What a jack does and why you need the right one
A jack is the tool that lifts your car high enough to remove a wheel. It works by converting downward force — either from a handle you pump or a screw you turn — into upward pressure that raises the vehicle. You cannot change a tire without one, and using the wrong type or placing it wrong can damage your car or cause it to slip off.
Most cars come with a scissor jack, which looks like a diamond-shaped metal frame that compresses and expands. Some vehicles include a bottle jack instead, which is shorter and cylindrical. Both work, but they require different placement points on your car's frame. A floor jack — the larger hydraulic kind you might see in a garage — is easier to use but not standard equipment in most vehicles.
Before you start, locate your car's jack points. These are reinforced spots on the frame designed to support the weight. Check your owner's manual or look for small notches or marks along the rocker panel (the area between your front and rear wheels, just below the door). Never place a jack under the plastic trim, fuel tank, or suspension components.
Key Takeaways
- Your car's jack points are marked in the owner's manual or visible as notches on the rocker panel, and placing the jack anywhere else can damage the frame.
- A scissor jack requires you to position it directly under the jack point, then pump the handle or turn the screw until the wheel clears the ground by a few inches.
- Always engage the parking brake, turn on hazard lights, and loosen lug nuts before lifting the car, because the vehicle must be stable before you raise it.
- Lower the car completely onto the ground before driving, and do not leave the vehicle suspended on a jack while you work on other tasks.
Preparing your car before you lift it
Park on a flat, stable surface away from traffic. If you are on a highway, move as far from the road as possible. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers see you. Engage the parking brake firmly and, if your car has a manual transmission, leave it in gear; if automatic, leave it in Park.
Place wheel wedges or heavy blocks behind the wheels that will stay on the ground. If you do not have wedges, use rocks, bricks, or pieces of wood. This prevents the car from rolling while it is partially lifted. Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire while the car is still on the ground — they are much harder to turn once the wheel is in the air and spinning freely.
Positioning and using a scissor jack
Locate the jack point closest to the flat tire. It will be a small notch or reinforced area on the rocker panel. Position the jack so its head sits directly under this point — not under the door, not under the bumper, not under plastic trim. The jack's base should be on level ground, not on gravel or soft earth.
Insert the jack handle (or lug wrench, depending on your jack type) into the slot at the top of the jack. For a scissor jack, turn the handle clockwise or pump it up and down, depending on the model. Raise the car slowly and steadily until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground. You should be able to fit your hand under the wheel. Do not raise it higher than necessary — the higher the car, the less stable it becomes.
Once the wheel is clear, remove the lug nuts completely and set them in a safe place where you will not lose them. Pull the wheel straight toward you to remove it from the hub. Set it flat on the ground nearby so it does not roll away.
Using a bottle jack if your car has one
A bottle jack is shorter and wider than a scissor jack, and it lifts by turning a screw handle rather than pumping. Position it the same way — directly under the jack point on the rocker panel, on level ground. Make sure the jack's base is fully in contact with the ground.
Turn the handle clockwise slowly. The jack will rise gradually. Stop when the tire is high enough to remove — again, about six inches of clearance. Bottle jacks can be slower than scissor jacks, but they are often more stable because of their wider base. Never turn the handle too quickly or jerkily, as this can cause the jack to slip.
Lowering the car safely after the tire is changed
Once you have installed the new or repaired tire and hand-tightened the lug nuts, it is time to lower the car. For a scissor jack, turn the handle counterclockwise or pump it downward. For a bottle jack, turn the handle counterclockwise. Lower the car slowly and evenly until the tire makes full contact with the ground and the car's weight is completely off the jack.
Remove the jack and tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern — if there are five lugs, tighten one, then skip to the one across from it, then the next, and so on. This ensures even pressure. Tighten them firmly but do not over-tighten, as this can strip the threads or make them hard to remove next time.
Drive to a tire shop or service station within the next few miles to have the lug nuts torqued to the correct specification with a torque wrench. The correct torque value is in your owner's manual and varies by vehicle. Do not leave a newly changed tire without this final check.
What to do if the jack slips or the car feels unstable
If the jack begins to slip or the car rocks, stop when ready and lower the vehicle completely. Do not try to adjust the jack while the car is in the air. Once the car is on the ground, check that the jack is positioned directly under a jack point and that the ground is level and firm. If the ground is soft, muddy, or sloped, move the car to a better location.
If you are on a slope, position the car so the wheels point uphill and engage the parking brake. Place wedges behind all four wheels, not just the ones on the downhill side. This is the only safe way to work on a sloped surface. If the slope is steep, consider calling roadside information instead of attempting the change yourself.
Common mistakes that damage the car or make the job harder
The most common error is placing the jack under plastic trim or the wrong part of the frame. This can crack the plastic, dent the frame, or cause the jack to slip. Always verify the jack point location in your owner's manual before you start. The second mistake is raising the car too high. The higher it goes, the more unstable it becomes and the greater the risk of tipping.
A third mistake is leaving the car suspended on the jack while you step away or work on something else. The jack is a temporary lifting tool, not a stand. If you need to work under the car for any reason, use jack stands rated for your vehicle's weight in addition to the jack. Never rely on the jack alone to hold the car up while you are underneath it or working nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a floor jack instead of the scissor jack that came with my car?
Yes, a floor jack is often easier to use and more stable. However, you still need to place it under a jack point on the rocker panel, not under the bumper or frame rails. Floor jacks are heavier and require more space, so they are better suited to a garage or driveway than a roadside emergency. Always use jack stands in addition to a floor jack if you will be working under the car.
What if I cannot loosen the lug nuts while the car is on the ground?
Lug nuts can seize if they have not been removed in years. Try spraying them with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and waiting 15 minutes. Use a lug wrench that fits snugly — a wrench that is too loose will strip the nut. If they still will not budge, call roadside information or a tow truck rather than forcing them, as you risk damaging the studs.
Do I need to use the jack that came with my car, or can I use someone else's?
You can use any jack as long as it is rated for your vehicle's weight and you place it under the correct jack point. Check your owner's manual for your car's weight. The jack's rating should be printed on the side. A jack rated for 2 tons will not safely lift a 4,000-pound car, so verify the rating before you use it.
What should I do if the jack point is rusted or damaged?
If the jack point is visibly cracked, bent, or severely rusted, do not use it. Call roadside information or a tow truck instead. Attempting to jack the car at a damaged point risks the jack slipping and the car falling. A mechanic can assess whether the damage is cosmetic or structural and whether the car is safe to drive.
How long can a car safely stay on a jack?
A car should not remain on a jack for more than 15 to 20 minutes. The longer it stays lifted, the greater the risk of the jack slipping or the vehicle settling unevenly. If you are changing a tire on the roadside, work quickly and lower the car as soon as the new tire is installed. If you need to work longer, use jack stands rated for your vehicle's weight in addition to the jack.