Topic: Using a Floor Jack

[Switz]

I just purchased a floor jack to raise my '08 Mazda 5 in order to change over from summer to winter wheels.  The reason I purchased the jack was so I didn't have to use the scissor jack point on the edge of the body since each time I use them they warp the plastic skirt package that the GT has.

My question is, where is it safe to place the floor jack under the car.  Garages do it all the time and I know they don't refer to each cars manual to determine where they can place the floor jack, they just know.  I'd like to know.

I see a flat cross member between the front wheels that I should be able to lift the car from, but where does anyone suggest at the back?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in adavance.

[tortoise]

Check the manual.  The manual for my Protege5 clearly states the jack point for front and rear. 

Or google?

http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb225/showthread.php?123630776-Mazda-5-Jacking-Point

There's a .pdf in there that describes the lift points.

[quadzilla]

To add to the above:

The reason I purchased the jack was so I didn't have to use the scissor jack point on the edge of the body since each time I use them they warp the plastic skirt package that the GT has.

If you are damaging your car with the scissor jack then you are not placing it in the right location to begin with. Check your manual or the PDF posted.

[Switz]

Thanks tortoise   I've been trying to find that link on that exact website and have been failing horribly.  I posted there asking the same question and got no response.  You gave me the exact information I was looking for.

Thanks again.

[Gardiner Westbound]

Use a proper "Floor Jack Saddle" to cushion and spread the load instead of the suggested block of wood. It's easier to position and much more secure. $9 from Princess Auto. See the attached pdf.

If this style won't fit your jack, a hockey puck is almost as good.

[rrocket]

Use a proper "Floor Jack Saddle" to cushion and spread the load instead of the suggested block of wood. It's easier to position and much more secure. See the attached pdf. $9 from Princess Auto

If this style won't fit your jack, a hockey puck is almost as good.

If you have the rails, you can cut a slit into hockey puck so it can be used on the OEM rails..

[Marko]

But to the OP's point, mechanics do this all the time and they don't refer to every car's manual. They look under the car and they immediately recognize where you can place the jack safely. How can one tell where it's safe to place a jack without having to read the manual?

[blur911]

But to the OP's point, mechanics do this all the time and they don't refer to every car's manual. They look under the car and they immediately recognize where you can place the jack safely. How can one tell where it's safe to place a jack without having to read the manual?

Some cars have obvious jacking points, an Audi 5000 had rubber pads built in the right spots, my  911 has holes in the side you slide a device into and jack up the whole side by. 
Many cars have small notches for the OE jack to fit in, line those up with the pads in a way that won't bend sheet metal and you're good.  (This is where the puck rrocket mentioned is used)

Quite often you use suspension pickup points to jack from, I use a rear crossmember to lift the entire rear of my Audi 90.

Eventually mechanics know where the points are on popular models, others they either check the manual or guess, usually they get it right.