Learning how to jack up the car is a fundamental skill for any driver. Safety is the absolute priority when you need to get underneath your vehicle for any reason. Whether you’re changing a flat tire, rotating your wheels, or performing basic maintenance, doing it correctly prevents serious injury and vehicle damage. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure you can lift your car safely and confidently every time.
How To Jack Up The Car
Before you even touch the jack, proper preparation is crucial. Rushing this process is the most common mistake. Taking a few minutes to get ready will make the entire job safer and smoother.
Gather The Necessary Equipment
You will need a few specific tools. Using the right equipment is non-negotiable for safety.
- Car Jack: The scissor or bottle jack that came with your vehicle is only for emergency tire changes. For any other work, a sturdy hydraulic floor jack is highly recommended.
- Jack Stands: You must never work under a car supported only by a jack. You need at least two robust jack stands rated for your vehicle’s weight.
- Wheel Chocks: These are wedges placed against the tires to prevent the car from rolling.
- Work Gloves and Safety Glasses: Protect your hands from sharp edges and your eyes from falling debris.
- Owner’s Manual: Your vehicle’s manual has vital information on jacking points and weight specifications.
Find A Safe And Level Workspace
Never attempt to jack up a car on a slope, soft ground, or uneven surface. A level, paved driveway or garage floor is ideal. Ensure the area is well-lit and free of obstacles. Turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights to alert others if you’re working near a roadway, though this is not recommended.
Prepare The Vehicle
Follow these steps to secure the car before lifting.
- Park the car completely, put the transmission in “Park” (or first gear for a manual), and engage the parking brake firmly.
- Place wheel chocks. If you’re lifting the rear, chock the front wheels. If lifting the front, chock the rear wheels. Use bricks or heavy wood blocks if you don’t have commercial chocks.
- Remove any heavy items from the trunk or cabin to reduce the vehicle’s weight.
Locate The Correct Jacking Points
This is the most critical step. Lifting from the wrong spot can cause severe damage to your car’s frame, body panels, or undercarriage.
Official Jack Points
Your owner’s manual will show the specific jack points designed by the manufacturer. For most modern unibody cars, these are reinforced metal seams or tabs located just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels. They are often marked with a small notch or symbol on the rocker panel.
Emergency Jack Points
The jack that comes with your car typically interfaces with a specific point on the vehicle’s pinch weld or a dedicated slot. Only use this point with the provided jack during a tire change.
Lifting With A Floor Jack
A floor jack requires a different, more central point. Look for the vehicle’s front crossmember, rear differential (for rear-wheel drive), or dedicated front and rear central jacking pads. Again, consult your manual. Never place a floor jack under the engine oil pan, transmission, or any suspension component.
Step-By-Step Lifting Procedure
With your car prepared and your equipment ready, you can now begin the lifting process. Follow these steps in order without skipping any.
Position The Jack And Lift Slowly
- Place the floor jack or scissor jack under the correct jack point. Ensure the jack’s saddle (the lifting pad) is centered and making solid contact with the metal.
- Double-check that the jack’s release valve is closed (turned clockwise).
- Begin pumping the jack handle or lever smoothly. Watch the jack’s contact point and the vehicle as it rises. The car should lift evenly without tilting or binding.
- Lift only until the tire clears the ground by about one to two inches for a tire change. For placing jack stands, you will need to lift higher.
Place Jack Stands Immediately
Never, ever rely on the jack alone to hold the vehicle while you work. As soon as the car is high enough, slide the jack stands into position.
- Position the jack stands under a secure, load-bearing part of the vehicle’s frame or a dedicated jack stand point. This is often near the official jack points but on a sturdier section of frame rail.
- Adjust the stand’s height so it fits snugly before lowering the car onto it. Lock the stand’s pin or ratchet mechanism securely.
- Slowly lower the jack by carefully opening the release valve, allowing the car’s weight to settle onto the jack stand. You should hear a solid “clunk” as it takes the weight.
- Give the car a gentle shake with your hands to test the stability of the jack stand. It should not wobble or shift.
The Final Safety Check
Before you go underneath, perform this last vital check. Place the removed wheel and tire under the vehicle’s rocker panel, next to the jack stand. This acts as a final safety block in the unlikely event that both the jack and stand fail. It could save your life.
Lowering The Car Safely
Lowering the car is just as important as lifting it. Reversing the process carefully prevents sudden drops that can damage your vehicle or equipment.
Reverse The Process
- Remove any tools or your safety wheel from under the car.
- Pump the jack slightly so it just begins to take the weight off the jack stand.
- Unlock and remove the jack stand, sliding it clear of the vehicle.
- Slowly open the jack’s release valve with controlled pressure, lowering the car all the way to the ground.
- Once the car is fully down, remove the jack from underneth it.
- Finally, remove the wheel chocks and stow all your equipment.
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Being aware of frequent errors helps you steer clear of them. Here are the pitfalls you must avoid.
Using Only The Jack For Support
This cannot be overstated. Hydraulic jacks can leak and fail suddenly. Jack stands are inexpensive, essential lifesaving tools.
Jacking On Unsuitable Surfaces
Grass, dirt, or gravel can shift or compress. Always use a solid, level surface. If you have a flat on a soft shoulder, drive very slowly to the nearest firm, flat area if it is safe to do so.
Incorrect Jack Point Placement
Lifting from a door sill, plastic trim, or a suspension arm can cause thousands of dollars in damage. If you are unsure, stop and find the information in your manual.
Rushing The Process
Taking shortcuts is the enemy of safety. Follow each step methodically, double-checking your work as you go. A calm, patient approach is the safest one.
FAQ Section
Can I Use Any Jack For My Car?
No. You must use a jack with a weight capacity exceeding your vehicle’s gross weight. Check your car’s manual or door jamb sticker for the weight, and ensure your jack and stands are rated higher.
Where Do You Put The Jack To Lift The Whole Front Of The Car?
To lift the entire front end, you need a central front jack point, typically the front crossmember or a specific pad. Use a floor jack on this point, lift until both wheels are off the ground, and then support each side with a jack stand on the proper side jack points.
How Do You Jack Up A Car To Change A Tire?
Follow the basic steps: park on level ground, chock wheels, loosen lug nuts slightly, use the vehicle’s provided jack on the designated emergency jack point, lift until the tire clears, remove the flat, install the spare, lower, and tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
Is It Safe To Jack Up A Car On The Side Of The Road?
It carries significant risk due to traffic and often poor surface conditions. Your safety is the priority. If you are on a busy highway or in a dangerous spot, it is often safer to call for roadside assistance. If you must proceed, use extreme caution, turn on hazard lights, and place reflective triangles if you have them.
What Is The Difference Between A Jack Point And A Jack Stand Point?
The jack point is designed for the small contact area of a lifting jack. A jack stand point is a broader, more robust area of the frame or subframe meant to safely hold the vehicle’s weight distributed over the stand’s larger saddle. They are often close together but not always the same spot.