Do I need a special ramp for getting my dog into the car?

Yes. Car access calls for a long, rigid folding ramp rather than indoor foam stairs, because the rise from ground to trunk or back seat is much greater. Reviewers favor extra-long (around 70–74 inch) ramps for a gentler slope and a non-slip mesh or carpet surface, and they note that length and width drive how confidently a dog will walk it.