What's the jack stand situation with the new Fit? I always use jack stands when I have a car off the ground, but I'm wondering where they can go on the Fit. It's always my fear that I'll lower a car onto a jack stand and have the structure bend.

 

The underside of a Fit isn't that fragile. As long as you spread the load out a bit you should be able to put a jackstand under substantial structural channel. Remember that tire shops aren't terribly careful about using specific jack points and the vehicle is engineered to withstand this.

Of course, there is a lot of plastic under there too, and you don't want to put a jack under that.

 

if you are worry about that you probably shouldn't be working on a car.

 

Default to the pinch seams? That's usually a safe bet on a new car.

 

Rollups by Race Ramps - Accessory Car Lift Ramps

I purchase a pair of these and really like them. Expensive, but I have two small cars in my inventory and I looked long and hard on trying to find decent low-profile ramps. They are super light but each individual ramp is rated for 1,500lbs, and they won't slide. Our Fit drove up very easily and overshooting is not a problem since they are low enough for both sides of the tire.

 

Not really, its a good question. Unlike cars of the past there is no "frame", so you do need to be careful. I have a Chrysler van and there are very specific points on the structure on where to lift...and everywhere else is off limits unless its suspension points.

 

I had a travel trailer with he same situation. Lots of bad spots for a jack, but only four safe places.

 

I made a pair of large ramps with 2 x 12 lumber, but it's difficult changing a tire using them.

 

Nice. Yeah pretty expensive so another choice would be the Rhino ramps that you can get anywhere for around $40 a set. The Rhino ramps are high enough that I can crawl under the car with a crawler! I also use wheel chocks in the rear for added safety.

I never had an issue with these ramps but wouldn't hurt to also use jack stands if for some reason the wheel should fall off the ramp or something slipped.

It always scares me a little working under the car knowing something could happen but I focus on the job on hand and get it done quickly as I can.

 

This answers a question I've been meaning to ask about the Rhino Ramps. Thanks!

 

Don't forget you can rotate tires with the stock jack by temporarily putting the spare tire in the rotation. It's a little extra work, but not a big deal.

 

If it was a 1964 Fit, and it had a real spare, I might do that. I used to use the spare in the rotation, but moving them front to back and vice versa is simpler.

 

he wasn't saying to use the spare in actual driving, but to use it as a placeholder in that wheel position to allow you to rotate the tires.

as in, jack one corner up, remove wheel, put spare on, put car on ground, move to other end, jack up, swap wheel with rotated wheel, put back on ground, then go back to corner with spare on it, jack up and swap with other wheel.

WAY TOO MUCH WORK... get a better jack, jack it up on the front jack point, stick a jack stand under the front suspension, rip off bother wheels and remount. easy peasy.

 

of course… if you have a jackstand or other support. There's no reason you can't use the temporarily installed donut for the latter.

 

Yes - way too much work using the spare like that. As for the front jacking point, is there one? That would be nice. I could get all four wheels off the ground at the same time.

 

Since jacking on the side behind the front wheel lifts both wheels off the ground on that side, you should be able to use a second jack and lift the other side's two wheels off the ground at the same time, too.

Right? RIGHT???



es

 

Sure. That'll work.

 

I have access to a lift, so all this is academic for me.

 

I have a pair of ramps that are the same height and angle of the Rhino ramps, and I can't use them on either of my small cars. In addition, they are a bear to climb since they will scoot and have such a high degree climb. My advice is to watch some videos on various ramps, and consider the vehicle.

 

I took my ramps out today to see if it'll clear the bumper ok. Only issue I see is the rubber lip hitting it but once the car gets on the ramp should be ok.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128805...h/15235309323/

I think I need to check the air in my tires. lol