Car Jack - Buy a car Jack - Jack up the car
Before you jack
up a car put the handbrake on fully and put the
car into 1st gear (or PARK on an automatic).
If possible, put
the car on firm, level ground, however, if the only
ground available is soft, use a board or carpet
from the boot (trunk) under the jack to prevent
it sinking into the ground under the weight of the
car.
Try to find something
to use as a chock in front of the opposite wheel
to prevent it moving.
Find the appropriate
fitting point for the jack nearest to the wheel
you want to change.
There are two main
types of jack, the post type which has a metal tongue
that fits into a hole at the jacking point on the
car and the scissor type that has a pad which fits
under the jacking point.
If necessary clear
out any debris which has accumulated in the hole
to ensure the jack fits snugly into the jacking
point. When using a post jack, tilt the base
slightly towards the car when it first touches the
ground then, as the car is raised, it will lean
slightly allowing the jack to sit squarely on the
ground.
It is worth remembering
jacks supplied with cars are intended for changing
wheels only and therefore do not place any part
of your body under the car whilst it is raised.
Do not use the jacks to hold up the car during maintenance
work.
