You bet your sweet donut-loving butt you can jack up a Tesla Model S!
But hold your horses, cowboy. This ain't your grandpappy's old gas guzzler where you just randomly stick a jack under the nearest hunk of metal and hope for the best. This is a high-tech, battery-powered beast, and if you get this wrong, you're looking at a repair bill that could buy you a small tropical island. Seriously. We're talking about the battery pack, which is basically the entire floor of the car. You hit that wrong, and you've gone from a simple tire swap to a major league disaster.
So, grab your biggest iced coffee, turn up the tunes, and let's dive into the glorious, slightly nerve-wracking world of jacking up your Model S like a certified pro. This is the ultimate, no-nonsense, but totally hilarious, guide to getting your electric ride airborne.
Step 1: Chill Out and Prep the Beast 🧘
Before you even think about touching that sweet, sweet chassis with a greasy floor jack, you gotta get your mind (and your car) right. This is the most crucial step, because if you skip it, your Model S might literally try to level itself and fight your jack. That’s right, your car is smarter than some people you know.
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| Can You Jack Up A Tesla Model S |
1.1. Safety First, Always!
This isn't a joke, folks. You're lifting a heavy object. Get your gear in order:
A sturdy floor jack (the one that came with your old car probably won't cut it—this thing weighs a ton!).
Jack Stands (Do NOT trust your life to just a hydraulic jack, that’s just asking for trouble).
Tesla Jack Pads (often called "pucks" by the cool kids). These rubber or plastic gizmos fit into the official lift points and are the MVP of this whole operation. They prevent you from crushing the battery enclosure or the rocker panel trim. Don't skip these unless you enjoy expensive regrets.
Wheel chocks (the little wedges that stop the wheels that aren't being lifted from rolling—think of them as tiny, essential bouncers).
1.2. The Digital Zen Moment: Jack Mode
Your Model S, especially if it's rocking that sweet Air Suspension, is always trying to be level. If you lift one corner, it'll sense the imbalance and attempt to correct it, potentially destroying your jack, the car, or your entire day. We gotta tell the car to take a nap with Jack Mode.
Hop into the car (remember to close the door—a Tesla is high-maintenance).
On the touchscreen, tap Controls.
Navigate to Service.
Find and tap Jack Mode.
Boom! You’ll see an indicator light on the instrument panel. The car is officially in a meditative state, suspending its self-leveling antics.
Pro Tip: If you have air suspension, manually set the ride height to "Very High" before engaging Jack Mode. Gives you a little more wiggle room, which is always a bonus when dealing with heavy machinery.
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
Step 2: Locating the Gold: The Official Jack Points 💰
Alright, listen up. This is where most folks mess up and where the legendary $15,000 battery replacement story comes from. You must use the designated lift points. They are there for a reason—they are structural components designed to take the weight of your Model S without turning the expensive battery into an expensive pretzel.
2.1. The Jack Point Treasure Map
Your Model S has four designated lift points. They are small, round, or rectangularish holes or pockets located right behind the front wheels and right in front of the rear wheels, along the edge of the battery pack/side rails.
They are typically located just inboard of the side skirts (the plastic trim along the bottom edge of the car).
Look for a small circular hole or a reinforced area where your Jack Pucks will slot in beautifully. They are generally about an arm's length in from the wheel well, following the metal sill.
2.2. The Great Warning: What NOT to Touch
Do NOT, under any circumstance, position the jack arm or pad under the central battery pack enclosure or the side rails themselves.
I repeat: The large, flat, tempting surface of the battery or the smooth plastic side rail is OFF-LIMITS. Doing so can damage the battery, and trust me, that's a check engine light you do not want to see. Your warranty might just wave goodbye to you from a distance if you get this wrong.
Step 3: The Lift Off: Houston, We Have Clearance 🚀
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
Now for the moment of truth. You’ve prepped, you’ve engaged Jack Mode, and you’ve got your eye on the prize (the official jack point).
3.1. Puck Placement and Initial Contact
Slide your glorious Tesla Jack Pad (the "puck") into the designated lift point hole. It should sit snug and proud, ready to protect your precious ride.
Carefully slide your floor jack so the jack's cup sits perfectly under the center of the jack pad. Take your time! Alignment is everything here.
Before you lift, check those wheel chocks again! Put them on the wheel diagonally opposite the one you're lifting. If you're lifting the front-right wheel, chock the back-left one. It's the law of car physics, or something.
3.2. Gentle Ascending to the Heavens
Slowly, methodically, and with all the dramatic flair you can muster, begin to pump the jack.
Watch the Model S rise. Keep your eyes glued to the jack pad and the jack cup. If anything shifts, stops, or looks like it's crushing plastic, stop immediately and re-align. You want a smooth, clean lift.
Lift the car just high enough to get the tire clear off the ground and slide your jack stand underneath.
3.3. The Safety Net: Jack Stands Are Your BFF
A hydraulic jack can fail. A jack stand is a rock. Never, ever, work under a car supported only by a jack.
Place your jack stand right next to the jack (or use a special jack stand with a built-in Tesla puck if you're super fancy) ensuring it is supporting the car on a strong frame point. Many people use a second set of pucks and another lift point for the stand, just to be safe and use the official points.
Slowly lower the jack until the car's weight is resting firmly and securely on the jack stand.
The jack itself can now be pulled slightly away, giving you space, or kept just barely touching the jack point as a backup.
You are now clear to perform your heroic maintenance task, whether it's rotating tires, changing a flat, or just admiring the underbelly of your electric chariot.
Step 4: The Descent: Bringing Her Back to Earth 🌎
Mission accomplished! You changed the tire, rotated the rubber, or finally got that dust bunny off the brake caliper. Time to bring your ride home.
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
4.1. The Great Lowering and Puck Retrieval
Raise the jack slightly, just enough to take the weight off the jack stand.
Carefully pull the jack stand out from under the car.
Using the jack's release valve, lower the Model S slowly and steadily. You don't want a grand, clanking slam.
Once the tire is fully on the ground and the jack is completely lowered, slide the jack and the jack pad/puck out. Hoo-boy, that was easy!
4.2. Waking Up the Robot Car
You’re not done yet! Your car is still in its sleepy Jack Mode state.
Head back to the touchscreen.
Tap Controls > Service.
Tap Jack Mode again to turn it off.
Did You Know? Jack Mode will also automatically disengage if you start driving—but seriously, don't forget to turn it off before you peel out of your driveway!
You've done it. You successfully jacked up a Tesla Model S without turning the expensive floor into a waffle. Give yourself a high-five. You're a certified EV mechanic (at least for the purpose of lifting).
FAQ Questions and Answers
How to Find the Jack Points on a Model S?
The four official jack points are located on the vehicle’s main body rail, which runs parallel to the side of the car. Look for a small circular hole or a reinforced oval pad right behind each front wheel and right in front of each rear wheel, just inboard of the side skirt trim.
QuickTip: Revisit posts more than once.
What is the Deal with "Jack Mode"?
Jack Mode is a safety feature on the Model S (especially those with air suspension) that must be engaged before lifting. It disables the automatic self-leveling feature of the suspension, preventing the car from trying to adjust its height while on the jack, which could cause serious damage.
Can I Jack up a Tesla Model S Without Jack Pads?
You technically can, but it is highly discouraged! The use of specialized jack pads (or pucks) is strongly recommended as they fit into the official lift points and prevent the metal cup of your jack from making contact with and potentially damaging the battery casing or the plastic trim of the side rail. It's a cheap insurance policy against an extremely expensive repair.
How Much Does a Tesla Model S Weigh?
The Model S is a heavy machine due to its massive battery pack. Depending on the year and specific model (like Plaid), the curb weight generally ranges from about 4,600 to over 4,800 pounds (approximately 2,087 to 2,177 kilograms). You need a sturdy jack and reliable jack stands rated for this weight.
How Do I Set the Suspension to Very High?
If your Model S has air suspension, you can maximize the ride height before engaging Jack Mode for better clearance. Go to the touchscreen and tap Controls > Suspension. Press the brake pedal, and then touch the Very High setting to raise the car before proceeding to the Service menu to activate Jack Mode.
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