How to Use a Floor Jack to Safely Lift Your Car

Auto maintenance is extremely important for the longevity of your car. When it comes time to crawl underneath your car, the scissor jack that comes with your vehicle may not be sufficient. Using a floor jack is an easy, effortless way to lift your vehicle for the task at hand. Follow these steps for a safe and easy way to get started on your car's maintenance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Floor jack
• Cinder blocks
• Support jacks

1. Ensure your car is on a flat stable surface, put your car in park and apply the emergency break. Choke the wheels with large cinder blocks for an extra precaution.

2. Make note of how much weight the floor jack in use can support. The jack should have a manufacturer's label on it listing the maximum weight allowed.

3. Place the floor jack under one of the lift points of the vehicle. Find lift points on your car in the owners manual if you're not sure of the location.

4. Pump the height adjustment arm until the jack comes in contact with the lift point of the car. Continue pumping until the car is lifted high enough to get a support jack underneath it.

5. Lower the car by slowly turning the height adjustment arm counterclockwise until the car is on the support jacks or the car's wheels are completely on the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Before crawling underneath your car, push the bumper back and forth to make sure the car is stable. If the car isn't sturdy, you'll want to know now.
• Do not work underneath your car with a floor jack alone. You'll need two more sturdy jacks underneath the car to work safely.
• Do not attempt to lift a vehicle heavier than the maximum weight allowed for the floor jack you're using.
• Do not place floor jacks at any point of the car other than the lift points. Placing the jack elsewhere may cause damage to your car.

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