Can a 2-Ton Jack Lift a 5,000 lb Car Safely?

A 2-ton jack is rated for 4,000 pounds, so you should not use it to lift the entire weight of a 5,000-pound car. However, a tire change usually involves lifting only one corner, and the load on the jack may be less than the car’s total weight.

The load at one lifting point depends on the vehicle’s weight distribution, the position of the jack, and which wheel you are raising; it is not necessarily one-quarter of the vehicle’s weight. Because a 5,000-pound vehicle exceeds a 2-ton jack’s rating overall, confirm that the load at the intended lifting point is within the jack’s capacity and follow the vehicle and jack manufacturers’ instructions.

For a 5,000-pound car, choosing a jack with more capacity provides a larger margin than choosing one whose rating is exactly equal to the vehicle’s stated weight, but capacity alone does not establish a safe fit. You also need a jack that fits beneath the designated lifting point, reaches high enough to raise the tire clear of the ground, and is suitable for that lifting point.

Park on firm, level ground, set the parking brake, chock the wheels, and place the jack at the lifting point specified in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Raise the vehicle only as much as needed for the tire change, and never put any part of your body beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack; use properly rated jack stands when support underneath is needed.

Our 2.5 Ton Scissor Car Jack with Ratchet Wrench has a stated lifting range of 3.7 to 17.1 inches and a 2.5-ton rating, equivalent to 5,000 pounds. That rating does not automatically make it suitable for every 5,000-pound vehicle, so compare the lifting range and jack contact requirements with your vehicle’s designated lifting point before use; our tire-change fit guide offers more context.