How to Properly Jack Up a Tesla Model S, X or 3, so you don’t damage the ~£30,000+ battery

How to Properly Jack Up a Tesla Model S, X or 3, so you don’t damage the ~£30,000+ battery

Any competent garage will be able to lift a Tesla just like any other car, the only precaution a garage needs to make is to ensure the jack pads are on the allocated jack points and not touching anything either side or behind as this can cause damage. It just takes a few extra seconds on each corner to confirm you’re lifting in exactly the right place. Further details are provided below for Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y if you’re unsure. The use of ‘pucks’ or similar is not required but some owners prefer it as it reduces the risk of damage to the areas surrounding the jack point. Follow the Tesla guide in the Tesla user manual to find the correct and most up to date method, however, this should give further clarification for those unsure. If you’re unsure at any point stop and check the user manual again, the battery is easily damaged if you lift the car incorrectly.

Warning: Death, serious injury or damage to the vehicle can occur if the vehicle is improperly lifted on a two post lift.

Warning: Always chock the wheels when jacking. Do not start work on the underside of the vehicle until safety stands have been positioned under the body reinforced pads. Never get under a vehicle that is only supported by a jack.

We will not be held responsible for any damage, if you’re unsure get professional help or contact Tesla. Whilst the above does feel a bit like scaremongering, as long as someone jacks the car up properly in the proper places (as listed below and in the user manual) it will be fine,  On this page we will cover:

• Model S Jacking Procedure
• Model X Jacking Procedure
• Model 3 Jacking Procedure
• What exactly is the jacking point?
• Examples of good and bad jacking techniques
• How to reduce the risk of damage when lifting a Tesla
• Torque settings for wheel nuts [new window]

Ensure that any non-Tesla repair facility is aware of these lifting points.

1. Position Model S centrally between the lift posts.
2. If your Model S is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, it automatically self-levels, even when power is off. Use the touchscreen to set the suspension as follows:
   1. Touch Controls > Suspension .
   2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Very High to maximize the height of the suspension.
   3. Touch Jack to disable self-levelling. When Jack mode is active, Model S displays this indicator light on the instrument panel, along with a message telling you that active suspension is disabled.
3. Position the lift arm pads under the body rails at the locations illustrated. DO NOT position the lift arm pads under the Battery.
4. Adjust the height and position of the lift arm pads to ensure they are correctly located.
5. With assistance, raise the lift, ensuring the lift arm pads remain in their correct positions.

Note: Jack mode cancels when Model S is driven over 4.5 mph (7 km/h). Note: Jack mode may be unexpectedly enabled in situations where an object is supporting the vehicle’s weight (for example the bumper of the vehicle is resting on a curb. Warning: If your Model S is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, it automatically self-levels, even when power is off. You MUST disable this system by engaging Jack mode before lifting or jacking. If you do not disable Smart Air Suspension, Model S can attempt to self-level, causing serious damage, bodily injury, or death. Warning: Never raise Model S when the charge cable is connected, even if charging is not in progress. Warning: Do not work on an incorrectly supported vehicle. Doing so can cause serious damage, bodily injury, or death. Caution: DO NOT lift from under the Battery. Place the lift arm pads under the body rails only. The locations illustrated are the only approved lifting points for Model S. Lifting at any other points can cause damage. Damage caused by lifting Model S is not covered by the warranty

Model X Jacking Procedure

Follow the steps below to lift Model X. Ensure that any non-Tesla repair facility is aware of these lifting points.

1. Position Model X centrally between the lift posts.
2. If your Model X is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, it automatically self-levels, even when power is off. Use the touchscreen to set the suspension as follows:
   1. Touch Controls > Suspension.
   2. Press the brake pedal, then touch Very High to maximize the height of the suspension.
   3. Touch Jack to disable self-leveling. When Jack mode is active, Model X displays this indicator light on the instrument panel, along with a message telling you that active suspension is disabled.
3. Close the falcon wing doors
4. Position the lift arm pads under the body rails at the locations illustrated. DO NOT position the lift arm pads under the Battery.
5. Adjust the height and position of the lift arm pads to ensure they are correctly located.
6. With assistance, raise the lift, ensuring the lift arm pads remain in their correct positions.

Note: Jack mode cancels when Model X is driven over 7 km/h. Warning: If your Model X is equipped with Smart Air Suspension, it automatically self-levels, even when power is off. You MUST disable this system by engaging Jack mode before lifting or jacking. If you do not disable Smart Air Suspension, Model X can attempt to self-level, causing serious damage, bodily injury, or death. Warning: Never raise Model X when the charge cable is connected, even if charging is not in progress. Warning: Do not work on an incorrectly supported vehicle. Doing so can cause serious damage, bodily injury, or death. Warning: Never raise Model X when the charge cable is connected, even if charging is not in progress. Warning: Do not work on an incorrectly supported vehicle. Doing so can cause serious damage, bodily injury, or death. Caution: DO NOT lift from under the Battery. Place the lift arm pads under the body rails only. The locations illustrated are the only approved lifting points for Model X. Lifting at any other points can cause damage. Damage caused by lifting Model X is not covered by the warranty.

Model 3 & Y Jacking Procedure

Follow the steps below to lift Model 3 or Model Y Ensure that any non-Tesla repair facility is aware of these lifting points.

1. Position Model 3 centrally between the lift posts.
2. Position the lift arm pads under the designated body lift points at the locations shown. Warning: DO NOT position the lift arm pads under the Battery or side rails, as shown in red.
3. Adjust the height and position of the lift arm pads to ensure that they are correctly located.
4. With assistance, raise the lift to the desired height, ensuring the lift arm pads remain in their correct positions. 5. Engage any lift safety locks. Follow the lift manufacturer’s instructions.

Warning: Never raise Model 3 or Y when the charge cable is connected, even if charging is not in progress. Warning: Do not work on an incorrectly supported vehicle. Doing so can cause serious damage, bodily injury, or death. Caution: DO NOT lift from under the Battery or side rails. Place the lift arm pads under the designated body lift points only. The locations shown are the only approved lifting points for Model 3. Lifting at any other points can cause damage. Damage caused by incorrectly lifting Model 3 is not covered by the warranty

What is the jacking point?

The jacking points are located at 4 locations around a car (see above), they’re locations that you’re safe to lift with a hydraulic jack or two post lift. The difference to a normal car is that to one side of the jacking point there is a £30,000 battery which the owner of the vehicle won’t want you damaging and nor will your insurance company.

You have to be careful not to put any weight on this location (bad example below)

You should always avoid touching anywhere BUT the jacking point

Be extremely careful that you’re not putting any weight outside of this jacking point

How to reduce the risk of damage when lifting a Tesla

• Use a jacking block similar to this one made by Mark Simlo (it’s a Porsche 996/911 jacking blocks) that has been slightly modified with a Dremel – Example eBay listing

• Build your own using Nick_083 method and measurements or buy one from David
• Buy a T-Pad from Norway
• Use a hockey puck (as seen in the featured image from http://teslapittsburgh.blogspot.co.uk/) using this YouTube guide

A few YouTube videos showing you how it should be done