5 Easy Steps to Safely Use a Scissor Jack

Scissor jack being used to lift a car

Finding the Jack Factors

Figuring out the jack factors is essential for protected and environment friendly jacking of your automobile. Your automobile’s proprietor’s handbook will usually embrace a diagram indicating the designated jack level areas. These factors are often marked with notches or strengthened sections on the body or designated areas on the pinch welds. It is necessary to notice that jacking factors might fluctuate relying on the make and mannequin of your automobile.

Steps to Find Jack Factors:

  1. Seek the advice of your automobile’s proprietor’s handbook for the precise jack level areas.
  2. Rigorously look at the underside of the automobile for notches, strengthened areas, or marked sections on the body or pinch welds. These are usually positioned close to the wheels or alongside the facet sills.
  3. Clear any grime or particles across the jack factors to make sure a safe match.

Discuss with the desk under for extra steerage on finding jack factors on frequent automobile sorts:

Car Kind Jack Level Areas
Passenger Vehicles Notched or strengthened areas on the body close to the wheels
SUVs and Vans Designated areas on the pinch welds or strengthened sections on the body
Unibody Automobiles Notched or strengthened areas on the designated jacking factors alongside the automobile’s facet sills

Making ready the Jack

Earlier than inserting the jack beneath your automobile, there are essential preparatory steps to make sure protected and correct jacking.

1. Collect Vital Instruments

Purchase a scissor jack, lug wrench, and wheel chocks to safe the wheels reverse the flat tire.

2. Stage the Floor

Park your automobile on a secure, degree floor. Keep away from sloping areas or areas the place the automobile may shift whereas being lifted.

3. Disengage Parking Brake

Launch the parking brake to permit the wheels to roll freely.

4. Place the Jack

Find the designated jack factors in your automobile’s body. These are usually marked by notches or strengthened sections. Discuss with your automobile’s proprietor’s handbook for particular jack level areas.

Car Kind Typical Jack Factors
Compact Vehicles Physique body behind the entrance wheels and below the physique seam strains
SUVs and Vans Boxed sections of the body or designated mounting factors on the axles
Vans and Motorhomes Strengthened sections of the body or designated jack posts

Place the scissor jack straight beneath the designated jack level, making certain it’s perpendicular to the bottom and securely seated on a secure floor.

Positioning the Jack

As soon as you have positioned the jack factors, it is time to place the scissor jack.

1. Place the jack within the designated jack level. Guarantee it sits flat and safe on the bottom.

2. Be certain that the jack is perpendicular to the bottom and centered below the jack level of the automobile.

3. Align the saddle of the jack with the jack level on the automobile. This saddle is the a part of the jack that may carry the automobile.

4. Test the soundness of the jack. Guarantee it is agency and will not wobble or shift whenever you begin lifting the automobile.

5. Discuss with the automobile’s proprietor’s handbook for particular jack level areas and extra security pointers.

Jack Level Location Security Precautions
Entrance: Behind the entrance wheel Make sure the parking brake is engaged and wheels are chocked.
Rear: In entrance of the rear wheel Test environment for obstacles earlier than lifting.

Elevating the Car

To boost the automobile utilizing a scissor jack, observe these steps:

  1. Affirm the situation of the designated carry factors: Discuss with your automobile’s proprietor’s handbook to establish the precise factors the place the scissor jack is meant to be positioned. These factors are usually positioned close to the wheels or alongside the body of the automobile.
  2. Place the scissor jack correctly: Rigorously align the bottom of the scissor jack with the designated carry level. Be certain that the jack is positioned on a secure and degree floor.
  3. Prolong the jack base securely: Use the included deal with or lever to increase the bottom of the scissor jack. Prolong it so far as potential to offer a strong base for lifting.
  4. Slowly and punctiliously pump the jack: Function the jack lever or pump easily and steadily. Keep away from speedy or extreme pumping, as this will pressure the jack or injury the automobile.
  5. Proceed pumping till the automobile is lifted: Pump the jack till the automobile’s desired peak is achieved.
  6. Safe the automobile with further help: As soon as the automobile is lifted, it’s essential to stabilize it utilizing jack stands or wheel chocks. These further helps forestall the automobile from unintentionally shifting or falling, making certain your security.
  7. Don’t go below the automobile with out help: By no means crawl or work below a automobile that’s supported solely by a scissor jack. At all times use correct jack stands or help methods for added stability.
    Step Description
    1 Establish designated carry factors.
    2 Place scissor jack correctly.
    3 Prolong jack base securely.
    4 Pump jack slowly and punctiliously.
    5 Elevate automobile to desired peak.
    6 Safe automobile with further help
    7 Don’t go below automobile with out help.

    Securing the Car

    To make sure most security whereas utilizing a scissor jack, it’s essential to correctly safe your automobile earlier than elevating it.

    1. **Discover a Steady and Stage Floor**: Park your automobile on a agency and degree floor, making certain that the bottom can stand up to the burden of the automobile and the jack.

    2. **Interact the Parking Brake**: Pull the parking brake lever as much as have interaction the mechanism and stop the automobile from rolling.

    3. **Chock the Wheels**: Place wheel chocks behind the wheels reverse the jacking level to additional stabilize the automobile and stop it from transferring.

    4. **Test the Jack Location**: Establish the designated jack factors in your automobile’s chassis or physique. Discuss with your proprietor’s handbook for particular areas.

    5. **Place the Jack Accurately**: Place the scissor jack vertically below the designated jack level, aligning the bottom of the jack with the bottom.

    6. **Increase the Jack Step by step**: Slowly pump the jack deal with to carry the automobile. Cease pumping when the specified peak is reached.

    **7. Safe the Jack with a Security Stand (Elective however Extremely Beneficial)**

    For optimum security, think about using a jack stand along with the scissor jack. This is the best way to safe the automobile with a jack stand:

    **Step** **Directions**
    Place the Jack Stand Place the jack stand close to the designated jack level, barely behind the scissor jack.
    Alter the Top Increase or decrease the jack stand till it’s firmly supporting the automobile’s body.
    Take away the Scissor Jack Slowly decrease the scissor jack to take away it, making certain that the automobile weight is totally transferred to the jack stand.
    Double-Test Stability Gently shake the automobile to make sure it’s securely supported by each the jack stand and the scissor jack.

    Storing the Scissor Jack

    Correct storage of the scissor jack is essential for its longevity and performance. Listed here are some steps to make sure correct storage:

    1. Clear and Lubricate: After use, clear the scissor jack totally to take away grime, particles, and moisture. Apply a skinny layer of oil or lubricant to the transferring components to forestall rust and corrosion.

    2. Dry Totally: Earlier than storing, permit the scissor jack to dry utterly to forestall moisture from damaging the elements.

    3. Examine Commonly: Periodically examine the scissor jack for any indicators of harm or put on. Test the situation of the welds, pins, and threads.

    4. Retailer Upright: Retailer the scissor jack in an upright place to forestall deformation of the elements.

    5. Defend from Components: Retailer the scissor jack in a dry and well-ventilated space to attenuate publicity to moisture and temperature extremes.

    6. Use Protecting Cowl: If potential, use a protecting cowl or bag to guard the scissor jack from mud, grime, and scratches.

    7. Securely Fasten: When storing the scissor jack within the automobile, safe it correctly utilizing the designated storage compartment or straps to forestall it from transferring or rattling.

    8. Maintain Away from Chemical substances: Retailer the scissor jack away from corrosive chemical substances or liquids that might injury the elements.

    9. Keep away from Extreme Weight: Don’t retailer heavy objects on or across the scissor jack, as this might trigger injury or deformation.

    10. Discuss with Producer’s Directions: At all times seek the advice of the producer’s directions for particular storage suggestions in your specific scissor jack mannequin.

    Methods to Use a Scissor Jack

    A scissor jack is a mechanical gadget used to carry autos. It’s usually included as customary gear in automobiles and vans. Scissor jacks are comparatively simple to make use of, however it is very important observe the producer’s directions rigorously to keep away from harm or injury to the automobile.

    To make use of a scissor jack, first place it below the designated jack level on the automobile. The jack level is often positioned close to the wheel that must be lifted. Guarantee that the jack is positioned in order that it will likely be secure and never prone to slip.

    Subsequent, pump the jack deal with up and down till the automobile is lifted to the specified peak. Make sure you pump the deal with slowly and evenly to keep away from damaging the jack or the automobile.

    As soon as the automobile is on the desired peak, insert the jack stand below the automobile. Jack stands are used to offer further help and stability to the lifted automobile. Place the jack stands in order that they’re supporting the burden of the automobile and never the jack.

    Lastly, decrease the jack by slowly releasing the strain on the deal with. Make sure you decrease the automobile slowly and punctiliously to keep away from any sudden actions that might trigger injury.

    Individuals Additionally Ask About Methods to Use a Scissor Jack

    How do I do know if my scissor jack is protected to make use of?

    It’s best to at all times test the producer’s directions in your particular scissor jack to ensure that it’s in good working situation. If the jack is broken or has any free components, it shouldn’t be used.

    What’s the most weight that my scissor jack can carry?

    The utmost weight {that a} scissor jack can carry will fluctuate relying on the mannequin. It’s best to at all times seek the advice of the producer’s directions to seek out out the utmost weight capability in your particular jack.

    How do I eliminate a used scissor jack?

    Scissor jacks ought to be disposed of in line with native laws. In some areas, you might be able to recycle the jack at a neighborhood recycling heart.