How to use a car jack to avoid scraping the undercarriage?

Incorrect placement of the car jack is a major cause of undercarriage collapse, damaging the vehicle frame and creating dangerous situations. Mastering the technique of identifying the correct lifting point ensures safety and avoids risks for the person performing the operation.

How to use a car jack to lift the car without damaging the undercarriage?

Jacking up a vehicle is a crucial technical operation for quick inspections or repairs under the chassis. However, carelessness in jacking up poses many dangers. Incorrectly identifying the load-bearing points is the most common mistake, directly leading to chassis collapse, dents in the bodywork, or damage to the suspension system. To ensure safety, strict adherence to technical regulations is essential before lifting a vehicle.

The proper jacking point is usually located on a sturdy part of the vehicle's frame or a thick metal ridge near the wheels. Most modern cars have clearly marked jacking points with grooves or notches to accommodate the jack head. Never place the jack on parts such as plastic side panels, exhaust pipes, or suspension arms. These parts are completely incapable of supporting the vehicle's weight and will deform.

Only lift the vehicle to the appropriate height; avoid lifting it too high as this may cause it to become unbalanced.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

Before starting to lift, the driver must rotate the jack handle so that the jack head fully engages with the locking groove on the vehicle frame. An important safety precaution is to prepare a backup support block placed directly under the vehicle, close to the jack's position. In the worst-case scenario, if the jack slips or breaks, this support block will prevent the vehicle frame from collapsing straight to the ground.

During the lifting process, if the jack shows any signs of tilting or sinking, the driver must lower it immediately to readjust its position. Only lift the vehicle just enough to reach the required height, usually about 5 cm above the ground. Lifting the vehicle too high will shift the center of gravity, making it prone to rolling or tipping over if the road surface is not perfectly level.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/kich-nang-xe-the-nao-de-tranh-sup-gam-1852605011424583.htm