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Be aware of the marginal jack handle!

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Offline, Sep 21, 2013.

  1. Offline

    Offline Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Lenexa, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I tried last Monday to use the jack to raise the car so I could change the left front tire which had gone flat. The car was in the garage. I could have used my floor jack but I thought I would give the Prius jack a dry run since it had never been used and I wanted to see how easy it was to use.

    After struggling with the tiny jack handle for a couple of minutes, I got the car raised only a couple of inches due to not being able to get enough leverage on the handle to apply adequate force. It didn't help that my right arm was recently out of a splint I had to wear for a month.

    Our (Toyota) Lexus came with a similar scissors jack but with a far easier to use handle. I got the Lexus jack handle out of its trunk and used it to quickly spin the Prius jack up in a few seconds.

    I would have eventually got the Prius raised using its little jack handle but there is no way my wife could have done it.

    It never would have occurred to my how huge the difference is among the jack handles that Toyota puts in its cars. Attached are drawings that show the difference.

    Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas on how to easily apply more force to the tiny Prius jack handle?
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Offline, Sep 21, 2013
    dan2l likes this.
  2. Marc VT

    Marc VT Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I guess it's all releative. We went from a Kia Rondo to the Prius v and I was very pleased with the Prius v's jack handle. The Rondo has only a straight rod that has to be stuck in the hole of the jack and then crank it half a turn. Then I have to pull the rod out and and put it in again for another half turn. It takes forever to jack it up. Very poor design. So I am impressed with the Priuis v's handle.
    My concern with these jacks is that they are so narrow that they are tippy and I've seen a car (in park) roll back enough to drop off the jack, even though it was on a flat surface, so blocking the wheels is a must.
     
    #2 Marc VT, Sep 21, 2013
  3. rcturner

    rcturner Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
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    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I had to use mine a couple of weeks ago and it worked fine.
     
    #3 rcturner, Oct 1, 2013
  4. Offline

    Offline Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Lenexa, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I didn't say the Prius jack handle didn't work .... only that I can raise the Prius incredibly easier and far faster if I use the jack handle from my Lexus.
     
    #4 Offline, Oct 2, 2013
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yes. It's worthwhile getting a lightweight pair of wheel chocks. Also a small square of plywood, to put under the jack when it's bearing on dirt or gravel.

    I found the same thing, that supplied jack's handle was especially awkward to use. It'll work, but it's a fight.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Oct 2, 2013
  6. jessetoedtman

    jessetoedtman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2012
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    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
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    N/A
    Thank you for the heads up I will have to tell my friend about this.
     
    #6 jessetoedtman, Nov 3, 2013
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