What is the correct way to use a car jack?
3 Answers
Here is the correct way to use a jack: 1. Locate the jacking point under the chassis on the side of the car. 2. Slowly raise the jack until it fits into the slot. 3. Use the lever to gradually lift the car. 4. Alternatively, you can jack under the steel plate of the chassis. Be careful not to jack in areas without designated jacking points, as the chassis may not withstand the pressure and could be damaged. Especially for vans, avoid jacking on the sides; instead, jack on the main frame. 5. To lower the jack, turn the lever to the left to release it. Here is some additional information about jacks: 1. Every jack has a designed maximum load capacity. Before use, make sure you know this limit to prevent accidents caused by insufficient support. 2. Generally, near the edges of the vehicle's chassis close to the tires, there are designated jacking points. For most family cars, these points are usually on the inner side of the side skirts, resembling two fins along the chassis—about 20 cm behind the front wheels and 20 cm in front of the rear wheels. Jacking on the steel plate of the chassis may cause unnecessary damage to the chassis.
As a seasoned off-road driver with years of experience, I've used the car jack several times, and the steps are crucial. First, park the car on a flat and solid surface, engage the handbrake and shift to P (Park), then turn on the hazard lights to alert vehicles behind. Locate the jack and wrench near the spare tire, and find the jacking points on the chassis—the manual has diagrams, and make sure not to jack the wrong spot, like the suspension arms, as it could damage the car. Slowly turn the jack handle to raise the car evenly until the tire is slightly off the ground, while keeping an eye on the car's stability. Then remove the lug nuts to replace the spare tire. After mounting the spare, hand-tighten the nuts first, then lower the jack. Remember to lower it slowly to prevent the car from suddenly dropping and causing injury. Regularly check the jack for rust or stiffness—applying some machine oil can extend its lifespan. After changing the tire, drive a short distance and recheck the tightness of the lug nuts to ensure safety.
As a young driver who just got my license, I was a bit nervous using a car jack for the first time, but fortunately my colleague had taught me. Here are the detailed steps: Park on a safe and level surface, turn off the engine and engage the handbrake, and wear gloves to protect your hands. Locate the jack assembly in the trunk and check the vehicle's manual for the jacking points—usually near the wheel edges on metal parts. Position the jack steadily, align it with the jacking point, and slowly raise the vehicle while maintaining balance to avoid tilting. Once the tire is off the ground, use a wrench to remove the nuts for tire replacement, but don’t fully loosen them right away—test first. After replacing, hand-tighten the nuts before lowering the jack, turning the handle slowly to prevent sudden drops. It’s best to take a short test drive afterward and retighten the nuts for extra security. For safety, I recommend practicing once in your home garage to get familiar with the process and avoid panic in emergencies. Now I feel confident that with proper preparation, I can handle it.
