How do you find the jacking point on a car?
Knowing how to locate the jacking points on your car is essential for safe and effective vehicle maintenance. Whether you're changing a tire, inspecting the undercarriage, or performing other repairs, using the correct jacking points ensures stability and prevents damage to your car. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of identifying these critical spots on your vehicle.
What Are Jacking Points?
Jacking points are specific areas on a car's frame or undercarriage designed to safely support the weight of the vehicle when lifted. These points are reinforced to handle the pressure exerted by a jack, ensuring that the car remains stable and that no damage occurs to the body or chassis.
Why Is It Important to Use the Correct Jacking Points?
Using the correct jacking points is crucial for several reasons:
- Safety: Proper jacking points prevent the car from slipping off the jack, reducing the risk of injury.
- Vehicle Integrity: Lifting the car from the wrong spot can damage the frame, undercarriage, or other components.
- Efficiency: Using the designated points ensures a stable lift, making your repair or maintenance task easier to complete.
Steps to Locate the Jacking Points on Your Car
Follow these steps to find the jacking points on your car:
- Consult the Owner's Manual: The first and most reliable source for locating jacking points is your car's owner's manual. It will include diagrams and instructions specific to your vehicle model.
- Inspect the Undercarriage: Look for reinforced areas or small notches along the car's side skirts or frame. These are often marked with symbols or indentations to indicate jacking points.
- Check Near the Wheels: Most cars have jacking points located just behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. These spots are typically reinforced to handle the weight of the car.
- Use a Floor Jack with a Rubber Pad: To avoid scratching or damaging the jacking point, use a floor jack equipped with a rubber pad or place a piece of wood between the jack and the car.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When jacking up your car, avoid these common mistakes:
- Using the Wrong Spot: Never lift the car from areas like the oil pan, exhaust system, or floor panels, as these are not designed to support the vehicle's weight.
- Skipping the Parking Brake: Always engage the parking brake and use wheel chocks to prevent the car from rolling.
- Ignoring the Surface: Ensure the car is on a flat, stable surface before jacking it up to avoid instability.
Final Thoughts
Finding and using the correct jacking points on your car is a fundamental skill for any vehicle owner. By following the steps outlined above and consulting your owner's manual, you can safely lift your car for maintenance or repairs. At Kevin's Autos, we always emphasize safety and proper technique when it comes to car care. If you're ever unsure or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional mechanic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Autozone jack up your car?
Most cities have ordinances against doing anything more than changing batteries, wiper blades, or headlights, or topping off fluids, in the parking lot of any store. Basically, anything that requires lifting the vehicle or draining any fluids is against those ordinances.
Where is the safest place to find the proper lift points on a vehicle?
Where are the jack points on your car?
- Near the front & rear wheel. When it comes to changing car tyres, the most ideal place is near the front wheel or near the rear wheels.
- On the rear differential. This area is hands-down the safest jacking point.
- On the front & rear crossmembers.
- On both sides of the body.
Does every car have a jack point?
With the sheer variety of cars on the road these days, there isn't a universally-built jack point, but there certainly are clues you can use to help you on the way. The best place to start is by looking in your vehicle's user manual or maintenance guide.
Where are jacks located in cars?
Typically, the floor of the trunk functions as a cover flap that can be lifted to expose an extra storage area; this is also a common storage location for spare tires. Sometimes the jack is held down by a screw mechanism or rubber band so it stays secure in its compartment.
Where can I find jacking points?
The jacking points for most vehicles are reinforced metal ribs specifically designed to safely lift the vehicle. On most vehicles, there are four jacking points. They're located under the car's rocker panels, just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels.
Where to place a car jack when changing a tire?
Place the jack properly
If you're jacking up a vehicle with a store-bought hydraulic floor jack, be sure to place it on a frame rail or some other sturdy structure of the vehicle's undercarriage between the front and rear tires and away from fuel lines and other fragile parts.
How to locate car lift points?
Usually there's one on each side behind the front wheels and in front of the back wheels, close to the rocker panels. There may be central jack points located behind the bumpers (front and rear). Jack points will be flat metal areas, often with notches that are in the shape of the top of the jack.
How to locate jack points on a car?
Where are the jack points on your car?
- Near the front & rear wheel. When it comes to changing car tyres, the most ideal place is near the front wheel or near the rear wheels.
- On the rear differential. This area is hands-down the safest jacking point.
- On the front & rear crossmembers.
- On both sides of the body.
Do all vehicles have lift points on the frame?
All vehicles do not have lift points on the pinch welds; the locations can vary based on the vehicle make and model. Some vehicles have lift points on the frame, while others may have designated lift points on the chassis or suspension components.
How do you find jacking point?
Usually there's one on each side behind the front wheels and in front of the back wheels, close to the rocker panels. There may be central jack points located behind the bumpers (front and rear). Jack points will be flat metal areas, often with notches that are in the shape of the top of the jack.
