Hi, I'm brand new to CL and still finding my way around.

But recently I decided to change my own oil, and everything was easy except for the jacking up the car part. After looking every where for the jack point, I finally just decided to use the front driver side tow hook as a jack point. It worked fine even though I couldn't even get it high every for the wheel to leave the ground.

I just wanted to ask if it was a good idea?
What are alternate jacking points?

BTW I used the OEM jack.

 

My car is lowered. I start to get up up in the front using the tow hook, once it's high enough I use a 3 ton jack and lift it up by the center of the sub frame (brace right before the steering rack)

Then once in the air, I set it on jack stands using the uni body rails (runs parallel to the exhaust down pipes)

 

welcome to the family,before making any new threads please look over this thread first (and then search if you still cant find it....)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ou-search.html

but inside that thread is this

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...he-car-up.html

 

Yes, i already looked at both those posts prior to making the post, and neither had anything about using tow hooks as jack points

 

ohhh, thanks. that makes a lot more sense

 

OP, purchase ramps to drive you car on. I still have the old school 45degree yellow metal raps (when metal used to actually be made in USA lol) and makes this job a wrap. I also use this to change my tranny fluid. I'm able to get an additional 1qt out vs. what others have reported.

 

Yeah, i used those when i changed my oil the first time with my buddy, but that was at his garage. I dont have a pair of metal ramps laying around lol

 

it was interesting. the jack points seemed really odd, but you can see the notches where they recommend on the uni-body rails just behind the front wheel. for the rear i go for the circular shaped beefy points and i put the jack in from the back. also just behind the rear wheels.
also, when i lowered mine we made our own ramps and i use them all the time.

 

lol....ok then BUMP that post and ask in there in case another new person comes along and has the same question you did

i made a set of mine also....think they work the best IMHO.

to bad i still cant get up my driveway to use them in my garage anymore

 

haha, seriously, my neighbors think i am nuts because i come in at such a far angle to get up the driveway that i have to roll over the grass

 

Glad it didn't fall on you ... Get ramps, a safe jack and stands.

 

it isnt a designated jacking point, but ive used my tow hook as a jacking point to raise cars high enough to
get my low profile jack under the correct jacking points.

find out the correct jacking point and try to use that always/as much as possible. the likelihood of the jacking point failing as you elevate the car is slim. the entire weight and stress isnt being put on it, the majority of it is
being put onto the opposite end of the car's tires.

disclaimer:
never work under a car just supported by a jack itself. always use jack stands and the correct jack stand locations.

 

Tow hook isnt a good jacking point, if you lift the vehicle by the tow hook and the jack is not centered fully under the hook, the hook will bend. It may/may not fail completely (snap off), but it does noticeably bend if too much weight/force is applied.