Buzz
If you're about to tackle maintenance tasks under your vehicle, relying solely on a car jack won't suffice; you need the stability of jack stands. These tools offer a robust foundation, effortlessly bearing the weight of your vehicle. Remember to position them securely at the designated spots on your vehicle's frame to prevent any slippage. Once your work is done, remove the stands, lower your vehicle, and you're ready to hit the road!
Steps
Raising Your Vehicle
Locate a flat, even surface for parking. Choose a spot that's smooth and level to ensure stability while working. Avoid elevating your vehicle in areas prone to unevenness, heavy traffic, or gravel. Confirm that both sides of your vehicle are uniformly positioned to prevent any accidental dislodging of the jack or stands.
- Opt for a garage or flat driveway for the safest lifting environment.
Engage Your Vehicle's Parking Brake. Locate the parking brake lever inside your vehicle and pull it until it's engaged. This prevents your vehicle from rolling while you lift it.
- Secure chocks or tire wedges around the wheels if you're raising the rear of your car. In the absence of tire wedges, 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) boards can be used in front of and behind the wheels.
Find a Suitable Position for Your Floor Jack. Opt for a hydraulic floor jack for the safest lifting operation. Slide the jack beneath your vehicle so that its arm is positioned under the vehicle's frame or designated lift point.
- Avoid using a scissor jack, which is less stable and intended only for emergencies such as tire changes.
- Refer to your vehicle's manual to identify the optimal jacking points.
Popular Jacking Spots on Your Vehicle
Look for tow hooks located at the front or rear of your vehicle.
Utilize the stabilizer bars positioned directly behind the wheels.
- Avoid raising your car higher than necessary to maintain stability on the jack.
Positioning the Jack Stands
Position the jack stand beneath your vehicle's pinch points. These points are typically located on the sides, behind the front tires, or in front of the rear tires. Slide the jack stand in from the side, ensuring alignment between the divot on the stand and the downward extension of the pinch point.
- If your vehicle lacks pinch points, place the jack stands under the frame instead.
- Do not crawl beneath the vehicle until the stands are securely in place.
Reminder: Verify your vehicle's weight in the manual or online resources. Ensure your jack stands can support this weight before use.
Adjust the height of the jack stand if necessary. If your stand is adjustable, lift its top until it touches the pinch point. Once adjusted, insert the safety pin through the hole at the base to secure it in place, preventing accidental collapse under the vehicle's weight.
- Always insert the safety pin to prevent potential accidents while working beneath the vehicle.
- If your stand cannot be adjusted, you can skip this step.
Lower your vehicle slowly onto the jack stand. Turn the lever on your floor jack counterclockwise to lower the vehicle gently. The jack stand will support the weight on the side of your vehicle, providing a safe working environment underneath. Remove the jack from beneath your vehicle.
- If there is ample space beneath the vehicle, retain the jack for additional security.
Test the stability of your vehicle. Give your vehicle a slight nudge to check if it moves or shifts its weight. The jack stand and your vehicle should remain stable when pushed. If there is any movement, avoid going beneath the vehicle and relocate the jack stand to a new position.
Add more jack stands to fully lift your vehicle off the ground. Continue raising each side of your vehicle and placing jack stands under the pinch points. Ensure the stands on opposite sides are aligned for stability. Once all necessary stands are in place, you can proceed with your work underneath the vehicle.
- Ensure any adjustable jack stands are adjusted to the same height to keep your vehicle level.
Removing the Stands
Elevate your vehicle 1 in (2.5 cm) above the jack stand. After completing your tasks, position your floor jack back beneath the vehicle, aligned with the original lifting point. Operate the lever to lift the vehicle, facilitating easy removal of the jack stand.
Retrieve the jack stand from the side of your vehicle. From the vehicle's side, reach underneath and slide out the jack stand. Avoid crawling beneath the front or rear of the vehicle during this process, as it is only supported by the jack.
- Do not adjust the stand's height until it is clear of the vehicle.
Lower the jack until your vehicle rests on the ground. Turn the floor jack lever counterclockwise to gradually lower the vehicle. Once the tires make contact with the ground, remove the jack from beneath the vehicle.
- Keep the floor jack lever close to the ground to prevent interference with the vehicle's underside.
Continue lifting your vehicle and removing the stands until all are removed. Position your jack under the designated lift points and lift each side of your vehicle as necessary to remove additional jack stands. If you've lifted your vehicle entirely, remove the front stands before the rear ones.
Tips
Warnings
- Never go under your vehicle without jack stands. Car jacks may slip, causing the vehicle to fall.
- Ensure your parking brake is engaged and wheels are chocked to prevent the vehicle from rolling during jacking.
- This article provides general answers to common questions about this topic and may not apply to all vehicles. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for maintenance intervals and specifications. If unsure about repairs, seek assistance from a certified automotive technician.
Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
