The correct place to jack up your car is at the dedicated jack points specified by the manufacturer. These are reinforced sections of the vehicle's frame or unibody designed to safely bear the weight. You can typically find them just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels, often marked by a notch or groove in the underside of the rocker panel. Never place the jack under the oil pan, floorboards, exhaust components, or any suspension part, as this can cause serious damage to your vehicle and create a safety hazard.
Consulting your owner's manual is the most reliable first step, as it will have diagrams showing the exact locations for your specific model. For most modern unibody cars, the pinch welds (the seams along the underside of the car) are the primary jack points. If using a floor jack, a small rubber or urethane pad can protect the weld. When using the factory scissor jack that comes with the spare tire, it should engage with a notch on the pinch weld. The following table outlines common safe and unsafe jack points for a typical sedan:
| Safe Jack Points (Manufacturer Specified) | Unsafe Jack Points (Can Cause Damage/Failure) |
|---|
| Reinforced Pinch Welds (with proper pad) | Engine Oil Pan |
| Front Crossmember / Subframe | Transmission Housing |
| Rear Differential (on RWD/AWD vehicles) | Exhaust Pipes & Catalytic Converter |
| Designated Frame Rails (on trucks/SUVs) | Floor Panels / Body Panels |
| Official Jacking Points Marked in Manual | Any Suspension Component (control arms) |
Once the car is lifted, always support it with jack stands placed under a secure structural point before getting underneath. The jack alone is not a safe support mechanism. This process ensures both your personal safety and prevents expensive damage to your car's critical components.
