If you’re like most people, when you think of mechanics, you think of someone who can fix things that go wrong with your car. But what about when something goes right? How do mechanics make sure that everything works the way it’s supposed to? In this article, we’ll be talking about how mechanics use jack stands to adjust cars and trucks.
What is Jacking Up?
The term “jack up” is most commonly used when referring to a car, but can also be used to describe other objects such as a bicycle or a tree. Jacking up means to lift or raise something using a motor vehicle.
Jacking up can be done for a variety of reasons, including when you need to change a tire on the side of the road, when you need to move something heavy off the ground, or when you’re just wanting to show off your driving skills.
There are two main ways to jack up a car: with a jack and with a hoist. With a jack, you use your own body weight to apply pressure to the steel rods that support the car. With a hoist, you use an external device to apply pressure.
Regardless of how you jack up the car, always use caution and avoid damaging the vehicle or yourself.
The Benefits of Jacking Up a Car
If you’re like many motorists, you probably jack up your car at least once a year to adjust the suspension. While jacking up your car may seem like a simple task, there are a few benefits to doing so.
One benefit of jacking up your car is that it can adjust the suspension settings. If you’re experiencing poor handling or ridequality, raising the car’s suspension will help improve the situation.
Another benefit of jacking up your car is that it can improve gas mileage. By adding height to the suspension, you increase the air pressure inside the tires. This increased pressure causes the engine to work harder and burn more fuel, which results in better fuel economy.
Finally, jacking up your car can also improve handling by increasing the car’s weight distribution. When cars are properly balanced, they’re able to drive more smoothly and with less torque steer. By raising the car’s suspension, you can even improve cornering performance.
How to Jack Up a Car
If you want to jack up a car, here are the steps:
1. Locate the car’s frame.
2. Park the car on a level surface that is large enough to hold both the car and your tool(s).
3. Place your jack on the car’s frame and use your other hand to hold onto the vehicle’s bumper.
4. Raise the jack until it is at least 2 inches off of the ground.
5. Bring the jack back down slowly until it creates a “thump” when it hits the ground.
6. Repeat this step until you reach the desired height.
Precautions When Jacking Up a Car
If you’re thinking about jackknifing your car to fix a flat tire or change a tire, there are a few things you should know first.
First and foremost, make sure the car is properly parked. If you’re jacking up the car in an uncontrolled area, it’s much easier for something to go wrong.
Second, be aware of your surroundings. if there are any other cars or pedestrians around, be very careful not to hit them.
Finally, use caution when torqueing the jack handle. The more torque you apply, the more easily the car can fall off the jack. Be sure to use plenty of caution and have someone hold onto the car while you work.
Conclusion
It’s always a good idea to jack up a side of your car if you’re having trouble with your alignment or suspension. By raising the car, you can improve your chances of finding and fixing any problems quickly. Plus, it just looks cool!