How to Use the Jack Inside the Car?
4 Answers
Here are the steps to use the jack inside the car: 1. Open the jack, with the top being the support part and the bottom being the base; 2. Place the base downward and the support part against the car's chassis, then insert the jack into the gap between the chassis and the ground; 3. Use the wheel hub bolt wrench as a lever and simply turn it. Additional information: 1. There are two types of vehicle jacks: one is the rack jack, and the other is the screw jack. When using the jack, the following points should be noted: secure the vehicle properly; take safety warning measures; ensure the base of the jack is fixed; pay attention to the maximum load capacity of the jack; align with the chassis support points of the vehicle.
Last time I changed a tire myself, I studied the proper use of a jack. First, park the car on a hard, flat surface, engage the handbrake, and shift into P gear, then place rocks in front of and behind the tire. Locate the marked lifting points on the chassis—never jack on plastic panels or oil lines. Insert the lever into the jack and turn slowly; a clicking sound means it's engaged. Lift the car gradually in small increments—raising it too high risks slipping. Two fingers' clearance is enough to fit the spare. Remember, the jack is only temporary support; never put your body under the car during the process. After changing the tire, lower the car by turning counterclockwise, then tighten the lug nuts diagonally with full body strength. The onboard jack has limited capacity—for off-road vehicles, a 2-ton+ hydraulic jack is recommended.
As a female driver with ten years of experience, I was all thumbs when using a jack for the first time. Remember to gather all the tools first: place the triangular warning sign 50 meters behind the car, and wear gloves for grip and hand protection. Lift the trunk mat, and the jack is usually tied together with the spare tire. The most crucial step is to locate the triangular symbol on the metal beam of the chassis—the lifting point for my SUV is about ten centimeters below the door. Always keep the jack perpendicular to the ground during operation; tilting it might scratch the side skirts. I’ll never forget the scare when the car suddenly wobbled because I forgot to chock the wheels with a tire block while changing the tire. I recommend beginners practice in the garage first and never attempt roadside operations in the rain.
Over the years in auto repair, I've seen too many wrong operations. Before jacking up a car, empty all heavy items inside, and it's safest when the fuel level is below a quarter. For sedans, the jacking point is 20 cm behind the front wheels, while for pickups, check the inner side of the frame. With a manual screw jack, tighten the pressure relief valve clockwise and lift no more than 5 cm at a time. Just ensure the tire is high enough for replacement, and remember to place the spare tire underneath as a safety measure. When lowering the car, first place the spare tire against the brake disc, secure two bolts, then remove the jack. Always carry a rubber hammer in your toolkit—a couple of taps can loosen a rusted wheel hub. And always turn on the headlights for nighttime operations.
