Hi all. Looking to change a flat on a CRV. Can I just use the jack that came with the car? I’ve seen online that it’s safer to use two and that maybe the one that came with the car isn’t the best quality. Thoughts? Thanks!
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Yes, just don’t crawl under the car.
Also, loosen the lug nuts before jacking up the car, especially if they are on real tight
This is why I do all my lug nuts finger tight, I might forge to loosen them on the ground and that would’ve a whole hassle if I had to change a flat tire.
the screw jack that came with your car is for an emergency situation use which lends its self to the thought of it’ll only be used a couple times if that so it is not particularly well made. you CAN change it with just the jack but just assume its going to fall at any second and keep yourself clear at ALL times. these usually fail because they are used at an angle and the scissor collapses because it literally only takes force vertically with any reliability. break the lugs loose on the ground, jack it up, swap the wheel and “hand tighten” as best you can, then put it back on the ground and “torque”. i know you probably dont have a torque wrench but dont try to do the final tighten in the air on the jack or you will collapse the jack from the lateral force of rocking it with the lug wrench. personally i keep an old steel wheel with no tire laying around the shop for roadsides because jackstands rarely work on the side of the road but you can at least keep it from hitting the ground by throwing the steel wheel under it at a pinch point. it may do damage but not as much as a naked hub hitting the ground OR YOU!
You don’t want to go under a car supported by a jack. That said, you should never need to go under a car to change a tire. I change tires using just a floor jack
Everyone all over the planet every minute someone is changing a tire with the supplied jack from their car.
Just to be clear, there is a jack (the device used to lift up the vehicle) and a jack stand (a stand that can hold the weight of part of the vehicle after using the jack to lift it). It is safe to change a flat using the jack that came with the car; that’s what it’s designed for. It won’t be the simplest jack to use and definitely not the highest quality, but it will get the job done. For your own safety, do not go under the vehicle while it’s supported by the jack.
That’s what’s meant for. Changing a flat in a no so ideal situation.