How to Use Floor Jack? The Most Suitable Method

Learning how to use floor jack is a rather easy operation. This enables you to carry out numerous maintenance activities on your car, which may save you a lot of money and headache.

However, it’s necessary to bear in mind that using a floor jack may be risky if done incorrectly, so it’s important to take some precautions to guarantee that the operation is completed safely and successfully. This step-by-step guide will show you how to securely and effectively move an automobile with a floor jack.

1. How to Use Floor Jack

To use a floor Jack to lift a car you must first understand how it works and then find car’s safe lift points, position the jack under the car, pump the height adjustment arm, enable the locking mechanism, and finally release the air in the pump.

2. Understand How a Floor Jack Works

A hydraulic floor jack generates force with the help of a pump and a cylinder filled with fluid. The pressure generated by pumping the jack’s handle is transmitted via the cylinder fluid. A piston is pushed against by this pressure; the piston in turn is pushed against by a lifting arm.

The actual mechanism that raises the automobile off the ground is the lifting arm. There are several different kinds of floor jacks, including hydraulic, scissor jack, and bottle jacks. Because bottle jacks are compact and lightweight, they are perfect for use in confined situations or while traveling.

Scissor jacks are portable and simple to operate, but since their lifting arm is smaller, they may take longer to move a car. The most popular and powerful form of floor jacks is hydraulic jacks. They come in a range of sizes and lifting capabilities.

It’s crucial to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions while utilizing a floor jack. By doing this, you can operate the jack of car safely and prevent injuries or damage to your automobile. There are certain crucial safety precautions to remember.

Always utilize jack stands in addition to a floor jack for additional support. Use the jack stands on a sturdy, level ground. Verify that the lifting pad is properly positioned beneath the lift point. Never put any body pieces under a raised vehicle. Never put more weight than the jack can support.

3. Find Your Car’s Safe-Lift Points

Safe lift points are precise locations on a car’s underbelly that are intended to withstand the weight of the vehicle when it is raised. To avoid hurting yourself or the automobile, it’s crucial to find these lift jack points. Depending on the make and type of the automobile, different lift points are located in different places.

 

The lift points are often noted in the owner’s handbook or on a label found on the door jamb or beneath the hood. You might need to ask a mechanic or the manufacturer for help if you can’t locate the lift points. It’s crucial to check the lift points for damage or corrosion after you’ve discovered them.

It may be exceedingly dangerous for the automobile to move or collapse while being raised if the lift points are broken or weak. Do not try to raise the automobile if there is damage or corrosion; wait until the problem has been fixed. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that some automobiles have numerous jacking points, and it’s crucial to utilize the appropriate lift points to prevent damage or tipping.

The suspension or body of the automobile may be harmed by using the incorrect lift points, which can be expensive to repair. You can make sure you raise the automobile securely and successfully by finding and inspecting the jack points on your vehicle.

4. Position the Jack Under the Car

Placing the floor jack underneath the vehicle is the third stage in the process of lifting an automobile. The jack must be moved in such a way that the lifting arm is immediately beneath the lift point. To prevent harming the car or hurting yourself, it’s crucial to take your time and make sure the jack is positioned correctly.

Place the jack on a flat, sturdy level surface to begin positioning it. Verify that the ground is level, hard, and clear of any impediments or debris. Then, find the lift point on the car’s underbelly and place the jack such that the lifting pad is immediately beneath it.

5. Pump the Height Adjustment Arm to Lift the Car

You may start pumping the arm to raise the automobile off the ground after you have the jack appropriately positioned underneath the vehicle. Find the handle or lever on the jack’s side, and start pushing it up and down to pump the arm. The lifting pad will start to rise as you pump the arm, elevating the automobile off the ground.

In order to maintain a regulated and seamless lift, it is crucial to pump the arm gently and evenly. Watch the lifting pad to make sure it stays centered beneath the lift point as the automobile starts to lift off the ground. It’s also crucial to keep an eye out for any indications of uneven lifting or shifting since these might point to incorrect jack positioning.

You can stop pumping the arm after the automobile has been raised to the required level and proceed to the next action. It’s crucial to refrain from over-pumping the arm since doing so might cause the automobile to lift excessively high and become unstable.

Add jack stands for additional support if you need to elevate the car higher. It’s also vital to remember that various floor jack stands kinds may have various pumping methods. Others may need manual pumping, while other car jacks may feature a foot pedal or air compressor to assist in lifting the automobile.

6. Enable the Locking Mechanism

In order to prevent the automobile from unintentionally slipping off the jack once you have raised it to the proper height, it is crucial to secure the jack. The locking mechanism on the majority of floor jacks activates when the jack reaches a particular height.

A pin or lever that has to be put into a hole in the jack’s frame may serve as this mechanism. To learn how to activate the locking mechanism on your particular jack, go to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Test the stability of the car jack by lightly shaking the automobile after the locking mechanism is in place. The automobile should not shift or wobble when it is being raised with the car jack. Lower the automobile and move the jack if it is unsteady or if the locking mechanism won’t work.

It’s also crucial to remember that a floor jack should never be used to sustain a raised automobile by itself. To protect anybody working below the automobile, always utilize jack stands or another suitable support.

7. Release the Air in the Pump to Lower the Car

A release valve is often found on or close to the pump handle on floor jacks. To relieve the pressure in the hydraulic system and lower the automobile, turn the valve counterclockwise. The automobile will start to progressively drop as you let off the pressure.

To avoid any mishaps or injuries, keep your hands and feet out from under the automobile when it comes to a stop. Once the car is fully lowered, you might need to use your hands to help it come off the jack.

Remove the car jack from beneath the car once it has been lowered, then put it back where it was stored. To avoid damage or corrosion, keep your jack in good working order and store it somewhere cold and dry. It’s also crucial to remember that lowering the automobile should never be hurried.

Conclusion

If you take the proper precautions then how to use floor jack is an easy task that can be completed safely and successfully.

Summing up the key concepts we’ve covered:

• To avoid mishaps or harm, it’s crucial to comprehend how a floor jack operates and how to use it securely before utilizing it.
• Before using the jack, locate the safe lift points on your automobile. These locations are unique to each vehicle and may be located in the owner’s handbook.
• To prevent the automobile from rolling, carefully place the jack under the lift point, making sure it is on a level, sturdy surface.
• Start pumping the height adjustment arm to elevate the vehicle, and as it rises, monitor the jack and the vehicle to make sure they are both steady.
• Release the air from the pump once your maintenance or repair work is finished and lower the automobile slowly and cautiously.

Always use wheel chocks, locate your car’s safe lift points, and confirm that the area you’re working on is sturdy and level.