In this article, I cover a basic subject that is taught to us in the first weeks of automotive mechanic training. Although this step is crucial for the safety of the technician and those around them, it is often neglected once in the workshop.

Moreover, due to the repetitive nature of this step for each vehicle, technicians develop an automatic response and apply the same procedure for each vehicle model entering the service bay. Unfortunately, each year, technicians are injured or lose their lives by omitting this crucial first step. But what is this step? It involves reading the lifting procedure for a vehicle lift, prescribed by the manufacturer of the vehicle model you will be working on!

Lifting safely

You might be surprised by what certain manufacturers require to safely lift the model you’ll be working on. Deviating from this procedure could lead to catastrophic consequences. Three examples:

The first, the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Ford asks technicians to be very attentive to where they position the lift arms, as the shape of the high-voltage battery is very inviting to be improperly used as a support point. If this procedure is not respected, damage to the high-voltage battery could result. For all repairs not requiring the removal of the high-voltage battery, the lifting points are located at specific spots on it. However, if removal of the high-voltage battery is necessary, special adapters must be placed at other locations to allow for safe removal.

Second example: a Fiat 500e. After purchasing our courtesy vehicle, we needed to equip it for winter immediately. To my great surprise, two of our three vehicle lifts could not accomplish this task. Depending on the lift used, adapters of at least 120 mm in height will be necessary to avoid damaging the various plastic components and parts near the lifting points.

A step to consider

Third and final example: a Chevrolet Bolt. The lifting points are fairly simple on this vehicle. However, if you need to remove the high-voltage battery, Chevrolet requires that you secure the vehicle to the lift arms to prevent it from tipping when the weight of the high-voltage battery is removed. Few technicians would have even considered this step.

Here, I’ve used three electric vehicles as examples, but I assure you that there are just as many peculiarities with conventional combustion engine vehicles. So, during your next break, why not take two minutes to read up on the lifting procedure for your next appointment, to remind yourself of what we were taught in school and, perhaps, make it a reflex!