How to Use a Car Jack to Replace a Tire

Before you can replace that flat or balding tire, you need to know how to use a car jack. They are fairly simple to operate and designed to help anyone lift a car off the ground, no matter the size of one's arm muscles. Learning how the car jack works might someday mean the difference between switching out a flat tire yourself and waiting hours on the side of the road for someone else to come rescue you.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Owner's Manual
• Car jack
• Spare tire
• Brick or wedge

1. Park your car on a spot of level ground. Jacking up your car on a hill could cause the car to roll or be unstable as you work on it.

2. Put your car in the park position if you have an automatic and in first gear or reverse if it is a manual transmission.

3. Put on the parking brake.

4. Wedge a brick or other object in front of or behind the wheel that is kitty-corner or diagonal to the flat tire. This will help keep the car in place as you work on the affected tire.

5. Position the jack under the car frame next to the wheel that needs to be lifted up. The jack should attach to the lip that lines the bottom of the car. If you are unsure, consult your manual as it usually includes a picture of the safest place to put your jack.

6. Insert the handle into the jack as indicated in your manual.

7. Start turning the handle or moving it with a ratchet. If the car does not rise, you may need to reposition the jack.

8. Raise the car with the jack just enough to take the pressure off of the tire and to remove it. Raising the car too much can cause the car to fall, resulting in serious injury.

9. Replace the flat tire with the spare.

10. Lower the car with the jack slowly and steadily.

Tips & Warnings

• Some car jacks are easier to use than others. You may want to practice with yours to determine whether you want to buy a better jack.
• Always practice proper precaution. If you get a flat while on the freeway or on a busy road, pull completely onto the shoulder or off into a parking lot to replace your tire.
• Even though it is pretty simple to use a jack, it can still be dangerous. Try to keep your feet and hands out from under the car as you work.
• Do not let anyone remain in the car while you jack up the car. Any added weight or movement could cause the jack to fall.