How to Jack Up Your Car - Floor Jack with Jack Stands - SAFETY FIRST YOU CAN DO IT!

Main ideas / concepts / lessons

• Safety first: The video emphasizes correctly jacking a vehicle and supporting it with jack stands before working underneath or near the underside.
• Use proper jack operation: It explains how turning the jack handle controls lifting vs. lowering.
• Use correct jack points: It highlights specific front and rear jack points and how to align the jack stand with the jack point.
• Stability matters: The jack stands must be placed so the base sits on sturdy, flat ground.
• Avoid pinch/crush hazards: The jack stand’s lever mechanism can pinch hands; carrying/lifting incorrectly can allow the arm to drop unexpectedly.
• Double-check support: Before removing jack stands, confirm the car is not touching the jack stand (gap verification) when lifting off, and that alignment is correct.
• Redundancy/protection: As an extra precaution, the narrator places something under the car near the jack point/frame area in case a stand or jack fails—so the car doesn’t drop directly to the ground.

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Methodology / step-by-step instructions (detailed)

1) Prepare and reference the correct information

• Read the vehicle’s owner’s manual to confirm:
  • the correct jack points, and
  • whether the recommended method is appropriate for your specific make/model.

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2) Understand and operate the floor jack (handle controls)

• To raise/lift:

  • Rotate the jack handle clockwise (to the right) to create a tight seal that maintains pressure.
  • Pump the jack handle up and down.
  • The jack arm rises, lifting the car.

• To lower:

  • Rotate the jack handle counterclockwise (to the left).
  • This releases pressure and lowers the arm to lower the car.

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3) Know the jack stand components and safe handling

• Jack stand components described:

  • Steel arm
  • Base with a lever that controls the arm position (goes in/out)

• Safe handling/usage guidance:

  • Lift the lever to let the arm drop to the desired height.
  • Be careful of pinching hands around the lever/arm mechanism.
  • Do not carry the jack by the lever, because it may engage and let the arm fall, potentially injuring feet/toes.

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4) Jacking up the front of the vehicle

• Position under the correct front jack point:

  • Slide the jack so the jack pad sits centered on the front jack point.

• Lift the car:

  • Pump the handle to raise the vehicle.

• Place jack stands on front side jack points:

  • Move to the front side jack points.
  • Slide the jack stand into position and lift the arm to the appropriate height.
  • Align the jack point into the groove of the jack stand.

• Lower the vehicle onto the stand:

  • Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to slowly lower the car.
  • Aim for correct alignment (the narrator notes it didn’t always happen but succeeded here).

• Ensure stability:

  • Confirm the jack stand’s base is on sturdy flat ground.
  • The narrator also mentions keeping the jack very gently under the jack point as an additional safety precaution.

• Remove the jack stands (when the car is supported):

  • Jack up off the jack stand.
  • Verify there is a gap and the car is not touching the jack stand.
  • Lift the lever, lower the arm, and slide the jack stand/jack out.

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5) Jacking up the rear of the vehicle

• Identify the rear jack point:

  • Located within a described circular area on the vehicle.

• Raise the car:

  • Slide the jack under.
  • Pump the handle repeatedly while centering the jack point in the middle of the saddle.

• Place jack stands:

  • Put jack stands on either side of the rear jack point.
  • Try to align the ridge on the jack stand with the jack point.

• Lower onto stands:

  • Turn the handle counterclockwise to lower onto the jack stands.
  • Again, the narrator mentions touching the jack point gently for extra safety.

• Remove jack stands:

  • Jack up off the stands.
  • Verify the car is not touching.
  • Lift the lever and slide the jack(s) out.

• Lower the car back down:

  • Slowly turn the handle counterclockwise (to the left).

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6) Alternative technique: jack from the side (front/rear)

• The video shows jacking from the side as “easy”:
  • Slide/center the jack saddle with the jack point.
  • Pump the handle to raise.
  • Lower by turning the handle counterclockwise (to the left) gently.
  • Mentions gently lowering as an added safety precaution.

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7) Extra fail-safe measure while working

• After removing a wheel:
  • The narrator slides an object under the jack point and frame.
• Purpose:
  • If a jack stand fails and the car falls, it will land on the rim of the wheel instead of the ground directly.

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Speakers / sources featured

• Primary speaker/narrator: “Cartis Quick Fix” (channel brand). No other named person is introduced.
• Source referenced: Vehicle owner’s manual (used as the authority for confirming jack points).