Choosing the right auto insurance policy involves comparing coverage types, limits, and premiums from multiple providers. However, even the best coverage can’t prevent a flat tire. That’s why knowing how to jack a car is an essential skill for every driver. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help you lift your vehicle safely and change a tire with confidence.
You will learn the proper tools, the critical safety checks, and the exact sequence of steps. We’ll cover common mistakes to avoid and what to do if you encounter problems. Let’s get started.
How To Jack A Car
Before you touch the jack, preparation is key. Rushing this process is the number one cause of accidents and damage. A safe tire change begins long before you start turning the jack handle.
Essential Tools And Safety Gear
You cannot safely jack a car without the correct equipment. Your vehicle should come with these items, typically stored in the trunk or under the floor panel. Check for them now before you’re stranded on the roadside.
- Vehicle Jack: The scissor or bottle jack provided by the manufacturer. Never use a random jack not rated for your car’s weight.
- Lug Wrench: The tool designed to fit your vehicle’s lug nuts. Some cars have a locking lug nut that requires a special key.
- Spare Tire: Ensure it is properly inflated. A flat spare is useless.
- Wheel Wedges or Chocks: Use rocks or sturdy blocks of wood if you don’t have commercial chocks.
- Flashlight: For visibility in low-light conditions.
- Reflective Triangles or Flares: To alert other drivers, especially at night or on busy roads.
- Gloves: To protect your hands from dirt and sharp edges.
Finding A Safe Location
If you get a flat while driving, do not stop immediately in a traffic lane. Carefully slow down and signal your intention to move to a safe, level area.
- Pull completely onto the shoulder, as far from traffic as possible.
- Look for a level, solid surface like asphalt or concrete. Avoid soft ground, gravel, or slopes.
- Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
- Apply the parking brake firmly to secure the vehicle.
Preparing The Vehicle
These steps are non-negotiable. They prevent the car from rolling and make the job much easier and safer.
- Place wheel wedges or chocks against the tires on the end of the car opposite the flat. For example, if the front-left tire is flat, chock the rear-right tire.
- Remove the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench from the trunk. Place the spare nearby so it’s ready.
- If your car has a hubcap or wheel cover, pry it off using the flat end of your lug wrench or a dedicated tool.
- Before jacking, slightly loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Turn them counterclockwise just enough to break their tightness. Do not remove them completely yet.
Why Loosen Lug Nuts First
This is a critical step. Once the wheel is off the ground, it will spin freely when you try to loosen the nuts. Applying force to break them loose while the wheel is on the ground provides the necessary resistance.
The Step-By-Step Jacking Process
Now you are ready to safely lift the car. Follow these instructions precisely. Never place any part of your body under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Locating The Correct Jack Point
This is the most important step for preventing serious damage to your car’s frame or body. The jack point is a reinforced section of the vehicle’s frame or unibody designed to handle the concentrated weight.
- Consult Your Owner’s Manual: It will have a diagram showing the exact jack points for your specific model. Look for this information now and save it in your phone.
- Common Locations: Often, there are small notches or reinforced sections along the side sill/rock panel, just behind the front wheels or just ahead of the rear wheels.
- What to Avoid: Never jack the car on plastic body panels, the oil pan, the exhaust system, or any suspension component like the control arm. Doing so can cause expensive damage or cause the jack to slip.
Positioning And Operating The Jack
- Place the jack squarely under the designated jack point. Ensure it is centered and sitting flat on the ground.
- Begin turning the jack handle or crank slowly and steadily. Most modern jacks use a simple screw mechanism. You should feel the top of the jack make solid contact with the vehicle’s frame.
- Continue lifting until the flat tire is about 2-3 inches off the ground. There should be enough clearance to remove the flat tire and install the spare, which is fully inflated.
- Do not lift the tire higher than necessary. Over-lifting can destabilize the vehicle and put undue stress on the jack.
What If The Jack Starts To Slip Or Lean
If you see the jack leaning or hear creaking noises, stop immediately. Lower the car slowly by reversing the jack handle. Reposition the jack on a more level part of the ground and directly under the correct jack point. Never try to stabilize a leaning jack with blocks while it’s under load.
Removing The Flat Tire
With the car securely lifted, you can now finish removing the wheel.
- Completely unscrew the loosened lug nuts by hand. Place them in the hubcap or somewhere they won’t roll away.
- Firmly grip the tire with both hands and pull it straight toward you. It may be stuck due to corrosion; a gentle kick on the bottom of the tire tread can help break it free.
- Carefully set the flat tire on its side under the vehicle, next to the jack. This acts as an extra safety buffer. If the jack were to fail, the car would fall onto the tire, not the ground.
Mounting The Spare Tire
Aligning the spare tire can be tricky. Take your time to do it correctly.
- Lift the spare tire and align the holes in the wheel with the threaded studs on the hub.
- Push the wheel onto the studs as far as it will go. You may need to wiggle it slightly to get it seated properly.
- Hand-tighten the lug nuts onto the studs. Start by putting them on in any order, just to hold the wheel in place.
Tightening Lug Nuts And Lowering The Car
This final sequence ensures the wheel is attached securely.
- Using the lug wrench, tighten the lug nuts in a star or crisscross pattern. This ensures even pressure on the wheel and prevents warping. Do not fully tighten them yet, just snug them securely.
- Carefully lower the car by slowly turning the jack handle in the opposite direction. Once the tire is firmly on the ground and the jack is no longer supporting weight, remove the jack.
- Now, perform the final tightening of the lug nuts. Use the star pattern again and apply your full weight to the wrench to ensure they are as tight as possible.
- Replace the hubcap or wheel cover if applicable.
- Retrieve your tools, the flat tire, and the jack. Stow everything securely in your trunk.
Important Safety Tips And Common Mistakes
Even with the right steps, small errors can lead to big problems. Here’s what to watch out for.
Never Rely Solely On The Jack
A jack is a lifting tool, not a support tool. Once the car is raised, you should never crawl underneath it for any reason unless it is also supported by jack stands. The hydraulic seals in a jack can fail suddenly. For any repair that requires you to be under the car, use dedicated jack stands placed on solid jack points.
Understanding Different Jack Types
Knowing what kind of jack you have improves safety.
- Scissor Jack: Common in most car kits. Compact and lightweight but has a lower weight rating. Operate slowly and ensure it’s perfectly vertical.
- Bottle Jack: More stable with a higher weight capacity, often found in SUVs and trucks. It has a smaller base, so placement on level ground is even more critical.
- Floor Jack: A professional tool with wheels and a long handle. It is easier and safer to use but is not typically included with a vehicle.
What To Do If Your Car Is Lowered Or Has A Body Kit
Low-clearance vehicles pose a special challenge. The factory jack point may be inaccessible. In this case, you may need a low-profile floor jack or a special adapter puck that fits over the jack saddle to reach the point without damaging side skirts. Planning for this scenario before it happens is essential.
Aftercare And Next Steps
Your job isn’t finished once the spare is on. Spare tires, especially compact “donut” spares, have severe limitations.
Spare Tire Limitations
Most temporary spare tires are designed for short-distance, low-speed travel only.
- Speed Limit: Typically 50 mph (80 km/h) or less. This is clearly marked on the tire sidewall.
- Distance Limit: Usually no more than 70 miles. The goal is to drive directly to a repair shop.
- Driving Feel: The car may handle differently. Avoid sharp turns and hard braking.
If you have a full-size spare, you can typically drive on it normally, but you should still get the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible to restore your complete spare set.
Getting Your Flat Tire Repaired
Visit a tire shop promptly. They can assess if the tire can be safely patched from the inside (a proper plug-patch repair) or if it needs to be replaced. Driving on an underinflated tire often ruins it beyond repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Jack My Car On The Side Of The Road?
Yes, but you must take extra precautions. Always pull completely off the roadway, use your hazard lights, and set up reflective triangles or flares well behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic. Your safety from other drivers is just as important as the mechanical safety of jacking the car.
What Is The Proper Way To Jack Up A Car?
The proper way involves a sequence: find a safe, level spot; chock the wheels; loosen lug nuts slightly; locate the manufacturer’s designated jack point; position the jack correctly; lift slowly until the tire clears the ground; finish removing the lug nuts and the tire. Never skip any of these steps.
How Do You Jack A Car For Beginners?
For beginners, the key is preparation. Read your owner’s manual in advance to find your jack points. Practice locating the points and assembling the jack in your driveway. Having a more experienced friend guide you through the first time can build confidence. Remember, going slow and checking each step is the mark of a careful driver, not an inexperienced one.
Where Should You Not Place A Jack Under A Car?
You should never place a jack under plastic body panels (like the bumper or side skirts), the engine oil pan, the transmission, the exhaust pipes (including the catalytic converter), or any part of the suspension, such as the control arms or axle. These components are not designed to bear the car’s weight and will bend or break.
Is It Safe To Jack A Car On A Slight Hill?
It is not recommended. Jacking on any incline increases the risk of the vehicle rolling or the jack tipping. Always seek the most level ground available. If you are on a significant hill and cannot move the car, it is safer to call for professional roadside assistance rather than risk an accident.