The rear wheel track of a vehicle is the width between the centers of each rear tire. Measuring the wheel track is important to determine if a car or truck will fit on a trailer for transportation or on a hydraulic car lift to make repairs underneath the vehicle. Crime scene investigators measure the track width of skid marks at an accident scene to determine what type of car was involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Park the vehicle on a flat surface. Engage the emergency brake. Place a brick or wheel chock in front of each front tire to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
Place a jack under the rear end of the vehicle and raise it high enough to place a jack stand on the left and right sides of the rear axle to support the vehicle. Release the jack handle to allow the jack stands to bear the weight of the vehicle. If you are able to reach under the bumper and gain access to both rear tires, you can disregard this step.
Place the tip of a measuring tape on the centerline of the left rear tire. Stretch the measuring tape to the centerline of the right rear tire. Read the measurement to obtain the vehicle's rear track width.
Raise the jack under the rear of the vehicle if you put it on jack stands in Step 2. Pump the jack handle to raise the vehicle slightly higher than the jack stands. Pull each jack stand out. Release the handle to lower the car to the ground.
Remove the wheel chocks or bricks holding the front tires in place.
