Using a car jack safely requires level ground, the parking brake engaged, and the vehicle placed on jack stands before any work underneath begins.
Getting a car up on a jack is a routine skill, but one wrong move means the vehicle drops hard. The procedure is straightforward when you follow the right order: prepare the car, locate the proper lifting points, raise it barely enough to clear the ground, and never trust the jack alone. Here is exactly how.
Preparation: What To Do Before Jacking
Park the car on solid, level concrete or pavement — soft ground like dirt or grass lets the jack sink. Hot asphalt also softens; if that is the only option, slide a metal plate or piece of plywood under the jack to spread the load. Set the parking brake, shift an automatic into Park, or put a manual transmission in first gear. Wedge a block, chunk of wood, or a brick under the tire on the opposite corner from where you are lifting — this stops any roll.
Now locate the jacking points. Every modern vehicle has reinforced notches on the frame rail, clearly marked in your owner’s manual. Never lift on the plastic rocker panel or the thin floor metal. The car has specific spots designed to take the weight.
Positioning The Jack And Lifting The Car
Set the jack vertically under the correct jacking point — the top of the jack must meet that reinforced notch straight up and down. If the jack leans, it can slip sideways under load. Slowly crank a scissor jack clockwise using the supplied handle, or pump a hydraulic floor jack by inserting the handle and working it up and down. Lift the tire just 2 to 3 inches off the pavement; raising it higher than needed makes the vehicle unstable. If you are choosing a jack to keep in your trunk, the compact scissor style is the most common factory choice, but a small hydraulic unit offers faster lifting.
Critical Step: Securing With Jack Stands
Never work under a car supported only by a jack — jacks can fail without warning. Immediately after lifting, slide jack stands under the same jacking points, lock them into place with their pin, screw, or pawl mechanism, and gently lower the car onto the stands. The vehicle’s full weight must rest on the stands, not the jack. Give the car a firm shove at the bumper; if anything wobbles or sways, the stands are not set right.
Only then is it safe to crawl underneath. No body part should go under the car while it is raised on the jack alone — even for a few seconds.
Lowering The Car And Safety Recap
To bring the car down, raise it slightly with the jack to take the weight off the stands, remove the stands, then lower the jack slowly. A scissor jack turns counterclockwise; a hydraulic jack opens a relief valve — turn it gently to avoid dropping the car. Remove the wheel blocks, store the jack, and make sure the parking brake still releases freely.
The two inviolable rules: level ground only, and jack stands before any work underneath.
| Mistake | What Can Happen | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Jacking on an incline | Vehicle rolls off the jack | Broken bones, crushed hands |
| Lifting on the rocker panel | Bent body metal, sudden slip | Vehicle drops unpredictably |
| Using a jack rated below the car’s weight | Jack collapses under load | Crush injury; the rated capacity must be legible and never exceeded |
| Skipping jack stands | Hydraulic seal fails or jack tips | The car lands on the person underneath |
| Jacking on hot asphalt without a plate | Jack sinks into softened pavement | Unstable lift, sudden tilt |
FAQs
Can I use a car jack on grass or dirt?
No. Soft ground lets the jack sink or tilt, making the vehicle unstable. Always jack on concrete, pavement, or a solid board wide enough to distribute the weight.
Where do I place jack stands on a car with no frame?
Use the reinforced pinch welds under the rocker panel or the factory jacking points. The owner’s manual shows the exact spots; stands must sit under those same points, not on the floor pan.
Is it safe to use a car jack without jack stands for a tire change?
No. Even a quick tire swap should use jack stands. A jack can fail from a sudden seal leak or a shift in the car’s weight. Stands cost little and prevent the vehicle from crushing you.
References & Sources
- Car and Driver. “How to Jack Up a Car.” Step-by-step guide covering preparation, lifting points, and safety checks.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “1926.305 — Jacks.” OSHA standard requiring rated capacity marking and prohibiting overload on jacks.