In this article, you will learn about How To Jack Up A Car? One of your tyres is flat if you hear the sound from the tyres while moving along the road. If you’re not fortunate enough to still have recourse to roadside services for the vehicle, you’ll eventually be changing it yourself. If you follow these six easy procedures, you’ll be able to quickly launch your vehicle into the air without endangering it or more importantly you.
Locate a Secure Location to Stop
As much as you can, stay off the road and away from the flow of traffic. If there is an exit nearby and you are on a freeway, take it. The objective is to completely exit the road and move to a flat, stable area, such as a parking lot, where you can safely use a car jack. If that doesn’t work, try to find a road or street with little to no traffic so you can drive off to the side, far from the traffic, and be on a strong enough area to support a jack. You’ll simply need to locate the safest area you can if you’re stuck on a motorway and unable to get off; you can’t drive on a flat tyre for long distances without ruining it and potentially your car. In that instance, veer as far off the road as you can to the right shoulder and stop. Ensure that you are standing on a stable, level platform to prevent the jack from sinking into the earth and lifting the car instead. Additionally, a soft surface may lead the jack to lean to one side while lifting the automobile, which could result in the vehicle dropping.
Secure Your Car:
Ensure that the car is in the park, that the handbrake is applied, and that the engine is off. If you happen to have something you can use to block a tyre, such as a brick, a piece of wood, or a big rock, position it under the tyre at the corner of the car that is not the corner you are about to jack up. This provides additional protection against the automobile rolling off the jack. It’s a great idea to let passengers out of the car if you have any, although it’s not strictly compulsory.
Find the Jack and Jacking Points:
The jack is typically kept in the trunk or in the back of an SUV, under the cargo-floor covering. In order to use the jack, you must first determine the jacking spots on the car’s body. In order to securely lift the car, most automobiles have strengthened metal ribs that serve as the jacking points. There are typically four jacking points on each car. They are situated directly behind the front wheels and just in front of the back wheels, underneath the rocker panels of the vehicle.
Position the jack:
Most automobile jacks have such a slot at the top of their engagement flange that slides over the reinforced rib of the jack point. However, your vehicle may have a different arrangement; thus, consult your owner’s handbook to be sure you are clear on how your jack interacts with the jacking point.
Jack up the car:
The flat tyre must be lifted off the ground before you can jack up the car. Take your time, and make sure the jack is held straight from top to bottom so that the automobile may be raised. The jack shouldn’t be tilting because it did not hold the car firmly in that position. You must set a jack stand underneath the panel of the rocker close to the jack and secure it to the car’s body whether you’re lifting the vehicle to gain access underneath it, do maintenance, or change the oil. In the event that the jack slips or completely fails, this will guarantee that the car won’t fall on you.
Lower the Car when finished:
When it’s time to lower the automobile, carefully rewind the jack handle in the reverse way (counterclockwise) until the tyre is securely attached to the ground and you may remove the jack. You’re nearly ready to go when you return the jack to where it was stored and secure it. However, remember to take out everything that you used it to block a tyre before starting the engine; otherwise, if you try to drive away, you might believe the handbrake is engaged.
- Scissor Jacks: To elevate the car, insert the rods into the screws driving hole and spin the handle in the other way.
- Hydraulic Jacks: Open the valve of relief on the hydraulic jacks so that the fluid can drain from the cylinders that lower the arm. The valve is usually a tiny screw keyed to the lever. Take better care to valve opening carefully to avoid unexpectedly dropping the car.
Important Advice of Jack Safety:
The most important piece of jack safety advice is to take your time, use the proper tools, and identify the safe lifting places on your automobile. Jacking up a car can be risky. More safety advice is provided below:
- Always make sure the handbrake is engaged and the automobile is in first gear. Rolling is thus less likely.
- If you don’t have access to your owner’s handbook, try looking up the locations of the safe lift points online. If you are unsure of where it is safe to lift your car, never jack it up.
- Make sure the jack and jack stand you select are adequate for your car’s weight.
- Always use a jack on a hard, level surface that is flat.
- Always utilize jack stands when performing work below the car. The only time you should truly be under a car is while using a jack to hold the car while changing the wheel.
FAQs:
What three varieties of jacks are there?
Trolley jacks, bottle jacks, and scissor jacks are the three primary varieties of car jacks. Although they all carry out the same basic tasks slightly differently, some varieties are much more reliable than others.
How long can an automobile be on jack stands?
A car can be left on jack stands for however long is necessary. Throughout days, weeks, months, or perhaps even years, your car could be left on jack stands. As long as your car is jacked on a flat surface, everything will be OK.
Can you use any jack on any car?
Although universal scissor jacks are available, the majority of them are made specifically for a specific make or model of car. This is due to the fact that you must use them on particular lifting locations on the automobile, which are listed in your owner’s manual.