The car needs to be raised to perform a wide range of maintenance jobs, from replacing brake pads to replacing a tire. Unless you have access to a hydraulic bridge similar to what you can see in the mechanic's workshop, you need to use a jack. This device is generally easy to use, but some safety precautions must be taken, especially if you plan to work under the body; luckily, it is enough to follow some common sense rules.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Take Safety Precautions
If you cannot meet these safety conditions or are unsure how to proceed in the situation you are in, ask for help.
Step 1. Park the car on a hard, level surface
A car that slips or falls off the jack is extremely dangerous for you and others; to prevent this from happening, always work on a level surface away from other vehicles or distractions. Also check that the parking spot is hard and sturdy so that the jack does not move or buckle as you maneuver around the car.
The concrete driveway or garage away from the road are great examples. The courtyard is a bad solution; even if flat, the ground may not be solid enough to hold a car
Step 2. Chock the wheels
They are wedge-shaped blocks made of metal and rubber that prevent the tires from moving; fit them in front of each wheel that is on the opposite side of the one you lift.
If you don't have wedges, you can use bricks, cinder blocks, large pebbles, or wedge-shaped pieces of wood
Step 3. Make sure the car is parked
Apply the parking brake and check that the shift lever is in position "P" (for automatic transmission) or in first gear (for manual transmission).
Step 4. If conditions aren't optimal, take extra precautions
As previously described, the advice given in this section is intended to protect you and others from jacking or vehicle falls; if you cannot guarantee these conditions and you absolutely have to lift the car, follow these guidelines to make the work safer:
- If you are working on a soft or uneven surface such as roadside dirt, find a flat, sturdy piece of wood to create a stable platform for the jack.
- If you have to lift the car on a slightly inclined road, park near the curb and direct the wheels towards it, so that they touch it; in this way, you avoid that the car, falling out of control from the jack, can hit other people;
- Likewise, if you have nothing to lock your wheels, steer towards the curb;
- Never lift the car to the side of the road. If you need to do this near traffic, turn on the hazard lights and place the warning triangle at the appropriate distance. If you have roadside flares, cones, or other signaling tools, use them to steer other cars away from you.
Part 2 of 2: Raise the Car
Step 1. Find the anchor point
Most vehicles have several support points along the perimeter of the body that are used to lift the car. If you anchor the jack in a different area, the weight of the car could damage the frame or, worse, cause the vehicle to fall off the support. Fortunately, the use and maintenance manual almost always reports the position of the anchors.
- Usually, these areas are found along the flanks just behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels; they are often close to the panel that protects the underside of the doors.
- Sometimes, there are two more center anchors behind the front and rear bumpers.
- If you don't know where to jack, look for a piece of flat metal on the pillar weld (the one that runs along the side of the vehicle behind the doors); There should also be notches that fit snugly over the top of the jack, an opening along the plastic skirt that exposes the metal, or a sturdy plastic block attached to the frame. There may also be "jack" lettering on the underbody.
Step 2. Slide the jack under the anchor
Slip it under the reinforced stitch you just found; you don't have to line it up perfectly, but you have to slide it until it touches the vehicle.
Check that the correct side is facing up. If you do not find the arrow indicating the right direction for using the tool, consult the instruction manual looking for explanatory graphics. Usually, the jack has a wider flat base and a smaller arm pointing upwards; the latter is equipped with "teeth" that fit into the chassis of the car
Step 3. Jack to raise the car
The precise way to operate depends on the model at your disposal; as the upper arm of the jack approaches the car, make last minute adjustments to align it with the anchor point.
- Parallelogram jack: it is a device with two metal plates joined by a rhomboid mechanism. One side of the jack has a hole connected to the main operating screw. Insert the bar included in the package inside the hole and rotate it to bring the sides of the jack inwards, at the same time moving the upper plate away from the base; by doing so you lift the vehicle.
- Hydraulic jack: it is also called "bottle". It features a metal base with a lever-like device that extends to one side. You should notice a side slot in which to insert the rod included in the package; raise and lower the crank with long motions to pump hydraulic fluid into the cylinder while lifting the car.
Step 4. Lift the car off the ground
When the jack makes contact with the underbody, it becomes more difficult to maneuver. Keep working to raise the jack until you notice that a corner of the vehicle leaves the ground; stop when you have enough space to perform maintenance. For common jobs, such as replacing a tire, just a few centimeters are enough.
- Pay attention to any abnormal sounds or movements during operations. It is quite common to hear a "pop" or other dull sound as the jack moves slightly; should it happen, inspect it to make sure it hasn't come out of the anchor point before continuing.
- While lifting the machine, make sure that no part of your body is under the body; although unlikely, you could be seriously damaged or even die if the car slips off the jack at this stage.
Step 5. If you are going to work under the hoop, use easels
Whenever you have to perform operations that require any part of the body to be under the vehicle, you must have the support of jack stands or jacks. These supports offer a wider and safer support base for the weight of the car than normal jacks. Working under the car without jack stands is dangerous. Read this article for further instructions; generally, the tripods are used in the following way:
- Slide two trestles under the frame near the jack that is supporting its weight; line them up with the upright weld or anchor point and lift them up until they almost touch the underbody. Slowly lower the jack until the car rests on the jack stands.
- If you do not have to work under the frame (for example, you only need to change a tire), you can also proceed without jacks; just make sure that no part of the body remains under the vehicle.
Step 6. Return the vehicle to the ground when finished
At this point, you can perform any maintenance that the vehicle needs; when you are done, gradually lower the jack, remove it and put it away. If you have used jack stands, you must first lift the machine slightly to take them out and then bring them back to the ground. Here's how to do it:
- Parallelogram jack: insert the bar into the main screw hole and turn it in the opposite direction to the one you followed to lift the vehicle.
- Hydraulic jack: open the release valve to allow the fluid to escape from the cylinder, thus lowering the vehicle. Typically, the valve has a small locked screw attached to the lever; remember to open it slowly to prevent the car from falling suddenly.
Advice
- The jack is only used to raise and lower the car and not to keep it suspended while you work under the body; if you have to put any part of your body under the vehicle, you should definitely use jack stands.
- If you are changing a tire, unscrew the nuts slightly before raising the vehicle; otherwise, the wheel turns as you try to loosen the bolts, making the job much more complicated.
- To check the strength of the jack or jack stands before going under the body or removing any wheels, use your body weight to rock the suspended car slightly. It is definitely better for the car to slip off the mounts before you start work, rather than after!
- Keep your jack and wheel chocks in the trunk so you always have them available when you need them.
