So, you're ready to get under your Tesla and do some work? That's awesome! Whether it's a tire rotation, brake inspection, or something more involved, knowing how to safely lift your Tesla and secure it on jack stands is absolutely crucial. Let's get started, shall we? ️
Step 1: Gather Your Gear (and Your Wits!)
Before you even think about lifting your precious Tesla, you need to make sure you have all the right tools for the job. Not just any jack stands will do for a Tesla, and neither will just any floor jack. Safety is paramount, so let's make sure you're equipped.
What You'll Need:
A Quality Floor Jack: This isn't the time to skimp. You'll need a low-profile floor jack with a good lifting capacity (ideally 3-ton or more). Teslas are heavy, and their battery packs sit low.
Tesla Jack Pad Adapters: This is absolutely non-negotiable. Teslas have specific jacking points, and using a regular jack directly on them can damage the battery pack or the vehicle's frame. These adapters are designed to fit perfectly into the rectangular jacking points on your Tesla. You can find these online easily.
Robust Jack Stands (4 of them): Again, capacity matters. Look for jack stands rated for at least 3 tons each. Four stands are highly recommended for stability and safety if you're lifting the entire vehicle.
Wheel Chocks: Essential for preventing the vehicle from rolling, especially when lifting one end.
Gloves and Safety Glasses: Protect your hands and eyes!
A Solid, Level Surface: Never attempt to lift your car on an incline or uneven ground. A concrete driveway or garage floor is ideal.
Optional (but recommended): A flashlight or headlamp, a creeper, and a torque wrench if you'll be putting wheels back on.
A Word on Safety:
Always work on a level surface.
Never get under a car supported only by a jack. Jacks are designed for lifting, not for holding.
Always use jack stands.
Always use wheel chocks.
If you have air suspension, ensure it's in Jack Mode (or 'Service Mode') before lifting. We'll cover this in Step 2.
Read your Tesla owner's manual for specific instructions and warnings related to jacking and lifting.
Step 2: Prepare Your Tesla for Lift-Off
Before you start pumping that jack handle, there are a few critical steps to take with your Tesla itself.
Engage Parking Brake and Jack Mode:
Park Your Tesla: Ensure your car is in Park (P).
Engage Parking Brake: Actively engage the electronic parking brake. You'll usually see a "P" indicator illuminate on your display.
Disable Air Suspension (if applicable): If your Tesla has air suspension (like Model S/X), you must put it into Jack Mode (sometimes called 'Service Mode'). This prevents the suspension from automatically leveling or adjusting while the car is lifted, which can be dangerous and damage the system.
To do this, go to Controls > Service > Jack Mode on your touchscreen. Confirm that Jack Mode is activated. If you skip this step, you risk damaging your air suspension system.
Remove Aero Wheel Covers (if applicable): If your Tesla has aero wheel covers, carefully remove them now. This provides easier access to the lug nuts and prevents accidental damage.
Position Wheel Chocks:
If you're lifting the front of the car, place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
If you're lifting the rear of the car, place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
If you're planning to lift all four wheels, you'll need chocks for the wheels that are not currently being lifted. For example, if you lift the front, chock the rear. Once the front is on stands, you can then move to the rear, but ensure the front wheels (now lifted) are still stable.
Step 3: Locate the Jack Points and Position Your Jack
Teslas have very specific jacking points designed to protect the battery and structural components. These are typically small, circular or rectangular reinforced pads located behind each wheel.
Finding the Jack Points:
Look under the vehicle, just inboard from the wheel well, near the rocker panel. You'll typically see four designated jacking points – one near each wheel. They're usually reinforced black pads, often with a small depression or a distinct shape designed to accept the jack pad adapter.
Refer to your owner's manual if you're unsure. This is not a place for guesswork!
Positioning Your Jack and Adapter:
Place the Tesla Jack Pad Adapter: Carefully insert your Tesla-specific jack pad adapter into the designated jacking point. Make sure it's seated firmly and correctly.
Position the Floor Jack: Roll your floor jack under the car, aligning its saddle directly under the jack pad adapter. Ensure the jack pad adapter is perfectly centered on the jack's saddle.
Double-Check Everything: Take a moment to ensure the jack pad is correctly in the jacking point, the jack is squarely under the pad, and the wheel chocks are in place.
Step 4: Lifting Your Tesla ⬆️
Now for the actual lifting! Take it slow and steady.
The Lifting Process:
Slow and Steady Lift: Begin to slowly pump the handle of your floor jack. As the car begins to lift, constantly monitor the jack pad adapter and the jack's position. Ensure nothing is shifting or slipping.
Lift High Enough: Lift the vehicle only high enough to comfortably slide the jack stands underneath. Don't over-lift.
Single Wheel or End First: If you're lifting only one end of the car (e.g., just the front), lift both sides of that end simultaneously if possible, or one side then the other.
For One Wheel: If you only need to lift one wheel, once it's off the ground, immediately proceed to Step 5 for that corner.
For an Entire Axle (e.g., Front or Rear): Lift one side until the wheel is just off the ground. Then, immediately place a jack stand under the designated jack point on that side (without the jack pad adapter, if you only have one). Do not lower the car onto this stand yet. Now, move the jack to the other side of the same axle and lift that side until the wheel is also off the ground.
Step 5: Positioning and Securing with Jack Stands ️
This is the most critical step for safety. Never work under a car unless it's properly supported by jack stands.
Placing the Jack Stands:
Proper Placement: With the vehicle lifted, slide the jack stands under the designated jack points. Do NOT use the jack pad adapter on the jack stand itself. The jack stand should make direct contact with the reinforced jacking point (the black pad) once the floor jack is removed. Ensure the top of the jack stand is properly cradling the jacking point.
Adjust Height: Adjust the jack stands to the appropriate height. Make sure they are all set to the same height for that axle to ensure even weight distribution.
Lower Onto Stands: Once the jack stands are securely in place under the jacking points, slowly and carefully lower the vehicle onto the jack stands by releasing the pressure on your floor jack. Listen for any creaks or groans and observe the vehicle as it settles.
Confirm Stability: Once the car is resting on the jack stands, gently try to rock the car back and forth and side to side to confirm it's stable and securely seated on the stands. Any movement or instability means you need to re-evaluate and re-position.
Lifting All Four Wheels (Advanced):
If you need all four wheels off the ground, the process is similar but requires extra caution:
Lift the front axle first, place both front jack stands, and lower the car onto them. Ensure the rear wheels are still chocked.
Move to the rear axle. Lift one side, place a jack stand. Then lift the other side, and place the second rear jack stand.
Slowly lower the rear onto the stands.
Crucial Check: Once all four wheels are on stands, perform a thorough stability check on all corners.
Step 6: Verify and Work Safely ✅
You've successfully lifted your Tesla and secured it on jack stands! Now, before you dive into your work, take a final moment to verify everything.
Final Checks:
Are all four jack stands (if applicable) firmly on the ground?
Is the Tesla securely seated on all the jack stands? (Give it another gentle shake).
Are the wheel chocks still in place on the un-lifted wheels, or if all are lifted, are they secure for other purposes?
Is Jack Mode still engaged?
Do you have enough clearance to safely work under the vehicle?
While You Work:
Always maintain situational awareness.
Keep your work area clean and free of clutter.
If you need to lift the car again while it's on stands (e.g., to adjust stand height), follow the lifting procedure in reverse, ensuring the jack is properly positioned before lifting off the stands.
Step 7: Lowering Your Tesla ⬇️
When your work is done, reversing the process is just as important as lifting.
The Lowering Process:
Clear the Area: Ensure all tools, parts, and yourself are clear from under the vehicle.
Position Your Jack: Place your floor jack under the jacking point from which you want to remove the first jack stand.
Lift Slightly: Slowly lift the vehicle just enough to take the weight off the jack stand.
Remove Jack Stand: Carefully remove the jack stand.
Lower Slowly: Slowly release the pressure on the jack, allowing the vehicle to descend smoothly to the ground.
Repeat for Remaining Stands: Repeat this process for each remaining jack stand, one by one.
Remove Jack and Chocks: Once all wheels are on the ground, remove your floor jack and the wheel chocks.
Disengage Jack Mode: Go to your Tesla's touchscreen and disable Jack Mode (if applicable).
Torque Wheel Nuts (if applicable): If you've removed and re-installed wheels, it is absolutely critical to torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer's specified torque settings using a torque wrench. Do not overtighten or undertighten. Check your owner's manual for the correct torque specifications for your specific Tesla model.
Test Drive: After everything is reassembled, take a short, slow test drive to ensure everything feels right and there are no unusual noises or vibrations.
Congratulations! You've safely lifted and lowered your Tesla on jack stands. Remember, patience and attention to detail are your best friends when working on any vehicle, especially a high-tech one like a Tesla. Stay safe!
How to Put Tesla on Jack Stands: Related FAQs
How to use Tesla jack pads?
Tesla jack pads are designed to fit into the rectangular jacking points on the vehicle's underside. Simply insert the pad into the jacking point before positioning your floor jack underneath it. They provide a safe interface between your jack and the car, preventing damage.
How to put a Tesla Model 3 on jack stands?
The process for a Tesla Model 3 is identical to the general steps outlined above. Locate the four specific jack points near each wheel, use jack pad adapters, and follow the steps for lifting, placing stands, and lowering.
How to find Tesla Model Y jack points?
Tesla Model Y jack points are the same as other Tesla models: four reinforced black pads located just inside the pinch weld behind each wheel well. Refer to your owner's manual for precise locations.
How to raise a Tesla with air suspension?
If your Tesla has air suspension (like Model S/X), you must activate "Jack Mode" (or 'Service Mode') via the touchscreen (Controls > Service > Jack Mode) before lifting. This prevents the suspension from attempting to self-level and causing damage.
How to use a floor jack on a Tesla?
To use a floor jack on a Tesla, you must use a Tesla-specific jack pad adapter. Place the adapter into the designated jacking point, then position the floor jack's saddle directly under the adapter. Lift slowly and steadily.
How to avoid damaging a Tesla battery when jacking?
To avoid damaging the battery, always use the designated jacking points and always use a Tesla jack pad adapter. Never place a jack directly on the battery pack or any part of the vehicle's frame not specified as a jacking point.
How to safely lift a Tesla for tire rotation?
For a tire rotation, you'll need to lift one side or the entire vehicle. Follow all the steps for using jack pad adapters, positioning the jack and jack stands, and engaging Jack Mode if applicable. Ensure the vehicle is stable before removing any wheels.
How to know if my Tesla has air suspension?
You can usually tell if your Tesla has air suspension by checking your vehicle's specifications or by looking for options related to "Suspension" or "Ride Height" in your touchscreen's Controls menu. Model S and X typically have it, while Model 3 and Y often do not, unless optioned.
How to put wheel chocks on a Tesla?
Place wheel chocks on the opposite end of the car from where you are lifting. For example, if lifting the front, place chocks behind the rear wheels. If lifting the rear, place chocks in front of the front wheels.
How to torque Tesla lug nuts?
After re-installing wheels, torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer's specified setting using a torque wrench. This critical step ensures wheels are securely fastened without overtightening. Consult your Tesla owner's manual for the exact torque specification for your model.
