Where Tire Shops Lift Subaru Vehicles: Finding the Safe Jacking Points

ByThe Answerlode Editorial Team

Understanding Subaru Lift Points for Professional Tire Rotation

When you take your Subaru to a tire shop for rotation, the technician needs to know where to safely lift the vehicle. Unlike the pinch-weld flange points you use with a scissors jack (which are suitable only for changing a single tire), a tire shop performing a full four-wheel rotation uses different lifting points designed to support the entire vehicle safely.

The Challenge With Modern Subarus

Newer Subaru models, particularly the Gen 6 (2020+) Outback, Ascent, Forester, and Crosstrek, have extensive plastic undercovers that hide the metal jacking points. This makes it harder to spot where a floor jack should actually contact the vehicle. The plastic itself is not a jacking point—it will crack or collapse under pressure. The metal frame beneath is what needs support.

Front Jacking Point

For the front, tire shops should use the metal jacking plate located between the oil pan and the transmission pan. On older Subaru generations, this point was positioned ahead of the oil pan, but newer models moved it further back. The plate is typically centrally located and designed specifically to support a floor jack. A technician should remove or work around any plastic undercover to access this metal plate, then use the floor jack with a protective pad to avoid damaging the surface.

Rear Jacking Point

The rear differential housing serves as the rear jacking point. This is the most common and reliable point for lifting the back of the vehicle. A wood block or specialized jack pad should be used to prevent damage to the differential casing.

Supporting Points: The Side Pinch Welds

Once the vehicle is lifted at the center points (front and rear), jack stands must be placed at the side lifting points—the pinch-weld flanges under the door sills. The pinch welds have a slight indentation where they’re designed to support the vehicle’s weight. One point sits behind the front wheel, and another sits ahead of the rear wheel on each side. These are for supporting the vehicle with stands, not for the initial lift.

The Proper Lifting Sequence

A tire shop following best practices would:

  • Lift the front of the vehicle using the metal jacking plate between oil pan and transmission
  • Place front jack stands at the side pinch-weld points
  • Lower the vehicle onto the stands
  • Move the floor jack to the rear differential
  • Lift the rear and place rear jack stands at the side pinch-weld points
  • Lower the vehicle onto the stands

This approach keeps the vehicle stable and safe during a full tire rotation, using the correct manufacturer-intended lift points.

Where to Find Official Diagrams

Subaru publishes detailed jacking point diagrams in the owner’s manual for each model year. If your tire shop doesn’t know where these points are, you can direct them to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, typically available as a PDF from Subaru’s technical information system at techinfo.subaru.com. The diagrams are usually found in the section covering vehicle maintenance or tire care. For 2020+ models, check around page 454-464 depending on the specific model.

A Note for DIY Owners

If you’re rotating tires at home, the same principles apply. The metal jacking plate and differential are load-bearing points; the pinch welds are for secondary support. Never rely on plastic underbody covers to support any weight. Always use a quality floor jack and at least two jack stands rated for your vehicle’s weight as a minimum safety measure.

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