How To Use A Car Jack

Knowing how to lift your car with a jack can make all the difference when you have to change a flat tyre in an emergency or when doing routine inspections underneath your. Jacks are easy to handle when used correctly and safely. Find out how to the Videojug way.

You will need:
1 jack, usually provided by your car manufacturer. Common types are mechanical, handle operated scissor jacks, because they fold up into compact units making them easy to store. They are good to use on most ground surface types.
Alternatively you can use a hydraulic, lever operated jack. They're generally less compact, but there are smaller models available which can fit into the boot. They require an even, levelled surface and so are more suitable for home or garage use.

1 jack stand for additional safety.
1 or more wedges to secure the vehicle with.

Step 1: Locate the jack.

Jacks are commonly stored under the bonnet or under a cover in the boot along with the spare tyre.. Consult your manual if in doubt where it is.
It's good to know where it is especially, in case of an emergency.

Open the bonnet if your jack is stored there.
Find the jack. It will be held in its place with a screw. Undo the screw .... and put it in a safe place.

Often jacks come with a tool that is a combination of a spanner, designed to loosen the wheel nuts, and a crow bar to prize off the hubcaps on the wheels. Take out this tool if you need it. If not store it safely.
Now, take out the jack. Check if a handle or lever is already attached or whether it has to be fitted on. Also, see if it comes with instructions.

If the jack is stored in the boot do the following:
Release the boot with the lever in the car´s interior or simply unlock it. Open the boot and clear out any to access the boot floor cover. Lift the mat. You may have to undo a lock or a screw before you can lift off the cover. Remember how to put it all back together and store the parts in a safe place. Lift the cover.
Take out the tyre and maybe use the occasion to check its general condition.
Find the jack. It may be held in its place with a screw. Remove the spare wheel entirely to have full access to the jack. Undo the screw ..... and put it in a safe place.
Now, take the jack out to start the job.

Step 2: Check the jack

Before you start, work out how to operate the jack's mechanism.
Identify the base plate, which is the part that takes the car's weight.

Start by placing the base flat on firm ground.

Read and understand the instructions on your jack. Look for information on jack points on the car's frame.
Identify the crank, ratchet or lever. A crank based model will have to be turned clockwise to raise the lever that lifts the car. If necessary, lubricate mechanical parts for a smoother use. Find the part connecting to the car's frame.
By turning the handle anti-clockwise the jack will lower.
Some models have a switch to change direction.

Hydraulic jacks have a lever that you pump up and down to raise the jack.
Make sure the jack's rated capacity equals or exceeds the weight being lifted when using a model not supplied by the car manufacturer.

You lower a hydraulic jack by loosening a valve screw.

Step 3: Secure the vehicle

Park the car on level ground away from traffic. Shift automatic cars into the parking position, shift manual cars into reverse or first gear. Engage the parking brake.
Make sure there are no people inside the car and take out any unnecessary loads.


It is extremely important to immobilize the car. Do this with a proper steel wedge, a brick, or wooden triangles that can be cut to size. The wheel which is to be wedged should be opposite or diagonal from the one being lifted.

Even the most levelled ground may still have a slant.
Check out the position of slant and place the wedge behind .....or in front of the wheel. If you are not sure about the slant you can lock the wheel by placing a wedge on either side.

When parking uphill, place a wedge behind the rear wheel, ...... when parking downhill place it in front of the wheel.
HERE's A SAFETY WARNING !
Never do this without wedge supports on sloped ground.
Avoid jacking up a car on steep inclines.

Step 4: Set up the jack

Place the jack on a firm ground under the car's frame and at a right angle to the frame. Keep the jack as close to the part which is to be lifted.
Now find a jacking support point under the frame. It ‘s generally a reinforced lip that runs all along the underside.
Place the jack right under the lip. If your car does not have a lip find a sturdy section of the frame able to take the weight.
Consult the owner's manual if in doubt. Choosing the correct jacking support point is crucial. A jack in the wrong location can cause damage to yourself or the vehicle or personal damage.

Cars can slip off jacks. Always make sure the jack is installed properly.
Soft ground and very hot pavements may not support the jack. Also, do not place the jack under the floorboard.

A useful tip : If you are planning on changing a wheel loosen the wheel nuts before jacking up the vehicle.

Step 5: Lift the car

You can start lifting the car once the jack is firmly locked into the lip under the frame.
Now, on a scissor jack carefully turn the crank clockwise. Use other models according to the instructions on the jack itself or in the manual.
Always face the load you are lifting and watch it closely. If the jack tilts, lower it again and reset.
Lift the car to the height necessary to carry out the required work.
Another useful tip : When you are changing a wheel leave enough space to fit a fully inflated tyre as it will require more space than a flat one.

Never go underneath a car supported by a jack alone.

Step 6: Place the car on jack stands

For extra safety place a jack stand underneath the car. Place it underneath the reinforced front or rear axle stand points. Do not place the stand under the axle itself or on the floorboard, because it will break.
Consult your manual for information on axle stand points. Do not carry on if in doubt where to place the stands.


Now gently lower the car so it is fully resting on the jack stand. You can leave the jack in its place for extra security and carry out the required work. Alternatively you can remove it if it stops you accessing the part you're planning to work on.

Step 7: Lower the vehicle entirely

Install the jack again when the repair job is done.
First raise the car slightly, so the weight is supported by the jack alone, and then remove the jack stand. Slowly lower the jack until the car is safely back on the ground.

Step 8: Store the jack in its proper location

Put the jack back in its allocated place. Make sure all the accessory parts are refitted, too. Take care to tighten the screws firmly so the jack wont rattle or move around.
Close the bonnet where necessary. Put the spare wheel back where required and close the boot.
Remove all wedges before getting back on the road. Now you are all done. Remember, whenever working with a jack ALWAYS put safety and common sense first. That's how you use a jack the VideoJug way.