To jack up a 2009 Honda Accord, you'll need to use a floor jack and jack stands, carefully positioning them at the designated jacking points on your vehicle's frame. Prioritizing safety by working on a level surface and using wheel chocks is paramount before lifting your car.
Essential Safety Precautions
Safety is the most critical aspect when jacking up any vehicle. Neglecting proper procedures can lead to serious injury or damage.
- Flat, Level Surface: Always work on a hard, flat, and stable surface. Avoid gravel, uneven pavement, or soft ground.
- Engage Parking Brake: Ensure your Accord's parking brake is fully engaged before you begin.
- Wheel Chocks: Place wheel chocks on the wheels that will remain on the ground to prevent the vehicle from rolling. If you're lifting the front, chock the rear wheels, and vice-versa.
- Jack Stands Are Non-Negotiable: Never work under a vehicle supported solely by a hydraulic jack. Always use properly rated jack stands to support the vehicle once it's lifted. The jack is for lifting; the stands are for supporting.
- Check Owner's Manual: Always consult your Honda Accord's owner's manual for the precise jacking and support points, as these can vary slightly. [Link to Honda Accord Owner's Manual (simulated)]
- Clear Work Area: Ensure there's enough space around the vehicle to work safely without obstruction.
Tools You'll Need
Having the right tools is crucial for a safe and efficient process:
- Hydraulic Floor Jack: A sturdy jack with an adequate weight capacity for your Accord.
- Jack Stands: At least two, but preferably four, jack stands rated for your vehicle's weight.
- Wheel Chocks: To prevent movement.
- Gloves: For hand protection.
- Work Light (Optional): If working in low light conditions.
- Torque Wrench (Optional): Essential for properly tightening lug nuts if removing wheels.
Understanding Your Accord's Jacking Points
Knowing where to safely place your jack and jack stands is fundamental. The 2009 Honda Accord, like most unibody vehicles, has specific reinforced points.
Front Jacking Points
- Central Front Jack Point: Look for a reinforced subframe crossmember or a designated central jacking point usually located behind the front bumper, beneath the engine. This allows you to lift the entire front of the car simultaneously.
- Side Jack Points (Pinch Welds): Along the side skirts, near the front wheels, you'll find reinforced pinch welds. These are often marked with small arrows or indentations. These are used for lifting one corner or side.
Rear Jacking Points
- Central Rear Jack Point: A reinforced crossmember or sometimes the rear differential (if applicable and specified in the manual as a jacking point) can be used to lift the entire rear of the vehicle.
- Side Jack Points (Pinch Welds): Similar to the front, there are reinforced pinch welds near the rear wheels along the side skirts.
Here's a quick reference table for common jacking points:
| Location | Jack Point Type | Primary Use | Jack Stand Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Center | Subframe Crossmember | Lifts entire front | Under reinforced pinch welds/frame rails near front wheels |
| Front Sides | Reinforced Pinch Welds (near wheels) | Lifts one front corner | Under frame rail adjacent to the jack, or another pinch weld |
| Rear Center | Rear Crossmember | Lifts entire rear | Under reinforced pinch welds/frame rails near rear wheels |
| Rear Sides | Reinforced Pinch Welds (near wheels) | Lifts one rear corner | Under frame rail adjacent to the jack, or another pinch weld |
Step-by-Step: How to Jack Up Your 2009 Honda Accord
Follow these steps carefully for a safe lift.
Preparing Your Vehicle
- Park on Level Ground: Ensure your Accord is on a firm, flat, and stable surface.
- Engage Parking Brake: Fully apply the parking brake.
- Transmission: Put the car in Park (for automatic) or in first gear (for manual).
- Chock Wheels: Place wheel chocks securely behind the rear wheels if lifting the front, or in front of the front wheels if lifting the rear.
Lifting the Front of Your Accord
- Locate Front Central Jack Point: Slide your floor jack under the front bumper to locate the central front jacking point (usually the subframe crossmember).
- Position Jack: Place the jack squarely under this point, ensuring the jack pad makes full contact.
- Slowly Lift: Begin to pump the jack handle, slowly raising the front of the vehicle to the desired height.
- Place Jack Stands: Once the front is at the correct height, slide your jack stands under the reinforced pinch welds or frame rails located near the front wheels. Ensure they are placed securely and on a solid part of the frame.
- Lower onto Stands: Slowly lower the jack until the vehicle rests firmly on both jack stands.
- Verify Stability: Gently give the car a push on both sides. It's normal to hear some noises as the vehicle settles onto the jack stands. This step is crucial to ensure the car is stable and properly seated on the stands before you proceed or work underneath it.
- If you need to raise the entire vehicle, proceed to lift the rear after the front is securely on jack stands.
Lifting the Rear of Your Accord
- Once the front is securely on jack stands and its stability verified, you can now move to the rear.
- Locate Rear Central Jack Point: Slide your floor jack under the rear bumper to find the central rear jacking point (typically a reinforced crossmember).
- Position Jack: Place the jack squarely under this point.
- Slowly Lift: Raise the rear of the vehicle to match the height of the front or to your desired working height.
- Place Jack Stands: Slide the remaining two jack stands under the reinforced pinch welds or frame rails near the rear wheels.
- Lower onto Stands: Slowly lower the jack until the vehicle rests firmly on all four jack stands.
- Verify Stability: Again, gently push on the vehicle to ensure it is stable on all four jack stands.
Lifting One Corner (e.g., for a Tire Change)
- Locate Side Jack Point: For lifting just one corner (e.g., to change a tire), place the floor jack directly under the reinforced pinch weld closest to the wheel you need to lift.
- Position Jack: Ensure the jack saddle cradles the pinch weld properly. Many jacks come with a rubber pad to protect the pinch weld.
- Slowly Lift: Raise the vehicle until the wheel is off the ground and you have enough clearance.
- Place Jack Stand: Place a jack stand under a nearby reinforced frame rail or another sturdy section of the pinch weld, next to where the jack is supporting the car.
- Lower onto Stand: Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stand, ensuring it's stable. Keep the jack lightly supporting the vehicle as a secondary safety measure.
Lowering Your Honda Accord Safely
When you're finished with your work, reverse the jacking process carefully:
- Raise Slightly: If the vehicle is on jack stands, use your floor jack to lift the car just enough to take the weight off the jack stands.
- Remove Jack Stands: Carefully remove the jack stands from under the vehicle.
- Slowly Lower: Slowly lower the vehicle to the ground by gradually releasing the pressure on the jack.
- Remove Jack: Once all wheels are on the ground, remove the floor jack.
- Remove Chocks: Don't forget to remove the wheel chocks.
- Test Brakes: Before driving, pump the brake pedal a few times if you've worked on the brakes.
