How to Lower a Hydraulic Car Jack

Anyone that plans on handling some of their own car maintenance or repair will eventually need to use a hydraulic car jack. The fact that these tools will be lifting and holding thousands of pounds means it is important that anyone using a hydraulic car jack know how to properly operate it. Lowering the jack in a safe manner is an important part of using a jack.

1. Practice raising and lowering the jack without a load first

Practice raising and lowering the jack without a load first before using the jack in a situation where it is supporting the car. Determine whether the jack is lowered by simply twisting the jack handle in a counterclockwise direction. If not, it will be lowered by removing the handle, placing the end of the handle over a notched screw located just below where the jack handle attaches to the jack, and then twisting the jack handle in a counterclockwise direction.

2. Inspect the jack stand to make sure they are located properly

Inspect the jack stand to make sure they are located properly, or inspect the ground area to make sure there are no obstacles before lowering a vehicle.

3. Say "Clear" loudly as a safety double check in alerting others

Say "Clear" loudly as a safety double check in alerting others that you are now going to lower the vehicle.

4. Lower the vehicle down onto jack stand or back to the ground easy

Lower the vehicle down onto jack stand or back to the ground easy, by slowly turning the jack handle and controlling the rate of descent of the car.

Video: Hydraulic Jack Release Valve

Comments on this video:

• sometimes the release valve is kind of stuck when you turn, then it suddently drop the car
• is it bad for the hydraulic jack if you lower it too fast? i recently got a bottle jack and the jack makes bubbly noise like hydraulic fluid swirls inside when i'm lowering it.