A jack is an essential tool for vehicle maintenance, allowing you to lift your car for tire changes, inspections, and repairs. However, improper use can lead to serious accidents, including vehicle collapse or personal injury. To ensure safety, following the correct procedures when using a jack is crucial.

Pre-Use Inspection: Ensure Safety Before Lifting

Before using a jack, take a few moments to inspect both the tool and your vehicle to ensure a stable and secure lift.

✅ Check the Jack’s Condition

• Inspect for visible damage, rust, or leaks (for hydraulic jacks).
• Ensure the jack operates smoothly without resistance.
• If using a hydraulic jack, check the oil level and refill if necessary.

✅ Inspect the Vehicle’s Lifting Points

• Refer to your vehicle’s manual to locate the correct jacking points.
• Never lift from random parts of the undercarriage, as this can cause damage.

✅ Ensure a Stable Ground Surface

• Use the jack on a flat, solid surface like concrete.
• Avoid soft or uneven surfaces, such as grass or gravel, which may cause the jack to sink or tilt.
• For extra stability, consider using a jack pad or wooden board under the jack.

Proper Placement of the Jack

Correct positioning of the jack is essential for safety and stability.

✅ Steps to Position the Jack Correctly

1. Engage the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the wheels to prevent rolling.
2. Position the jack under the designated jacking point of your vehicle.
3. Make sure the jack sits level and upright—any tilting increases the risk of failure.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Placing the jack under weak parts of the vehicle (e.g., the floor panel).
• Positioning the jack on an unstable or slippery surface.

Lifting the Vehicle Safely

Once the jack is properly positioned, you can begin lifting your vehicle.

✅ Step-by-Step Guide to Lifting the Vehicle

1. Slowly pump or crank the jack to raise the vehicle.
2. Lift only as high as necessary to complete your task.
3. Check that the vehicle is rising evenly and not shifting.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Raising the vehicle too high can make it unstable.
• Lifting too quickly increases the risk of tilting.

Using a Jack Stand for Extra Safety

A jack alone should never support a vehicle for extended periods. Always use a jack stand to prevent accidents.

✅ How to Use a Jack Stand Properly

1. Once the vehicle is lifted, slide the jack stand under a sturdy part of the frame.
2. Adjust the stand to the correct height and lock it in place.
3. Slowly lower the jack until the vehicle rests securely on the stand.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to lock the jack stand at the proper height.
• Using only one jack stand instead of two for balance.

Lowering the Vehicle Safely

After completing your work, you need to safely bring the vehicle back down.

✅ Steps for Lowering the Vehicle

1. Carefully raise the vehicle slightly with the jack to remove the jack stand.
2. Slowly lower the jack, making sure the vehicle remains stable.
3. Remove the jack once the vehicle is fully on the ground.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Lowering the vehicle too quickly causes sudden shifts.
• Forgetting to remove tools or obstacles before lowering.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced users can make mistakes. Here are some of the most dangerous errors to watch out for:

🚨 Using the Wrong Jack Type

• Make sure your jack is suitable for your vehicle’s weight and height.
• A floor jack is ideal for garage work, while a bottle jack is better for off-road or heavy-duty lifting.

🚨 Relying Solely on the Jack

• Always use a jack stand for support—never crawl under a car supported only by a jack.

🚨 Ignoring Load Limits

• Every jack has a maximum weight capacity. Exceeding this limit increases the risk of failure.

🚨 Skipping Safety Checks

• Not checking for leaks, rust, or damage can lead to sudden jack failure.

Conclusion

Using a jack safely is essential for any vehicle owner. By following these step-by-step guidelines, you can prevent accidents and ensure a secure lifting process. Always inspect your jack, use proper lifting points, and never forget to use jack stands for added safety.