How To Raise or Lift Your Car onto Jack Stands--AutoHow.TV

[Theguido177]

Are car jacks universal? The car I bought, I believe it doesnt own one.

[ethanfok]

The car should not be jacked up, then dropped onto jack-stands supported via the pinch rails - it either damages or crushes the pinch rails as they are not load bearing. The video also mentioned that to lift the front end of the car, the same procedure be repeated on the other side - such an approach causes asymmetrical lifting and is therefore misleading as well.

[ACCCProductSafety]

Great safety messaging! Over 160 Aussies are injured or killed each year from incorrectly using jacks to work under their vehicles, and you’re helping to reduce this number.

Check out our video ‘Don't be a jackass - an anti-manual for using a car jack’ and visit our mobile-friendly site (URL in video info) where you can enter our competition to win an Adrenalin experience! (Competition ends 31 January 2012 – see T&Cs for more info)

[Lokivoid]

Do not use those cheap orange wheel chocks. I have seen those chocks fail on multiple occasions.

[GTL4LyFe]

Oh for fucks sake the video starts with a mustang fly by...smh

[ouzts12]

is it safe to get in your car and rev the engine when its on 4 jack stands?

[Lokivoid]

@ouzts12

asumeing your not using cheapest jackstands you can find, and have them positioned correctly, i dont see why not. Unless of course your all your harmonic balancer / motor and drivetrain mounts are bad then you might have issues.

[Eagleoneradiogod]

I just put metal truck ramps underneath all my tiers. So that way there is absoultley no damage to any of the under carrage parts. I make shure there facing inward so the car can't roll off in either direction. And yes of course I still set the parking break. Yes I know I still have to jack the back end up to slide the ramps in. I all ready know what you are thinking what if I have to take the tiers off. yes I do this all the time I wont tell you how I do it but just think angle iron withpadding

[zed13281]

im gonna start jackin off

[casper123]

Feel better about doing this now. Is it also fine to put tires under the car for last resort safety?

[AutoHowTV]

@nimbius I could see that being a possibility. Looking at the forces of the car on the jack there is very little horizontal component (going back to vectors and physics class). So if anything those little pebbles will be crushed into the ground. It's the same reason the car doesn't "push" the jack when it's not raising even though the jack is on wheels (not to be confused with movement from raising jack). But you can never be too safe and I will be keeping your comment in mind!

[supergary420]

wow your so smart buddy

[fastfallin]

You need to use a peice of wood on your rails when jacking up mate to spread the load  your rails look like you been hitting them with a hammer

[AutoHowTV]

@fastfallin old comment but wanted to point out that dangers of using wood with jacks are addressed at 1:38 in the video

[fastfallin]

@AutoHowTV Look at the car in the video the jacking point are ruined.

Little things like this cause bigger problems like the huge bends and dents in the car in the video which in countries like the uk will cause rust and make it fail MOT tests(not sure what it is is the the US) which equals massive headaches and expense

Using wood is great, everyone I know uses it and we don't have huge damage to the bottom of our cars.

Out door wood with a bit of give so the points of the jack sink in.Try it

[AutoHowTV]

@fastfallin you are 100% right, something has to be done to prevent damage like you see on the pinch rails but just be careful. Wood can slip and straight up shatter--it is a known issue. I might look into getting some polyurethane pads that go on the jackstands and jacks. Now that's the best solution! Thanks again for the comment.

[70076NUD]

I have been viewing many of the auto repair videos and have seen some better some not so good ones. But this clearly is the best produced video overall.

A very professional look not just the repair tips but the film-production value is all there. Finally, i have seen this done right. I am impressed.

[AutoHowTV]

@70076NUD thanks for the comment. This was a very early one...I like to think each one got better from there (latest one was HFC install on a 350Z). Thanks for watching!

[supra6t9]

@p35neo2 

U AUSTRALIAN PUSSY!!!

[p35neo2]

considering this car is a mustang.. id suggest jacking it up high on one side till it rolls over and then torching it :)

[AutoHowTV]

@p35neo2 Sounds like fun! let me know where you can get a jack with that kind of lift and I'll do it! Otherwise we'll just have to practice on your power wheels ride. :)

[eatmytool1]

@p35neo2 lol...let me guess...you are the, pimped out honda with a sweeeeet v-tec wind up, 9volt engine, neon lights to add horsepower and a HUGE muffler tip to give that nice "weed wacker on steriods" sound??? LOL!

[Adipatus]

Thanks

[AutoHowTV]

I would save the scissor jacks for emergencies only--they are not as stable or safe as a real jack. But you have the right idea with using jack stands! Also, scissor jacks are painfully slow...haha

[tippman2k01]

how much does a jack stand cost?

[AutoHowTV]

you can get a good set for 20 to 30 at Wal-Mart, Autozone, PepBoys

[tippman2k01]

is it stable enough for me to do an oil change?

[AutoHowTV]

Definitely...just be careful on asphalt. On hot days the stands and jacks cam sink into the blacktop! you can also go with ramps like I show in the oil change video.

[AutoHowTV]

Technically yes, although I only recommend scissor jacks in an emergency. You can get something like you see in the video for under $30 at Wal-Mart, AutoZone etc.

Click the link in the description to get more info and notes on the episode. Thanks!

[TEAMALSTARE]

how can i raise the car high enough so i can drop the engine? is it possible with jacks?

[AutoHowTV]

It's possible but I prefer the other option:

A lot of times you can just take the hood off and get an engine hoist and lift it out. It works well for RWD cars like the Mustang.

If you have a Mustang too, my buddy just pulled his 4.6L motor and all the details are fresh on his mind. PM me and I can send you the link to his blog.

[TEAMALSTARE]

its an Srt-4 blown motor, the shop said that it is really difficult to take it out from the top because of the transmission getting in the way.

[AutoHowTV]

Funny, the blown motor I had to replace was also a turbo dodge...Daytona Shelby Z. And yes it was a pain getting it out of the top.

Well then I guess the best option (besides finding someone with a lift) would be to do all the work with the car on jack stands set pretty high, start dropping the engine and then use an engine lift to raise the CAR high enough to clear the engine...just a thought.

I would also check the SRT forums because I am sure someone on there knows better than I do.

[TEAMALSTARE]

well i will take everything that i can off and then lift it up from the engine bay if i can't get the car high enough. thanks for the help.

[masterofthekeyblade]

ay my cars got that pinch rail but the stands that i have are more square instead of pointy like yours so can i still lay them on there or should i buy some like yours?

[AutoHowTV]

If supporting by the pinch rail then I recommend the ones in the video that have a more v-shaped support and feet with a flat plate. I think you have the ones that are great for supporting the frame or suspension components.

[masterofthekeyblade]

oh alright thanks

[drzflyest4]

do you need to lift th whole car for an oil change or just lifting the fron is sufficient?

[AutoHowTV]

just the front is good enough in most cases. I have a video where I show how to change the oil too--in that one I use a pair of ramps to raise the front of the car. If you click on the link in this description it will take you to my site which has ALL of my videos. Enjoy!

[fivepointohpwr]

I have to say these videos are great, and the car you use is drop dead sexy.

[AutoHowTV]

Glad you enjoy the vids and thanks!

[omjd]

Anyone qualified to drive should know how to do this...

[AutoHowTV]

You would hope so, right? It's sad but even experienced gearheads have died underneath cars not raised properly.