Tech Tip: Spot Vehicles Faster

If you’ve ever had to spot vehicles on an auto lift, you know the stop-and-go dance it takes to get it right. 

But it doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With a laser spotting kit like Spotline™, you can spot vehicles faster and more accurately—every time.

Check out our 3-steps to easier spotting below.

1. Install a Laser Spotting System

If you’re in the market for a new lift, look for one that has a laser spotting system built in. If you’re not looking to buy a new lift, you can easily install the Spotline™ kit on nearly any surface or inground lift. All you have to do is position it in the center of the lift above the work area; for example, on a two-post lift’s overhead bar. The key is to install it dead-center so it can serve as an accurate guide.

2. Line It Up

When you approach the auto lift, the laser guide is automatically activated. As soon as it switches on, you’ll see a clear line across the hood of the vehicle and then down the interior of the car. You can also use a spotting dish so you know when to stop based on the length of the vehicle you’re spotting. Fun fact: a spotting dish comes free with any new Rotary lift or when you install a new Spotline™ kit. Now that you’re all lined up, here comes the next part. It’s pretty tricky.

3. Drive On

Keep that line in the middle of the vehicle and drive it on in. There’s no hanging out the window to check whether you’re lined up properly, and you can finish it in one shot instead of doing the drive forward, back up and start over jig. Follow the guide, and you’ll be aligned with the correct lifting points so you can rack the vehicle properly.

That’s it! Along with making a sometimes frustrating task easier, using a laser guide also prevents damage to the lift from uneven loading. This is one tool that’s simple to install, simple to use and makes a technician’s life a whole lot easier.

Take it from Johnathan Lane, ASE Certified Technician for Ed Morse Automotive Group, as he talks about the advantages of Rotary Lift’s Spotline Laser. 

Contact a distributor to get pricing information about a Spotline for your lift.

This content has been updated to reflect current standards. It was originally published on June 9, 2015.