If you're planning on changing your own oil or swapping out a flat, you really need to know the exact 2013 hyundai elantra jack points so you don't end up crushing a rocker panel or causing some serious damage to the underbody. It might seem like you can just throw a jack under any solid-looking piece of metal and start pumping, but these cars are built with specific reinforced areas designed to take the weight. If you miss those spots, you're looking at bent metal, cracked plastic, or worse, a car that slips off the jack while you're working.
I've spent a fair amount of time under Elantras, and honestly, once you find the spots the first time, it becomes second nature. But that first time can be a bit confusing because the underside of the car is covered in plastic shields and various suspension components that look sturdy but definitely aren't meant to hold 3,000 pounds of sedan.
Locating the Side Pinch Welds
The most common 2013 hyundai elantra jack points are the pinch welds located along the rocker panels. If you kneel down and look under the side of your car, just behind the front wheels or just in front of the rear wheels, you'll see a vertical metal "seam" or lip that runs the length of the car. This is the pinch weld.
Hyundai was actually pretty helpful here. If you look closely at the plastic trim on the side of the car, you'll usually see two small notches or indentations in the metal seam itself. The area between those two notches is the reinforced jacking point.
For the front, the point is about six to eight inches behind the front wheel well. For the rear, it's about six to eight inches ahead of the rear wheel well. When you're using the emergency scissor jack that comes in the trunk, the "U" shaped groove on the top of the jack is designed to slot perfectly over this metal seam.
Using a Floor Jack Instead of the Emergency Jack
Now, if you're at home in your garage, you're probably using a hydraulic floor jack rather than that flimsy scissor jack. While the scissor jack is great for a roadside emergency, it's not exactly the most stable thing in the world for routine maintenance.
When using a floor jack on these 2013 hyundai elantra jack points, you have to be a little careful. Most floor jacks have a flat or slightly cupped "saddle" (the part that touches the car). If you put that flat metal plate directly against the thin pinch weld, you might bend the weld or scrape off the paint, which can lead to rust later on.
I always suggest getting a rubber pinch weld adapter. They're cheap—usually ten bucks on Amazon—and they have a slot in the middle that protects the metal seam while distributing the weight evenly. If you don't have one, a hockey puck with a groove cut into it works surprisingly well. Just a little DIY tip to keep your car looking clean underneath.
The Front Center Jacking Point
Sometimes you want to lift the entire front of the car at once to put it on two jack stands. Searching for the central 2013 hyundai elantra jack points can be a bit trickier because of the plastic splash shield.
On the 2013 Elantra, you're looking for the front subframe cross-member. This is a heavy-duty steel frame that holds the engine and transmission. You'll see a flat, reinforced section of this frame right in the center, behind the oil pan.
Pro tip: Do not, under any circumstances, jack the car up by the oil pan or the transmission housing. They will crack, and you will have a very expensive bad day. Make sure you are definitely on the thick steel subframe. If you aren't sure, it's always safer to stick to the side pinch welds one at a time.
Where to Put the Jack Stands
This is the part where people get tripped up. If you use the side pinch weld to jack up the car, where do you put the jack stand? You can't put them both in the same spot at once.
What I usually do is lift the car from that front subframe point I mentioned earlier. Once the front end is in the air, I slide two jack stands under the side pinch welds (at the reinforced spots with the notches). That way, the car is supported evenly and securely.
If you're only lifting one corner and can't use the subframe, you'll have to find another solid mounting point for the stand. Some people use the area where the lower control arm mounts to the frame. It's solid steel and can handle the weight, but you have to make sure the jack stand head is seated perfectly so it doesn't slip.
Safety Basics You Shouldn't Ignore
It feels a bit "dad-like" to harp on safety, but it's really important. Never, ever get your body under a car that is only supported by a hydraulic jack. Jacks fail. Seals leak. Valvles give out. If that happens while you're reaching for a bolt, it's over.
Always use jack stands. Once you lower the car onto the stands, give the car a good "shake test." Seriously, grab the bumper and give it a firm wiggle. It's better for the car to fall off the stands while you're standing next to it than while you're underneath it. If it feels rock solid, you're good to go.
Also, don't forget to chock the wheels. If you're lifting the front, put blocks or bricks behind the rear wheels. Since the 2013 Elantra is front-wheel drive, the "Park" gear only locks the front wheels. If you lift the front off the ground, there is nothing stopping the car from rolling backward unless the parking brake is buried and the rear wheels are chocked.
Dealing with Rust and Age
Since the 2013 Elantra is getting a bit older now, you might notice some surface rust on your 2013 hyundai elantra jack points, especially if you live in the "salt belt" where they salt the roads in winter.
Before you start jacking, take a quick look at the metal. If the pinch weld looks like it's crumbling or extremely thin from corrosion, be very careful. You might want to find a more substantial part of the frame to lift from. If the metal seems solid despite a little brown surface crust, you should be fine, but it's always a good idea to spray some undercoating or rust-inhibitor on those spots after you're done to keep them from getting worse.
Summary of the Best Approach
To recap, if you're just doing a quick tire change, stick to the 2013 hyundai elantra jack points on the side pinch welds. Look for those little notches in the metal seam just behind the front tires or in front of the rears.
If you're doing a bigger job like an oil change or brake work: 1. Find a flat, level surface (concrete is best, asphalt can get soft on hot days). 2. Chock the wheels that are staying on the ground. 3. Use a floor jack with a rubber adapter on the pinch weld or the front subframe. 4. Lower the car onto high-quality jack stands. 5. Do the shake test.
Taking an extra five minutes to make sure your 2013 hyundai elantra jack points are lined up correctly isn't just about protecting the car—it's about making sure you can get the job done without any hospital visits. Once you've done it a couple of times, you'll be able to spot those notches even in the dark. Just take it slow, use the right tools, and you'll have that Elantra up in the air in no time.