How to Use a Car Jack: A Step-by-Step Guide for Safe Lifting

Whether you’re tackling a flat tire or need to get under your car for essential maintenance like checking the exhaust system, knowing How To Use A Jack is a crucial skill for any car owner. Choosing the right jack and using it correctly ensures your safety and the integrity of your vehicle. This guide will walk you through the different types of car jacks available and provide a detailed, safe procedure for using them effectively.

Understanding Car Jacks: Types and When to Use Them

There are primarily two types of car jacks designed for home use: floor jacks and scissor jacks. While both serve the fundamental purpose of lifting your car, they have distinct features that make them suitable for different situations. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right tool for the job.

Floor Jacks: Power and Stability

Floor jacks, often referred to as trolley jacks, are a popular choice for home garages and workshops. They are characterized by their wheeled base, providing mobility, and a long handle that operates a hydraulic system for lifting. This hydraulic mechanism offers significant lifting power and stability, making floor jacks ideal for heavier vehicles and more frequent use.

Floor jacks are particularly useful for:

Regular car maintenance: Tasks like oil changes, brake pad replacements, and tire rotations are made easier and safer with a floor jack.
Lifting for jack stands: Floor jacks are perfect for raising your car to a suitable height for placing jack stands, which are essential for safely working underneath your vehicle.
Heavier vehicles: If you own a truck, SUV, or other heavy vehicle, a floor jack with an appropriate weight rating is necessary.

When selecting a floor jack, always verify that it is rated to handle the weight of your vehicle. This information can be found in your car’s owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb.

Scissor Jacks: Portability and Convenience

Scissor jacks are compact, lightweight, and highly portable, making them the go-to jack for roadside emergencies and tire changes on the go. Many car manufacturers even include a scissor jack as standard equipment with a spare tire. Their simple design prioritizes portability and ease of use in emergency situations.

Key features of scissor jacks include:

Compact and lightweight: Easy to store in your car’s trunk without taking up much space.
Simple operation: Utilizing a screw mechanism, they are straightforward to use, even for those with limited mechanical experience.
Emergency use: Ideal for quick tire changes on the side of the road.

While universal scissor jacks are available, some are designed specifically for certain car makes and models. This is because scissor jacks rely on designated lifting points on your car’s chassis, which vary between vehicles. Your owner’s manual will pinpoint these specific lifting points.

Choosing between a floor jack and a scissor jack depends on your needs. For routine maintenance and heavier lifting in a garage setting, a floor jack is the superior choice. For emergency tire changes and portability, a scissor jack is the more practical option.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use a Car Jack Safely

Regardless of the type of jack you use, safety is paramount. Before you begin, ensure your vehicle is parked on a level, stable surface, away from traffic. Engage the parking brake firmly and put the car in first gear (or “Park” for automatic transmissions) to prevent any rolling.

Preparing Your Vehicle

Before positioning the jack, take these crucial preparatory steps:

Locate your car’s lifting points: Consult your owner’s manual to identify the designated jacking points on your vehicle’s frame. These are reinforced areas designed to safely bear the car’s weight. Using incorrect lifting points can damage your car.
Gather necessary tools: Besides the jack, you may need wheel chocks for extra security (though not always necessary if the parking brake is firmly engaged), gloves, and a lug wrench if you are changing a tire.
Prepare the jack: For scissor jacks, ensure the handle is properly attached and ready for use. For floor jacks, check that the release valve is closed before you start pumping.

Using a Floor Jack: Detailed Steps

Position the jack: Carefully maneuver the floor jack so that the jack’s lifting pad is directly beneath the designated lifting point on your car’s chassis. Ensure the jack is stable and on a level surface.
Begin lifting: Slowly pump the jack handle to raise the lifting arm. As the pad approaches the car’s lifting point, double-check the alignment to ensure even weight distribution and prevent slippage.
Raise to desired height: Continue pumping the handle until the tire is raised sufficiently off the ground, or until you have enough clearance to work under the vehicle (if using jack stands).
Engage locking mechanism (if available): Many floor jacks have a locking mechanism to secure the jack arm at a specific height. Engage this lock for added safety, especially if you are working under the car.
Lowering the vehicle: To lower the car, locate the release valve on the floor jack (usually on the handle base). Slowly twist the valve to release the hydraulic pressure. Control the descent by carefully turning the valve; avoid opening it too quickly, which can cause a rapid and uncontrolled drop.

Using a Scissor Jack: Detailed Steps

Precise Positioning: Scissor jacks require accurate placement on the vehicle’s specified lifting points. Align the jack so that the base plate or cradle fits securely into the designated groove or area on the car’s undercarriage.
Attach and operate the handle: Insert the scissor jack handle and turn it in the direction indicated for “raise” or “R.” Crank the handle smoothly and steadily. As the jack contacts the car, re-verify the alignment.
Lift to required height: Continue cranking until the car is raised to the necessary height. Avoid over-extending the jack beyond its safe lifting range.
Handle removal (optional): Once the car is lifted, you can remove the handle to prevent tripping hazards or accidental knocks.
Lowering the vehicle: To lower the car, turn the handle in the opposite direction, usually marked “lower” or “L.” Crank slowly and steadily to lower the vehicle in a controlled manner until the wheel is back on the ground.

Utilizing Jack Stands for Enhanced Safety

For any work that requires you to go underneath your car, jack stands are absolutely essential. Jacks are designed for lifting, not for holding a car’s weight for extended periods. Jack stands provide a stable and secure support system, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

Here’s how to safely use jack stands in conjunction with your car jack:

Lift the vehicle with a jack: Use either a floor jack or scissor jack to raise your car to the desired height, following the steps outlined previously.
Position jack stands: Locate appropriate jack stand placement points on your car’s frame – these may be the same as the jacking points or slightly different; consult your owner’s manual. Place the jack stands securely under these points, ensuring they are on a level, stable surface.
Lower the car onto jack stands: Slowly and carefully lower the jack until the car’s weight is fully supported by the jack stands. Ensure the stands are firmly in place and bearing the load.
Verify stability: Gently rock the car to confirm that it is stable and securely supported by the jack stands before you begin working underneath.
Lowering from jack stands: To lower the car, use the jack to slightly lift the car off the jack stands. Remove the stands and then slowly lower the car completely using the jack. Repeat this process for each jack stand if you used multiple stands.

Essential Car Jack Safety Tips

Always use the parking brake and gear: This is the first line of defense against the car rolling while jacked.
Consult your owner’s manual: Your manual is the definitive guide to your car’s jacking points and weight specifications. Never guess or assume.
Use the right jack and jack stands: Ensure your jack and jack stands are rated for your vehicle’s weight. Overloading them is extremely dangerous.
Work on a level, hard surface: Avoid jacking on inclines, soft ground, or uneven surfaces. Solid concrete or asphalt is ideal.
Never go under a car supported only by a jack: Jacks can fail. Jack stands are non-negotiable for under-car work.
Take your time and be methodical: Rushing increases the risk of errors and accidents. Jacking should be a deliberate and careful process.
Regularly inspect your jack: Check for any signs of damage, wear, or leaks before each use. Maintain your jack according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Knowing how to use a jack safely and effectively is an essential part of responsible car ownership. By understanding the types of jacks, following proper procedures, and prioritizing safety, you can confidently handle tasks like tire changes and basic car maintenance at home or on the road.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information on how to use a car jack. Always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual and the jack manufacturer’s instructions for specific guidance and safety procedures. If you are unsure about any step, seek assistance from a qualified mechanic.