Using Jack Stands Safely

Jack stands may be the most overlooked safety equipment items in a diy garage.

Using jack stands safely.

Jack stand load ratings when looking for jack stands their weight rating is the most important factor to consider. Gently shake the vehicle to confirm it is secure. Instead they provide a safe fixed support for a raised vehicle. In that position you need to take all the precautions you can and using jack stands are one of the simplest but also highly effective measures you can take to keep safe.

Frankly you should never work beneath your car without this key piece of safety equipment. This will ensure that the jack stands will stay in place. Slowly turn the lever on your floor jack counterclockwise to drop your vehicle back down. Pull the jack out from underneath your vehicle.

Once the vehicle is chocked the jack is located safely and the vehicle is lifted it s time to place the jack stands at the indicated points. Typically you ll see jack stands rated at 3 tons up through 20 tons. Which is why we re here. Check that all jack stands are planted flat on the ground and that they don t move when you shake the car.

While ratchet type jack stands are safe enough pin type stands are almost indestructible since the locking pin makes it impossible for the supporting bar to slip through the base. Park on a solid surface. A tilted jack stand may collapse as it is not designed to hold a load at an angle. This type of jack stand is the preferred stand for heavy vehicles because it is the strongest and most reliable stand to use in this application.

The jack stand will support the weight on the side of your vehicle so you can safely work underneath it. Use a pair of jack stands every time you lift a vehicle and you will vastly decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of a falling vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is parked on a flat concrete surface and that the conditions of the floor on which you will be using the jack stands is solid and free of debris. Once your car passes the shake test it is safe to work on your car.

Lower your vehicle slowly onto the jack stand.