Just bought my first floor jack, and was wondering what the best ways were to raise the car, and what to avoid doing that I could regret later. I found a thread or two on this, but still have some questions.

I read the manual and found the jacking points for the OEM jack, but mine has a 2 inch metal pad instead of the notch for the rocker panel flange. Is it OK to jack it just outside the flange at the jacking points with a 2x4 to spread the load, or should the 2x4 go underneath the flange like the OEM jack? Jack stands installed similarly?

What's the best way to raise the front for oil changes?

 

I would ONLY use that flange with the emergency jack in the trunk. Just inside the flange you'll see a solid, sturdy hunk of metal. That's where In place the jack stands. I wouldn't place a 2x4 outside of the flange because the board could easily slip and drop the car. If you're going to use a floor jack, it's best to lift the entire front or entire rear and then place jack stands. Don't try to lift one side or the other with the floor jack. The car isn't designed for that.

You might have seen this thread already, but here's a thread that explains how to jack the car (with a video!)

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...deo-faq-53870/

 

Thanks Sam, very useful as always. When you do things like speed sensors, do you lift the end of the car or one corner of it?

 

I never lift just one corner. I always use my floor jack (trolley jack for you Brits) and lift the back or the front.

But, I've learned that the front wheel speed sensors can be accessed just by turning the wheel to one side. You don't need to lift the car and take off the wheels. Just turn the steering wheel to the right to access the left sensor and turn it left to access the right sensor.

 

What size of floor jack is recommended to lift the entire front end?

 

Does seem that lifting one corner for an extended period of time could give the frame a bit of a twist if done enough.

Cocked that wheel over and saw the cog thingy and sensor. Got interrested in cleaning them when I got a few traction control unavailable messages over several days followed by engine safe mode in the middle of busy traffic.

How does "losing" traction control necessitate cutting the engine down to four cylinders and limiting the car to second gear? I drove for twenty years without traction control! The biggest threat on that highway was causing a ten car pile up on the freeway because my powertrain got locked down by a computer!

 

That's weird. I don't think the traction control error could cause the restricted performance. You might have something else going on. Now is when a code reader would be helpful.

 

Holy god this scares me. I've done this quite a bit lately fixing a few things.

 

Iv'e lifted mine loads of times on one side only, just be careful or you could crack the windscreen.
I got a ice-hockey puck and cut the shape of the jacking point in it and it sits perfect in the bowl of the floor jack.