all the heavy lifting work.

The main advantage of pneumatic jacks is speed. While a manual jack might take 15-30 seconds to lift a car, a pneumatic jack can raise a race car in just 3-5 seconds. In motorsport, where every second counts during pit stops, this time savings can mean the difference between winning and losing a race.

These air-powered jacks are typically made from lightweight aluminum to avoid adding unnecessary weight to the race car. The system includes pneumatic cylinders built into the car, along with quick-connect fittings that allow pit crews to rapidly attach air hoses during stops.

Pneumatic jack systems are commonly used in racing series like IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship, where fast pit stops are crucial for race strategy. However, Formula 1 has different rules - F1 teams must use manual jacks during races, though they can use air jacks when working on cars in the garage.

Safety features are built into these systems to prevent accidents. Anti-sway mechanisms keep the car stable when lifted, while safety valves prevent over-pressurization that could cause the car to drop suddenly. This allows pit crews to work safely underneath the raised vehicle while performing tire changes, adjustments, or repairs.

The pneumatic jack system reduces physical strain on pit crew members, allowing them to focus their energy on precision tasks like wheel changes rather than manually lifting heavy race cars.