How to Use a Car Jack

Car jacks and jack stands to make DIY projects and necessary maintenance in the Gothenburg area that much easier. Plain and simple tools, jack stands are great resources to have on hand. Find out how to use a jack for a car with our Jerry Remus Chevrolet Service experts below. Then, get the essential tire maintenance you need for your all-new or slightly used Chevrolet vehicle today!

How to Use a Jack for Your Car

Not sure how to use a car jack? There’s no need to worry! Simply purchase one of these tools at a local Ogallala auto shop or via our Jerry Remus Chevrolet Parts Center! Then, adhere to the following instructions:

1. Park the car securely on level ground, preferably on the pavement. It’s not recommended to use a car jack on dirt or on grass.
2. Place wheel wedges, wooden blocks, or bricks behind the tires that will remain on the ground. These will help prevent your vehicle from rolling off of the jack.
3. Put your car in “Park” and then engage the emergency brake. If your car has a manual transmission, put the car in first gear while engaging the parking brake.
4. Before the next steps, review your car’s owner’s manual to see where you should be placing the jack underneath your car. You don’t want to risk damaging your car if this is your first time using a jack. If you only need to lift one wheel, lift the corner of the vehicle. If you need to lift the front or rear of the car, choose a jack point at the center of the frame in the front or rear.
5. There are two types of jacks: scissors and hydraulic jacks. If you have a scissor jack, insert the rod and crank. If using a hydraulic jack, insert the handle into the jack’s body and pump the handle. Then lift the car to the height you want.
6. Place the jack stand under the car frame and place it at the “pinch weld”, the reinforced point on the car’s frame.
7. Adjust the stand’s height with the pin, screw, or pawl depending on the type of jack stand you have. Then lock it into place. Use the jack to slowly lower the car until it’s resting securely on the jack stand.
8. Once the car is snugly resting on the jack stand, you can remove the jack. Gently push the car a bit to make sure it won’t move.
9. After you finish working on your vehicle, you’ll use the jack to lift the car a few inches again so that you can remove the jack stands.
10. Once the jack stands are removed, lower the car gently and then remove the jack slowly and smoothly.
11. Pick up the wheel wedges, wooden blocks, or bricks that you used.

Discover More Service Tips & Tricks with Jerry Remus Chevrolet!

Have any more questions about how to keep your car, truck, or SUV in tip-top shape while driving around the McCook area? Then you’ll want to reach out to our veteran repairmen for more service and parts information! Or, if you’re in need of urgent maintenance and require a helping hand, schedule a service appointment at Jerry Remus Chevrolet today!