A floor jack is also known as a hydraulic jack; a floor jack is an extremely useful device which enables you to lift a car or a truck from the floor in order to change its tire or to even work under the car safely.

As it can be extremely dangerous and even fatal if the car or truck is not lifted using professional and secure tools.

If you love owning or working with cars and trucks, then this tool is definitely a must have for you.   

Floor jacks come is different shapes and sizes like standard 3-ton floor jacks or the heavy duty 5 ton and 10-ton floor jacks for bigger automobiles, also convenient options like portable and compact floor jacks.

Though if you are searching about how to use a floor jack safely then this probably means that you are aware of the importance of this device and have already bought one for yourself (though if you are still searching its best to read online about the best floor jacks on the market).

The next thing for you to now understand is how you can use these floor jacks safely and properly. For this purpose we have specially compiled this article using tips and guide from the professionals to help you understand the basics of using a floor jack like a pro.

Step by Step Guide on Using a Floor Jack

Before starting with the procedure of using these tools it is important for you to understand how these floor jacks work.

Basically these floor jacks have a pair of wheels fixed under it along with a pair of rotating casters which allows you to move this jacks easily. When working with this tool you just have to roll its saddle under the lifting point of your car and then pump the handle up and down.

This allows the hydraulic cylinder to elevate the lifting arm until the saddle contacts with the car’s lifting point.

Before starting, ensuring safety should be your utmost priority as working with heavy vehicles without taking safety precautions can prove to be fatal. Below is the step by step procedure on how to use a floor jack properly:

• The first thing is to ensure your vehicle is parked on a flat and solid surface which is necessary for proper placement and fixing of the floor jack. Also make sure the parking brake is engaged.

• For safety purpose choke the wheels of your vehicle using a wheel choker. so that the car doesn’t roll back accidently.

• As safety is the utmost priority ensure that you own and use a jack stand if you intend on working under your car to keep it lifted for longer period of time.

• Next step is to do a test run of your floor jack by engaging and disengaging it with your hand

• Next step is to properly identify and use the jack points properly, these jack points are indicated by every car manufacturer on the vehicle. If you are not sure, please consult the user manual of your vehicle.

• Once the jack point is identified, place your jack underneath, the saddle of the jack should have proper contact with the lifting point before lifting.

• Ensure that the release valve is closed and then gradually start lifting the jack in slow motion.

• Once the vehicle is hoisted to the required position where you can comfortably access the vehicle from underneath. Then place the jack stand underneath the vehicle.

• Test the stability of the jack stand first and then gradually and slowly remove the floor jack.

• Only go under the vehicle once you have ensured that the jack stand is securely placed and has a firm standing.

In this guide we will tell you, how to use oil filer wrench, their types & sizes to remove the oil filer effortlessly from your car. Oil filters are essential for smooth functioning of a car’s engine as they filter impurities from the oil for its smooth processing.

Oil filters can get difficult to remove as the oil filter casing can tighten during the heating and cooling down of the engine and it gets so firmly fixed that an oil filter wrench is required to remove it.

Also the grime and grease stuck on the oil filters make it even more difficult so using the correct tool is key for stress-free removal.

There are many different types of oil filter wrenches used according to the car model, positioning of the engine and the work space available to remove the oil filters but basically there are three main types of oil filter wrenches that are normally used.

Strap-style wrench, socket-style/cap-style wrench and a specialized wrench that is dedicated to work in your type of car.

Follow the detailed step by step instructions below to efficiently remove your car’s oil filter. Before you start make sure you have the necessary tools at hand that you require to undergo this procedure.

Step 1:

Prepare your vehicle: Park your vehicle at the work station you are going to work at and shut off the engine, let your car and its engine cool down completely (make sure it is completely cool before starting to work, it might take half an hour or more).

This step is only required if you have started your car before this procedure. Make sure you have all the tools and supplies you require close by.

Step 2:

Jack-up your car: Jack-up your car before starting and place the jack stands to elevate and fix it in place. Your car doesn’t have to be elevated too much just enough so that you have an easy access angle to work in. 

Step 3:

Drain the engine oil: Position your oil drain pan below the drain or slum plug.Using anopen end wrench, remove the drain plug/ slum plug from the engine oil pan. Allow the oil to flow out on to the drain pan. Once all the oil is out empty the drain pan and replace it. Now replace the drain plug and tighten it with the open end wrench.

Strap Style Wrench:

Step 4:

For Strap-style wrench simply clean the oil filter with an old rag and slip the strap of the wrench on the casing of the oil filter. The end of the handle should be counterclockwise

Step 5:

Push the handle in the same direction to release the oil filter casing. If you don’t have enough room to rotate, pull the handle clockwise

Step 6:

Slide off the strap of the casing, now simply turn the casing of the oil filter counterclockwise by hand and it will come off.

Socket Style/Cap Style Wrench

Step 4:

For a socket-style wrench, simply place you cap first, you should place it on the end of the filter, push if firmly so that it doesn’t slip off.  In case you are not able to reach it use a suitable tool to adjust the cap at the end.

Step 5:

Keeping pressure upwards with your palm turn your ratchet driver counterclockwise

Step 6:

When the casing slackens, remove the wrench and disengage it by hand.

Specialized Wrench

There are also specialized wrench available for specific models of cars that are easier to use and are made according to the requirements of the car.

Steps for that might differ slightly, your best route in case of confusion is to contact the manufacturer for procedure or simply have you mechanic take a look at it.

And that is it, you are now acquainted with how to use an oil filter wrench to remove an oil filter from your car.

Tip: Make sure to be extra careful when working in limited space it is likely that you might damage any other component.