Where to put jack stands?
#1
Where to put jack stands?
I changed the oil in my wife's '10 Fit today. My usual procedure with my other cars is to jack the car up using the scissors jack and then place jack stands at the appropriate hard points. It was hard for me to identify any good points for the stands on the Fit, though.
On the driver's side, there was a frame rail about a foot inside, and behind the front reinforced jack point. There wasn't, however, a similar point on the passenger side, because of how the exhaust is routed.
I did notice a bracket-like structure with a hole in it at the back edge of the front wheel well that looks about right for a jack stand. Would this spot work? There's a corresponding piece on the passenger side.
This was my first time under the fit. I applaud the easy access to the drain plug and filter. However, the positioning of the oil fill cap is a bit of a joke.
Thanks!
Jim
On the driver's side, there was a frame rail about a foot inside, and behind the front reinforced jack point. There wasn't, however, a similar point on the passenger side, because of how the exhaust is routed.
I did notice a bracket-like structure with a hole in it at the back edge of the front wheel well that looks about right for a jack stand. Would this spot work? There's a corresponding piece on the passenger side.
This was my first time under the fit. I applaud the easy access to the drain plug and filter. However, the positioning of the oil fill cap is a bit of a joke.
Thanks!
Jim
#2
I just use the front crossmember to jack up the front using a pneumatic jack.
I wouldn't use a scissor jack there, that's pretty unsafe. If you don't have a pneumatic jack go get one. IMO scissor jacks are named for their ability to cause severed limbs when they fail/fall, not how they operate.
I wouldn't use a scissor jack there, that's pretty unsafe. If you don't have a pneumatic jack go get one. IMO scissor jacks are named for their ability to cause severed limbs when they fail/fall, not how they operate.
#4
The owners manual only calls for supporting the car on the spots behind the front tires on seams between the body and the floor. Ours has arrows to point at the location. I have jacked the car up in the center front and then put stands there for other procedures.
I would suggest ramps as the easiest/fastest/safest way to change the oil in a Fit. The car is fully supported and there is no chance of damaging anything by resting the car on stands.
I would suggest ramps as the easiest/fastest/safest way to change the oil in a Fit. The car is fully supported and there is no chance of damaging anything by resting the car on stands.
#6
I had a set of metal ramps for 15+ years until I crushed them with my diesel Superduty. I then gambled on a set of the modern plastic ramps. I bought the Blitz Rhino ramps and have been shocked at how sturdy they are and the rubber pads keeps them from sliding.
#8
I just use the front crossmember to jack up the front using a pneumatic jack.
I wouldn't use a scissor jack there, that's pretty unsafe. If you don't have a pneumatic jack go get one. IMO scissor jacks are named for their ability to cause severed limbs when they fail/fall, not how they operate.
I wouldn't use a scissor jack there, that's pretty unsafe. If you don't have a pneumatic jack go get one. IMO scissor jacks are named for their ability to cause severed limbs when they fail/fall, not how they operate.
#9
The Fit service manual shows a jack point in the center of the front on a cross member. My 25+ year old floor jack is too tall to clear the front of my wife's new Fit Sport. Has anyone found a floor jack long enough and low enough to reach this lifting point?
Last edited by WalterMitty; 12-14-2011 at 04:54 PM. Reason: Kan't spel kan't tipe
#10
Not gonna happen unless you're willing to drive it up on a couple of 2x4's. I had to drive mine onto some blocks to get the damn hydraulic jack under it in the front... Idk wtf Im gonna do when ever I drop it as much as I want to..
#11
Thanks for the reply.
#13
Ramps seem the best thing suggested ITT though, I would use them if I had them.
#14
Like others I have jacked up one side and put blocks under a wheel to make clearance, but that's a pain in the neck itself.
I've found products like this:
ATD-7325 - 2-Ton Extra Low Profile Service Jack with Swift Lift™ - ATD Tools, Inc.
I just need to get dimensions on it to make sure it would fit before I order one. It looks pretty promising from the photo. I thought if somebody here had already broken the code I could save some effort.
#16
That may cause some more dragging over uneven surfaces but hey, I'll be the first kid on my block with a slammed jack!
#18
Here's an older thread with good pictures that show jack points on the Fit. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...tml#post907932
I have the old metal ramps that I still use for oil changes though the approach angle is a bit steep for these newer cars. So instead of buying newer ramps like the Rhino, I just use 8 ea. 2x4s about 1.5' long. 4 on each ramp stacked 2 wide snug against the ramp so there's still the staggered approach. By doing so, there's enough clearance created by the gradual ascent without the plastic bumper rubbing.
For tire rotation, I have 2 floor jacks and scissor jacks. I just use the jack points on the edges. But I wouldn't recommend the set up for crawling under the car... Poor man's garage here...
Other posters here have put in home auto lifts like the ones Costco carries in their catalog like this Danmar MaxJax. Costco - Dannmar MaxJax Must be nice...
Definitely would be the ultimate... then rent it out to tuners... Good luck!
I have the old metal ramps that I still use for oil changes though the approach angle is a bit steep for these newer cars. So instead of buying newer ramps like the Rhino, I just use 8 ea. 2x4s about 1.5' long. 4 on each ramp stacked 2 wide snug against the ramp so there's still the staggered approach. By doing so, there's enough clearance created by the gradual ascent without the plastic bumper rubbing.
For tire rotation, I have 2 floor jacks and scissor jacks. I just use the jack points on the edges. But I wouldn't recommend the set up for crawling under the car... Poor man's garage here...
Other posters here have put in home auto lifts like the ones Costco carries in their catalog like this Danmar MaxJax. Costco - Dannmar MaxJax Must be nice...
Definitely would be the ultimate... then rent it out to tuners... Good luck!
#19
For the front side I use the front crossmember. Like has been discussed earlier you'll need a flat jack or something, a regular craftsman pump jack or whatever won't be long enough to reach and will be too tall to actually "pump", the handle will hit the bumper. Jack it up and put the jack stands under.
For the back side I use the jack location shown in that thread, under the spare tire area. Jack it up and put the stands under.
#20
I've looked at the point where the CG on the Fit should be and it doesn't look like it's strong enough to lift by without damaging the car. That's why I'm pursuing a practical method to use the jack points identified by Honda.