How To Use Car Jack

Knowing how to use a car jack is a fundamental skill for any driver. Whether you’re facing a flat tire or need to perform basic maintenance, doing it safely is paramount. Positioning your car jack on a solid, level surface is the foundation of a safe lift. This guide will walk you through every step, from preparation to lowering your vehicle, ensuring you can handle this task with confidence.

Using a car jack correctly involves more than just finding a spot and cranking. It’s a systematic process that prioritizes your safety and prevents damage to your vehicle. The following sections provide a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the entire procedure.

Understanding Different Types Of Car Jacks

Before you begin, it’s crucial to identify the type of jack you have. Using the wrong one or using it incorrectly can lead to accidents.

Scissor Jacks

This is the most common type found in car trunks. It’s compact, lightweight, and operates by turning a screw thread with a provided rod or handle. They are designed for emergency tire changes and have a relatively low weight capacity. Always ensure the screw mechanism is clean and well-lubricated.

Hydraulic Floor Jacks

Often used in garages, these jacks use hydraulic fluid to lift heavier loads with minimal effort via a long pump handle. They roll on wheels and have a greater lift range. They are not typically carried with the vehicle but are essential for home mechanics. Never use a hydraulic jack as the sole support for a vehicle you are working under.

Bottle Jacks

Shaped like a bottle, these compact hydraulic jacks offer a high lift capacity for their size. They are stable but have a smaller lifting range and base compared to floor jacks. They are common with trucks and SUVs. Their small footprint makes proper placement on a solid surface even more critical.

Hi-Lift (Farm) Jacks

These are heavy-duty, manual jacks used primarily for off-road vehicles. They can lift from a bumper, wheel, or frame and are versatile but require significant skill and caution to operate safely. They are not suitable for standard passenger vehicles.

Essential Safety Gear And Preparations

Gathering the right equipment before you start is non-negotiable. Rushing this step is a common cause of incidents.

Wheel Chocks: These blocks wedge against the tires to prevent the car from rolling. Use them on the wheel diagonally opposite from the one you’re lifting.
Jack Stands: These are the most important safety item after the jack itself. A jack is for lifting; jack stands are for supporting. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Gloves: Protect your hands from grease, sharp edges, and hot components.
Safety Glasses: Shield your eyes from falling debris or brake dust.
Flat, Level, and Solid Surface: Asphalt or concrete is ideal. Never jack on dirt, gravel, grass, or an incline.
Owner’s Manual: Always consult it first for your vehicle’s specific jack points and any warnings.

Locating Your Vehicle’s Proper Jack Points

This is perhaps the most critical step. Lifting from the wrong spot can cause severe damage to the vehicle’s frame, body panels, or undercarriage components.

Primary Jack Points For Lifting

These are the reinforced metal sections designed by the manufacturer to handle the entire weight of the car. They are usually located just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels. In many modern cars, they are marked by a small notch or groove in the side sill. Your owner’s manual will have exact diagrams.

Pinch Weld Jack Points

Many unibody vehicles have a reinforced seam of metal running along the side, known as the pinch weld. This is a common jack point for scissor jacks. Some jacks have a groove to cradle this seam. Be careful not to crush or distort it.

Differential And Axle Housing Points

For some rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the center of the rear differential can be a safe lift point for the rear end. However, this is not universal. Always check your manual, as some differential covers are made of aluminum and can crack.

Frame Rails And Crossmembers

On trucks and older body-on-frame vehicles, the solid frame rails are strong jack points. Avoid lifting on suspension components, oil pans, fuel tanks, or exhaust parts, as this will cause damage.

Step-By-Step Guide To Jacking Up Your Car

Follow these steps in order every single time you need to lift your vehicle.

Park On A Safe Surface: Pull over to a level, hard surface away from traffic. Turn the engine off, engage the parking brake firmly, and put the car in “Park” (automatic) or first gear (manual).
Chock The Wheels: Place wheel chocks against the tire diagonally opposite from the one you’ll be lifting. For example, if changing the front right tire, chock the rear left tire. If you have two chocks, use both on the opposite axle.
Prepare The Jack And Tools: Remove the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench from the trunk. Assemble the jack handle if necessary. Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire by about a quarter to a half turn while the car is still on the ground. Do not remove them completely yet.
Position The Jack Correctly: Consult your manual and locate the correct jack point nearest to the tire you’re working on. Carefully position the base of the jack directly under that point. Ensure the jack is sitting flat and is not tilted.
Lift The Vehicle Slowly: Begin pumping the jack handle or turning the screw. Lift smoothly until the flat tire is about 2-3 inches off the ground. You do not need to lift it excessively high. Pause frequently to check that the jack is remaining stable and the vehicle is not slipping.
Place Jack Stands Immediately: Once the car is high enough, slide a jack stand under a secure, reinforced point near the jack. The stand should be rated for your vehicle’s weight. Adjust its height so it fits snugly, then lower the jack slightly until the vehicle’s weight rests fully on the stand. For added safety, you can use a second stand under another point.
Complete Your Work: You can now fully remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Install the spare tire and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure the wheel sits evenly.
Lower The Vehicle Safely: Carefully raise the jack just enough to take the weight off the jack stand, then remove the stand. Slowly lower the jack all the way until the tire is firmly on the ground. Now, use the wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts in the star pattern one final time.
Final Checks: Remove the wheel chocks and stow all equipment. Check the pressure on your spare tire as soon as possible.

Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Awareness of these frequent errors can prevent accidents and damage.

Jacking On Unsafe Ground: Soft ground can cause the jack to sink and tip. Always find pavement or concrete.
Using The Jack As Permanent Support: Jacks can fail or settle. Jack stands are the only safe support for working under a car.
Lifting From A Plastic Bumper Or Rocker Panel: This will instantly crack and damage bodywork. Find the metal jack points.
Not Chocking The Wheels: The car can roll off the jack, especially when loosening lug nuts.
Over-Lifting The Vehicle: Lifting higher than necessary increases instability and risk.
Ignoring The Jack’s Weight Rating: Ensure your jack and stands are rated for your vehicle’s gross weight.

Special Considerations For Different Situations

Using A Jack On A Soft Shoulder

If you have a flat on a soft shoulder, you must move the vehicle to solid ground, even if it means driving carefully on the flat tire for a short distance to the next exit or parking lot. Driving a short distance on a deflated tire is preferable to the extreme danger of jacking on gravel or dirt.

Jacking Up A Truck Or SUV

Heavier vehicles require extra caution. Ensure your jack and stands have a high enough weight capacity. The jack points may be higher off the ground, so a bottle jack or floor jack with a greater lift range may be needed. The vehicle’s center of gravity is higher, so stability during the lift is crucial.

What To Do If The Jack Fails Or Slips

If the vehicle starts to fall, get away from it immediately. Do not try to catch it or hold it up. Once it has settled, assess the situation. If you are on a roadside, it is safest to call for professional roadside assistance. Do not attempt to use a damaged jack.

Maintenance And Care For Your Car Jack

To ensure your jack works when you need it, perform occasional maintenance.

Keep it clean and free of dirt and debris that could jam the mechanism.
For scissor jacks, lightly lubricate the screw thread with a dry lubricant like graphite powder.
For hydraulic jacks, check for fluid leaks and ensure the release valve turns smoothly.
Store it securely in your trunk to prevent it from bouncing around and becoming damaged.
Test it in your driveway occasionally to ensure it operates correctly before an emergency arises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Any Jack On Any Car?

No, you cannot. You must use a jack with a weight capacity that exceeds your vehicle’s gross weight. The jack also needs to physically fit under your vehicle’s jack points and have enough lift range to raise the tire off the ground. Always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Where Is The Best Place To Put A Jack Under A Car?

The best place is always at the manufacturer-specified jack points. These are detailed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. They are typically reinforced sections of the frame or pinch welds along the side sills. Never guess where to place the jack.

How Do You Jack Up A Car To Change All Four Tires?

To change all four tires, you need to support the entire vehicle securely. This requires using four jack stands. You would lift one corner at a time, placing a stand under each designated point before moving to the next. A quality hydraulic floor jack makes this process faster, but safety stands remain essential.

Is It Safe To Jack Up A Car On An Incline?

It is strongly discouraged and very dangerous. Jacking on an incline significantly increases the risk of the vehicle rolling or the jack tipping. Always seek a level surface. If you cannot find one, call for professional help rather than risking a serious accident.

What Should I Do If My Car Jack Won’t Lift?

First, check that the release valve on a hydraulic jack is fully closed. Ensure the jack is properly positioned under a solid jack point. If a scissor jack won’t turn, the screw thread may be rusted or jammed; try applying a penetrating lubricant. If the jack is broken or fails to lift, do not force it. Use another jack or call for assistance.