Where can you look to find the correct lift points for a vehicle?
When it comes to maintaining or repairing your vehicle, knowing the correct lift points is crucial for safely raising the car or truck. Lift points are the designated areas on a vehicle's frame or body where you can safely place a jack or lift to support the weight of the vehicle. Locating these points is essential to avoid damage to the vehicle and ensure your own safety during the repair process.
Where to Find Lift Point Information
There are several places you can look to find the correct lift points for your specific vehicle:
- Owner's Manual: The owner's manual provided by the manufacturer is the best source for identifying the approved lift points for your vehicle. It will typically include diagrams or instructions on where to place the jack or lift.
- Vehicle Service Information: Many automakers provide detailed service information, including lift point locations, through their dealer networks or online resources. This information is often available to professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts.
- Online Resources: Websites and forums dedicated to your vehicle's make and model may also have information on the correct lift points, based on user experiences and community knowledge.
- Automotive Repair Manuals: Comprehensive repair manuals, such as those published by Haynes or Chilton, often include diagrams and instructions for locating the proper lift points for a wide range of vehicle makes and models.
By consulting these resources, you can ensure that you are safely and effectively raising your vehicle for maintenance or repair work.
Importance of Using Proper Lift Points
Using the correct lift points is crucial for several reasons:
- Safety: Lifting a vehicle at the wrong points can cause it to become unstable or even collapse, posing a serious risk of injury to you or others.
- Damage Prevention: Lifting a vehicle at the wrong points can lead to damage to the vehicle's frame, body, or other components, which can be costly to repair.
- Compliance with Manufacturer Recommendations: Many vehicle warranties and insurance policies require the use of approved lift points during maintenance or repair work. Failure to do so may void the warranty or lead to coverage issues.
By taking the time to identify the correct lift points for your vehicle, you can ensure a safe and successful repair or maintenance experience.
How to determine lifting points?
Selecting the Right Lifting Points
Understanding Load Characteristics: Analyze the load's weight, shape, and centre of gravity to determine the most suitable lifting points. Different loads may require specific lifting configurations to ensure stability and even weight distribution.
How did you determine the lifting points of the vehicle?
Lift points on a vehicle are identified by consulting the owner's manual for diagrams or by visually inspecting the undercarriage for reinforced areas, often marked with notches on a pinch weld (a reinforced metal edge), or by using designated spots like the frame rail on trucks and SUVs. Common lift points are located just behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels along the side rails. You should never lift from components like the oil pan, exhaust, or suspension.
This video shows how to identify jack points on different car models: 52sLive FreeYouTube · Jun 29, 2018
How to find and identify lift points
- Consult the owner's manual: This is the most reliable method, as the manual provides specific diagrams for your vehicle's model and year. It will show you exactly where to place the jack or the lift arms.
- Look for pinch welds: On many cars, you'll find a reinforced metal ridge along the bottom of the car, typically behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. These often have notches or indentations for the jack to sit in securely.
- Check for frame rails: Trucks, SUVs, and some 4x4s have a strong, thick metal frame, which provides a safe lift point.
- Use crossmembers: These are strong, structural pieces of metal that run across the vehicle's frame. A central point on a crossmember can be a good lifting spot.
- Find tow hooks: On the front of some vehicles, a tow hook can be used as a lifting point, but check your owner's manual first.
- Look for arrows: Some vehicles have plastic arrows on the side skirts that point to the specific jacking point.
What to avoid when lifting
- Do not lift from the oil pan, engine, or transmission: These are not designed to bear the weight of the vehicle.
- Do not lift from suspension or steering components: These parts are not strong enough to be used as lift points.
- Do not lift from plastic body parts or the exhaust system: These are fragile and can break easily under the vehicle's weight.
Where can you find the correct jacking point information?
Your vehicle owner's manual should have information on the jacking points and their locations. If you can't locate information about jack point locations in your vehicle owner's manual, the lift points are typically marked under the vehicle's side rails, just behind the front wheel or in front of the rear wheel.
Where are the correct lift points for a vehicle?
In many cases, these vehicles have reinforced points on the frame near each wheel and sometimes additional points under the vehicle's side skirts. When lifting an SUV or crossover, ensure that your jack's saddle is securely positioned on one of these reinforced areas.
