Are you a Tesla owner looking to work on your own vehicle? Whether you’re changing a flat tire, rotating your tires, or doing some routine maintenance, you’ll need to know how to safely and correctly jack up your Tesla. But did you know that Tesla has its own unique way of jacking up its cars? Unlike traditional cars, Tesla’s use special designated lift points and require specific equipment to ensure the battery and other components aren’t damaged during the process. How exactly do you go about jacking up a Tesla?
To jack up a Tesla, you should use jack pads to ensure that you don’t damage the side skirt of the car, or more crucially, the expensive battery. As long as you use the designated jack points—and, for Models S and X, Jack Mode—jacking a Tesla isn’t different from jacking another car.
In this article, we’ll be diving into everything you need to know about jacking up your Tesla, from the best floor jacks to use, to how to identify the correct jack points, and tips and best practices for keeping your Tesla stable while it’s jacked up. So, grab your tool kit, and get ready to learn everything you need to know about “How To Jack Up A Tesla” like a pro!
- Best Floor Jack for Your Tesla – How Do I Choose a Floor Jack?
- Which Brand of Floor Jack Is the Best for Every Tesla?
- Where Do You Jack Up a Tesla?
- How Do You Use a Floor Jack on a Tesla?
- How Big of a Floor Jack Should I Buy for My Tesla?
- What Does Jack Mode Do?
- Understanding Tesla Lift Point Pads:
- Tips and Tricks for Safely Jacking Up Your Tesla
Best Floor Jack for Your Tesla – How Do I Choose a Floor Jack?
Choosing a good jack is essential for any car, but you especially need to scrutinize jacks when you have a Tesla.
Generally, you can use a regular jack, but the use of jack pads is highly recommended. Using jack pads along with proper jack points helps to guarantee that you don’t damage the very expensive battery right next to the jack points. In other words, it’s not really about the jack so much that you use jack pads with your jack.
Does Tesla Come With A Jack?
Your Tesla won’t come with a jack, you will have to purchase one separately if you need it. You’ll also need to purchase jack pads separately.
Jack pads are first placed into the designated jack points on the Tesla – every model has them, so check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure where they’re located. The jack pad acts as a flat surface that the jack presses into to lift the car up without making contact with the car itself.
Jack pads are especially handy in preventing you from accidentally jacking somewhere that isn’t an official jack point. While the battery is the main concern, you may also accidentally jack the side rails of the car, which causes body damage that, while less expensive than a new battery, still isn’t cheap.
Which Brand of Floor Jack Is the Best for Every Tesla?
There are several brands of jacks to choose from, all of which will do a great job of jacking up any Tesla. Each one offers unique benefits that you’ll need to consider when making a decision.
Whether you’re looking for the best jack for Tesla Model Y, Model S, Model 3 or Model X, this list has you covered.
BL-5000SLX QuickJack
The Bendpak BL-5000SLX QuickJack from Amazon.com is a full portable lifting system. It handles every part of lifting your car, and there are no annoying crossbeams to get in your way when you’re working. Instead of crossbeams, there are automatic locking beams that act as jack stands and lock the mechanism in place.
The difference between QuickJack and manual jacks is safety: all you do is fit jack pads over your Tesla’s jack points, place the two units on each side, and park your car over them. If you’re in the right place, all you do is press a button, and the QuickJack handles the rest.
You can get about two feet of clearance out of this system, which may be overkill considering that you don’t need to work underneath a Tesla too much—the most you’ll probably do is change out the tires.
This jack is a high-tier option for owners that regularly change out their tires and is great for people who take their Tesla out onto the track frequently. For people who only need to change their tires every once in a while, though, this may be a bit more expensive than you need.
Teslarati Racing Red Safe Jack for Model S, X, Y, and 3
These fashionable red jack stands are specifically made for Teslas and are accompanied by Tesla-specific jack pads to ensure your battery or car body doesn’t sustain damage.
These jacks can handle 3 tons, making them perfect for basic maintenance like changing and rotating tires, as well as cleaning and other miscellaneous tasks.
This is a very compact and user-friendly jack stand specially designed for Teslas. Simply fit the jack pads in your Tesla’s factory jack points, fit the jack in place, and jack it up. There’s nothing fancy here, but that’s perfectly fine for most needs. You can order one at Teslarati.
It’s worth noting that these are sold in units, meaning you’d need two of them to jack the whole car up. Fortunately, though, for most situations, you don’t really need to jack both sides up at the same time.
Where Do You Jack Up a Tesla?
Before trying to jack up any Tesla, you need to know that it’s not like jacking up a gasoline-powered vehicle.
A large section of a Tesla’s underside is occupied by its powerful high-voltage battery. If you try to jack the car in the wrong spot, you can cause a lot of cosmetic damage, not to mention potentially ruining the battery. That’s why every Tesla has certain jack points where you’re supposed to place your jack.
Where Do You Jack Up a Model S ?
The Tesla Model S has three rectangular jack points located on the underside of the car around the edges.
Feel around under the edge of your car, and you can feel them bolted into the chassis. The jack points are relatively easy to find on this model and aren’t inwardly placed.
Where Do You Jack Up a Model X ?
Model X shares the same jack points as the Model S—three rectangular jack points on the outer edge underneath the car bolted into the chassis. Simply run your hand underneath the outside edge of the car until you feel the hole.
The jack pads have an extension that fits into this hole to keep the pads in place as shown in the YouTube video below:
Where Do You Jack Up a Model Y ?
The Model Y jack points vary from the Model X and S. First off, there are four of them behind each wheel. Second, instead of being bolted into the chassis, these jack points are stamped.
Rather than being on the outer edge, you have to go more inward on the body of the car to find them. Another departure is their circular shape, which you’ll need to consider when purchasing jack pads.
Does Model Y Have Jack Mode?
Both Tesla’s Model S and Model Y have Tesla Jack Mode. This feature is not found in the Model X and Model 3.
Where Do You Jack Up a Model 3?
Model 3 shares the four circular jack points of the Model Y, located behind each wheel on the body of the chassis. The shape of the jack point, as I mentioned before, needs to be considered when you’re choosing the right jack pads for your car.
| Model | Model S | Model Y | Model X | Model 3 |
| Jack Point | 3 rectangular jack points | 3 rectangular jack points | 4 circular jack points | 4 circular jack points |
| Air Suspension/Jack Mode | Yes | Yes | No | No |
How Do You Use a Floor Jack on a Tesla?
While some aspects of jacking different Teslas vary, you’ll find that they’re not terribly different. For the sake of education, however, I’ll describe the process for the different models.
It’s important to note that if your Model S or X is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, the car self-levels. Remember that Jack Mode must be enabled to jack the car up, or else anyone that places any body part underneath the car could face grave injury.
How To Jack Up A Tesla Model Y
The Model 3 and Y have similar jack points, and you can see a visual guide of how to jack the Model 3 here, on Youtube:
How To Jack a Tesla Model X with Jack Mode
- Park your Model X over the jack lift posts, or position your jack underneath the jack points.
- Go to the Suspension menu on your touchscreen.
- Tap the brake pedal and select Very High. This forces the suspension as high as it will go, which is essential.
- Tap Jack Mode, which disables active suspension controls. An indicator on your instrument panel shows that this mode is enabled.
- Close the falcon-wing doors.
- Place the jack pads onto the Model X jack point rails as indicated on the car’s documentation. Double-check to ensure they’re not installed on the battery or side skirt.
- Making sure the pads remain even and in position, raise the jack into place.
- After checking that a solid connection is made, lift the car to the desired height.
Note: this description also applies to how to jack up a Tesla Model S.
How Big of a Floor Jack Should I Buy for My Tesla?
The size of the jack you need is largely dependent on how much clearance you want. If you’re more comfortable with more clearance, get a taller jack stand. As long as the jack is compatible with jack pads and everything is snug in the assigned jack points, the height is up to you.
While the QuickJack described above gets you a respectable two feet, the Teslarati jack has a maximum height of 16.5 inches (41.9 cm).
How much room do you need, though? Not much, to be honest. Other than the wheels/tires, there’s not much underneath the car you need to get at. Most of a Tesla’s underside is the battery, which ordinary folks like me and you don’t really need to mess with.
What Does Jack Mode Do?
Jack Mode is an option included with Models S and X, which have smart air suspensions that automatically adjust depending on where the car is driving. Models Y and 3 do not have air suspension, so Jack Mode is not included as an option.
Jack Mode prevents the car from automatically adjusting its suspension. This is most ideal for jacking the car up, as the name suggests. However, Jack Mode may be useful in any situation where you don’t want your Model S or X arbitrarily changing its height.
In general, you want to turn off Jack Mode whenever the car isn’t actually jacked up because the smart suspension adjusts for things like potholes and unevenly paved roads. Leaving Jack Mode on could cause you some difficulty getting out of uneven parking situations, too.
Understanding Tesla Lift Point Pads:
When jacking up your Tesla, it’s important to use a lift point pad to ensure that you don’t damage the side skirts of the car or the expensive battery.
These pads are designed to fit into the designated jack points on your Tesla and act as a flat surface that the jack presses into to lift the car up. As a Tesla owner, it’s important to understand the location of these lift points, which can be found in your owner’s manual.
Jack Pad Tools
To make jacking up your Tesla as easy as possible, it’s essential to have the right tools on hand. One of the most important tools you’ll need is a set of jack pad tools.
These tools are designed to fit into the designated jack points on your Tesla and act as a flat surface that the jack presses into to lift the car up. These tools are usually made from heavy-duty composite polymer, which is durable enough to withstand the weight of your Tesla vehicle.
Low Profile Jacks
When jacking up your Tesla, it’s important to use a low-profile jack that’s designed to fit under the car without damaging the battery or other parts of the car.
Low-profile jacks are typically made from heavy-duty composite polymer and have a small profile that makes them perfect for use with Teslas. These jacks are also equipped with a charging cable, which allows you to charge your Tesla while it’s being jacked up.
Jack Point Inserts
When jacking up your Tesla, it’s important to use jack point inserts to ensure that you don’t damage the side skirts of the car or the expensive battery.
These inserts are designed to fit into the designated jack points on your Tesla and act as a flat surface that the jack presses into to lift the car up. As a Tesla owner, it’s important to understand the location of these jack points, which can be found in your owner’s manual.
Tips and Tricks for Safely Jacking Up Your Tesla
Level Surface, Level Safety
When lifting your Tesla, it’s important to ensure that the surface you’re working on is level and stable. This will help prevent the car from slipping or moving while it’s jacked up, which can cause serious damage. Make sure to check that the ground is level and firm before positioning your jack.
Knowing Your Jack Points (Lift Points)
Different Tesla models have different designated lift points, so it’s important to know where they are on your specific vehicle. Refer to your owner’s manual or consult with a Tesla service center for identification purposes if you aren’t sure after reading the descriptions earlier in this article.
Some Tesla owners have found that using hockey pucks or T Sportline pad pucks at the lift points can provide added protection for your battery and side skirts.
Proper Positioning For Lifting
Once you’ve identified the correct lift points, it’s important to position your jack and lift arm pads in the correct positions. The lift arm pads should be placed directly under the designated body lift points, and the jack should be centered over the lift point hole.
Incorrectly supported vehicles can cause serious damage, so make sure to double-check your work before raising the car.
Jack Pad Tools
Investing in a set of jack pad tools can make the process of jacking up your Tesla much easier. T Sportline offers a full set of jack pucks that are designed to fit the factory lift points on every Tesla model. They’re made from heavy-duty composite polymer and come with a convenient storage bag.
Air Suspension System
If your Tesla has an air suspension system, you’ll need to take extra care when jacking it up. The air suspension system can be damaged if the vehicle is lifted incorrectly, so make sure to consult your owner’s manual or a Tesla service center for instructions on how to safely lift your vehicle.
Can You Jack Up A Tesla?
You can jack up a Tesla and the process is similar to jacking up any other vehicle. Note that the Model S and Model Y have a Jack Mode, which isn’t present in the Model 3 and Model X.
Teslas are also less likely to need to be jacked up because they don’t have an electric motor. The underside of the car consists mainly of the battery. You’re most likely to need to jack up your Tesla if you need to change a flat tire, rotate your tires or want to give your vehicle a proper clean.
Can I use any floor jack on my Tesla or do I need a specific one?
Can I change my Tesla’s tires without jacking up the car?
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