In most Hondas, the right spots to place a floor jack are the reinforced pinch welds along the rocker panels and, for certain jobs, a center front crossmember jack point under the engine cradle. Always confirm with your owner's manual for your exact year and model.
This guide explains where to place the jack, how to identify safe pads, and how to lift and support the vehicle safely when changing a tire or performing maintenance.
Universal jacking points and safety steps
These guidelines apply across many Honda models and emphasize safe lifting practice.
- Park on a flat, level surface and engage the parking brake. Chock the wheels on the opposite side of the lift.
- Locate the correct jacking point: on most Honda cars, use the pinch welds along the rocker panels or the designated center front crossmember under the engine cradle.
- Position the jack saddle on a clean, solid pad at the jacking point; ensure the saddle is aligned with the point's reinforced area.
- Raise slowly and stop once the wheel is clear of the ground enough to place a jack stand underneath.
- Place jack stands under appropriate support points and lower the jack slowly onto the stands when ready. Never rely on the hydraulic jack alone.
- Avoid lifting from plastic trim, exhaust components, or the bumper; these points can crush or fail under load.
This combination of correct points and stable support reduces the risk of damage or injury when lifting a Honda.
Model-specific guidelines
Different Honda models have slightly different reference points. The following summaries provide representative guidance, but always verify with your owner's manual or service manual for your exact year and trim.
Civic (recent generations)
Civics typically use the rocker-panel pinch welds for side lifting. A center front jacking point is often available on the front subframe for lifting from the middle, useful for tire changes without removing a wheel.
- Left and right front pinch weld jacking points along the rockers, near the doors.
- Rear pinch weld jacking points along the rear rocker panels.
- Front center jacking point on the engine cradle/front crossmember for lifting from the middle.
Always recheck fit on the jack saddle and support with stands before removing a tire or performing maintenance.
Accord (recent generations)
Accords share the same principle of using rocker pinch welds and a front center jack point on the crossmember for certain lifts. The exact point is marked nearby in the owner's manual.
- Left and right front pinch weld jacking points on the rocker panels.
- Rear pinch weld jacking points toward the back of the car.
- Front center jacking point on the crossmember beneath the engine/transmission area.
Use proper stands and avoid lifting on non-reinforced areas to prevent damage.
CR-V and other SUVs (examples)
For Honda CR-V, HR-V and similar SUVs, the rocker pinch welds remain the primary side-lift points. Some models offer rear center jacking points on the rear subframe for stability when lifting from the middle of the vehicle.
- Front pinch weld jacking points on the rocker panels.
- Rear pinch weld jacking points near the rear doors.
- Center front or center rear jack points on the appropriate subframe crossmembers, as specified in the manual.
In SUVs, ensure the ground is clear of dirt and debris, and use jack stands under reinforced frame members rather than body panels.
Summary
To safely lift a Honda, rely on reinforced points such as the pinch welds along the rocker panels for lateral lifting and use a center jacking point on the front (and sometimes rear) crossmembers when recommended by your manual. Always confirm exact points for your year/model, use wheel chocks, and secure the vehicle with jack stands. Following these guidelines helps you change a tire or perform maintenance with minimal risk.