Hey there, fellow Tesla enthusiast! Ever found yourself needing to get under your Model X for a quick inspection, a tire rotation, or perhaps even a repair? While the sleek design of your Tesla is undoubtedly impressive, jacking it up requires a bit more care and knowledge than a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. This guide will walk you through every step to safely and effectively jack up your Tesla Model X. Let's get started!
Step 1: Preparation is Key ️
Before you even think about reaching for that jack, proper preparation is paramount to ensure your safety and prevent any damage to your valuable Model X.
Sub-heading: Gather Your Tools and Location
Jack: You'll need a sturdy floor jack with a sufficient weight capacity for your Model X. Check your owner's manual for the exact curb weight.
Jack Stands: Never rely solely on a jack to support your vehicle. Jack stands are crucial for safety. You'll need at least two, preferably four, rated for your Model X's weight.
Tesla Jack Pad Adapters (Pucks): This is perhaps the most critical item for jacking up a Tesla. The Model X's battery pack is integrated into the chassis, and improper jacking can cause severe, costly damage to the battery or side rails. These rubber pucks fit into the designated jack points and provide a safe lifting surface. You can typically purchase a set of four online.
Wheel Chocks: These prevent the vehicle from rolling while you're working on it.
Gloves and Safety Glasses: Always protect your hands and eyes!
Level, Hard Surface: Choose a flat, stable, and hard surface like a concrete garage floor. Avoid grass, gravel, or uneven surfaces.
Torque Wrench: Essential for correctly tightening lug nuts when putting the wheel back on.
21mm Socket: For loosening and tightening the lug nuts.
Lug Nut Wrench (if not using an impact wrench): Your Tesla should come with one.
Step 2: Engaging Jack Mode and Maximizing Suspension Height ⚙️
The Tesla Model X, being equipped with air suspension, has a unique feature called "Jack Mode." Activating this mode is absolutely essential before lifting the vehicle. Failure to do so can lead to serious damage to the air suspension system, as the car will attempt to self-level, even when powered off.
Sub-heading: Navigating the Touchscreen
Enter Your Vehicle: Get into your Model X and power it on.
Access Controls: On the large touchscreen, touch the "Controls" icon.
Navigate to Service: In the Controls menu, tap on "Service."
Activate Jack Mode: Look for "Jack Mode" and tap it to enable. You will see a confirmation message on the instrument panel indicating that Jack Mode is active. This disables the automatic self-leveling feature of the air suspension.
Maximize Suspension Height (Optional but Recommended): While still in the "Controls" menu (or under the "Suspension" tab if available), press the brake pedal, then touch "Very High" to maximize the height of the suspension. This provides additional clearance for your jack.
Sub-heading: Close Falcon Wing Doors and Remove the Charge Cable
Close Falcon Wing Doors: Ensure all doors, especially the falcon wing doors, are completely closed before lifting.
Disconnect Charge Cable: Never raise your Model X when the charge cable is connected, even if charging isn't in progress.
Step 3: Locating the Jack Points and Positioning Jack Pads
Identifying the correct jack points is crucial to avoid damaging the battery or other sensitive components. Tesla Model X has four designated jack points, one near each wheel.
Sub-heading: Pinpointing the Lift Points
On the Model X, the jack points are specific holes in a metal rectangular plate located near each corner of the battery pack, just inside the wheels.
They are flush with the battery pack itself.
Do NOT position your jack under the battery pack or the side rails directly. This will cause damage not covered by warranty.
Sub-heading: Placing the Jack Pad Adapters
Insert the Jack Pads: Take your Tesla jack pad adapters (pucks) and firmly insert one into each of the four designated jack points. Many jack pads have a centering cylinder or a rubber O-ring that helps them fit securely.
Ensure Secure Fit: Double-check that each jack pad is fully seated and stable in its respective jack point.
Step 4: Jacking Up Your Model X Safely ⬆️
Now that your Model X is prepared and your jack points are protected, you can begin the lifting process.
Sub-heading: Positioning the Jack
Place the Jack: Position your floor jack directly underneath the jack pad adapter at the corner you wish to lift. Ensure the jack's saddle is centered on the jack pad.
Chock the Wheels: If you're only lifting one corner, make sure to chock the wheel diagonal to the corner you're lifting (e.g., if lifting the front driver's side, chock the rear passenger's side). If lifting the entire side or front/rear, chock the wheels on the opposite side/end.
Sub-heading: Lifting and Supporting
Slow and Steady Lift: Slowly begin to raise the vehicle with your floor jack. As you lift, continuously monitor the contact between the jack and the jack pad to ensure it remains stable and correctly positioned.
Insert Jack Stands: Once the vehicle is lifted to a sufficient height, slide your jack stand(s) under the appropriate jack stand locations. These are typically very close to the jack points themselves, designed to bear the vehicle's weight once lifted. Consult your Model X owner's manual or a visual guide for their precise location if unsure.
Lower onto Jack Stands: Carefully and slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands, ensuring they are securely supporting the vehicle's weight. The jack should now be free to remove or remain in place as a secondary safety measure.
Confirm Stability: Gently try to rock the vehicle to confirm it's stable and securely resting on the jack stands before proceeding with any work.
Step 5: Completing Your Work and Lowering the Vehicle ⬇️
Once your task is complete, it's time to safely lower your Model X.
Sub-heading: Reversing the Process
Remove Jack Stands (Carefully): Use your floor jack to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands. Then, carefully remove the jack stands.
Slowly Lower the Vehicle: Slowly and steadily lower your Model X all the way down until it rests on the ground.
Remove Jack and Jack Pads: Once the vehicle is fully on the ground, remove your floor jack and the jack pad adapters.
Tighten Lug Nuts (if applicable): If you removed a wheel, remember to tighten the lug nuts to Tesla's recommended torque specification (typically 175 Newton meters or 129 foot-pounds for Model X) using a torque wrench, following a star pattern for even tightening. Double and triple-check this!
Step 6: Disengaging Jack Mode ✅
The final, but equally important, step is to disengage Jack Mode.
Sub-heading: Exiting Service Mode
Access Controls: Get back into your Model X and access the "Controls" menu on the touchscreen.
Navigate to Service: Tap on "Service."
Disable Jack Mode: Tap "Jack Mode" again to disable it. You can also disengage Jack Mode by simply starting to drive the vehicle.
FAQs: How to Jack Up a Tesla Model X
How to Find the Jack Points on a Tesla Model X?
The jack points on a Tesla Model X are located near each corner of the battery pack, typically identifiable as small, circular holes within a rectangular metal plate. They are flush with the underside of the vehicle.
How to Activate Jack Mode on a Tesla Model X?
To activate Jack Mode, go to the touchscreen, tap "Controls," then "Service," and then "Jack Mode."
How to Use Jack Pad Adapters for a Tesla Model X?
Tesla jack pad adapters, or "pucks," are designed to fit securely into the designated jack points on the underside of your Model X, providing a safe and stable surface for your jack to lift against.
How to Lift a Tesla Model X with Air Suspension?
To lift a Tesla Model X with air suspension, you must first activate "Jack Mode" via the touchscreen to disable the self-leveling feature, and then proceed with standard jacking procedures using appropriate jack pads.
How to Safely Lower a Tesla Model X After Jacking?
To safely lower, first lift the vehicle slightly with the jack to remove the jack stands, then slowly lower the vehicle until it rests on the ground, and finally, remove the jack.
How to Torque Lug Nuts on a Tesla Model X?
Torque Model X lug nuts to 175 Newton meters (or 129 foot-pounds) using a torque wrench, tightening them in a star pattern for even distribution.
How to Avoid Damaging the Battery when Jacking a Tesla Model X?
Always use Tesla-specific jack pad adapters and ensure they are properly seated in the designated jack points. Never place the jack directly on the battery pack or side rails.
How to Know if My Tesla Model X Has Air Suspension?
You can usually tell if your Model X has air suspension if you can manually adjust the ride height settings via the touchscreen (e.g., "Standard," "High," "Very High").
How to Choose the Right Jack for a Tesla Model X?
Select a floor jack with a weight capacity that comfortably exceeds the curb weight of your Model X, ensuring it's stable and in good working condition.
How to Reactivate Air Suspension After Jacking a Tesla Model X?
The air suspension will reactivate automatically once you disable Jack Mode through the touchscreen (Controls > Service > Jack Mode) or by simply starting to drive the vehicle.
To see a visual demonstration of jacking up a Tesla Model S or X, which shares similar jack points and procedures, check out this video:
