Elevating a car and knowing how to jack up a vehicle is essential for any driver. Whether you have a flat tire or are doing a complete brake job on your vehicle you will need to elevate the car to remove the tire or provide easier access to whatever part you are trying to repair. A majority of newer cars sit so low to the ground that it is essential to make clearance from the ground to the undercarriage of your vehicle.
Park the car on a flat paved surface. A packed dirt road is also acceptable.
Chock the front wheels with a cinder block or a solid hard object, such as a 2 x 4, a heavy rock or a wedge. Be sure to chock the front of one wheel and the back of another wheel.
Place the jack on the side of the car you want to raise. Underneath the car is a solid area in front of the rear wheel for supporting the jack and the potential weight of the vehicle.
Following the instruction manual for the jack, elevate the vehicle leaving clearance between the wheel and the ground.
Lower the jack as per the instructions. A hydraulic jack will lower comparatively differently than a scissor jack.
