GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm considering getting a 3 ton floor jack and stands for work on my 1.8 liter 2003 and 2009 Vibes.1. Where should I position the jack to hoist up the front to make doing oil changes easier? I'm assuming for safety purposes that I would only jack up one side, and if that ends up being the driver's side, that would keep the oil from flowing completely out of the drain hole (which is located more towards the driver's side of the oil pan).2. Can I use the jack in the middle of either side of the car to hoist up one full side at a time to make rotating tires easier, and if so, where do I place the jack? Looking under the car, it would appear that I need to slide it in past the plastic running board and on to the frame, correct? The only reason I'm asking is because the "frame" appears to be coated in an outer plastic spray.Anyone use a jack on their Vibe? Thanks in advance.

Mr. Caretaker,I ran into this same situation last night when installing 4 snow tires on the 2009!I laid on my back, found where the pinch weld was located and where the plastic side skirt started/ended. There is a upside down "V" or "notch" in the pinch weld and between that and where the side skirt starts is the location I used to raise the Vibe. Click on the link to the pdf owners manual file and scroll to page 237. It will give you the locations I described. http://www.genvibe.com/images/...e.pdf

got a picture of the jack you are going to use?with my floor jack I use the front cross member tow hook point to jack up the whole front of the car at once then place the jack stands in the factory jack locations on each side.

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »got a picture of the jack you are going to use?with my floor jack I use the front cross member tow hook point to jack up the whole front of the car at once then place the jack stands in the factory jack locations on each side.I use the same place to jack mine up.

Thanks to you both. I see the tow hook under the front. I am going to buy the Craftsman 3 ton jack, which has the usually small circular head, so I'm not sure how safe it would be to jack the whole front end up on such a small head. What do you think?Grizz: I'm going to go take a look at that pinch point now; thanks.

Grizz: so you were talking about the notches for the regular Vibe car jack? Yes, I use them all the time to rotate the tires. I was hoping to have a single point further into the car, under the frame, that would allow me to jack the whole side up, and not have to go up and down five times to rotate the tires. Will the frame (apparently sprayed over with soundproofing) further in from the plastic skirt support a floor jack rasing the whole side?

Quote, originally posted by Caretaker »I see the tow hook under the front. I am going to buy the Craftsman 3 ton jack, which has the usually small circular head, so I'm not sure how safe it would be to jack the whole front end up on such a small head. What do you think?IMO the size of the head isn't as important as the stability of the body of the jack. I think you should be fine.

I see a seam point on the frame underneath each side, just past a "large" welded elbow bracket. I'm guessing that would be a safe place to jack up each side with a floor jack?Also: do you jack up the front of the car a couple of inches behind the tow ring, and then rely on your jack stands on each side to provide balance?

Personally I like using the plastic ramps when doing oil changes, I just drive up then drive down when done. With the jack you have to jack it up, place the stands, lower the jack, move the jack out, ..then when done bring the jack back in place , lift the car, remove the stands, lower the jack, then your done. I know its not a huge job but it does save time. Now for just changing tires or anything you don't have to go under the car for, I just use the tow point in the front to raise both front wheels, do what i have to do, then use the lift point in the rear center, just in front of the muffler to raise the two back wheels.

JohnC once posted pictures of the floorjack points. They are similar for both Vibe models.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=20013Remember to always use jack stands. A floor jack isn't designed to hold the car up on it's own for a prolonged period of time.

thanks Mike. The only retort would be that you are not supposed to switch tires right to left (according to the manual), only front to back.As for ramps, I used to use them until I drove over the edge like an idiot one time and crushed my front mud flaps. I had hoped with the jack that I could use it for both oil changes and to rotate the tires.the pictures you posted are great; thanks. Now if one of you care to peak under the sides of your cars to see if you believe a good centerpoint hoist point is along the frame, just past the welded elbow bracket.

Quote, originally posted by kowell »JohnC once posted pictures of the floorjack points. They are similar for both Vibe models.I do not think this would work for an AWD Model as the rear differential is there?

That is correct. I just looked underneath my 2003 AWD, and that same metal bracket (which does exist on my 2009 Vibe) is not there. Instead, you would put the jack a few inches further in toward the center of the car. I saw a good hoist point there.

My driveway slopes a little bit away from the garage. I built a couple of 2x4 extensions with risers so I can drive out of the garage and kind "boom-out" so I can get under for my oil change.For the same side elevation, I just find some balance point using my 3 ton floor jack. Mine has a rubber insert on top of the saddle.

Quote, originally posted by Caretaker »thanks Mike. The only retort would be that you are not supposed to switch tires right to left (according to the manual), only front to back.HAHAH Sorry I meant when I switch from Summer to winter tires. It would be funny to rotate my tires left to right though

I find it easier with ramps (homemade, highend... whatever works for you). The easiest place to jack up the front end is right behind the front wheel along the welded ridge. As the spare tire jack has a contact area of about half an inch, any jack you use with the proper capacity will do! The car is stiff enough that jacking from behind the front wheel will lift the entire sife of the car. Just jack a little higher!I use 3 2x10's under the front wheels as a ramp. It's a lot easier then crawling around jackstands. And where I park, the front end of the car is lower then the rear so the ramps level it out.Oil change thread: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=38351

yeah you might wanna look carefully at your jack stands when your trying to use those floor jack points. I have a problem with mine that they'll actually crush the pinch weld because they're not shaped right. the jack stands I have are sorta too big too. So I'll prob have to buy another whole set that are smaller and clear the pinch welds.. umm Im learning a lesson that its just better to buy four all at once instead of buying two and trying to buy another two later.. they don't always have the same kind.

Pick up a wheel chock also. Nothing worse than a car up in the air and it rolls back away from the jack!Can damage the car, the jack and even you the human!When jacking, always chock the wheels and once up, as already mentioned, jack stands. You only get one life, don't lose it under your Vibe.Dave

yeah think Id like to write a little tutorial on this because the sites lacking one but...ehhh its kinda a dangerous thing to be doing and Im thinking I'll have to put some kind of disclaimer on there...uhhh the procedure is not for the faint of heart..

Gee guys, don't overthink this issue.Look under the car.You'll see the engine carriage bolts onto the "frame" of the car under the drivers feet. There is a long "frame" member running front to rear. Jack anywhere along that frame and put your jack stands under it also.If you just want to do the front, jack near the front. If you want to do the rear, jack around the shock mount and jack stand the axle. This isn't brain surgery, just be safe. I generally NEVER jack along the body seam unless I'm using the crappy jack that came with the car. I did once, got a flat, hopefully never again! What a total piece of S*!T!!! I now carry a hydraulic bottle jack with the spare tire.Work Safe is the key here.Dave

Got myself one of those little jack pinch wedl adapters.My crappy 2ton jack doesn't have enough clearance to lift the front or rear of the car but I measured and it will do fine for the side rail.

"... little jack pinch wedl adapters...."Didn't know these existed.Next time I'm Harbor Freight I'll look.