Could I use brake fluid as the hydraulic fluid for my new floor jack? I want to use what should be used but I was just wondering if there would be any differences between hydraulic fluid, which I figure is a generic term, and brake fluid, which I would imagine should be just as incompressible as any other fluid.

If you think I should not use brake fluid, then where can I get a good fluid and how much does it normally run?

This is the jack that I bought. A 2 ton aluminum jack from Harbor Feight, it was on sale for $150.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92782

Thanks for any help.

 

I found the answer, and it's no. Brake fluid has alcohol in it which will ruin the seals. I guess I'm off to find some hydraulic fluid now.

 

Hmmm. It should have hydraulic oil in it already?? Even the cheapo autozone one I bought did,,

 

Well if you need some any auto parts store will have some generic hydraulic fluid.

 

Hey man I have that same jack. Have had it for about three years and no problems. If you are having problems raising try this. At the back of the jack is a breather that you have to open. It is closed for shipping, if this is closed the jack will not work. Hope this helps.

PS. Never put brake fliud in any type of hyd jack. Use AW32 hyd oil, jack oil can be found at any auto parts store, or ATF as a last resort.

 

I found some, thanks. I think the jack did already have oil in it, I didn't even try jacking anything up with it before I added some to it. I wanted to make sure it was toped off and bleed really good.