Where do you put a wheel jack?

When changing a flat tire or performing other maintenance on your vehicle, it's crucial to properly position the wheel jack to safely lift the car. The wheel jack should be placed in the designated jack point or jacking location specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Identifying the Proper Jack Point

The jack point is a reinforced area on the vehicle's frame or body that is designed to support the weight of the car when lifted. The owner's manual or the vehicle itself will typically indicate the correct jack point locations. These are often marked with a jack symbol or other visual cue. Placing the jack in the wrong spot could damage the car or make the lift unstable, posing a safety risk.

Steps for Jacking Up the Vehicle

• Locate the jack and wheel chocks that came with your vehicle.


• Park the car on a level, stable surface and engage the parking brake.


• Position wheel chocks on both sides of the front or rear tires (whichever are not being lifted).


• Identify the designated jack point closest to the flat tire.


• Place the jack under the jack point and slowly raise the vehicle until the flat tire is just off the ground.

Following these steps carefully will help ensure the vehicle is lifted safely and securely. Always use caution when working under a raised vehicle.

Where to put jack to change tire?

Place the jack on a reinforced spot on the frame, typically near the wheel you are changing. These jacking points are often marked by a notch or arrow on the pinch weld, a metal lip running under the car's rocker panel, or a designated area on the frame itself. Always check your owner's manual for the precise locations for your vehicle.
 
This video demonstrates the proper jacking point for a car: 1mDannys DIY GarageYouTube · Dec 30, 2023
Steps for safely jacking up your car

1. Park on a level surface: Ensure the car is on a flat, solid surface, turn on the hazard lights, and engage the parking brake. For manual transmissions, put the car in first gear or reverse; for automatics, put it in park. 
2. Locate the jacking point: Find the designated jacking point near the flat tire. Look for a reinforced area on the frame or a pinch weld. Your owner's manual will show the exact location. 
3. Position the jack: Place the jack squarely under the jacking point. If using a scissor jack, ensure the jack's saddle fits securely into the notch or groove. 
4. Raise the jack: Slowly operate the jack until it makes firm contact. Lift the vehicle high enough so the flat tire is a couple of inches off the ground and the new spare tire will fit. 
5. Change the tire: Once the car is lifted, you can loosen the lug nuts and remove the flat tire. 
6. Lower the vehicle: After installing the spare and finger-tightening the lug nuts, lower the car completely to the ground before fully tightening the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern. 

Where can I find a jacking point?

To find them, refer to your car's owner's manual, which usually includes diagrams illustrating the precise locations of these points. Common jacking points on sedans and coupes include the reinforced sections behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels, usually on the pinch weld for on the rocker panel.

How to find the jack point on a car?

To find the jack points on a car, look for reinforced metal areas with notches or arrows, typically located on the frame just behind the front wheels and just in front of the rear wheels. Always consult your owner's manual for the exact locations before jacking up the vehicle, and avoid using soft parts like the exhaust or floor panels.
 
This video shows where the jacking points are on a Honda Civic and how to identify them: 1mEyeOnAimanYouTube · Nov 9, 2025
Primary jack points

• Check the owner's manual: This is the most reliable method, as the manual will have diagrams and specific instructions for your car. You may also find a sticker with this information in the trunk or on the vehicle itself. 
• Locate the pinch weld: Look for the metal "pinch weld" or seam that runs along the bottom of the car's side, near the wheel wells. The jack points are typically reinforced areas on this weld. 
• Find the notches or arrows: Many jack points are clearly marked with notches, small cutouts, or plastic arrows that indicate where to place the jack. 
• Look for reinforced metal: The jack point will be a solid, reinforced part of the frame. It should feel sturdy, unlike a flimsy floor pan or the exhaust pipe. 

This video explains how to find the jack points on different types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs: 1mGirlie GarageYouTube · Jun 23, 2025
What to avoid

• Avoid flimsy or soft parts: Never place the jack on the oil pan, floor panels, the exhaust system, or other components that are not designed to bear the car's weight. 
• Avoid the suspension or axles (unless specified): While some parts like a solid rear axle can be used, avoid putting the jack on the suspension components themselves. 

This video shows what parts of the car to avoid when jacking it up: 43sScotty KilmerYouTube · Apr 13, 2011
Other considerations

• Trucks and SUVs: If you have a truck or SUV, you can often use the frame rails instead of the pinch welds. Check your owner's manual to confirm safe lifting points. 
• Center lift points: Some vehicles have a center jack point, often on the front or rear crossmember, that allows you to lift the entire front or rear of the car at once. Do not use this unless your manual specifically calls it out. 

Where to place a wheel jack?

You should put the tire jack on a reinforced metal point on the vehicle's frame, typically a pinch weld or rocker panel just in front of or behind the wheel you are changing. Always check your vehicle's owner's manual for the exact jacking points, as they can vary by model. For the rear of a vehicle with a solid axle, you can also lift from the axle itself.
 
This video shows where to place the jack on a car with pinch welds: 57sCaliber8 Tools & DIYYouTube · Mar 1, 2024
Finding the correct jacking point

• Check the owner's manual: This is the most reliable source, as it will have diagrams showing the precise, safe lifting points for your vehicle. 
• Look for reinforced areas: Many cars have a thick seam, called a pinch weld, running along the bottom edge of the car where the floorpan meets the side. 
• Locate specific marks: Some vehicles have a small triangle or other mark on the body near the correct jacking point. 
• For solid rear axles: If your vehicle has a solid rear axle, you can often lift from the axle tube or differential. 

Before you begin

• Park on a level, hard surface: Ensure the area is stable to prevent the jack from slipping or the car from shifting. 
• Engage the parking brake: Put your car in "park" (or first gear for manual transmissions) and firmly set the parking brake. 
• Chock the wheels: Place wheel chocks on the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are changing for extra safety. 
• Never put any part of your body under the car when it's supported only by the jack. Always use jack stands for support when you are working under the vehicle.