This is a friendly reminder that, when using a car jack you should always use jack stands as well. Chocking the wheels is also a good idea.
Seriously, use jack stands. People have been crushed and killed by their vehicles.
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Most jacks are designed to be used to lift a vehicle high enough so that jack stands can be placed at support locations.
The only exception would be if you’re changing a flat on the side of the road with the emergency scissor jack that came with your vehicle. Even then, work on level and hard ground, don’t stick your body under any part of the car, chock the opposite wheels if you can, follow the instructions to the letter, and use common sense.
Even the best automotive jacks in the world can fail. A falling car can be fatal if not severely damaging to someone working beneath it. Cars can also roll or shift position, even with the parking brake engaged.
So don’t try to save money, time, or effort by working without jack stands. They don’t even cost that much to begin with – you can get a pair of 2-ton stands starting at about $25.
Here’s what I would buy:
Craftsman 4-Ton Jack Stands(via Sears)
Craftsamn 3-Ton Stands(via Sears)
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When buying jack stands, remember to buy stands with higher load ratings than your vehicle’s weight. Also keep in mind that stands can have different height ranges.
Jack Stands(via Amazon)
Wheel Chocks(via Amazon)
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Jeff commented about how cheaper stands that don’t have flat gussets or feet can sink into asphalt and softer materials.
Jerry mentioned about how some jack stands have notches sized for 2×6 or 2×8 lumber. That way, the stands will dig into the wood rather than asphalt or soft flooring.
Mati
So Stuart, is this where the phrase “that is jacked up” came from?
Just kidding, but seriously people, safety is quite important, especially when dealing with cars. I’ve seen several car accidents in my lifetime and some were quite horrid.
Stuart
Technically, jack means to raise, hoist, lift, etc. “Jacked up” can be traced directly to the definition, depending on context.
jeff_williams
Most cheap jack stands are still quite dangerous on asphalt. They really should be set on steel plate. The ones pictured have small gussets in the corner so that they don’t cut right through the tar.
Jerry
Many also have a wide flat notch at the bottom, such as the ones pictured so you can set a 2×6 or 2×8 (or even 2×10 on some bigger stands) under them in soft surfaces, or ones you do not want damaged. Use a board as wide as will fit the notch, for safety.
Stuart
Those are both very good points, and I have edited them into the post accordingly.
Dan
Relevant post Stu, a local guy just died as a result of working on a car jacked up with a (gulp) forklift hooked under wheel wells. Sad, but you have to wonder about the thought process here.
Joe
I will admit that I don’t bother with jack stands when I am changing out my wheels (summer/snow), I just jack up that part of the car, pull off the wheel, put the new one on, and let it down.