Changing a flat tire, inspecting suspension components, or performing brake work all require lifting your vehicle safely off the ground. Knowing how to use a car jack properly protects you from serious injury and prevents damage to your vehicle.
This guide explains the types of jacks you’ll encounter, where to position them, how to lift your car correctly, and the critical safety steps that keep you safe while working beneath or around a raised vehicle.
What Is the Correct Way to Use a Car Jack?
Position your vehicle on firm, level ground and engage the parking brake. Locate the manufacturer-specified jack points in your owner’s manual, place the jack securely under the correct lifting point, raise the vehicle slowly while checking stability, then immediately install rated jack stands before working under the car.
Types of Car Jacks
Most vehicles come with a scissor jack or bottle jack stored in the trunk or under the cargo floor. These compact emergency jacks are designed to lift one corner of the vehicle for roadside tire changes, not for extended repairs or working underneath.
Floor jacks are wheeled hydraulic jacks commonly used in garages and shops. They offer faster lifting, greater stability, and easier positioning than emergency jacks, making them safer for regular maintenance work.
Bottle jacks use a vertical hydraulic cylinder and provide high lifting capacity in a compact size. They work well for trucks and SUVs but require a stable base and careful centering under the lift point.
Each jack type has a weight rating stamped on the label. Never exceed this rating, and always verify that the jack capacity exceeds the weight of the corner or end of your vehicle you’re lifting.
Safety Preparation Before Lifting
Park on the most level, solid surface available. Asphalt, concrete, and compacted gravel work well, while soft dirt, grass, mud, or sloped driveways create serious tipping hazards.
Shift an automatic transmission into Park or a manual transmission into first gear or reverse. Engage the parking brake firmly.
Place wheel chocks on both sides of the wheels that will remain on the ground. If you’re lifting the front, chock the rear wheels, and vice versa.
Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you plan to remove before lifting the vehicle. Trying to break loose tight lug nuts while the car is suspended on a jack can cause it to fall.
Locating the Correct Jack Points
Your owner’s manual contains a diagram showing the factory-approved jack points for your specific make and model. These reinforced areas of the frame or unibody are designed to handle the concentrated lifting force without bending or cracking.
Common jack points include reinforced rocker panel sections, front and rear crossmembers, frame rails, and designated lift pads. Many vehicles have molded notches, arrows, or raised pads that mark these locations.
Never place a jack under plastic body panels, exhaust components, oil pans, transmission cases, suspension arms, or other parts not designed as lift points. Doing so causes expensive damage and creates a collapse hazard.
If your vehicle has plastic rocker panel covers or aero shields, you may need to remove them or use a jack adapter to reach the metal lift point underneath. Consult your service manual if the lift points are not obvious.
Jack Points for Different Lift Scenarios
To lift one corner for a tire change, use the single-wheel jack point nearest that wheel. To lift the entire front or rear, position a floor jack under the center crossmember or differential housing if your manual permits it.
Lifting both sides simultaneously requires a floor jack with sufficient capacity and proper centering. Always verify that your owner’s manual or service information approves this method for your vehicle.
How to Operate a Scissor Jack
Extend the scissor jack partially by turning the threaded rod with the provided crank or lug wrench. Position the saddle or lift pad directly under the jack point.
Turn the crank clockwise to raise the vehicle slowly. Watch the contact area to ensure the jack remains centered and the saddle does not slip off the lift point.
Stop lifting once the tire clears the ground by one to two inches. Do not raise the vehicle higher than necessary with a scissor jack, as stability decreases with height.
Install a rated jack stand immediately if you need to work under the vehicle. Emergency scissor jacks are not designed to support a vehicle for extended periods or to work beneath.
How to Operate a Floor Jack
Check the hydraulic fluid level and inspect the jack for leaks, cracks, or bent components before use. A damaged floor jack can fail without warning.
Position the saddle under the lift point and pump the handle smoothly. Most floor jacks have a release valve that must be fully closed (turned clockwise) before the jack will rise.
Raise the vehicle slowly, pausing to verify that the saddle remains centered and the jack is not tilting. If the jack begins to lean or the saddle slips, lower the vehicle immediately, reposition, and start again.
Once the vehicle reaches the desired height, place rated jack stands under the appropriate support points. Lower the vehicle gently onto the stands by slowly turning the release valve counterclockwise.
Using Jack Stands Safely
Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Hydraulic seals fail, release valves leak, scissor mechanisms collapse, and jacks tip over. Jack stands provide the stable, redundant support necessary for safe underbody work.
Choose jack stands rated for at least the weight of your vehicle’s lifted end. Most passenger cars require stands rated for 3,000 to 6,000 pounds per pair, while trucks and SUVs need higher capacity.
Adjust the stand height to match the lift, lock the support posts securely, and position the saddles under frame rails, axles, or other solid structural points approved by your service manual. Avoid placing stands under suspension components that move or flex.
After lowering the vehicle onto the stands, give the car a firm shake from multiple angles to verify stability. Add a slight additional lift with the jack, then remove and reposition any stand that wobbles or shifts.
Redundant Safety Measures
Leave the jack in place under the lift point with light contact after transferring weight to the stands. This provides a backup if a stand fails.
Place the removed wheel and tire flat on the ground under the rocker panel or frame rail as an additional obstacle. This added barrier can reduce injury if the vehicle falls.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Lifting on soft or sloped ground allows the jack to sink, tilt, or slide. Always find the firmest, most level spot available, even if it means pushing the vehicle a few feet.
Failing to chock the opposite wheels lets the vehicle roll off the jack. Use proper wheel chocks, not bricks, wood blocks, or stones that can crumble or slip.
Rushing the lift or pumping a floor jack too quickly reduces your ability to notice instability. Raise the vehicle slowly and check alignment continuously.
Using a jack or stands with insufficient weight rating creates a catastrophic failure risk. Verify capacity labels and add a safety margin for heavy trucks, loaded cargo, or aftermarket equipment.
Positioning the jack under plastic, glass, aluminum body panels, or unprotected edges crushes components and allows the saddle to slip. Only lift from designated steel or reinforced lift points.
Lowering the Vehicle Safely
Remove tools, parts, and yourself from under the vehicle. Verify that nothing will be pinched or crushed as the suspension compresses and the tires contact the ground.
If you used jack stands, lift the vehicle slightly with the jack to unload the stands, remove the stands, then lower the jack slowly. Keep your hands and feet clear of pinch points.
Guide the vehicle down smoothly by controlling the release valve or crank. Do not allow the car to drop suddenly, as this can damage suspension components and shift the jack.
Once all tires are on the ground, remove the jack and wheel chocks. If you changed a tire, tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specified torque in a star or cross pattern with a torque wrench.
When to Use Professional Equipment
Jobs requiring access to multiple lift points simultaneously, extended time under the vehicle, or removal of heavy components like transmissions or subframes call for a hydraulic lift or four-post lift in a professional shop. These tools provide full undercarriage access, stable support, and ergonomic working height.
Brake work, suspension replacement, exhaust repairs, and underbody rust inspection are safer and faster on a proper lift. Attempting these jobs with a single floor jack and stands increases fatigue, limits access, and raises injury risk.
Special Considerations for Different Vehicles
Low-clearance sports cars may require a low-profile floor jack to fit under the front lip or side skirts. Standard jacks often cannot slide beneath these vehicles even on level ground.
Trucks and SUVs with high ground clearance need taller jack stands and greater lift range. Verify that your equipment can extend high enough to provide safe working clearance.
Electric vehicles and hybrids often have high-voltage battery packs mounted under the floor. Some manufacturers specify different jack points or prohibit lifting in certain areas to avoid damaging the battery case or piercing the protective enclosure. Always consult the EV-specific service information before lifting.
Vehicles with air suspension may need to be placed in a jack mode or have the suspension disabled before lifting. Consult your owner’s manual for the correct procedure.
Maintaining Your Jack and Stands
Inspect hydraulic jacks annually for fluid leaks, bent components, and smooth operation. Replace seals and fluid according to the manufacturer’s schedule or when you notice slow lifting or drift.
Clean scissor jacks and lubricate the threads and pivot points to prevent rust and binding. Store emergency jacks in a dry location to avoid corrosion.
Examine jack stands for cracks, bent posts, damaged locking pins, and worn saddles. Discard any stand showing structural damage or unreliable locking.
Store jacks and stands in a stable position where they will not tip over or create a tripping hazard. Keep them away from corrosive chemicals, extreme heat, and moisture.
Roadside Emergency Jacking
If you must change a tire on the roadside, pull as far off the pavement as possible and activate your hazard lights. Place warning triangles or flares behind the vehicle if you have them.
Avoid jacking on the shoulder of a busy highway whenever possible. Call for roadside assistance or a tow to a safer location if conditions are hazardous.
If you must proceed, follow all the same safety steps: firm ground, parking brake, wheel chocks, correct jack point, and minimal lift height. Complete the tire change as quickly as safety allows and leave the area.
Never crawl under a vehicle supported only by an emergency jack at the roadside. Inspect or retrieve dropped items only after lowering the car or calling for professional help.
Legal and Liability Considerations
Some jurisdictions prohibit vehicle repairs on public streets or require permits for work in driveways visible from the road. Check local ordinances if you plan to perform maintenance at home.
Landlords, homeowners associations, and apartment complexes may restrict vehicle repair activities. Review your lease or community rules before jacking your car in shared spaces.
If you lend your jack or stands to another person, verify that they understand safe operation. Injuries caused by borrowed equipment can create liability questions and insurance complications.
Knowing When Professional Service Is Needed
Jobs involving brake system repairs, steering components, suspension replacement, frame straightening, or fuel system work require specialized tools, technical knowledge, and often certification. Attempting these repairs without proper training creates serious safety risks for you and other road users.
If you are uncomfortable with any step of the jacking process, lack the necessary equipment, or cannot find a safe lifting location, contact a qualified mechanic or mobile repair service. Professional service costs are modest compared to the risk of injury or vehicle damage.
Practical Steps to Get Started
Using a car jack safely requires the right equipment, correct positioning, and disciplined attention to stability and support. Following manufacturer lift points, installing rated jack stands, and preparing a stable work surface protect you from the preventable accidents that injure thousands of home mechanics every year.
Before your next tire change or maintenance task, locate your owner’s manual, inspect your jack and stands, and practice the lifting process on level ground. Taking these steps now builds the confidence and skill that keep you safe when you need to get under your vehicle.
For more guidance on vehicle maintenance, safety, and ownership, explore additional helpful articles on our site covering a wide range of automotive topics.