Dealing with a flat tire on your Volkswagen vehicle when you’re on your commute in Arlington is never convenient, especially if you are unsure how to use a VW jack. Here at the Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington service center, in addition to fixing flat tires, we also believe it’s important for our customers to know how to complete minor repairs on their own. Understanding how to use your Volkswagen vehicle jack is an important part of DIY maintenance.

Locate the Jacking Points

Every Volkswagen vehicle comes with specific reinforced areas along the undercarriage designed to safely support the vehicle's weight during a jack lift. You can locate these jacking points by looking along the sill — the lower edge of the body panel running between the front and rear wheels. Triangular notches or arrows are stamped into the sill at each jacking point, indicating the reinforced pinch weld where the jack head should make firm contact.

Alternatively, your owner's manual will show the exact jacking point locations for your specific model. Always ensure the jack head is seated securely against the pinch weld to prevent slipping, and make sure you are on a level surface with the parking brake engaged before lifting the vehicle.

Lifting and Lowering Procedure

Before you raise the vehicle, use the lug wrench to slightly loosen the bolts while the tire is touching the ground; doing so prevents the wheel from spinning freely while you apply force. Once the jack is in the proper position, rotate the handle clockwise until the flat tire is approximately six inches off the pavement. After you swap the tire and hand-tighten the bolts, you can gently lower the car back to the ground.

Tire Replacement in Arlington, TX

After you successfully put on the spare tire, visit Hiley Volkswagen of Arlington for a professional diagnosis. Our technicians are also happy to further discuss the tire change process. Visit us today for expert tire service and advice!