Which part of the car should be lifted when changing a tire?
3 Answers
When changing a car tire, the jack should be placed under the chassis, on the raised portion near the wheel. Here are detailed explanations about car tires: 1. Overview: Car tires are one of the most important components of a vehicle, directly in contact with the road surface. Together with the car suspension, they help absorb shocks during driving, ensuring good ride comfort and smooth driving. 2. Function: They ensure good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface; improve the car's traction, braking, and off-road capability; and bear the weight of the vehicle. The important role tires play in automobiles is increasingly being recognized by people.
As a parent who drives my kids to school every day, I'm particularly concerned about safety when changing tires. Jacking at the wrong spot doesn't just damage the car—it could injure people too. Weak points like door edges or suspension arms can deform under pressure, potentially causing the vehicle to lose balance and tip over. The correct jacking points are on the vehicle's undercarriage, usually marked by manufacturer indicators near the tires, such as reinforced weld points or notches on the inner side of front/rear wheels. Before every tire change, I check the owner's manual to confirm exact locations, ensure level ground, engage the parking brake, and set up warning triangles. Rust-prone jack points on older tires should be cleaned beforehand to prevent slippage. Spare tire storage is another hidden risk—those kept in trunks may lose pressure, so regular checks are essential. Safety first: spending ten extra minutes locating proper points beats risking damage from incorrect jack placement.
Having driven for half a lifetime, I've changed tires by hand no less than a hundred times, learning tricks through trial and error. In my youth, I once jacked up the car on its soft body shell, leaving a huge dent that cost more to repair than a new tire. Since then, I've focused on those sturdy support points under the chassis, like the square iron block near the engine for front wheels or the steel beam corners for rear wheels. These spots have strong load-bearing capacity and distribute pressure evenly, preventing damage to internal components. Don't forget to prepare your tools when changing a tire—loosen the lug nuts before jacking up the car, lift just enough to get the wheel off the ground, and avoid going too high to prevent imbalance. Tire rotation intervals also affect lifespan; swapping positions every 8,000 kilometers or so prevents uneven wear. Experience has taught me that slow and steady wins the race—safety matters more than speed.
