How to Jack Up a Car

Lifting a Car with a Floor Jack

Jacking up a car is a fundamental task for anyone attempting do it yourself maintenance and repair on their vehicle. This guide will provide the steps to properly lift a car with a floor jack.

Step 1: Prepare a Level Surface

• Start by finding a level ground and position the car in a place where you have enough room to work on the car.
• If you are using a concrete surface, it is necessary to put a thin board (e.g. piece of plywood) under the floor jack and the car's jack points to prevent the jack from sinking into the ground.

Step 2: Locate the Jack Point

• Use the owner's manual or the guidebook of your car to locate the jack points on your car. Jack points are areas which are reinforced to reduce load or stress on that area. Generally, jack points are found near each wheel well.

Step 3: Position the Jack

• Place the jack directly underneath one of the jack points and check to make sure the jack is secure.

Step 4: Lift the Vehicle

• Begin to slowly pump up the floor jack and watch the car to make sure it lifts evenly. Hold the release valve in the raised position and continue pumping until the car is safely off the ground.

Step 5: Secure the Jack

• When the car is off the ground, check the floor jack to make sure it is still secure and stable. It is strongly recommend to put jack stands underneath the car once it is off the ground as the floor jack is not designed to hold a car in the air.