Learning how to jack your car is a fundamental skill for any driver. Lifting your car off the ground is a necessary step for many repairs and maintenance tasks, from a simple tire change to more complex undercarriage work. Doing it correctly is crucial for your safety and the safety of others.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We will cover the types of jacks, the essential safety steps, and a detailed, step-by-step procedure.
How To Jack Your Car
Before you even touch the jack, preparation is key. Rushing this process is the most common cause of accidents. Taking a few extra minutes to set up correctly can prevent serious injury or damage to your vehicle.
Gather The Right Equipment
You cannot safely lift a car with just any jack. You need a complete setup designed for vehicle use.
- Car Jack: The scissor jack included with your spare tire is for emergency changes only. For garage work, a hydraulic floor jack is far more stable and easier to use.
- Jack Stands: This is non-negotiable. Never work under a car supported only by a jack. You need at least two sturdy jack stands rated for your vehicle’s weight.
- Wheel Chocks: These blocks stop your car from rolling. Use them on the wheels that will remain on the ground.
- Work Gloves and Safety Glasses: Protect your hands from sharp edges and your eyes from falling debris.
- A Flat, Solid Surface: Never jack a car on dirt, gravel, or a sloped driveway. Concrete or solid asphalt is required.
Locate Your Vehicle’s Jack Points
Your car has specific, reinforced points designed to handle the pressure of a jack. Placing the jack anywhere else can punch through the floorpan or damage critical components.
- Consult Your Owner’s Manual: This is the best source for the exact location of your front and rear jack points. The manual often shows detailed diagrams.
- Common Locations: Typically, there are small notches or reinforced sections along the vehicle’s side sills (or rocker panels) just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels. Some vehicles have a central front crossmember or rear differential.
- Never Jack on: Avoid plastic body panels, exhaust parts, suspension components, or the engine oil pan. These cannot support the weight.
Execute The Lifting Process Safely
Now that you’re prepared, follow these steps in order. Do not skip any of them.
Step 1: Park On A Level Surface And Secure The Vehicle
Park your car on a completely flat, solid surface. Put the transmission in “Park” (for automatic) or first gear (for manual). Firmly engage the parking brake.
Place wheel chocks snugly against the tires on the end of the car that will *not* be lifted. For example, if you’re lifting the front, chock the rear wheels.
Step 2: Prepare The Jack And Jack Stands
If you’re using a hydraulic floor jack, ensure its release valve is closed (turned clockwise). Position your jack stands nearby, with their height adjusted to be slightly lower than where the car will be lifted.
Have everything within arms reach so you don’t need to crawl out from under the car later.
Step 3: Position And Raise The Jack
Carefully position the jack head directly under the correct jack point. Double-check the placement. Begin pumping the jack handle slowly and smoothly.
As the car just begins to lift, stop and give it a gentle rock to test for stability. If everything seems secure, continue lifting until the tire is about 2-3 inches off the ground. For a tire change, you need more clearance—typically 6 inches.
Step 4: Place The Jack Stands
This is the most critical safety step. Slide the jack stand under a solid, load-bearing part of the vehicle’s frame or a dedicated jack stand point. Never use suspension parts.
Slowly lower the jack until the car’s weight rests securely on the jack stand. You do this by slowly opening the jack’s release valve. The car should settle firmly onto the stand.
Step 5: Apply The Final Safety Check
Before you go anywhere near under the vehicle, give it a solid push or shake. It should not wobble or move on the jack stand. If it does, lower it and reposition the stand.
For added safety, place the removed wheel and tire under the side sill near the jack stand. This acts as a final backup in the extremely unlikely event that both the jack and stand fail.
Lowering Your Car Correctly
When your work is complete, reversing the process safely is just as important.
- Clear all tools, stands (except the supporting ones), and debris from under the car.
- Raise the jack slightly to take the weight off the jack stand, then remove the stand.
- Slowly open the jack’s release valve to lower the car smoothly and evenly to the ground. Do not let it drop.
- Once the car is fully on the ground, you can remove the jack and finally the wheel chocks.
Choosing The Right Jack For The Job
Not all jacks are created equal. Using the wrong type can be dangerous. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types.
Scissor Jacks (The Emergency Jack)
This is the compact, lightweight jack that comes with your spare tire. It’s designed for one job: changing a flat tire on the side of the road. It has a low weight capacity and can be unstable. You should never use it for repairs where you need to go under the vehicle.
Hydraulic Floor Jacks
This is the standard for home garages. They use hydraulic fluid to lift heavy loads with minimal effort. They are stable, roll easily, and provide a high lift range. Look for one rated for at least 1.5 times your vehicle’s weight.
Bottle Jacks
Bottle jacks are compact and powerful, with a vertical piston design. They are great for vehicles with high ground clearance, like trucks and SUVs. However, they can have a narrow base, so stability is key. Always use them on a perfectly level surface.
High-Lift Jacks
Primarily used for off-roading, these mechanical jacks can lift a vehicle very high from its bumper or a special mount. They are powerful but also very dangerous if you don’t know how to use them properly. They are not recommended for general passenger car use.
Common Jacking Mistakes To Avoid
Even with good intentions, errors happen. Being aware of these common pitfalls will keep you safe.
Using Only The Jack For Support
We cannot stress this enough: jacks are for lifting, jack stands are for holding. Hydraulic seals can fail, and a car can slip off a jack. Never, ever place any part of your body under a car supported only by a jack.
Jacking On An Unsuitable Surface
Soft ground like grass or dirt will cause the jack to sink and tilt. A sloped driveway will make the car want to roll. Always find a firm, level concrete surface before starting.
Incorrect Jack Placement
Guessing where to place the jack is a recipe for disaster. Hitting a brake line, fuel line, or the bodywork can cause expensive damage and create a hazardous situation. Always find the manufacturer’s designated points.
Another frequent error is not checking the jack’s weight capacity. Your SUV will easily exceed the limit of a small jack meant for a compact car.
Special Jacking Scenarios
Some situations require extra attention and a slightly different approach.
Jacking A Car To Rotate Tires
For a full tire rotation, you’ll need to lift multiple corners of the car. The safest method is to lift one end at a time using a central jack point (if available), then support both sides with jack stands. Never lift the entire side of the car with one jack in the middle of the side sill.
Lifting The Entire Front Or Rear End
To get both front wheels off the ground, locate the central front jack point, often a crossmember behind the engine. Lift there, then place a jack stand under each side’s designated point. Follow the same principle for the rear, using a central point like the differential housing on solid-axle vehicles.
Dealing With Low-Profile Vehicles
Sports cars with very low ground clearance can be a challenge. A low-profile floor jack is designed to slide under the front bumper. You may need to drive the front wheels onto thin boards to create enough clearance to get the jack in position initially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Are The Jack Points On My Specific Car?
The absolute best resource is your vehicle’s owner’s manual. It will have diagrams showing the exact reinforced points. If you’ve lost the manual, you can often find a PDF version online by searching your car’s make, model, and year.
Can I Use A Jack On A Gravel Driveway?
It is not recommended. For a temporary emergency tire change, you can place a large, solid piece of wood under the jack to create a stable base. For any repair work, you must move the car to a solid, paved surface.
How Many Jack Stands Do I Need?
At a minimum, you need two. If you are lifting one corner, one stand under a solid point is acceptable. If you are lifting an entire end (both front wheels), you need two stands, one for each side. For maximum safety when working underneath, using four stands is ideal.
What Is The Safest Way To Jack Up A Truck?
Trucks, especially those with a separate frame, are often easier to jack. Use the designated points on the frame rails, avoiding the axle or suspension. Due to their higher ride height, a bottle jack or a high-lift floor jack is often necessary to achieve enough lift.
How Do I Maintain My Hydraulic Floor Jack?
Periodically check the hydraulic fluid level and look for leaks. Keep the piston clean and free of dirt. Before each use, test the jack’s function by lifting a small amount of weight to ensure it holds pressure. If it sinks slowly, it may need servicing or new seals.
Mastering how to jack your car is a empowering skill that opens the door to performing your own maintenance. By prioritizing safety, using the right equipment, and following a meticulous step-by-step process, you can confidently lift your vehicle for any task. Always remember that taking shortcuts is never worth the risk. With this knowledge, you’re prepared to handle this essential procedure correctly.